Doomed

  Doomed?

The Psalmist states,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                  Psalm 19:1

The Bible doesn’t debate that God exists. It was written to believers and believers need no convincing. It does however as seen here in Psalm 19:1 point to the handiwork of God within creation.

For me the acknowledgement of God and the fact He will judge each person in this world is the glue that keeps our society secure from the morass of anarchy.

God set in the heart of each person what is right and what is wrong. While at the same time giving them a freewill to do as they wish.

As someone has said, “God did not make robots. He wants people to worship Him and follow His rules for living, because they choose to do so. Not because they are forced.” 

There is however consequences for not acknowledging God and His laws.

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 individuals or society fail to acknowledge God individuals suffer the consequences. We only have to look at Nazi Germany during the 1930's and the second world war to see what can happen. Millions of people murdered because political leaders were allowed to ignore the basic human rights God set upon each persons heart.

The world today in 2022 needs God whether people wish to believe it or not. For if we don’t those who fail to acknowledge God are doomed to Godless eternity.

Please think about it.

Over and Above

Over and above
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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 
"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—”2 Timothy 3:1-4.
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.

Hell in a Handbarrow

Hell in a Handbarrow
Some time ago I came across a book by John B. Harrington called Essentials in Christian Faith published in 1958. After reading it I realized it could have been written yesterday, it’s message was,... is, that relevant.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico published 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.”
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"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
This is happening today.
As I look around the world today it is easy to look a the various terrorist groups who claim to be acting in the name of their faith when they are not. They are simply evil men who attach religious names to themselves to try an justify what they are doing.
The same is true for many politicians and others here in the west. While they espouse “Christian values” their words and deeds show they do not.
At the same time there are many men and women calling themselves Christian pastors, evangelist, who are not. This is true also for many who sit in the pews.
Jesus warned of us about such people saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
“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 7:21-23.
As believers in Christ Jesus it is incumbent on us to show the world there is rest for their weary soul. That there is something beyond this world and the materialism there in. As Gallico puts it, “Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position...”
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.
This is the message we as believers in Christ Jesus must reach out to the world with. For if we don’t we just may condemn someone to a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.

A Need for God

A Need for God
The Psalmist writes,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

 To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                             Psalm 111: 10

Rabbi 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
The Psalmist states,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
Someone once told me after quoting Psalm 14:1. “When enough fools get together society suffers.”
As I look throughout history I see when a society turns away from God bad things can happen. Nazi Germany is the prime example. In Nazi Germany men turned away from God’s truths and imposed their own misguided beliefs. The result Millions suffered and died.
As Rabbi Silver put it
“Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...” Abba Hillel Silver.
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.
Society and individuals need to know there is a God who will one day hold them accountable for all of their deeds good and evil.
For as Nazi Germany shows us dramatically, when individuals and society do not fear God and his judgment many suffer.
Please think about it.

Hope

Hope

In a book called "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that 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."
If Paul Gallico is right, and I believe he is. Mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
When Paul Gallico wrote his article the world the world was still reeling from world war two, the worst war in human history in which 56,000,000 plus people military and civilian died. 11,000,000 plus in Nazi death camps 6,000,000 plus Jews alone. Killed for simply being who they were.
Paul Gallico could not have even begun to see what the rest of the twentieth century and the first decades of the twenty-first century would be like.
The numbers may not be on the industrial scale of world war two but daily around the world innocent people are dying at the hands of terrorist.
People are being murdered in the streets of our cities by people who are not worried about the consequences of their actions. Crime around the world is rampant. And while crime in many areas may be down, the fact is man with all his laws and punishments has not been able to stop it.
The fact is all the laws and punishments for crime will not stop people who do not fear the law.
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"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
Particularly it seem since the second world war with the rise of consumerism and materialism, western society has turned away from God.
I was born, in England two years prior to the first satellite going into space. You got your news from the News paper, Radio or a black and white television. Music was played on record players. If you wanted to record anything you got a reel to reel tape recorder. Telephones were attached to the wall and used a rotary dial. My parents never used a credit card.
The big purchase in my teens after we moved to Canada, was a stereophonic record player about five feet long and two feet deep that cost me I think fifty dollars.
At the time the record player was a big thing. But I never remember advertisements telling me I “really, really needed it”. Although there probably were.
In today’s society we are bombarded in the media with adds telling us we need the “latest greatest gadget”. That we have to be connected. A simple cell phone is not enough we have to have a smart phone that is more computer than phone. We must have it so we can chase imaginary creatures around our city and town. Not to mention broadcast our every move to the world.
Life today is fast paced and God has it seems been left out. Materialism is the new God within our society. It seems our youth in particular can name more factitious characters in a video game than they can books of the bible.
Morality in the first part of the twenty-first century at least seems to be changing. As a now sixty-two year old observer or our society I have seen our society change.
My fathers generation sent its teens and those in their mid twenties to fight a war against the evil that was Nazism. Today it seems there are many teens and twenty something’s that are disillusioned with our western society and choosing to join the forces of evil.
My generation seems to be the link between the two groups. True my generation has seen little wars but my generation ushered in our materialistic society. A society that has put less and less faith in God.
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.
Today that bulwark, that defensive wall is being broken down. People no longer recognize God let alone have faith in him. Sadly as that faith fails I believe society will ultimately fail.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
Unfortunately this is a message lost, it seems in this generation, not just in North America but around the world. There is however I believe hope. That hope is Jesus.
The message of Jesus of Love for God, ones neighbours and even ones enemies is as relevant today as it was when he walked the earth. This is the hope I believe Paul Gallico was looking for sixty-eight years ago.
To my mind Jesus is the only hope for mankind today. His call of,
“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.
Is for today. Is the answer to those who see no hope in today’s society.
Please think about it.

Headed to Hell?

Headed to Hell?
My wife at one time was a librarian and to say she has a few books is an understatement. The walls of our house are lined with 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."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"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
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with fire and brimstone.
   We only have to look around us to see the world is filled with people who are out to feed their lusts. Men and women who seek power no matter the cost.
We look to the terrorist of the world who wish to force their ideologies on people. Who seek power by the sword.
There are also such people within the western world. Men and women who use their power and influence to feed their greed.
While there are many super rich and others of wealth that have pledged to help the poor. There are many, many more that are using the poor and weak of our society to fill their pockets.
Many owners of industry have refused to think about the environment or worker safety until laws were passed forcing them to think about it.
Our society has fallen away from God and the further it falls the worse it gets. Man needs God. Man needs to realize that there is ultimately a God to answer too.
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.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
 Until all men realize there is a God to answer to however our world is destined to get a lot worse.
I truly believe the answer to the worlds problems lies in having faith in God and following his precepts who 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.
Please think about it.

The Way to Peace

The way to Peace
Rabbi Benjamin Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
Rabbi Blech is right. That is why I believe man needs to turn back to God.
The holocaust of world war two, the pogroms prior to that and modern day terrorist show that man can justify anything in his own mind. Even if it is the killing of millions of innocent people.
Throughout the centuries both secular atheistic governments and those claiming to do things in the name of God have brought death and destruction on the innocent.
I do not believe anyone who truly believes in God would commit an act of war or genocide. True believers in God believe the words of Ecclesiastes who wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
They believe they will one day have to give an account of their life to God. Who will judge them fairly and decide their eternal fate.
They believe the words of Deuteronomy who wrote,
“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.  
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” 
                                                                                    Deuteronomy 6:5-9.
Jesus not only affirmed the words of Deuteronomy saying 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 went one step further saying
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
    Matthew 5:43-47
It is my belief that the answer to true world peace lies in recognizing there is a God we will ultimately answer to.
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.
It is only when individuals and society turn from belief in God or twists the truths of God to suit their own way of thinking, that society starts to decline.
I firmly believe that the way to change the world for the better is to turn to the teachings of Jesus. The teachings of the Bible.
Teachings that tell us to love God, our neighbour, whoever they may be, and to love even our enemy.
Please think about it.