For a myriad of reasons

  For a myriad of reasons

Jesus said,

"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 11:25,26,27.

The above portion of scripture is one of my favourites as it expresses my feelings toward Jesus.

I believe in God for a myriad of reasons. I have faith there is a God and that Jesus is God incarnate, The Saviour of the world, of all who will put their trust in Him, not just because the Bible tells me there is a God, but because science seems to point to the fact there is a God who created all things.

That being said there are those who would disagree with me.

Thomas Aquinas said,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas.

Thus my question to you is; Do you believe in God and that Jesus is Gods one and Only Son, God incarnate, the saviour of all who will put their trust in Him?

Please think about it.

Who is your God?

  Who is your God?

In the book of Joshua we read,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.

In the above passage of scripture Joshua is telling the Israelites to make up their mind. To either follow the one true God or the gods of the Amorites. 

While we in the western democracies may not want to admit it we have many Gods. Even those who call themselves Christians quite often worship other gods. The obvious being materialism. But there are other god that we may not think are gods. The following of a political leader or party. Even an obsession with your personal rights under the law of the land.

Other gods is anything that puts The Lord God Almighty second or mixes anything in with our worship of Him.

As Christians, followers of Christ Jesus in the west we need to decide who we will follow. Our political leaders, political parties, materialism,...or The Lord God Almighty.

Who are you following?

Please think about it.

We can ignore but not evade

  We can ignore but not evade

The Psalmist wrote,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                     Psalm 19:1

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God." C.S.Lewis.

It is said that if the Universe was expanding just a little faster life as we know it on earth would not exist. Slower and the universe would collapse thus we would not exist.

What is striking about the universe and everything in it from the largest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particle is that it is perfect order for us to exist.

This to me points to a Creator God who made the heavens and the earth and everything in it. Science done correctly will I believe one day prove there is a mathematical formula for creating the universe.

Until that time we must simply look at the world around us to see the finger prints of God.

We must have faith that God exists. Which I think for many especially intellectuals is a very hard thing.

Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics and Nobel prize winner in physics states,

“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you" Werner Heisenberg.

Even Stephen Hawking stated,

“The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us" Stephen Hawking.

Hawking also said,

“It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us,” Stephen Hawking.

Still ultimately each person must decide for themselves if God exists. What do you think?

Please think about it.

Lunatic or God?

Lunatic or God?

John’s Gospel records,

"The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  

I and the Father are one."

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?

"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."  John 10:24-33

Jesus claimed to be God. He claimed that He and The Father were one. Was He?

C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity put things this way,

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. 

You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Thus the question becomes who is Jesus to you? Is he a good man, a great moral teacher, God incarnate, or a poached egg?

Please think about it.

The Christ

 The Christ

Jesus’ question to 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?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

Jesus here doesn’t just say to Martha. I will bring about the resurrection or that He will be the cause of the resurrection. (Both of which are true) but He goes on one step further and states that “He is the resurrection”. Which implies deity. Jesus is God.

Martha acknowledges this. Saying. “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God...”

Just exactly who Jesus is, is something that each individual must decide for themselves. Is He the Son of God, The Saviour of the world, God incarnate, Or Is He not.

The choice dear reader is your.

Before you decide however take time to at least read about Jesus and what his followers believed Him to be in the New Testament. While at the same time praying and asking God to show you the truth.

Please think about it.

Shall not Perish

  Shall not perish

Jesus speaking about 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.

Christians must remember these verses. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.

It is the Christians job to present this message to the world around them. To say to the world.

“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.” John 3:16.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting this message to those around you?

Please think about it.  

God Cares

 God Cares 

Jesus tells us,

"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.

On February 14, 1990, NASA at a distance of 6 billion kilometres (3,7 billion miles) had the Voyager 1 space probe take a picture of the Solar system. It showed earth as a pail blue dot smaller than the head of a pin. 

Looking at it we see just how small earth is in the universe. Within the vastness of the universe it seems insignificant. Yet it is everything to those of us who live on it.

Some have said there may be more planets out there in the vastness of the universe that has life. While that may be true it is our planet and our planet alone that is important to us. We have no other place in the universe to live.

This pail blue dot we live on is also important to God. For He entered the world in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ.

When we look at the Bible we must remember that it is not a science book. But rather a book of relationships. Man’s relationship with God as well as man’s relationship with his fellow man.

Galileo Galilei wisely said,

“The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, 

not the way the heavens go.”

                                 Galileo Galilei.

The way I see it is God did not see those of us who live on that pail blue dot as insignificant. Quite the contrary He created us to have fellowship for all eternity with Him.

That being said God chose to give each person a free will to do as they wished. To believe in Him and that He created the universe and everything in it. To believe that He entered the world in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus Christ or not to believe.

Thus the choice is yours. Do you believe there is a God? Do you believe in Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Ambassador for Christ

 Ambassador for Christ

The apostle Paul states,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

The apostle Paul make it clear here. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus you are an ambassador for Christ.

An ambassador is a representative of a country or a king. The ambassador according to the Oxford dictionary is also “a representative or promoter of an activity”. 

In the case of a Christian we represent the King of kings and Lord of lords. The activity we promote is that of salvation through Christ Jesus.

We are no ones judge. Jesus specifically saying we are not to judge.

Jesus 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.

Jesus speaking of Himself made it clear,

“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 what every Christian is called to do. To present the unconditional Love of God through Christ Jesus to anyone who will listen to us.

Are you?

Please think about it.

As Humanly Possible

  As humanly possible

“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23.

I read an interesting statement from Lenny Bruce that read,

"Every day people are straying away from the church

 and going back to God. Really." 

                                                                       Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."

Another one by an unknown author read,

I believe in God; 

I just don't trust anyone who works for him.”

                                                                               Author Unknown.

Sadly these statements are true. They are showing that the words of the apostle Peter are coming true when he said,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."2 Peter 2:1-3.

Many of those false teachers here in North America hide under the freedom of speech laws. They say they have the right to say what they believe. Which according to law they do.

That being said I don’t feel the church is doing enough to denounce false teaching. The apostle Paul clearly stated,

"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.

Thus my question to you. When you hear things you don’t feel are right, being said by a leader in your church or an evangelist do you (politely) question them about the false teaching?

Do you bring your questions to those in authority within your church congregation or denomination?

I firmly believe that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to preach and see that the gospel of Christ is preached in as pure a form as is humanly possible. For if it is not, it could have eternal consequences. 

What do you think?

Please think about it.

In Everything

  In Everything

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.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"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 2:11,12.

Jesus 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.

I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Are you living a good life? Above all are you obeying the words 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.

Please think about it.

Present the Gospel

 Present the Gospel

Jesus said,

“Judge not, that you be not Judged.   

For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.

Jesus makes things clear here. We are not to judge others especially when it comes to where a person will spend eternity.

I firmly believe that Jesus said this because we do not know why a person is the way they are. Only God knows why a person is the way they are.

Also if we are heaping judgement on someone we will turn them away. And, they will judge us.

It is not our job as Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus to judge anyone. Jesus in giving the great commission 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 cannot fill this commission if we are judging people.

We must never judge another person unless it is for our personal safety or the safety of others. 

We must however present the Gospel of Christ in as pure a form as we know how to those around us. For that is the only way we will win souls for Christ.

Please think about it. 

An old Sermon

 An old sermon

The book of Acts tells of this incident in which the apostle Paul was invited to speak in the Areopagus by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. It is if you will the first century example of what we to day would call a Ted Talk.

At the end of the talk we are told some sneered, some wanted to hear more while others believed what he said, 

I leave what Paul said here for you the reader to decide if you believe him or not. The book of acts reads,

"So he (Paul) 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

Please think about it.

Seek and you will find

  Seek and you will find

The prophet Jeremiah quotes God as saying,

“You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                         Jeremiah 29:13.

I believe this statement to be true. If we truly seek God with all our hearts, putting aside any preconceived notions of what God is, we will find Him.

I firmly believe the Almighty God the God who created heaven and earth is to be found in the Bible.

I believe Jesus Christ is the one and Only Son of God who came into this world to point mankind to heaven.

All I would as of you the reader is to at least read the New Testament without any preconceived ideas and decide for yourself. If God does indeed exist.

Please think about it.

If people would

  If people would

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:36-40.

Francis of Assisi wrote this prayer,

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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;

And 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.

Love is the key to ending all conflicts. If people would simply show unconditional love to family, friends and foe alike there would be no conflicts in this world.

Please think about it.

In front of Anyone

  In front of anyone

The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, 

with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, 

O Most High.” 

                             Psalm 9:1,2.

Here is a simple request. Will you take time to Praise the Lord today? Will you sing Praises to Gods holy name?

I believe it is the duty of every Christian to tell the world about God. To sing the praises of God in front of anyone who will listen.

Please think about it.

The Path

  The Path

The Psalmist writes,

“Show me your ways, O LORD, 

teach me your paths;

 guide me in your truth and teach me, 

for you are God my Saviour, 

and my hope is in you all day long.” 

                                                   Psalm 25:4,5.

Question; Do you ask God to show you His ways? Do you read the scriptures to learn the ways of God? Do you read biblical history books to see what life was like in the time of Jesus?

Here in North America we are blessed with having access to uncensored books and libraries. We can go to Christian book stores and find books on the life and times of Christ. We can find commentaries from various points of view on the scriptures. Yet most who call themselves Christians don’t bother to read such books.

Even when some read commentaries on scriptures themselves, they tend to only read commentaries that support their own views.

I think it is important when you can to read the scriptures daily at least. And to find commentaries and history books that put what is said in the scriptures into context. 

I believe by doing this you will learn the path God wants you to follow.

Please think about it.

Do you do this?

  Do you do this?

Isaiah the prophet said,

"Fear not, for I am with you; 

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  

                                                                   Isaiah 41:10.

According to the YouVersion bible app the most looked up verse in 2020 was Isaiah 41:10. With all that’s gone on in 2020 I can understand why people would want assurance that God is there for them.

Sadly however many people, even people who attend church regularly only turn to God when bad times come.

Many people only turn to God when they think they can get something out of Him.

This should not be so. We need to turn to God everyday. Glorifying His name asking His guidance and protection as we go through the day.

Do you do this?

Please think about it

An approved workman

 An approved workman

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

"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.

This is happening today. I live in North America perhaps the freest place in the world. Men and women calling themselves Christians are not listening to the apostle Paul and presenting the word of God correctly. Instead they are turning away and misinterpreting the scriptures in a way that suits their own beliefs. 

In doing so they are giving true Christians and God a bad name. 

Non-Christians are at best confused. They don’t distinguish between a person calling themselves a Christian who misuses the word of God and those who correctly handle the word of God.

Sadly here in North America those who would misinterpret and preach false doctrine use freedom of speech laws to hide their wrong doing. Many even when corrected refuse to change.

The apostle Peter stated,

"Live as free men, 

but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; 

live as servants of God.” 

                                         1 peter 2:16.

If ever there was a time at least here in North America, for revival of the church it is now. The church and all those who consider themselves true followers of Christ Jesus need to turn back to the scriptures and interpret them correctly. 

They need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

"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.” 2Timothy 2:15

Are you and the evangelist, pastors and religious leaders you listen to doing what Paul here in 2Timothy 2:15.

Please think about it.

Bulwark of a free society

 Bulwark of a free society

In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                         Genesis 1:1

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It has no reason to. It was written to believers and believers in God do not dispute His existence.

To believers, it is God who wrote on each individuals heart what is right and wrong. It is belief in God that laid down universal moral values we all should live by. 

Abba Hillel Silver during the second world war in Britain 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.

The way I see things when God is left out of society bad things happen. We just have to look at Nazi Germany during the second world war to see what happens when men forget about or don’t believe in God. People end up in prison, tortured or are murdered for their beliefs. Life becomes cheap.

And the Nazis while perhaps the most extreme example in history, they don’t have a monopoly on the persecution of believers in God. It is happening around the world today.

It is believed that tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people are persecuted,, in prison or labour camps simply for believing in God believing in Christ Jesus. A God that quite often, those who are imprisoning believers in God, say does not exist.

I firmly believe that if society is to thrive we need to keep belief in God strong within our society. That we need to worship our loving God in spirit and in truth. We need to show the love of a God to all those around us no matter who they are, family, friend and foe alike.

I firmly believe that we who are free in the western democracies need to pray not just for those who are in prison for their beliefs. But for those who are imprisoning them. That they will see that God exists and that they will see that the word the writer of  Ecclesiastes is true when he wrote,

"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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

Please think about it.

Do you believe in God?

  Do you believe in God

The Prophet Isaiah writes,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

 but the word of our God stands forever." 

                                                                   Isaiah 40:6-8.

I over my nearly sixty plus years on this earth that some believe God is dead. That the Bible is irrelevant. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Many years ago I read a poem that read,

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,

"To wear and bater all these hammers so?"

"Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.

                                                                    Anonymous.

God has given each and every person on this earth the freedom to choose to believe and do as they wish. That includes believing whether or not God exists.

Thus the question becomes; Do you believe in God?

        Do you believe Jesus is the one and only Son of God, who  died for your sins?

Please think about it.

A message foolish?

A message foolish?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1Corinthians 1:18.

I think people in general put God in a box. They think God should do things the way they imagine things should be done.

A good example of this is the soldiers who were at Christs crucifixion who said,

“...said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." Luke 23:37.

I’m sure there were many in the crowd that day that believed the same way. They wanted a conquering Messiah who would take them out from under the heal of the Roman boot. They expected the Messiah to come with conquering angels in power and glory.

Jesus was not what they expected. A person of low birth who preached repentance of sins and love for ones fellow man. Gods Son who died for the sins of all who believed in Him.

The same is true today. Many look an Jesus and fail to see what they expect. Thus they turn away. They see the message of the cross as foolishness. 

By contrast those of us who believe in Christ Jesus see Christs life and accept Him for who He is, The suffering Messiah who died for our sins. 

Jesus talking about himself 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.” John 3:16,17.

Is this what you believe?

Please think about it. 

Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked?

  Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.  

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelations 3:14-21.

The Laodicean church was according to Jesus lukewarm. He tells them He wished that they were one or the other. You never really know what a lukewarm person truly believes.

The Laodiceans however think they are rich. When in fact they are poor. 

Jesus tells them to turn to Him and buy from him gold refined in the fire, white robes the symbol of holiness. He calls them to put salve on their eyes so they can truly see what is of God.

He calls them to repent. Telling them that he rebukes and disciplines those He loves.

He reminds them that He is knocking at the door of their heart. That if they will only hear Him and open that door He will come into their life.

Today we have many Churches, evangelist and pastors who think they are rich, and many in a material sense are rich but that is not what God wants. Because many who are rich in a material sense do not rely on God.

Matthew records Jesus as saying,

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24.

Additionally there is a false doctrine that is here in North America where I live that states if you are not materially rich you are doing something wrong. The so called prosperity doctrine. 

Such teaching is wrong. 

We as believers in the twenty-first century need to look at our life. We need to ask ourselves am I a lukewarm believer. Or am I on fire for God. 

Am I rich spiritually in Christ Jesus, or am I “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”.

Where do you stand?

Please think about it.

If you think you are, you're probably not.

  If you think you are you're probably are not

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:7-13.

Someone has said “if you think you or your church is like the church of Philadelphia in the book of revelations, you probably are not.”

Jesus notes that this church has little strength yet they have kept the His word. As a result He will make those who are their enemies to fall down and acknowledge that Christ has loved them.

Some say that when Christ says that He will keep them from the wrath to come means they will be raptured before the tribulation starts.

Others see this as God saying He will keep them safe through this period of intense persecution. 

He makes it clear there is an open door before those in Philadelphia. That leads to their reward. 

The reward for those who stay true to God is that they will be come pillars in the temple of God. And will never again have to leave it.

The bottom line in this is we as individuals should be striving to follow Christ in as pure a way as is humanly possible. 

We must remember that even when we are weak Christ understands and rewards those who although weak remain faithful to Him.

Please think about it.

Are you in a spiritual coma?

  Are you in a spiritual coma?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:1-6.

One commentator I read said the church at Sardis “was in a deep spiritual coma”. It contrary to what was perceived the church at Sardis was not alive but asleep. There deeds were incomplete. They were not doing the work of the Lord. The have fallen short of what God wants of them.

Thus Christ tells them to repent. That if they don’t wake up He is coming at a time they no not. Then they will face the consequences of their actions.

At the same time Christ points out that there are some who have not turned from Him. Some who have done the will of God. These he states,... “will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.”  

Their names will remain in the book of life and Jesus will acknowledge his name before God the Father.

I think in the present day there are many churches particularly here in North America that are like this. The majority have slipped into a “spiritual coma”. They may look alive and doing the work of God but they are not. Sadly I think these people fool themselves into thinking they are doing the will of God but are not. I think such people are in danger of hearing the words of Jesus who said,

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41.

While the others mentioned here at Sardis those who did the will of Christ will hear,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:34-36.

Thus the question becomes; are there those in your church congregation or denomination who are in a “spiritual coma”?

Are you?

Please think about it.

Are you tolerating Jezebels?

  Are you tolerating Jezebels?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  

So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):  

Only hold on to what you have until I come. 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. Revelations 2:18-26.

Jesus notes that the church at Thyatira has faith and love. That they are doing more for Christ than they did at first. However Christ points out that they tolerate Jezebel. 

Some scholars believe this to be a reference to the old Testament Jezebel who married king Ahab and imposed worshipping Baal on the northern kingdom of Israel. Others believe it could have been an actual person who was leading people away from the gospel of Christ. Either way some people in Thyatira were being led astray. 

Christ warns against this. Calling Jezebel and all who follow her to repentance. If they do not they will suffer.

As for those who have not followed these false teachings Christ states He will not impose any other burdens upon them.

Today in 2021 there are many church congregations particularly I think in large churches and denominations that tolerate false teachings. Either they don’t want conflict or say it is freedom of speech an belief. This should not be so.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to speak out against false teachers. To correct them and offer them the opportunity to repent before God judges them.

The apostle Paul writes,

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

Thus I would as you the reader. First are there false or misled teachers, (Jezebels) people within your congregation or denomination that need correction?

Secondly are you certain you are believing the true Gospel of Christ Jesus?

Pleases think about it.

The persecuted of Smyrna and today

The persecuted of Smyrna and today

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.

Here is one of only two churches mentioned in Revelations that Christ does not criticize. Christs states that while they may seem to live in poverty. It is quite the opposite. They are rich. 

Christ tells them that some of them are about to go to prison, and suffer persecution. Yet He reminds them that if they stay faithful to the point of death they will receive a crown of life.

This is happening around the world today in the twenty-first century. There are many believers in Christ Jesus who are being persecuted, jailed, placed in prison camps even put to death for the name of Jesus.

These believers have the assurance from Christ that they will receive a crown of life.

As believers in the western democracies we should be praying for the persecuted church around the world. 

For as brother Andrew a famous evangelist and bible smuggler once said, “our prayers go where we cannot.”

Please don’t just think about it. 

Pray for the persecuted church now.

Pergamum a Call to repentance

 Pergamum a call to repentance

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.

Here we have Christ speaking to the church at Pergamum a city that was full of emperor worship among other things. A church surrounded by paganism. 

Christ points out that one of the things He has against them is they tolerate the teachings of Balaam. A reference to the old testament were Balaam advised the king of Moab to seduce the Israelites into sexual sin and spiritual adultery.

At the same time the Nicolaitans while opposed in Ephesus, were spreading sexual and spiritual adultery in Pergamum.

Christs call is to get rid of such teachings or He will intervene.

There are many churches here in the western democracies today that tolerate false teaching in their midst. The call to the church at Pergamum is a call to those churches who allow false teaching in their midst without correcting it.

Thus the question becomes to anyone reading this; Take a few minutes to assess the church and denomination that you are part of. Do they allow false teaching. Teaching that is not from the bible. Teaching that is not from Christ?

Please think about it.

"Ephesus and you?

  Ephesus and you?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  

But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  Revelations 2:1-7.

It is said each church represented in the book or Revelations can refer to a church, a church denomination or even a person in the present day.

Here while the Lord comments on their deeds and hard work. That they have not tolerated wicked men. And that they have hated the practices of the Nicolaitans an heretical group. The Lord also notes,

• “Yet I hold this against you: 
• you have forsaken your first love.  
• Remember the height from which you have fallen!
• Repent and do the things you did at first”. 

Some scholars note that this could mean that they have lost their love of God, of Christ. Some have even said they have lost their love of each other. While others say they have lost their love of both.

Either way The Lord makes it clear if they don’t repent they will loose their status before God.

As individuals we need to look at ourselves; Is God truly my first love? Do I truly love those around me. Family, friends, and foe alike?

Do I need to repent?

Do you?

Please think about it.

Speaking up

  Speaking up

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

Here is a clear directive from God to all who believe in Him. 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

 for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly;

 defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 

                                                  Proverbs 31:8,9.

Here is something we Christians in North America need to get into our brains. We are to help the needy in any way we can. Speaking up for those in need means confronting our political leaders. Telling them they need to implement programs that will offer a living wage, free access to good health care, and affordable housing. In short giving the poor basic human rights.

Jesus stood up for the rights of the poor. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells the story of the rich man who had everything this world had to offer but would not help a poor man. The result was the rich man ended up in hell while the poor man ended up in heaven. This should be a warning to all who are rich and to all who are not standing up for the rights of the needy.

Thus my questions to you; Are you speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. For those in need?

Are the politicians and religious leaders you support standing up obeying what is said in Proverbs 31:8,9?

Please think about it.

No souls won

  No souls won

The apostle Paul writes,

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."1 Corinthians 13:1-3

In this blog I’m talking mainly to Christians in North America where I live. I firmly believe many who call themselves Christians don’t listen to those around them. There is especially a lack of love and respect toward those with whom they disagree. 

Too many who call themselves Christians criticize those they disagree with, calling them sinful, judging their lifestyle. Jesus never did this.

Jesus was accused by the religious leaders of sitting down with sinners. Something I don’t think would have happened if Jesus criticized and judged those He was sitting with.

When I talk to non-Christians, I hear time and time again. Christians judge them and don’t love them. That Christians don’t listen to them.

I think that Christians need to take a look at themselves. They need to listen to their critics and see how they can show the Love of Christ towards those they disagree with. 

For if this does not happen no souls will be won for Christ.

Please think about it.

A Moral Responsibility

  A Moral Responsibility 

In the book of Leviticus we read.

“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’ ” Leviticus 23:22.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,

“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo.

I believe as Christians we have a moral obligation to help those in need and scripture backs this up. In the book of James we read,

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.

In the Jewish faith there is a concept known as Tzedakah. I got this explanation of tzedakah from Jewish web site it states,

"Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy....

In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.

We have no way of knowing why a person is poor and in need. And its not our place to judge the poor. 

It is however, our moral obligation to help the poor when we can.

Please think about it.