Christians believe

 Christians believe.

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.

In a nutshell I believe Jesus is God incarnate Saviour of all who believe in him. What I believe is stated in the Apostles Creed that while not written by an Apostle states what I and the majority of Christians believe. It 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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Confessing Jesus

  Confessing Jesus 

In the book of Romans the apostle Paul states,

"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.

Is this you? Do you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in you heart God raised him from the dead? Do you trust Jesus?

We who live in the twenty-first century have never seen Jesus in the flesh, nor seen his Myricales. For us it’s a purely faith thing. We either believe or we don’t.

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.... 

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 11:1,6.

So where is your faith?

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.

Heir of all things

 Heir of all things

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“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,(Jesus) whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.

Here the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is “the radiance of God the exact representation of his being,...”

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.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the apostles and those close to Jesus had no doubt that Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.

Thus the question becomes do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Jesus is

  Jesus is

In John’s Gospel we read,

"Jesus said to her, (martha)"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 Matthews Gospel we read,

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 

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

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:13-16

In the book of Acts we read Peter saying,

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:36-39.

So who is Jesus? Those close to him Martha, Peter and the other apostles believed him to be the Christ, the Messiah.

The apostle Paul tells us why Jesus came to this earth. In Romans he 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.” Romans 5:6-8.

Do you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who died for your sins?

Please think about it.

Jesus the Christ

 Jesus the Christ

In the gospel of Matthew we read,

“Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"  

But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 

"Yes, it is as you say,"Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.  

What do you think?" "He is worthy of death,"” they answered. Matthew 26:62-66.

Jesus knew what the penalty for claiming to be the Christ, the Messiah, was. Yet he never denied that he was the messiah, God incarnate. 

I like what C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,

"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 do you think Jesus is, a lunatic, a great moral teacher, or the Son of God, The saviour of all who would believe in Him?

Please think about it.

You are my God

 You are my God

The Psalmist writes,

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

 you are my God, and I will exalt you. 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever.” 

                                                         Psalm 118:28,29

If you claim to be a Christian you in all sincerity do what the Psalmist is saying here?

Do you truly believe all that is said here?

Please think about it.

The need for Christ

  The need for Christ

The apostle Paul wrote

"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

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. People are becoming lovers of self. And have been doing so for many years.

Sadly in 2026 there are many calling themselves Christians who have twisted the words of the Bible to suite their own philosophy or to enrich themselves. 

While going through my wife’s books. My wife being the ultimate book worm. I found a book called the essentials in Christian Faith by John B. Harrington. The book could have been written yesterday so relevant is its message. Yet it was written in 1958.

Harrington quotes Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948 he writes,

"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."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the love of Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,

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

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

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

True Christianity is built on 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,

"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.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Christs Ambassadors

 Christ’s Ambassadors

Paul also wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

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.” 2Corinthians5:18-20.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus then we as the apostle Paul put it, are Christs ambassadors. Through us God is making his appeal to the world around us.

Ambassadors represent the country from which they come. We therefor according to the apostle Paul are ambassadors for Christ in this world. Thus we have an obligation to represent Christ in the best possible light.

We cannot appeal to those around us if we are judging them. That is not our job. Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

We have no right to judge those outside our faith. It is our job to follow the command of Jesus who said,

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

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.

The existence of God

 The existence of God

In the Gospel of John we read,

“In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) 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

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, (Jesus) whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:1-3.

Quoted above are foundational scriptures in Christianity. They make it clear that the writers of the New Testament believed Jesus was God incarnate. That he “is the radiance of God’s glory the exact representation of his being”

That through him “all things were made ; without him nothing was made that has been made”.

This to me is a bold statement. That if not true literally billions of Christians around the world are believing one of the most incredible lies in human history.

If correct, and I believe it to be correct, it is the most important thing in human history. Still they choice is up to you.

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.

So where are you going to place your wager?

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.

Give Praise and Tell others

  Give Praise and Tell others

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Isaiah 12:4.

This is the job of the Christian. Not judging people. Not arguing with people. Simply telling the world about God and what he has done. 

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

If you claim to be a Christian are you telling the world around you about Jesus and all he has done for you?

Please think about it.

Complete Faith

 Complete Faith

Matthew's gospel tells this story of a young man who came to Jesus,

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 

"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 

"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22.

The young man believed God exists at least on an intellectual sense. But he trusted his wealth more. 

      Now there is nothing wrong being wealthy. It’s the love of money that’s the problem. The apostle Paul writes,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

This young man was not willing to give up his wealth and follow Jesus.

Now I must stress this giving away all your money is not a prerequisite for becoming a Christian. There have been many men and women over the years who have used their wealth to further the Kingdom of God. 

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.

We are saved by having faith in God and the salvation that comes through faith in Gods One and Only Son Christ Jesus.

Where do you stand?

Do you have complete faith in Christ Jesus?

Have you acknowledged Christ as your Lord and Saviour?

Please think about it.

Having faith in Jesus

  Having faith in Jesus

"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29.

Here is a blessing from Jesus to all who have not physically seen him, yet still believe he is who he claimed to be through faith.

Faith being defined in Hebrews as

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

In Hebrews 11 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

Hebrews goes on to say,

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:8,9.

These men born long before Jesus came to earth did not see him physically yet chose to follow Gods leading by faith.

And so it should be to day. We although we have not physically seen Jesus are called to believe in him.

Thus the question becomes do you believe by faith in Jesus?

Please think about it.

God examines our path

  God examines our path

"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths." 

                                                         Proverbs 5:21.

C. S. Lewis said,

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.

I believe it doesn't matter who you are, or whether you believe in God or not, everything you do is done in front of God. He examines your paths. He knows why you do what you do. The Psalmist wrote,

"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.

The way I read what the Psalmist is saying is God knows us right down to our genetic code. That is why he has the right to judge us, because in knowing our genetic code he knows why we do what we do.

That being said our genetic code only accounts for part of what we do. In creating man God gave each individual complete freedom do believe and do as they like.

It is in how we exercise this freedom, that God will hold us accountable for. Should we choose to murder, steal, or do anything that is contrary to what God wants, we will, if we are unrepentant be punished by God.

If on the other hand we do as God wishes us to do, we will go to be with Him in heaven.

I also believe God made it as simple as possible for us to go to heaven. He in the form of his one and only Son Jesus entered this world to point us to heaven. The writer of Hebrews stating,

     In Hebrews we read,

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:1-3.

God understands that man is far from perfect. That every person that is living or has ever lived falls short of his ideals. That man sins. Sin is falling short of God's ideal for ones life.

Thus God reaches down in grace. 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." Ephesians 2:8,9

In Romans Paul writes,

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

The Apostle Paul tells us,

"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.

Please think about it.

The Bulwark of a Just Society

 The Bulwark of a Just Society

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

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

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 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.

When God is forgotten by society, society runs the risk of falling apart. While God in creating man gave him complete freedom to do as he wished. He, I believe placed in mans heart rules to live by. Devine rules that allow a free society to function well. Those divine rules in a nutshell being the ten commandments.

When man disobeys those rules and refuses to believe in God, or fear God, society can fall apart. We only have to look at Nazi Germany in the 1930's and during world war two to see this in its extreme. 

Hitler and his supporters did not fear God. Instead they lived by their own rules that led to the death of millions of men women and children in the death camps. In a world war that claimed in excess of fifty-six million people, soldiers and civilians.

The same is true on a smaller scale around the world today with respect to terrorist groups. Most do not fear God. Some even have the twisted belief they are doing God’s work. 

Throughout our society we see murderers, rapist, thieves and others who commit crimes who do not give God a second thought. 

Whether mankind wants to admit it or not. Mankind needs God and the basic set of rules for living life to it’s fullest. Mankind needs to acknowledge that the writer of Ecclesiastes is right when he said,

“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.

Please think about it.

God will make us good

  God will make us good

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5

To the Ephesians 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.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"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.

From a Christian stand point we cannot live lives good enough to get to heaven. That being said, God understood this and sent Jesus Christ to save us. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Paul stating,

"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.

Thus my question to you the reader; do you believe this?

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.

A time to give thanks

 A time to give thanks

“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 100:2-5

Both in Canada and the united states we celebrate a day of thanksgiving in October and November respectively. That being said we should I believe set more time during not only the year but each week, to thank God for all He has done for us.

As a Christian I praise God for all He has done for me. My life has not been a constant high. Even the American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Graham.

Still in Good times and in bad times God has always been there for me. Helping me thorough the bad times. Giving me peace knowing that no matter what I am going thorough He is with me.

I as a Christian can honestly say with the Psalmist,

“The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness 

for his name’s sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” 

                                                                               Psalm 23

Can you?

Please think about it.