You're a Light to the world

  You’re a Light to the world

Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

I think Christians overlook this scripture sometimes. They forget they are the light of the world. It is through our words and deeds that people will see the light that is Christ Jesus.

All too often people calling themselves Christians do not shine like they should. For a myriad of reasons there are many out there in the world calling themselves Christians but are not. The Apostle Paul stating,

"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 particularly in the United states, but also in other countries. 

It is therefor up to the true believer to let their light of the true gospel message shine before all those around them.

If you consider yourself a Christian does your light shine?

Do people know you are a true Christian by both your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Aliens

  Aliens

The apostle Peter states,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

If you are a true Christian, you represent God and the kingdom of Heaven. You are in the world but not a citizen of the world. You are a citizen of Heaven and thus living as an alien in this world.

Sadly particularly for individuals living here in North America they see themselves as a Canadian or American first and a Christian second, or worse they equate their earthly citizenship with being Christian.

For me it is of prime importance that we who call ourselves Christians. True followers of Christ Jesus, remember we are citizens of heaven. As such we must remember to represent God in the best possible way.

Please think about it.

The Sower

 The sower

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  

He who has ears, let him hear.”   Matthew 13:1-9.

Jesus seldom interpreted his parables but he does this one and as he does it better than me thus I give you his interpretation,

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23.

This interpretation is very typical of what happens in our churches today. There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.

There are others who receive the word out of the emotion of the moment only to fall away when the emotion dies off.

Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world. And fall away as their worries in this world take precedent over the word of God.

Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.

Where are you in this spectrum of hearers of the word?

Think about it. 

 Known by

The apostle Paul writes,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.

The apostle Paul makes it clear how people will know we are true believers in Christ Jesus. Showing the fruits of the spirit is one of those ways.

Too many non-believers today in North America know Christians for what they are against. Rather than what they are for. 

The reason is simple they have gone their own way. They have let secularism seep into their belief system. They demonstrate against anything or anyone that opposes them.

This is not what Jesus and the disciples did. They didn’t protest against Rome or the religious leaders of their day.

Instead they kept to the script so to speak. They presented the Love of God that comes through Christ Jesus. They presented the Grace of God and Salvation that comes through Christ Jesus. And they did it in a loving peaceful way. They exhibited the fruits of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control. 

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

Please think about it.

Live as free men and women

 Live as free man and women

The apostle Peter writes,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1Peter 2:16.

Peter here tells us to live as free men. 

Being free does not mean we can do anything we wish. Freedom has limitations. 

True freedom is a compromise.

It is the freedom to do as you wish. While at the same time allowing others the freedom to do as they wish, without causing harm to anyone.

For the Christian. For followers of Christ Jesus this means we can live as servants of God. It means we can present our beliefs to others and allow them to decide for themselves if they believe what we say or not.

Freedom for the Christian. For believers in Christ Jesus means we must keep our own house in order. The apostle Paul telling us,

"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.

The apostle Peter telling us,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

This is what it is to live as free men and women of Christ.

Please think about it.

They will

 They will

In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12, 13.

Jesus makes one thing clear. We are not to judge. He states,

“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.

Jesus makes it clear we are not to judge anyone. Sadly many calling themselves Christians judge people all the time. I see this especially among those who call themselves evangelical Christians. 

They are always out there pointing out sin. Judging people because of the way they live or their lifestyle.

Christians are not to do it! Jesus made it clear what the job of the Christian is when He 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.

We cannot win a soul for Christ if we even give the appearance of judging them. 

Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to present the love and mercy God offers all mankind through Christ Jesus. 

After that they must decide for themselves if they believe it or not.

It is my belief that if those calling themselves Christians continue to judge those they disagree with. They will be the ones God judges.

Please think about it.

The Sower

 The sower

Jesus told this parable

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  

He who has ears, let him hear.”   Matthew 13:1-9.

Jesus seldom interpreted his parables but he does this one and as he does it better than me thus I give you his interpretation,

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23.

This interpretation is very typical of what happens in our churches today. There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.

There are others who receive the word out of the emotion of the moment only to fall away when the emotion dies off.

Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world. And fall away as their worries in this world take precedent over the word of God.

Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.

Where are you in this spectrum of hearers of the word?

Please think about it. 

Lovers of Pleasure

 Lovers of pleasure

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.

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. Spiralling down into a very dark place. People are becoming lovers of self. 

Particularly here in North America people proclaiming they have “RIGHTS!”, while ignoring the rights of others. People are suffering and dying because of the colour of their skin, ethnicity, or lifestyle.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written today.

It's 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."

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, I believe we have a duty to show the unconditional love of God to all who are around us, family, friend and foe alike. 

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.

If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus do you show Christs unconditional love to those around you?

Please think about it.

Are you?

  Are you?

In the book of Jeremiah we read,

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”                                                                                                                         Jeremiah 29:13

Someone has said,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God f

or the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.”

                                                                         Author Unknown

I think such a statement has merit. Many atheist I’ve met are more determined to show people where the Bible mistakes are than looking at it with an open mind.

In order to find God you have to truly be seeking God with your whole heart. If you simply want to find fault or try to disprove Gods existence you will never find God.

Thus my question to you; Are you truly seeking God?

Please think about it.

Blessed

Blessed

The Psalmist writes,

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; 

love and faithfulness go before you. 

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, 

who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.” 

                                                                                       Psalm 89:14,15.

Do you walk in the light of Gods presence? 

Have you learned to acclaim God? 

When people see your words and deeds do they see God reflected in those words and deeds?

Please think about it.

2.5%

2.5%

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes if you consider yourself a Christian are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please it. think about

Social Christians

 Social Christians

The book of revelations speaks of the Church at Sardis. It states, 

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:1-6. 

Here is a church that appears to be alive but is in fact dead. 

It is possible for a church to seem to be doing all the right things yet not be doing what God wants them to do.

There are many churches that hold great orchestrated praise and worship services. That follow a systematic study of the Bible. That have prayer meetings. Help the poor and much more.

    These churches on the outside look fine but all they are doing is following an empty scripted program. They are ministering to their congregation but not doing what God wants them to do.

That’s true for people to. An individual can seem like they have got it all together. They attend church both on Sunday and during the week. They go to prayer meetings even go to other Christian events. The trouble is they are simply doing it because they feel this is what a person should do. They are not doing what God wants them to do. They are as one person put it “social Christians”. 

I think these were the kind of Christians Jesus talked about when he said,

“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23

Please think about it.

In Joy sold everything

In Joy sold everything.
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44. 
Here we have in a nutshell what is like for those who finds the love an grace of Jesus Christ. When an individual comes the realization that Jesus is the way the truth and life.
That he is the way to heaven.
Such a person is willing to give up everything. His way of life. His friends and even his family if necessary.
Becoming a believer in Christ Jesus is a big step. Many believers in Jesus around the world today are forced by non-believing family to never contact them again. Some are forced to leave their home village or town. Some even have to leave their country of birth. 
Still others are persecuted, beaten, put in jail, even murdered.
It is said that one Christian dies for their faith somewhere in the world every seven minutes.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
Yet it is still growing. Believers in Christ truly believing and rejoicing that they have found the way to heaven. Rejoicing in the fact that they have found the one thing on this earth that has eternal value.
Thus my question to you the reader; do you believe Jesus is truly the way to heaven?
Before you answer the question, I would ask that at least take time to read the New Testament and see what it says about Jesus. Then make your decision.
Please think about it.

By their fruit

By their fruit
  Jesus said,
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:15-20.
I think this portion of scripture is overlooked by many Christians. Many Christians believe almost anyone who says they are Christian without questioning what the person does. Largely I think because they know 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.
And quite often Matthew 7:1,2 are used to stop those who would disagree with someone who is teaching wrong doctrine.
However 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.

Which harkens back to what Jesus said,
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them...” Matthew 7:15,16a.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to examine particularly pastors, evangelist and other Christian teachers. We need to look at what they are preaching and the fruits of their life.
The apostle Paul tells us what the true fruit of a believer is when he wrote,
The apostle Paul writes,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control.

 Against such things there is no law."  

                                                   Galatians 5:22,23.

Are these the fruits exhibited in the lives of the Pastors, Evangelist and other Christian teachers you follow?
Are these the fruits exhibited in your life?
Please think about it.

The Bible is not the Light of The World?

The Bible is not the light of the world?
Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”Matthew 5:14.
The great evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.””Charles H. Spurgeon.
Someone said to me the church is under attack. Which is true. It has been ever since its inception. On and off throughout the centuries the Christians who are The Church, have been persecuted simply for being believers in Christ Jesus.
That being said we, especially here in the west must make sure if we are being persecuted it is for the right thing. That being, showing the world the Love of Christ. Not because we took sides in politics, or heaped judgement on people or did a any of a hundred other things Christ would not have wanted us to do.
The apostle Peter makes it clear,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
As a holy priesthood we must represent Christ in the purest way humanly possible. We must. We as individual believers in Christ, must as the apostle Peter said, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits.”
We must remember that we are the light of the world. That people will see Christ through our words and deeds.
Thus my question becomes to anyone reading this who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus; Do you live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.?
Please think about it.  

An Admission

An admission
Jesus said,
“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.
The Church has been around a long time and like with any institution that has been around for millennia false teachers have entered the Church.
Unfortunately especially it seems when it comes to those who espouse to be in the evangelical church there is no policing. Preachers in North America in particular can say what they want to say. Which is a good thing in one respect. It’s called freedom of speech. With such freedom  however comes a responsibility to teach the truth. And puts the onus on believers to police themselves. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians tells us,
“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
 In the above quoted scripture from Matthew seven Jesus himself admits there will me many who say they did God’s work but were not true believers at all.
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“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.
I see these men in the media all the time. You only have to Google the names of some of these preachers to see they are not true Christians.
There is however a growing group of Christians in all denominations who are starting to take a hard look at the Bible and its teaching. They are turning back to the true teachings of Jesus. One of love for God, our neighbour and our enemy.
Men and women who believe the teachings of the Apostle Paul who said,

“If it is possible, 

as far as it depends on you,

 live at peace with everyone.”

                             Romans 12:18.

Who follow the teachings of Jesus who 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

Jesus who said,
“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.”Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus who 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 22:37-40
Such men and women are the “new fundamentalist”. Men and women who know Jesus reached out to everyone irrespective of what they believed, their race, their ethnicity, or their lifestyle.
Men and women who dislike what passes for Christianity sometimes. People who wish to ensure that all people have the opportunity to feel the Joy and Peace only a relationship with Jesus can bring.
A relationship that costs nothing more than having faith in Christ.
As the apostle Paul put it,
“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
Christianity is God reaching down to man. It is Jesus calling to each and every person saying,
“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.
We believe as Christians have believed from the time of Jesus that the most important message we can give to the world is the words of Jesus who 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  
Please think about it.

Cosmic Dust

Cosmic Dust
The Bible states,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
Later it states,
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Gen 2:7.
One thing scientist and the Bible agree on is that the universe has a beginning. The prevalent theory in the scientific community is that the universe started with a big bag. I as a Christian have no reason to doubt it.
To my way of thinking God could have been responsible for the big bang. He could also have made the universe in seven twenty-four hour day. He after all is an almighty God who could do things anyway he wished.
The thing is ultimately it doesn’t matter one iota how the universe was made. Whether it took billion of years to get us to where we are today or a matter of days or years.
What is important in my mind is whether you believe in God or not.
The Bible doesn’t debate the existence of God. It has no need to. It was written to believers and believers need no convincing. They, even though they cannot see God believe by faith.
Blaise Pascal said of faith,
In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.” Blaise Pascal.
The choice as to whether God exists or not rests squarely on the individual.
I know there are Atheist who will never consider believing in God. Just as there are many people of faith in the world who would never consider God does not exist.
While it is my understanding that Albert Einstein was an atheist. He did make and interesting statement. He said,
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.” Albert Einstein.
I believe we are indeed made from the dust of the cosmos, the dust of the earth. I also believe the invisible player is God. Whom we will one day meet face to face.
The question is do you?
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.

It seems right but is it?

It seems right but is it?
The writer of Proverbs states,

“There is a way that seems right to a man 

but in the end it leads to death.” 

                                                                               Proverbs 14:12.

I am writing this directly to Christians with the intent to get them to look at their relationship to Christ.
Jesus said,

“Many will say to me  on that day, 

‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, 

and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  

Then I will tell them plainly, 

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

                                                                                          Matthew 7:22,23.

If you claim to be Christian will you hear the above words of Jesus? I think many claiming to be Christians be they in the pulpit or in the pew will hear those words.
It is I believe very possible for someone to consider themselves a Christian and are not. I say this because I heard an interesting sermon. It pointed out that Christianity is in danger of becoming part of the culture of the country particularly in the United States and Canada.
Mahatma Gandhi once said,

Jesus is ideal and wonderful,

 but you Christians

 - you are not like him.

                                                             Mahatma Gandhi.

Even though Gandhi said those words decades ago he is right. Many calling themselves Christians today are not anything like Jesus.
When I hear of people calling themselves Christians who go to court for the right not to serve homosexuals in their business, I ask myself are they truly Christians. When I hear people calling themselves Christians and wanting to restrict the rights of any lawful group that is doing no harm, I ask myself are they Christian.
Do Christians in a secular democracy such as the United States and Canada have the right to impose their beliefs and judge those who are not Christians?
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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13
Should Christians be demanding that same sex marriage be banned? Should Christians try to restrict the rights of other religious groups just because we disagree with them? Should Christians seek to restrict immigration allowing only groups they agree with into the country?
Billy Graham the great American evangelist once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love,” 

                                     Billy Graham 

If we claim to be Christians we need to heed what the apostle Paul and indeed Billy Graham said.
Did not Jesus associate with everyone, the Samaritan woman, Roman soldiers even tax collectors.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
The Pharisees would not sit down with people they thought were sinners. As a result I would imagine as today they would turn people away from God.
I’ve been a Christian in excess of forty years now and the one thing various non-Christians have said to me over the years is, “why should I become a Christian. I live a better life than them. The ‘Christians’ I know are intolerant”
I’ve heard many times Christians being called bigots. Sadly many times they are right. Many calling themselves Christians are intolerant and bigoted.
Jesus and the apostles lived in a society that was far from Christian morally. It was a multicultural mix of people some practising what to them would have been morally reprehensible behaviour. Yet they never spoke against it.
They never spoke against it because they knew, they had the answer to changing the world around and pointing people to heaven.
Billy Graham said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
We as Christian need to be very carful in what we say and do because people are looking at us. The apostle Peter said,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Jesus told us to love God, love our neighbour, and even love our enemy. That to my way of thinking means love everyone.
As true Christians we must be willing to interact with anyone no matter their faith, their lifestyle or there position in life without judging them. This is what Jesus and the apostles did. In doing so they won souls for Christ.
Are you doing this?
Please think about it

Consequences

Consequences 
The Bible states,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It has no need to, it is written to believers in God.
Now I know there are people in the world that say there is no God. That is their opinion and I respect that. That being said, just because someone doesn’t believe in God doesn’t mean God doesn’t exist.
I believe the flaw in atheism is that the atheist put themselves in the role of god. They can’t see God so they say he doesn’t exist. But just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
In order to be absolutely sure God does not exist one must know all things and have been everywhere, including beyond the grave. These are attributes of God. Thus the atheist in saying categorically there is no God, he is saying he is god.
No man is god. Man are mortal and fallible. Men make mistakes. Quite often in life we must act in faith because we do not always have the answers. Thus it is with God. We must act in faith. We act in faith saying God does not exist, or we act in faith and say God does exist.
Either way to my mind our decision as to whether God exist or not has eternal consequences.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
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.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.