Are you salt and light?

Are you Salt and Light?
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” 
                           Matthew 5:13-16.
I’ve seen many over the years who claim to be Christians. Yet a quick look at their life shows them to be far from. They are merely copies of the world with Christian prefix.
Billy Graham said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”
                                                                                                         Billy Graham.
He also said,
“The men who followed Him(Jesus), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.”
     Billy Graham.
We need to be like Christ. We need to live a life that attracts people to Christ.
All too many calling themselves Christians have a “holier than thou” attitude or are judging people because of their way of life or lifestyle. They are presenting the gospel message as a lot of do’s and do not’s. This should not be so.
The Pharisees of Jesus’ day put a lot of rules and regulations on the people to follow. Rules I’m sure they thought were intended for good, but were burdensome and turned people away from God.
God intends us to follow His commands but God never places harsh rules on us. 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.
As Christians we should be living a life that shows love. Love for God. Love for our neighbour whoever they may be. Even Love for our enemy. That is the way God intended us to be toward others.
We need to live a good and honest life that reflects the love of God.
What is known as the prayer of St. Francis tells how Christians should be. It states,

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 

to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

                                                                                                Francis of Assisi.
I know Francis was not an apostle but he from what I understand lived a good Christian life that reflected God.
This is the kind of life we should be living.
In order to be light and salt to this generation we need to be living a selfless life dedicated to God. Presenting the gospel not just in word but in deed.
We should never have to tell people we are Christians our life and lifestyle should do that.
Please think about it.

Freedom

Freedom
The United States of America Declaration of independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 
Noble words. Freedoms most in the world aspire to reach.
We in the west particularly here in North America have incredible freedoms. Freedoms many in the world can only dream of. All of this because we live in a secular democracy, in which politicians do their best to strike a balance that affords freedom for all.
Christianity has benefited from that freedom as has all faiths. Freedom is the ideal soil for any faith to grow.
However there are those calling themselves Christians that are I believe threatening the freedoms we have.
I can only speak as a Christian here, as I am a Christian.
But there are those who espouse to be Christians and Christians who would like to restrict the rights of others that live at peace and do no harm in our secular democracy.
As a Christian Jesus tells me to love God, my neighbour, and even my enemy.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 
 1 Peter 2:16,16
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 
                      James 2:12,13. 
The apostle Paul writes,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” 
               Titus 3:1,2.
To the Romans Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                             Romans 12:18.
As Christians the Apostles knew what it was to live in a world that didn’t share the same moral code as they had. Paul and Peter were put to death under Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Yet they said live at peace with all men, honour the king
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’ 
                                                                                        1 Peter 2:9-12.
The principle job of a Christian was expressed by Jesus who 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.
We are not to judge the world we are to love the world. To love all people no matter who they are.
The apostle Paul makes things clear what Christians are to do with respect to those outside the church when he states,
“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.
To may way of thinking Christians are to present their beliefs to anyone who will listen. Present not force upon others their faith. Christians are not to judge those outside the church. But rather as far as possible live at peace with all men.
I am thankful to God I live here in Canada were there is freedom for all. It allows me to express my ideas and have an open and honest dialogue with those of different faiths and differing views.
If you are a Christian reading this, I would ask that you consider what I’ve said and think about your attitude to others that you interact with each day.
Think about your attitude toward those you disagree with. Do you show respect toward them?
Please think about it.

Someone asked

Someone asked

Someone once asked me, “What is the most important decision one can make in life?
To which I answered, “to follow Jesus” because Jesus can bring a peace into your life like nothing else can.
I have proven the truth of what Jesus said when he said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                        Matthew 11:28-30.
I do no see God as an old man with a long beared and big stick ready to bash anyone who does wrong. Quite the contrary I see God as loving his creation so much that,
1/ He gave each person the right to complete freedom of actions. Freedom so complete that the individual has the right to believe in God or not.
Freedom to live life the way God wanted them to live or to do the complete opposite.
2/ I see a God who loved each person in this world so much that when He seen the world turning away from Him, He entered the world He created, in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ. To offer all men everywhere the opportunity, the choice to follow Him or reject Him.
Jesus speaking of himself 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.
I believe in a God that wants only the best for us. That he offers us peace even in the worst of circumstances.
I believe in God who asks us to have faith in Him even though we cannot see Him, because He knows those who believe in such a way are true believers.
I also believe in what the apostle John wrote,
“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.” 
                     John 1:12,13 
Now the questions I would ask you the reader is,
Do you believe in God?
Do you have peace in your heart?
Are you a child of God?
Please think about it.

A Walk of Faith

A walk of Faith
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” 
                                                                                  Proverbs 3:5,6.
Over the years I’ve had a lot of things happen to me, good and bad. During the good times I didn’t think much about what was happening and why it was happening. I just enjoyed it and thanked God for the good times.
When I was going through the bad times that was another thing. I questioned God, why? When I got cancer I had no real fear of dying. I knew were I would spend eternity still I asked God, why?
Then several weeks later with the cancer operation being called a success when I developed blood clots on my lungs as a result of the cancer operation, that all most killed me I asked God, why?
I prayed a lot during that time and the answer came down to “trust Me, have faith in Me”. Sometimes in life that’s all a believer can do.
Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 
                                              Romans 8:28
We as Christians need to remember that bad things do happen to good people in this life why we may never know. They just seem to happen. The key is to keep our faith in God.
While I was in the hospital with the blood clots. While I never went out of my way to tell people about Christ,  I was able to talk with a few people about God. People noticed my reading the Bible and made positive comments.
I hope that I planted a few seeds during that time.
At the same time however my faith was strengthened. I knew God had more for me to do in this life and time has shown that to be true.
There’s a famous poem called Foot prints it goes like this,
“One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. 
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life:
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” 
      Author unknown
While this poem may not be scripture it is true. If we truly have faith in God, faith in Christ, He will carry us through the bad times in our lives.
We may not know why we go through such times, or why God lets us go through them but if we trust God, He will deliver us safely through to the other side.
As the writer of Proverbs states,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” 
                                                                                                    Proverbs 3:5,6.
Faith is the key thing in a Christians life. The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                         Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
                                                                                                    Hebrews 11:6.
As Christians we know we have a reward waiting for us in Heaven the key is keeping our faith in God, in the good times and in the bad.
Please think about it.

Images of Love

Images of Love

Today is Easter Sunday the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the peace He brings to all who would accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.
The poet wrote,
                                                                   Images of Love
                                          

                                    Mary:                                         

What would she do now?  

Her mind vacillated, uncontrollably between joy and uncertainty.  

She could hide it, at least for a while.  

But, then tongues would wag.  

It was a small village.  Everyone knew everyone.  

Word of her condition would spread along the gossip highway.  

She’d be disgraced!  And...And what of her fiancé? 

What of Joseph?

 He’d have no choice, but to let her go.  

He hadn’t done a thing, yet, he’d get the blame.  

Just for the sake of his reputation, she’d have to go. 

She’d have to face this alone.

For a moment, her racing mind slowed, as she thought about what she’d been told. ELIZABETH!

Elizabeth.

 The angel had said Elizabeth was with child. 

 She would understand, she would know what to do.  

She’d go to Elizabeth.

Joseph:

PREGNANT!  

What has she done!  

How could she have done such a thing!  

He loved her.  

He thought she loved him...

For a moment, his mind became a whirling dervish of thoughts and emotions out of control.

How could she bring such a disgrace down on both of them, like this.

  How was it possible...

Then as suddenly as it started, the tirade in his mind abated, 

allowing the love he felt for her to surface.  

Despite what she had apparently done, he still loved her.  

Yet, her condition seemed to say, she did not love him.  

Perhaps, by divorcing her quietly, it would make it easier for her. 

 Joseph lay back on his bed and fell asleep.

O what joyous night!  

What blessed revelation!  

What blessed assurance!  

He would make  Mary, his wife!  

Just as the angel had commanded.  

Together, they would rejoice that Mary had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.

The Two:

Together, they would rejoice with the shepherds, 

as they told of the visit from the heavenly host.

They would give praises to God with Simeon and Anna,

 as they gave thanks for the fulfillment of His promise to Israel!

They would make haste fleeing along the dusty roads to Egypt 

and weep with the mothers of Rama as their children died.  

Mary,

 would feel the anguish of a mother 

 watching her own son die in agony on a Gentile cross 

under a blackened sky.

She would also experience the elation of 

the empty tomb!

the resurrection of her LORD !

and the love of her God.

Have you?
Jesus speaking of himself 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 John states,
“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.” 
                     John 1:12,13.
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
On this day Easter Sunday 2016 would you consider accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour That you may have rest for your soul?
Please think about it.

The Christian Message

The Christian Message
The Christian message has been spreading around the world for over two thousand years now. That message has never changed. As this is Easter weekend, the holiest weekend on the Christian calender I thought it only right that I present the Christian message by presenting what is perhaps one of the best sermons ever spoken.
It was spoken by the apostle Paul in Athens. The Book of Acts records,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.”    They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
                                                                                                    Acts 17:17-34.
Paul’s message is as important today as it was when he spoke it. It is a message I believe all people everywhere need to hear and decide for themselves who Jesus is.
So the question is, Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of Mankind or not. The decision is up to you.
Please think carefully about it.

Good Friday

Good Friday

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” 
                     Isaiah 53:5
Today is Good Friday a seemingly contradiction in terms considering Christians remember the death of Jesus.
Good Friday is the day Christians believe Jesus paid the price for our sins.
The apostle Paul writes,
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 
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 5:5-8.
The death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus are key beliefs of Christianity without them Christianity is nothing.
Christians believe:
1/ Jesus is the messiah. The suffering Messiah as described in Isaiah 53. Who died for the sins of all who would believe in Him.
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus
“He 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.
2/ Jesus did not remain in the grave he rose from the dead. 
3/ Jesus will judge the all mankind
The Apostle Paul when speaking to the Athenians saying,
“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.” 
                                                                                                   Acts 17:30,31.
Without the resurrection Christian beliefs mean nothing. Jesus conquered death. As far as I know Christianity is the only religion in the world that claims its founder died and rose from the dead walked the earth briefly then rose into heaven from where he will judge mankind.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father?" 
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ? 
  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 
                                                                                    Hebrews 1:1-9.
As C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
The Easter weekend is considered the holiest weekend of the year. It is a time when we as Christians celebrate the fact that God reached down in the form of His one and Only Son, Jesus.
God reached down to us His creation and offered salvation to anyone who would believe in Him and accept Jesus into their hearts and lives.
Jesus speaking of himself 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.
When God created man, He gave man complete freedom to do as he wished. That includes to believe in Him and the saving grace Jesus offers. Thus the choice to you this day is the same as was given to Martha by Jesus. He said to her,
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?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world, 
John 11:25,26.
Do you?
Please think about it.

Faith in God

Faith in God
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
                                                                                                                                     Abba Hillel Silver
I know some say there is no God but to my mind there has to be a God a God who has sent in the hearts and minds of man absolute values.
Without a belief in common moral values society would slip into anarchy or worse go extinct.
We only have to look around the world today to see this is true. Terrorist such as Islamic State and other groups think it acceptable to murder people because they disagree with them.
They bomb airports, transportation systems and other public places and consider it acceptable behaviour.
World war two is the most dramatic example of men setting their own moral code. Hitler and his henchmen ordering the death of millions in death camps. Causing ultimately the deaths of nearly sixty million due to the war they caused.
Examples of people not following God’s moral code happens daily on a small scale in every city in the world. People steal, murder, and commit other crimes all the time, without thought of the consequences.
When men think they will not be punished for their actions, or do not fear that punishment they will continue to set their own moral standards.
It is I believe only when men realize consciously or subconsciously  that they will one day have to answer to God that they will change their ways.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
Where do you stand on God.
Please think about it.

The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd
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. 
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” 
                                                                                                                     John 1:10,11.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”
                                         Romans 5:6-11.
Christianity is all about God setting the example. God reaching down in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus.
The soul purpose of Jesus’ life was to reconcile man to God.
I firmly believe Jesus came to this world to show mankind how far God would go in human terms to reconcile bring salvation into the world. That he would actually die for us.
The other reason I believe Jesus came into the word is that one day He will judge everyone on this earth.
Had He not come to this world. We quite justifiably could have said, “you are divine and all powerful. You couldn’t possibly know what it is to have all the temptations and problems of a human being.”
With Christ coming to earth however we cannot say that. Jesus knew what it was like to do things that are very human. He knows what it is to be tempted because He was tempted. Jesus knows what it’s like to feel the sun and rain against his face. To have friends.  To celebrate at a wedding. To be accused of a wrong you didn’t do. To be beaten mercilessly. To be put to death.
Jesus knows all of this. That is what gives him the right to judge us.
The important thing to remember about Jesus is he did not come to the world to condemn the world but to save it. Jesus speaking of himself 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.
Jesus was sent to save the world. You see it is by God’s grace we are saved and enter heaven. The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
Salvation is a gift from God. A gift you can accept or reject. The choice is yours. Jesus speaking of himself said,
 “Whoever believes in him (Jesus) 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.
Do you have the faith to believe Jesus is the Son of God?
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 defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                             Hebrews 11:1
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus

Flavius Josephus,(37AD-100AD) a Jewish historian, who became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Who was captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters. Wrote this about Jesus,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. 
He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
                                                                                                             Flavius Josephus
Josephus who was as far as we know not a Christian called Jesus, “a doer of wonderful works” “a teacher”. Someone who drew both Jew and Gentile to him.
Josephus also calls him the Christ who was condemned to the cross, but appeared to those who loved him three days after the crucifixion as foretold by the prophets.
He also attributes ten thousand other wonderful things to him.
Josephus obviously believed Jesus was who he said he was. The Messiah, the Christ.
Three centuries later Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. considered by some historians one of “the most gifted ancient adversaries of Christianity.” In his work against Christianity states:
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
Julian at the end of his life said,
  “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Over the centuries many have said everything from Jesus is a myth to Jesus being simply a man. Many have predicted the end of Christianity. Yet it still continues to grow daily around the world.
The book of Acts records this incident in which two of the apostles after being told by the religious leadership of the Jews in Jerusalem to not to speak of Jesus, were caught doing so and brought to trial,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.   Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 
                    Acts 5:28-39
Gamaliel I believe was right. Christ is the Son of God. The Message Jesus, the apostles,
and true Christians to day are preaching is directly from God.
The proof is in the fact that despite being the most persecuted faith in the world today it continues to grow.
The message of Christ is one of reconciliation of man to God. Christ message in a nutshell is expressed by Jesus himself.
Jesus speaking of Himself 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.
Every man and woman on this earth that knows about Jesus must make a decision as to who he is.
Jesus himself posed the question to a woman called Martha. The apostle John records,
“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?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” 
John 11:25,26.
What do you believe?
Please think about it.

Faith and Mental Health

Faith and Mental illness.
(A personal note)
Every so often I like to speak on a very personal note. This is one of them.
I have been a Christian now for over forty years. In those forty years I’ve gone through a lot. By far the hardest is living with Bi-polar affective disorder (manic depression).
Bi-polar disorder is when you cycle between ultra highs (mania) and ultra lows (depression) several times a year for long periods of time.
When I’m depressed suicide has crossed my mind. Most of the time however I just want to roll up in a ball and sleep.
When I’m on a manic high it’s get out of my way I can do it better and faster. I do several things at the same time and get nothing finished. The mania feels good. But you do stupid things like spend a lot of money and have nothing to show for it. You tend to do risky things to say the least.
I have a particularly bad version I what is referred to as rapid cycle. Most who rapid cycle do so a half dozen or so times a year. I can go between highs and lows four or five times a day. It can be a wild ride at times.
However with the right combination of therapies it can be controlled, and not just drug therapy. You also need various group therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, that helps you learn how to recognize the signs of your illness and how to react to it.
Before I was diagnosed correctly I didn’t really know what was happening. My sometimes crazy even bazar behaviour was considered by both myself, my family and friends as normal.
I was described by several people as having a quote “artistic personality”.
When I was diagnosed in my late forties, things started to fit into place. It became clear that I’d probably had it all of my life.
Prior to the diagnosis however I knew there was something wrong. Especially when the depression hit. There were as I said,times when suicide crossed my mind.
It was during those times that I was glad of my faith in Christ. I could turn to Him in prayer. Spend time alone with Him.
It was in those times that Jesus gave me strength.
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.
That thief for me was Bi-polar disorder. It threatened to take my life. And it very well could have, had I not had faith that with Jesus in my life I could have life to the full.
I was blessed. I had what amounted to a mental breakdown on the side of a highway on the way home from work. That triggered a series of events that put me on the path to a solution.
After the breakdown my family doctor sent me to a psychiatrist who after some time put a name to what I have and told me to try and change my lifestyle. I did.
Before I was stable however my first psychiatrist died sending me to a second one who started me on a series of trial and error drug combinations most of which I couldn’t handle. I did get somewhat stabilized before he finally retired and my care when to my current Psychiatrist who has managed to relatively stabilize me.
I say relatively because I do at times have very, very, bad times. There is no cure currently for Bipolar you can only control it.
Now I say all of that to raise awareness of not just Bi-polar disorder but of all mental illnesses. One in five Canadians suffer from mental illness and that number I believe is the norm in most western countries. Most if not the majority do not get help.
I have found that particularly in the church and Charismatic and Pentecostal churches seem to be the worst when it come to anything related to mental illness. They don’t want to admit there can be problems with the brain in the same way the rest of the body has problems. That the brain is an organ like any other.
Over the years I’ve been told by some in the church that mental illness is not real. I’ve even being accuse of being demon possessed. That psychiatrist are little more than pill popping witch doctors. Which is complete garbage spoken by ignorant people.
I firmly believe that God created doctors for a reason and that includes psychiatrist. And we need to use them if necessary. Not to do so or to instruct others not to do so, is morally wrong.
I am very well aware of mental health issues, apart from living with Bi-polar disorder I am also a volunteer speaker with the Canadian Mental Health Association here where I live. With the goal of raising awareness about mental health and telling people what it’s like to live with a mental health problem.
That being said I accredit my faith with my being alive today. 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 believe that to be true. In my darkest hours Jesus has been there for me giving me rest.
At the same time I would issue a warning to Christians reading this.
If you are feeling depressed for long periods of time. If you have episodes in your life where you have odd behaviour. Or if you hear voices or other odd things. Don’t be afraid to go to your family doctor or to a hospital and get help.
Getting help from a doctor does not lessen your faith no matter what you go for help for. The key is get help.
I firmly believe that God directed me to all the right doctors at the right time. As a result it saved my life.
Here in Canada the Canadian Mental Health Association has a great deal of information that can help you. The same is true for other Mental Health Associations in other countries.
I had never heard of Bipolar disorder before I was diagnosed. All I knew when I finally broke down mentally broke that it was time to get some help. I trusted my family doctor and today as a result have learned to live good life, with what is a horrible illness.
So please if you suspect you, or someone you love has a mental health problem get help.
Please think about it. 

A Call to All

A Call to All

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 
      2 Chronicles 7:14.
The apostle John wrote,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 
1John 1:9-10.
Christian belief fundamentally is believing that Jesus is the Son of God. That all men are sinners falling short of what God wants for their life.
That we, each individual, must confess our sins to God.
We must accept that Jesus died for our sins.
Paul telling us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8.
Christians belief that it is by God’s grace that we are saved through our faith in God, not through our good works.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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 apostle John states,
“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.” 
                   John 1:12,13.
These are fundamental Christian beliefs.
John’s gospel records that Jesus speaking of himself 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.
The choice is yours. Before you make your decision however I would ask that you not take my word for things, but rather read the New Testament. Read for yourself what Jesus and the Apostles taught. Then make an informed decision.
Please think about it.

A Caution

A caution to Christians,
The apostle Paul writes,
“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
Even Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                                    Matthew 7:21-23.
We live in a multi-media world. At the press of a button we can see pastors and evangelist from anywhere in the world. There are so many that it can be hard to tell if these evangelist are truly living life the way God intended them to live.
It can be hard to determine if they are teaching right.
Many are stringing together scriptures that may sound right but are not necessarily so. As a result we need to be on our guard.
We need to study the scriptures the person is using to see if it is in context. If it is not we need to look again at the person. Perhaps he or she made a simple mistake. It happens.
Still when we find something wrong we need to dig deeper into the teachings of the person. Look at other sermons and things they’ve taught. See if wrong teaching is a pattern or not.
Ultimately the bible is the final authority when it comes to Christian teaching. Everything that is preached from the Bible should be taken in context. If a person is not preaching the word of God in context then we shouldn’t be supporting them.
According to the apostle Paul we have the right to judge those of our own faith. Paul stating,
"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   
I’ve heard pastors use the defense “don’t come against the elect of God”. That may be true but the question I ask is “If the person is not preaching correctly from the word of God, is he or she God’s elect?”
It is God’s job to judge those outside the Church. We however as Christians have the right to determine if someone claiming to be Christian is teaching correctly.
My point today to all Christians reading this is be on your guard. Study the scriptures for yourself never simply take the word of a pastor or evangelist. They are not perfect and from time to time do make mistakes.
The important thing however is when found in error that the person admits the mistake and corrects themselves.
That they turn back to the word of God and preach it correctly.
As Christians it is our duty to also follow the teachings of Jesus and the apostles to the best of our ability. So that others may see Jesus in us and want what we have.
The apostle Paul writes,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 
                                                                         2 Timothy 2:15
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.

Your Witness

Your Witness
Frequently I wear tee shirts with various sayings on them. One of them says,

“Let praise be your 

HABIT 

Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say rejoice”

                                                                                                               Phillipians 4:4.
The word habit is quite often mistaken for Hobbit, as in Lord of the rings. It causes people to take a second look.
Today I was in my local Tim Hortons, Canada’s best known coffee shop. The girl at the counter seen it and asked if I was serious. I said yes that I do my best for God each day. She said quote, “that’s cool. I like that.”
Unfortunately there was no more time to talk to her because she had her job to do. Still for a brief moment she thought about God.
My prayer for her is that she’ll remember what she seen and that she’ll want to know more about God.
Sometimes it’s the little things that point people to or from God. The things we don’t realize we are doing.
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                         Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon, your actions, telling people?
There’s an old story that goes like this.
A policeman pulled over a car. On the back of which were bumper stickers saying “Jesus loves you”, “Jesus is the way to heaven”, “Jesus is Lord”.
When the officer pulled over the man he asked for the usual, man’s drivers licence, proof of insurance and ownership.
The man asked the officer why he’d pulled him over. To which the officer replied, “you made an illegal right turn. You failed to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, and you were driving twenty kilometres over the speed limit.
With all those bumper stickers on the car I was worried the car was stolen.”
As Christians we need to be careful how we conduct our lives. We need to be careful what we say and do.
Francis of Assisi was right when he said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                          Francis of Assisi.
That is true. The world is watching Christians. And a great light is shining on us. If we believe what Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
         John 14:6.
We are Christ’s representatives on this earth and we must live a life and lifestyle worthy of Him.
Your actions dear Christian may determine the eternal resting place of the people you come in contact with.
As Christians we need to take to heart the word of Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 
Matthew 7:12.
We need to follow the teachings of Christ 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 22:36-40.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” 
                                                                                                            Matthew 5:43,44.
Our lives need to be reflecting that of Christ each and every day.
If you are a believer in Christ take a few moments now to look at your life, your habits ask God to show you how others see you.
Please think about it.