About life

 About Life

The apostle John speaking of Jesus said,                                                                    

"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 poet wrote,                                                      

Where are the people?

Where?

Are they but shadows in the mall?

Are they?

Are they shadows in time?

Shadows wandering looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads?

What is life?

What?

Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?

A wisp in the eternal aether? 

Are people wisps of smoke?

What of man's or woman's!

 accomplishments?

What of them?

Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?

Is that life?

Is life simply a cacophony of sounds travelling through endless time destined to end?

Is it?

Is life a finite opera?

An opera played out on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam?

Are we as Shakespeare said simply actors?

Does life end?

No!

No!

Life is real!

Played out before God.

In a world suspended between Heaven and Hell

We,

 While mere mortals here.

Are really eternal beings.

Waiting to stand before God.

Are you ready to stand before God?

Are you?

What is the sum total of your life?

What?

Individuals lives in deeds,

What will your deeds say about you?

What will "they" say about you when you pass on?

What will God say?

The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14

Jesus 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.

Please think about it.

Your choice to believe or not to believe

  Your choice to believe or not to believe

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

We serve an almighty, omnipresent God. No matter where we go we cannot hide from Him. If we truly trust Him he is there for us.

The psalmist reminds us,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.

God is not as some think an old man with a big stick ready to bash us when we do wrong. Quite the contrary. 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.

It is God’s will that we all get to heaven, but in creating us he did not create robots. He created mankind with a free will to choose what we believe and what we do not believe. Thus we have the right not to believe in Him.

Thus the question becomes, do you believe in God.

Please think about it. 

Persecuted for the right reason

  Persecuted for the right reason

In the book of Acts we see the apostle Paul after being brought before King Agrippa in chains telling him how he was faithful to the vision he received on the road to Damascus when he became a believer in Christ Jesus. The book of Acts records.

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  

That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.  

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—  that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 

"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.  

The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.  

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 

Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:19-29.

The apostle Paul here was being persecuted for his beliefs. He was being persecuted for saying, 

“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:20b.

If we are truly believers in Christ Jesus and are being persecuted this is what we should be being persecuted for. For calling those around us to “repent and turn to God”. For presenting the gospel of Christ Jesus.

Sadly many times here in North America with all our freedoms those who claim to be Christians say they are being persecuted for their faith when they are not. 

Many Christians here use their freedom of speech to condemn, judge and even attack, those they disagree with. Then when they receive criticism they call it persecution.

Many Christians particularly in the United States mix their politics with their faith and try to restrict the rights or take away rights of those they disagree with.

If we are truly servants of God then we will willingly sit down with those we disagree with, and in a loving way listen to them. While at the same time in a loving and respectful manner present the gospel of Christ Jesus.

The late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. wrote,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

The whole gospel message is that of Love the love of God not just for mankind as a whole, but for each individual. So, if we are to be persecuted for what we believe and what we are preaching let it be because we are preaching the Love of God.

Please think about it.

 

Because He loved us

  Because He loved us

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."1John 4:10.

Christianity is different from other faiths. We as Christians believe God reached down to us in love. The apostle John stating,

"We love because he first loved us."1John 4:19.

C. S. Lewis noted,

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  C.S. Lewis.

I firmly believe we cannot reach high enough to reach God. I also believe we cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That’s why Christ came into this world.

In the book of Romans we read,

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

Have you experienced the love of God in your life?

Please think about it.  

In the name of Christ

  In the name of Christ

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.

A bright light shines on Christians. So much so we cannot do things lightly. Our faith must be sincere backed by our actions. 

In the book of James we read,

"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."  James 2:17,18.

Christians are called to put “legs on” our prayers. We need to pray then get up and do what God has commanded us to do. Jesus in sending out the twelve apostles in the gospel of Matthew states,

“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.'  

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:6-8.

Tony Campolo states,

"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.

Just what are you doing for Christ and are you doing it in the name of Christ?

Please think about it.

Small is the gate

 Small is the gate

Jesus said,

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13,14.

There are many people in the world that say they know the way to heaven. That being said which is the right way?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"There is a way that seems right to a man

 but in the end it leads to death proverbs"

                                                                  Proverbs 14:12.

Jesus replying to his apostle Thomas said,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

This is a bold claim. A claim everyone who hears the gospel message must decide for themselves is right or wrong.

What do you believe?

Please think about it.

Your Prayer

 Your Prayer

“This, then, is how you should pray:" 

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our debts,

 as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation,

 but deliver us from the evil one.’  

                                                                         Matthew  6:9-13

Do you Pray?

We should.

Rabbi Abraham Heschel said of prayer,

“To pray is to take notice of the wonder, to regain a sense of the mystery that animates all beings, the divine margin in all attainments.  Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living..” Rabbi Abraham Heschel

As Christians we have the right to pray to God himself. The creator of the Universe.

I think all too often Christians don’t pray right or enough. 

We rattle off some prayer that says God help me, or God I need, or even a quick God thank you and leave it there. 

Our prayers should not always be God I need this, or God help me. Which is fine to do. If we need God’s help and provision. But we need to take time also to pray and thank God for all he’s done for us.

We need as the Apostle Paul writes, 

“pray continually;” 

                                1 Thessalonians5:17.

Question:

How is your prayer life? Do think you take enough time each day to pray to God?

Please think about it.

Science and the existence of God

  Science and the existence of God

                    In the book of Genesis we read, 

"In the beginning 

God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                   Genesis 1:1.

The Bible doesn't debate the existence of God simply because it was written to believers and believers need no proof. They know God exists by faith but not blind faith.

The psalmist states,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

                                                       Psalm 19:1.

Science points us to the fact there is a creator.

William Philips Nobel prize winner in Physics wrote,

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

Even Stephen Hawking who to my knowledge was not a Christian wrote,

“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

Another Nobel prize winner Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics noted,

"Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural') plan." Dr, Arno Penzias.

C. S. Lewis speaking of God said,

"He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition."  C. S. Lewis.

The way I interpret this is we have to at the very least have an open mind as to whether God exists. If we close our mind to the existence of God then we will never see Him.

So do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

The Glue

  The glue

The Psalmist writes,

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                                                Psalm 100

The Bible is written to believers. It therefor does not debate the existence of God. Believers know that God exists. Believers also recognize that there is a need for God within our society.

Abba Hillel Silver at the height of world war two 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.

History has shown us that when people turn from the basic principles God has laid down for mankind society suffers. We only have to look at world war two to see this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God. They turned away from God and lived by their own rules. The result was world war two, the worst conflict in human history with upwards of 60,000,000 men, women, and children killed senselessly.

The same thing is happening today. There are many terrorist groups around the world that are murdering people. Some even having the audacity to say they are doing it in the name of God.

That being said it is not only terrorist groups doing the killing. On the streets of our cities there are men and women murdering others daily. 

The murdering aside. There are many more things happening that are against God’s laws. Some within the church. Men and women claiming to be Christian who take scripture out of context deliberately to enrich themselve.

The apostle Paul told us this would come about

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

"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 and our society knows it. And society is looking for solutions to it’s problems. I firmly believe that turning back to the God of the Bible. Turning back to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles is the solution to much of mankind’s problems.

Please think about it.

Gentle and Respectfully

 Gently and Respectfully 

The apostle Peter writes,

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15,16.

I am against the fire and brimstone preachers. I am against those who would as someone has said “scare them out of hell and into heaven”. I’m also against those claiming to be Christians forcing their faith on others.

I say this because many non-Christians first of all do not believe in Hell. Secondly most non-Christians would tell you that they are a good person better than some they see going to church, and as such believe they are going to heaven.

That’s why we as true followers of Christ Jesus should at any given time be prepared to tell people what we believe and why we believe it. While at the same time respecting what they believe.

God gave each and every person a free will to do and believe what they wish. That freedom extends to not believing what Christians believe. Each individual has the right to even believe God does not exist.

The bottom line however for a Christian is that when asked about our faith we should be ready and willing to tell people about it in a gentle and respectful manner. In the most simplistic manner quoting John 3:16-18

“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

Telling people they are saved by the grace of God. Simply by having faith in Christ Jesus the one and Only Son of God.

The apostle Paul writing

“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.  

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

Noting that Christians believe God reached down in the form of His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.

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

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

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13

Please think about it.

To Love

  To Love             

  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 neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

                                                                                     Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus also said,

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” 

                                                                                                        Matthew 5:43,44

The apostle Paul defined love as,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

The 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

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.

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer all Christians need to take to heart. He wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

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

to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

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

                                                                           The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

It is the Holy Spirits job to Convict, 

God's job to judge 

and my job to love, 

Billy Graham

If you claim to be a Christian, are you truly loving unconditionally, those around you?

Please think about it.

Jesus' call

 Jesus' Call

The call of Jesus is

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Jesus offers peace for one's soul. 

Christians believe there is a God who loves us and offers us eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus speaking of himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but to save the world through him." 

                                                            John 3:16,17.

The Christian believes God reached down through Jesus Christ to mankind to show him the way to heaven. That it is by the grace of God we get to heaven. The apostle Paul stating,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast."  

                                                  Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him"

                                                                  Hebrews 11:6

Faith defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                            Hebrews 11:1.

That being said the choice is always up to you. 

Do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

God lets you choose

 God lets you choose

The gospel of John records,

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

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

C. S. Lewis wrote,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.

God gives every person everywhere a choice. You can accept Jesus is who he claimed to be the Son of God, the saviour of all who believe in him, the resurrection and the life, or you can reject his claim. 

The choice is yours. God will not impose His will on you. 

From the dawn of creation God has given man a choice believe in Him or reject Him. There is no in between.

Believing God exists and Jesus is God incarnate is an act of faith. 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.

The choice dear reader is yours.

Please think about it.

A Message from Athens to us

 A message from Athens to us

Two thousand years ago give or take a few years, the Apostle Paul was invited by the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers of Athens to speak to them about Christ. The message he gave that day is as relevant today as when he spoke it. The book of Acts records the incident.

“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.  

So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  

A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 

“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  

And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  

At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.” Acts 17:16-34.

As I said this message is as important today as it was then. And interestingly enough people today seem divided as the Athenians were. Some will sneer, some want to hear more and some will become followers of Christ Jesus.

In which group are you.

Please think about it.

A Workman Approved

  A workman approved

The apostle Paul when writing to Timothy states:

“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.

Here Paul tells Timothy and through Timothy us to correctly handle “the Word of truth” 

In chapter four of 2Timothy we read,

"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.

It is easy to deliberately misuse the scriptures. There are many high profile evangelist and pastors out there who have done and still are misinterpreting God’s word. As such, as believers in Christ Jesus we must be careful. We must pray and study the scriptures for ourselves. We need as Paul states,

"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 doing this?

Please think about it.

Getting to heaven (a hot button issue)

 Getting to heaven (a hot button Issue)

“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.

Someone trying to put me on the spot in front of my pastor and others, asked me, “Can a Gay man get to heaven.”

I quoted the above verses from Psalm 139. 

I informed the man that God knows us intimately that according to the Psalmist God created our inmost being. That He knitted us together in our mothers womb. To me that means God knows our very genetic code and what makes us, us.

God does not discriminate against anyone be they gay or strait, from Canada or from anywhere else in the world. God Loves all people equally and knows why they are like they are.

When Jesus said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

He did not put limits on God’s love. He did not discriminate between races or sexual orientation. He simply said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

So yes anyone can get to heaven. They simply have to listen to the words of Jesus who gives all people everywhere a choice 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.  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.

Jesus said,

Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 7:1.

This is especially true when judging where a person will spend eternity. That is between them and God.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

Salvation is a free gift from God open to all who will believe in Jesus Christ no matter who they are.

Please think about it.

Why I believe

  Why I believe

Because,

“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

I will believe in God,

Because,

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

  Because scripture tells us.

“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.

Because

“...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

Because faith is defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

Because  

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

Because of all of this and what I read in the Bible I believe in God.

Do you?

Think about it.

The Call to Love

 The Call to Love

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Jesus referred to Deuteronomy 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.

Are you in love with God? Do you put him first in your life? Do you love your neighbour as yourself?

The apostle Paul wrote what is perhaps the best definition of Christian love, when he wrote,

"Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude,

 it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Is this the kind of love you practice? 

Please think about it.

Truly children of God

 Truly children of God

The apostle Paul speaking to king Agrippa said,

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19 20.

The apostle John wrote,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he (Jesus) is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

So where do you stand? Are you truly a child of God?

Please think about it.