Thursday 31 August 2023

The Capstone

  The Capstone

The apostle Peter referring to Jesus said,

"He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  

        Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

Here is Christian belief in a nutshell. Jesus is the way to heaven.

In answering Thomas one of His disciples Jesus said,

"I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

                                                                          John 14:6.

This was a radical statement at the time Jesus said it. It is even more radical today. Christians believe Jesus is the only way to heaven. As He put it “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The way I see it you can believe what Jesus and Peter states here or you can not. The choice is yours. You must decide.

The only thing I would ask the reader before you make a decision, is to at least read the new testament and see what Jesus and the writers of the New Testament believed about Him.

Please think about it.

Wednesday 30 August 2023

What will God say to you?

 What will God say to you?

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

"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.

I think this is self explanatory. God will one day judge the world.

What will He say about you?

Will God say to you ,

"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.

OR will you hear,

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

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 

“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46

Please think about it. 

Tuesday 29 August 2023

Be Prepared

 Be Prepared

Jesus told this parable,

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 

"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 

" ‘No,' they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 

"Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!' they said. ‘Open the door for us!' 

"But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:1-13.

Think about this. If what Jesus is saying here is just a story with no meaning with respect to His return. It doesn’t mean anything.

On the other hand if it is a reference to Christ’s return, which I believe it is, we have a lot to think about.

So are you prepared for the return of Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

Monday 28 August 2023

What we do know

  What we do know.

The apostle Peter writes,

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1Peter 1:3-5.

 If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus you can be certain that you have a living hope through Jesus Christ. That you have an inheritance that can never fade kept for you in heaven.

That being said in the book of Thessalonians we read,

"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2.

In other words Christ shall return to this world when we least expect it.

Will you be prepared?

Please think about it.

Sunday 27 August 2023

By Grace Through Faith

  By Grace through faith

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.

Christians believe we cannot work our way to heaven. We cannot live lives good enough to get to heaven.

The Prophet Isaiah noted,

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6.

No matter how good we may think we are we always fall short of Gods ideal for our life. We all sin. That’s why the apostle Paul tells 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 5:6-8 

Jesus speaking of Himself said this,

"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.

Scripture is clear. It is by the Grace of God we are saved. Through belief in Christ Jesus.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Saturday 26 August 2023

People of Faith

  People of Faith

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1,2.

Faith in 2023 seems to be in short supply. Few people seem to have faith in anything. 

We are bombarded by hundreds of things in the media one piece of information seemingly contradicting another piece of information.

I think its perhaps been this way throughout the centuries. It’s just that today we have a multimedia world that highlights contradictions quicker than ever before. 

It takes a lot of faith to believe anything these days.

That I think also applies to belief in God. It takes a lot of faith to believe in someone or something we cannot see, feel or touch. 

I think that is why God asks of faith. I think that is why in the book of Hebrews we read,

"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.

People who have faith in anything are the strongest of follower. People who believe in something with their whole heart and soul are willing to die for what they believe in.

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.” John 3:16.

Do you believe this?  

Friday 25 August 2023

The Message is power

  The Message is Power

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.” 

                                                                            1 Corinthians 1:18

  I believe a person has two choices in life. Either you believe in God or you do not. The choice is yours.

  Blaise Pascal wrote,

Belief is a wise wager. 

Granted that faith cannot be proved, 

what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false?

 If you gain, you gain all; 

if you lose, you lose nothing. 

Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. 

                                                                                Blaise Pascal

 Please think about it.

Thursday 24 August 2023

Are you living like this?

 Are you living like this?

Writing to the Galatians Paul states,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control.

 Against such things there is no law. 

                                               Galatians 5:22,23

  This is what it is to be a Christian. They are signs of a true Christian. If we are truly following Christ people will see these things in our life and be drawn to God.

  The apostle Peter said,

  “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 writer of Hebrews tells us,

“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

 

  If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?

  Please think about it.

Wednesday 23 August 2023

No club only Love

  No club only Love

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

I don’t believe for one minute God is a big old guy standing with a big club ready to hit us if we don’t do what He says.

Quite the contrary I believe what Jesus said of himself as recorded in John’s Gospel,

“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.

God loves us and only wants the best for us. That is why He has set before us some rules to live by. Basic rules that will point us to heaven.

Additionally God knew that we are far from perfect and will fail at some point in our life not to be all God wants us to be. Simply put “we sin”. The apostle 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.

The apostle John tells us,

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1John 1:8-10.

Sinning is falling short of what God’s ideals are. 

Thus God knowing that we humans with all our frailties will fall short of His ideas. Knowing that we are powerless to save our self. God showed us how much he loved us by sending His one and Only Son to die for our sins.

The apostle Paul explaining,

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.

Do you believe Christ died for your sins?

Have you accepted Christ’s offer of forgiveness?

Please think about it. 

Tuesday 22 August 2023

Where does you help come from?

  Where does your help come from?

The Psalmist writes,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth." 

                                                     Psalm 121:1,2.

So where does your help come from. Your wealth, or God?

The Psalmist wrote,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" 

                                                                          Psalm 20:7.

Can you honestly say this?

Please think about it.

Monday 21 August 2023

Who may ascend?

  Who may ascend?

The apostle Paul writes,

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  

  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.  

If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  

If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

When I read this portion of scripture I think of the prosperity preachers. Men and women who say “give to God (quite often meaning their ministry) and he’ll give you back ten fold or a hundred fold” such talk is garbage.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:1-4.

Those rich preachers will one day stand before God and be judged by what they did in this world. If they truly believed in Christ Jesus they will be saved, but as Paul said, 

“he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 

While being rich in not a sin. If we put more of an emphasis on our wealth than on God is a problem. 

Further more if someone is are knowingly taking money from others in God’s name with the intentions of making our self rich, especially if those people are poor, this is morally wrong and I believe God will punish them.

The Psalmist writes,

"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? 

Who may stand in his holy place? 

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, 

who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 

He will receive blessing from the LORD 

and vindication from God his Saviour. 

Such is the generation of those who seek him, 

who seek your face, O God of Jacob."

                                                            Psalm 24:3-6.

Please think about it.

Sunday 20 August 2023

Of wealth and God

  Of wealth and God

The Apostle Peter wrote,

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Acts 2:21

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Romans 10: 9,10.

Alfred North Whitehead wrote,

“Apart from God every activity is merely a passing whiff of insignificance.” Alfred North Whitehead.

Think about it. No matter how successful you are in life. No matter how much money and possessions you gain in this life. The moment you pass from this life they don’t mean a thing. 

The richest men that have ever lived may have had a magnificent funeral with an expensive casket costing thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. Yet in the end they stand before God in the same way as the poorest person that ever lived does. 

The deciding factor as to where you will spend eternity comes down to whom you sincerely believe in while alive.

Jesus said,

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate theone and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" Matthew 6:24.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich. It is the emphasis you put on your wealth that is the important thing. Do you rely on your wealth more than you do on God. Do you trust your wealth more than you do God?

Who do you believe in?

Please think about it.  

Saturday 19 August 2023

we may ignore but cannot evade

 We may ignore but cannot evade

The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit? 

Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                                                 Psalm 139:7-10

C. S. Lewis wrote,

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

The Psalmist writes,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                             Psalm 19:1

I am amazed at the universe around me. Everything is linked. From the smallest subatomic particle, to the flora and fauna around my house, to the most majestic galaxies I see through a telescope.

Abraham Lincoln wrote,

"I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God." Abraham Lincoln.

God’s presence is all around us. In order to know God all we have to do is believe. To have faith God exists. 

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.

Faith especially in something we can’t see or feel is a very difficult thing for many people. Which is perhaps why God want’s it that way.

Because people who have faith in someone or something are the strongest of believers.

Please think about it.

Friday 18 August 2023

The God Conundrum

  The God Conundrum 

The Psalmist writes,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

                                                            Psalm 14:1.

Think about this carefully. If you believe that there is no God then you must be God. Which nullifies your belief there is no God.

In order to fully prove that there is no God you need to have been everywhere and know everything. Which are attributes of God.

In order to prove there is no God you must have gone beyond the grave. Because if you have not gone beyond the grave. God might well be there. Which I believe He is.

Making the assertion that God dose not exist means you know all things. Which is an attribute of God.

So a true Atheist must be God. Which means he is not an atheist.

Please think about it. 

Thursday 17 August 2023

An amazing thought

  An Amazing thought

In the gospel of John we read,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

      He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

Here is an amazing statement. According to the apostle John, God who created the universe and everything in it came to earth as a man. This man, Jesus.

The early disciple and followers of Jesus all believed this. Martha a friend of Jesus when asked by Jesus,

"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.

In the John 1:1-14 the apostle John make it clear that he believed Jesus to be the creator of the universe. All of the writers of the New Testament believed this. 

Think about this for a moment. If what the disciples believed is wrong. Then Christians have perpetuated perhaps the greatest lie of all time.

C. S. Lewis states,

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.

So who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

Wednesday 16 August 2023

He exists

 He exists

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                              Genesis 1:1.

The Bible because it was written to believers does not argue the existence of God. It instead makes a statement of fact. It is placed at the opening of the Bible and leaves it up to the reader to agree or disagree with it.

As for me I agree with it. God did make the heavens and the earth. I believe it because I see around me a universe, everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy is in perfect alignment. Nothing in the universe is out of place. 

Mathematics used correctly. Shows an ordered universe. A universe so finely tuned that it allows life as we know it to exist here on planet earth.

I cannot believe that this happened simply by chance.

I firmly believed that science done correctly will point to God. And great scientific minds seem to agree with me.

Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century said,

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

Lord Kelvin said,

"If you study Science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God" Lord William Kelvin Noted for his theoretical work in thermodynamics.

Louis Pasteur said,

       “A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him... The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed by the work of the Creator” Louis Pasteur.

William Philips said, 

    “I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it" William Philips Nobel prize winning Physicis

Werner Heisenberg said, 

           “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 father of Quantum Mechanics Nobel prize in physics.

So do you believe there is a God who created the heavens and the earth?

Please think about it.

Tuesday 15 August 2023

Who is Jesus to you?

  Who is Jesus to you?

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.  Hebrews 1:1,2.

In the Gospel of John we read,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

I believe these two statements are true. If not close to three billion Christians are believing a lie. Further more it is the greatest lie in all of history.

The question when someone is confronted with Jesus is Just who is Jesus? 

C. S. Lewis in his book mere Christianity states,

"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.

So who is Jesus to you?

Monday 14 August 2023

What do you smell like?

  What do you smell like?

The apostle Paul writes,

“We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15,16.

Are you the aroma of those who are being saved or the fragrance of death to God?

Many calling themselves Christians would say they are the aroma of those who are being saved. When in fact they are not.

In the gospel of Luke we hear Jesus telling this Parable

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14.

My point here is you can go to church all your life and not be a Christian. You can say the sinners prayer and not be a Christian. 

Leonard Ravenhill said,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America” Leonard Ravenhill.

It’s easy to go to church, say the right things, do the right things and not go to heaven.

In order to go to heaven you must sincerely believe in God. Not just give intellectual consent to the existence of God and that Jesus is the Son of God, Saviour of all who would believe in Him.

Please think about it.

Sunday 13 August 2023

How will people know you?

 How will People know you

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law."  Galatians 5:22,23.

When people see you each day do they see the fruit of the spirit?

Love,

Joy,

Peace,

Patience, 

Kindness,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

Gentleness,

Self-control,

Please think carefully about it.

Saturday 12 August 2023

How will they know you?

  How will they know you?

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

Do you show love to those around you, God, family, friends and foe alike?

When people see you will they know you for your love?

Please think about it.

Friday 11 August 2023

What do they see

 What do they see

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 

You shall be holy, for I am holy," 1Peter 1:13-16.

As believers in Christ we are called,

To prepare our minds to work for Christ.

To be sober-minded.

        Setting your hope fully on the grace that comes from the revelation of                          Jesus Christ.

Do not conform to the evil desires you had prior to knowing Christ.

Be holy as Christ is holy.

This is a lifestyle. In fact someone has said Christianity is not just a religion "it is a lifestyle."

It is a lifestyle that people will notice even without us saying one word. 

Francis of Assisi said,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                              Francis of Assisi

"Preach the Gospel at all times

 and when necessary use words."

                                                      Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Thursday 10 August 2023

Think Carefully about it.

  Think carefully about it?

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.

Every now and then I like to poke Christians and others with a pointy stick this is one of those days. Thus I present to you the story of Margaret Elizabeth.

“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.

Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  

I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.

I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.

Now believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.

For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If so they did not commented.

I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.

I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.

I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.

Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  Nothing is off limits. After the questions, pastor will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”

At that point some left. However there were many questions. Then the question answered, the pastor came to the front.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”

Thus my question to you the reader. How would you vote? 

Why?

Please think carefully and prayerfully about it.

Wednesday 9 August 2023

What makes you a Christian?

 What makes  you a Christian?

“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24,25.

Are you a Christian? 

The Christian world is full of denominations. According to the Centre for the Study of Global Christianity, there are as many as 45,000 Christian denominations world wide.

That being said what makes a true Christian. While there are many minor differences in what Christians believe. Differences that don’t really matter when it comes to salvation. There are core beliefs that cannot be compromised. For without these core beliefs you cannot call yourself a Christian.

These core beliefs I believe are summed up in the Apostles Creed. That while not written by one of Jesus’ apostles they still are the core that make up Christianity. 

The apostles creed states,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

If you claim to be a Christian is this what you believe in?

Please think about it.

Tuesday 8 August 2023

Be very careful

Be very careful 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Within our multi-media world anyone can be made to look good. And sadly way to many Christians don’t check out the pastor, teacher or evangelist they are following. As a result too many Christians are following false teachers. I think this stems from the fact that the majority of Christians don’t study the Bible for themselves. Rather they rely on the preacher, teacher or evangelist they are following to speak the truth which may not always be so.

To avoid being fooled by false teachers it is important I firmly believe to study the scriptures for ones self. Additionally we should be listening to a wide range of Christian teachers. Whether we agree with them or not. 

If we disagree with a particular preacher, teacher of evangelist we should be asking ourselves why? Where is the Biblical evidence that a particular teacher is saying wrong things?

Please think about it.

Monday 7 August 2023

We Cannot Impose

 We cannot impose

Jesus said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

That being said the only way we can reach the world around us is to sit down with non-Christians and present the gospel of Christ. 

We cannot do this if they see us as trying to force our beliefs or even our morals, (as good as they may be), on them. We cannot reach them if they believe we are trying to force our morals on them. 

An example of how we should act with respect to non-believers is shown by Jesus. Marks Gospel records,

"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.  

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:15-17.

It was obvious Jesus was not criticizing those he was sitting with or trying to impose his morals on them, otherwise they wouldn't have listened to him. 

This is the way it should be for us.

Please think about it.

Sunday 6 August 2023

One Important verse

 One Important verse

"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


Put this way it means;

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.


If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.


If you are 

imposing your morals on others

however good they may be.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.


If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others 

rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.


If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.


If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.


Please think carefully about it.

Saturday 5 August 2023

Aliens and Judgement

  Aliens and Judgement.

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.

Here is a clear statement as to what a Christian is. We are a royal priesthood, a holy people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of God.

Peter also notes a critical fact all Christians must remember. We are aliens and strangers in this world. Peter goes on to tell us to abstain from sinful desires. 

Sinful desires come in a variety of ways. One however I believe we miss is the judgement of others, or trying to impose our will on others. 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 (ESV).

The late American evangelist Billy Graham wrote,

"It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love."

                                          Billy Graham.

The world around us is a harsh and at times very unforgiving especially when it comes to the way we conduct ourselves. Thus it is incumbent on us to present the gospel message in love. Saying to people “this is what I believe. What about you?”

Please think about it.

Friday 4 August 2023

Who are you bowing too?

  Who are you bowing too?

The Psalmist writes,

"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

before the "gods" I will sing your praise.”

                                                               Psalm 138:1.

It is important that we as Christians are not ashamed to praise God. The world has many ‘gods’ and sadly all too many people calling themselves Christians are bowing down to these gods be it the god of materialism, a politician, or even a preacher, teacher or evangelist.

As Christians we must always keep our priorities strait. We must focus on God and praise Him with our whole heart.

Are you praising God or are you bowing to the gods of this world?

Please think about it.

Thursday 3 August 2023

It is Good

   It is Good

“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning  and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.” Psalm 92:1-3.

One of the things I think many Christians fail in is Praising God. We are quick to call on God when things go wrong but not so quick to take time to praise God.

Why not take sometime right now to simply praise God?

Please think about it.

Wednesday 2 August 2023

Who do you say He is?

  Who do you say He is?

In Marks Gospel we read,

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.'"Mark 8:27-29.

This interaction between Jesus and his disciples make it clear who Jesus is. Jesus is The Christ. The One and only Son of God.

You cannot be a Christian and not believe this statement.

So, who do you believe Jesus is?

Please think about it.

Tuesday 1 August 2023

Peaceful and Holy lives

  Peaceful and Holy lives

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.

Do you live a holy life? By that I don’t mean are you quoting scripture all the time, or bringing attention to the fact you read the bible and pray all the time.

In the book of James we read,

“Humble yourself before the Lord 

and He will lift you up.”

                                James 4:10.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                         Francis of Assisi.

If we are living peaceful and holy lives people will notice and gravitate toward us. At the very least living peaceful and holy lives shows those around us we are no threat to them. While at the same time opening doors allowing us to present the Gospel of Christ.

So are you living a peaceful and holy life?

Please think about it.