The Resurrection of Jesus

 The Resurrection of Jesus

In Matthews Gospel we read,

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  

Suddenly Jesus met them."Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10.

Of all the religions in the world only Christianity claims that it's founder rose from the dead. This is the cornerstone of Christianity. Without it Christianity would be a dead religion. 

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead confirms His identity as God incarnate and Saviour of all who would believe in Him. For only God could have done what Jesus did.

And the resurrection of Jesus was not just noted by His followers. Josephus a Roman Jewish historian noted, 

“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2].

Thus the question becomes do you believe this? With the more important question being do you believe what Jesus said about Himself when He 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.

Please think about it.

The reason Christ came

  The Reason Christ came

Matthew’s gospel tell us of this incident in the life of Jesus,

“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.

Jesus had one reason for coming to the earth He created and that was to show each individual the way to heaven. 

God knew we could not live a life that was good enough to get us into heaven. Thus He sent Jesus to show us the way by going as far as humanly possible and dying in a most horrendous way. 

Does this seem odd? Yes it does. But as the apostle Paul pointed out

"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.

God’s ways are not our ways. Believing in a Saviour who died for our sins takes quite an act of faith which is what God wants.

The writer of Hebrews stating,

"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.

I think the reason God requires faith is that people who have true faith in anything will go to their graves for what they believe.

Which is what a true believer in Christ Jesus will do.

Please think about it. 

The thief who got into heaven

 The thief who got into heaven

"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him (Jesus) to be executed.  

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left....

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

Luke 23:32,33,39-43.

I heard this the other day. A man walks up to the gates of heaven and is asked, “Why are you hear?”

He replies, “The man on the cross told me to come”

Though it is just a story about the criminal who believed in Jesus getting into heaven. What he did while hanging on the cross is something we all are called to do.

First of all he believed Jesus was innocent and that Jesus was who He said He was the Son of God. 

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”

Second he confessed his sins saying,

“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

In reply Jesus said,

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God Saviour of all who believe in Him?

Will you confess your sins directly to God right now. The apostle John writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1John 1:9.

John also writing,

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13. 

The criminal on the cross that day with Jesus believed who Jesus was confessed his sins and was forgiven. Thus giving him entry into heaven.

Please think about it.

Jesus died for us

 Jesus died for us.

John’s gospel reads,

"The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29.

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!  

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  

Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" Romans 5:6-11

Good Friday is tomorrow. The day we Christians believe Jesus Christ The One and Only Son of God died for our sins. A controversial belief in some circles. With people asking if this is entirely true. 

To which I respond that it this is not true, Jesus is either a very misguided individual or even a lunatic who died for nothing. 

C. S. Lewis makes this statement,

"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.

Please think about it.

The Word of God

 The Word of God

The Psalmist writes,

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple"

                                                                                    Psalm 19:7.

Many see the Bible as being a book of harsh rules. When it is quite the opposite. 

God has set forth within His Word a set of instructions that if followed will lead to a good and rich life. 

If society as a whole would follow the commandments of God it would be a much better place to live in.

In order for God’s word to have any effect in our society however means those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus, should be living and presenting the word of God in word an deed. 

I like what Charles H. Spurgeon said about the Word of God. Who speaking to Christians said,

"The Word of God will be to you a bulwark and a high tower, a castle of defence against the foe. Oh, see to it that the Word of God is in you, in your very soul, permeating your thoughts, and so operating upon your outward life, that all may know you to be a true Bible-Christian, for they perceive it in your words and deeds." Charles H. Spurgeon.

Is the Word of God your bulwark against the foe?

Does the Word of God permeate your thoughts and deeds?

Please think about it.

Truth or lies?

  Truth or lies?

Luke’s gospel records this incident when Jesus as an infant was brought to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:25-32.

When it comes to this incident you can like with all the stories about Jesus, believe it or not.

But think of this. If this story and indeed the whole New Testament is made up then this is the most momentous lie in history. 

You must make your choice. Is the New Testament and all that is said about Jesus the biggest lie in all history or is it the truth. The choice is yours.

Please think about it.

A Question from Jesus

  A Question from Jesus

In John’s gospel we read,

“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.

While this question was asked to Martha it is a question we all must answer when confronted with Jesus.

Do you believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of God who has come into the world to offer eternal life to all who would believe in Him. 

Do you?

But before you answer please take some time to read the New Testament and see what those who knew Jesus best believed about Him.

Please think about it.

My Creator helps me

 My Creator helps me

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

For me being a Christian the greatest blessing I have is knowing that “My help comes from the LORD the maker of heavens and earth.”

The apostle John referring to Jesus as The Word states,

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

He was with God in the beginning. 

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

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.

That same Jesus who created the heavens and the earth is there for me at all times to help me through all that comes up in life both the good and the bad.

Can you dear reader say the same?

Please think about it.

What will God say?

 What will God say?

The Psalmist writes,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

"let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth." Psalm 96:10-13.

God indeed reigns. God also created the world and everything in it. All of it belongs to God. That includes everyone who has ever lived and is living today.

And as the Psalmist makes it clear, 

“...He will judge the world in righteousness 

and the peoples in his truth.”

                                                          Psalm 96 13b

Thus I ask a question only you and God can answer; 

What will God say to you on the day He judges you?

Please think about it.

God's works

  God's works

“How many are your works, Lord! 

In wisdom you made them all.”

                                                Psalm 104:24

I took my young grandson to the Butterfly conservatory near where we live. As we slowly walked around butterflies of every conceivable variety flew around us. Then an amazing thing happened my grandson held his hand out and a butterfly landed on his finger and stayed for the longest time. He was over the moon.

As I looked at the delicate creature sitting on his hand I couldn’t help thinking of how wonderful God was. 

How incredible were His works. Everything from this delicate, intricately designed butterfly to the magnificent stars, planets, and galaxies. All designed for us.

The Psalmist writes,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." 

                                                                                                      Psalm 19:1-3  

Please think about it.

Enjoy Life

  Enjoy life

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun because that is you portion in life and your toil at which you toil under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:7-9.

I’ve heard it said that the Christian life is “following a bunch of rules”. “A bunch of do’s and do not’s.” To which I say it is not. 

The Christian life comes with set of rules to live by that’s true. But those rules are like the rules for playing football. The rules are there so that you have good and fair game.

The rules Christians follow are layed down by God so that we know what He requires of us. That being said God wants us to enjoy life. The above Scripture tells us that.

"Go, eat your bread with joy, 

and drink your wine with a merry heart, 

for God has already approved what you do.”

                                                   Ecclesiastes 9:7.

So yes while we as believers in Christ Jesus have rules to follow. They are rules that help us live a good and happy life.

Please think about it.

It seems right but...

  It seems right but

In Proverbs we read,

“There is a way that seems right to a man 

but in the end it leads to death.” 

                                                 Proverbs 14:12.

Many today are following the crowd. Following religious and political leaders and philosophies that seem right but is not. 

We as individuals need to assess who we are following. We need to pray and ask God for direction. Because if we are following the wrong person or philosophy it can and will have eternal consequences.

For me the right path is following Jesus. Jesus speaking of himself said,

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

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

But you dear reader must decide for yourself if I am right.

Please think about it.

By this shall they know

  By this shall they know

Jesus said,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John13:34,35.

This is how people will know Christians. While at times we, as someone once said, “respectfully disagree” with other believers on the minor things. We must always show love.

Please think about it.

Do you Praise The Lord?

   Do you Praise The Lord?

“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

A simple question to believers.

Do you do what Psalm 9:1,2 is saying?

If not, why not?

Please think about it.

Words from the apostle Peter

  Words from the apostle Peter

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 join the apostle Peter in praising God.

We praise God for,

Giving us a new birth.

Giving us a living hope, 

Giving us an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

All of which is kept for us in heaven.

Question is this you?

Please think about it.

He died for you

 He died for you

The apostle Paul writes,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

                                                                   Romans 5:8.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

"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.

It is by the Grace of God that we get to heaven. Through our faith in Christ Jesus. 

C. S. Lewis wrote,

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.

Christ died for you. It really is that simple. 

The apostle John writes,

"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.

Thus you have a choice to believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and be assured you are going to Heaven, or take your chances on not believing in Christ Jesus. 

But before you make your decision think about this. 

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.

God entered His creation

 God entered His creation

John’s gospel states,

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

He was with God in the beginning. 

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

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.

What John is saying is that Jesus whom I calls “The Word” is God. That God in the form of Christ Jesus entered the world which He created to point us to heaven.

Which if you think about it is an incredible claim. Yet it was something John and all the disciples all believed. 

C. S. Lewis noted,

“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.

Please think about it.

Actions and Faith

 Actions and Faith

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.” James 2:14-17

James makes it very clear 

“faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

So my question to you is. Is your faith alive or dead?

Please think about it.

Doing God's work

  Doing God's work

Jesus said,

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

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

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” Matthew 25:34-40.

Are you doing God’s work? 

I am part of a church that encourages people to volunteer. We have both a food bank and an outreach to those who are homeless living on the street.

For those who volunteer it is a very rewarding ministry. Not only are they feeding those in need but at the same time they are showing the Love of Christ by their actions.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                     Francis of Assisi.

So my question to you the reader is; Are you showing the Love of Christ by your actions?

Please think about it.

What will He say to you?

  What will He say to you?

Jesus said,

“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 look around North America where I live and particularly in the United States I see the so called Christian nationalist mixing their religious beliefs with their politics. Never a good thing. A wise man once wrote,

“Mixing religion of any kind with politics is like mixing gasoline and water. The gasoline is unusable and the water is undrinkable. And the whole mixture is explosive.” Anonymous.

A true Christian is an alien in this world. 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.

Peter makes it clear Christians are alien to this world. And that we are to preform “good deeds and glorify God...”

The apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

We are God’s representatives on earth. 

While we may be citizens of the country we were born in. The moment we accepted Christ into our lives we were held to a higher standard. God’s standard. Thus everything we do should be for the glory of God. To draw people to Christ.

Sadly there are many men and women who upon standing before Christ will here the words,

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

They will here those words because they mixed there faith with their politics and other things.

Therefore if you consider yourself a Christian do what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" 2 Timothy 2:22

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15.

Please think about it.

How far we should go

  How far we should go

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

“For the Son of Man came not to be served 

but to serve, 

and to give his life a ransom for many” 

                                                       Mark 10:25.

Do you serve? 

I am part of a Church where people love to serve and are encouraged to do so. There’s a call to help with the food bank, a homeless and street ministry, children’s ministry, music ministry, the list goes on and on. 

Years ago when I was just new to the faith while attending another church. I remember a man who was in his mid to late fifties, who by his actions taught me to serve. He was on our church board.

I met him one day in the church nursery just after the service. He was holding a young baby who had just thrown up on him smiling and rocking the child gently. 

He wasn’t suppose to be on that particular day but they were short staffed and he offered to fill in during the service. That man was the vice president of a major Canadian bank. A man who firmly believed in serving God and his fellow man in whatever way he could.

As Christians we are called to follow the example of Jesus who came to serve.

Think about it the very person who created the heavens and the earth, entered the world He created in the form of Christ Jesus to point us to heaven. 

Jesus showed in very human terms how far He would go to show us the way to heaven. 

The apostle Paul echoed what Jesus is quoted as saying in Mark 10:25 when he writes,

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

That’s how far Christ would go for us. And I believe should the circumstance require it, it’s how far we should be willing to go to show someone the way to heaven.

Please think about it.

It's not Luck. It's God

  It’s not luck It’s God

In the book of Genesis we read,

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

                                                                          Genesis 1:1.

Can you imagine wining a lottery in which the odds are an astronomical 700 quintillion (7 followed by 20 zeros 700,000,000,000,000,000,000) to 1 against you. That’s what Discover magazine suggests is the odds of a planet anywhere in the universe having life as we know it on it.

Some scientists tell us that we got the winning ticket. Christians say it was God that designed the universe for us.

Even Stephen Hawking one of the brightest minds of the twentieth century noted,

“The universe and the laws of physics 

seem to have been specifically designed for us” 

                                                             Stephen Hawking.

Lord William Kelvin Noted for his theoretical work in thermodynamics,

“If you study Science deep enough and long enough, 

it will force you to believe in God”

                                 Lord William Kelvin

Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics Nobel prize in physics 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 

William Philips Nobel prize winning Physicist stated,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it”

                                                                            William Phillips

All of these are distinguished all agree there is a God. So my question to you is, Do you have the faith to believe in God, because 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.

Please think about it. 

Are you looking for this?

  Are you looking for this?

The Apostle Paul writes,

“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.

I hear from the pulpit and other reliable Christian sources that it is widely believed we are in the “Last Days”. The days just prior to Christ coming and the ultimate judgement of mankind. And I have no reason not to believe it. And besides we technically have been in the last days since Christ ascended to heaven. 

That being said my wife ever the book worm was given some old books One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.

It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency, courage."

This is exactly what the apostle Paul was talking about in his letter to Timothy. Sadly especially were I live in North America, there are many claiming to be Christians who are simply religious men and women saying they are Christian. 

While the true Christian message of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is lost. 

Paul Gallico and many others are looking for true Christianity. A life style fashioned on Love for God, and one’s neighbours.

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

Please think about it.

Watch out for false prophets

  Watch out for false prophets

Jesus said,

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:15-16.

This warning from Jesus is sadly not listened to a lot of the time where I live here in North America. Many people see and follow some self-proclaimed man of God and don’t check out what he is saying against biblical teaching.

These men and women sound like they are teaching the word of God truthfully but are not. Most are in it for the money and prestige.

They are charlatans leading people astray.

As Christians we need to question pastors, priests, evangelist, and Christian teachers. We need to hold them accountable for their words and deeds.

Please think about it. 

The house of mourning is better?

  The house of mourning is better?

In Ecclesiastes we read,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.

I fully agree with this statement. Being in a house were someone has passed away should give us pause to consider our mortality.

I remember some years ago going to the funeral of my wife’s youngest brother. He was only 41. The funeral was held in his favourite bar. While there was a heaviness in the air. Most of his friends were quite up beat. The pastor gave a simple but good salvation message, but I think it fell of deaf ears. Most of those hearing the message had never gone to church and seemed to accept that one day they would die. What happened after that didn’t seem to matter to them. Their motto seemed to be “live for today. For tomorrow we die”. How sad.

I think at some point in our life we need to think about were we will spend eternity.

The apostle Paul wrote, 

“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 wrote,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

The apostle John also wrote,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13.

Please think about it. 

A Strong Bulwark

 A strong Bulwark

In 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." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.

Abba Hillel Silver is right. It is only when men realize that ultimately there is a God they must answer to that society becomes a better place.

If memory serves me correctly Abba Hillel Silver wrote those words during the dark days of World War Two when millions we dying in the concentration camps. Concentration camps set up by evil men who did not recognize God.

The same thing is happening today in some countries around the world. It is also happening in some of the so called democracies of the world where people are putting political leader ahead of God while turning a blind eye to the evil being done.

Ultimately God will judge everyone. It is therefore imperative that we who truly believe in the gospel of Christ Jesus present His saving grace and the love He shows to all people to all we come in contact with.

Please think about it. 

Use Wisdom

 Use Wisdom

In the book of Colossians we read, 

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:3-6.

Jesus said,

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.

When I look at these two portions of scripture I see a cautionary note. We are called to proclaim the Gospel. While at the same time we are called to be cautious. 

There are people out there that don’t want anything to do with Christians or God. Some are outrightly hostile to the gospel message, as such we need to be cautious around them.

When we present the gospel we need to be respectful. We need to respectfully listen to them and answer their questions. Pointing them to the saving grace of God through Christ Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christian is this how you proclaim the gospel message?

Please think about it.

That you may also have fellowship with God

  That you also may have fellowship with us.

The apostle John writes,

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

We write this to make our joy complete.” 1John 1:1-4.

The apostle John here tells why he is writing to the church of his day and by extension to us. He tells us that he heard, he seen, he touched “that which was from the beginning”. From the creation of the world.

John and all the apostles truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the Creator of the world.

        So the question becomes was he telling the truth or lying?

Please think about it. 

I have not seen God but...

  I have not seen God but...

The Psalmist writes,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                                   Psalm 19:1.

I am an unabashed creationist. I believe God created the heavens and the earth. Whether that took millions of years and started with the big bang is unimportant. God is God and He could have done it either way.

Ben Zion Bokser wrote,

“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.

I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.

I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.

I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.

I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.” Ben Zion Bokser.

To my mind the earth and indeed the universe is fine tuned so that like as we know it can exist and the one that fine tuned the universe is God.

Please think about it.

Citizens of God's People

  Citizens with God’s people

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” Ephesians 2:19.

Here the writer of Ephesians makes it clear “we are citizens with God’s people... members of His household.”

This is something we as believers in Christ Jesus should always remember. While we might be citizens of the country we are born in. The moment we accept Christ into our heart we become citizens of Christ. AND not only that we become members of God’s household.

Please think about it.

Continue to live in Christ

  Continue to live in Christ

In the book of Colossians we read,

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6,7.

As believers we must remember to continue to live in Jesus. 

In this 24/7 world we live in with all its distractions it’s easy to fall away from Christ. It’s easy to combine teachings of the world with the teachings of the Bible. Quite often we do this without even noticing. The teachings of the world like drips from a tap mingle slowly with the teachings of the scriptures without us noticing diluting the true meaning of Gods word.

We should never mix worldly teaching with the Bible. Rather we should be teaching the Gospel message as pure as we know how to do.

In the book of Jude we read,

“But you must remember beloved the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires."  

These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 

Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” Jude 1:17-23.

Please think about it.