The light of the world

  The light of the world

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

Jesus here claims to be “the light of the world”. 

Stating that “whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life”.

Jesus did make some very powerful statements about Himself.

Earlier John’s gospel records Him as saying,

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.  

But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.  

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:35-40

Jesus speaking of Himself in John chapter three  states,

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

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17. 

The soul purpose of Jesus coming to this earth is to light the way to heaven and life eternal.

Do you believe in Jesus? 

Do you believe He gives life eternal to all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

The Great Equalizer

 The Great Equalizer 

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“People are destined to die once, 

and after that to face judgment.”

                                                    Hebrews 9:27

Someone has said death is the great equalizer. Which is true. One day the richest man alive and the poorest man alive will die and stand before God.

The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us about that day. Saying,

"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.

How will God judge you? Will you enter Heaven?

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

Sin separates us from God. Which means if there is sin in our life we will not get to heaven. That being said. The apostle John states,

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

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

The apostle Paul states,

“...(We) are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:24.

And in John’s gospel we read,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36.

As Christians we believe you cannot work your way to Heaven. It is by believing in the saving grace of God that comes through Christ Jesus. Believing that He died for your sins.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

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

Jesus speaking of himself said,

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

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

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

  Thus the choice is yours. 

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of all who believe in Him or not?

Please think about it.

The resurrection and the life

 The resurrection and the life

In the gospel of John we read,

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

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

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

Believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, is the cornerstone of Christian belief. We Christians believe that by believing in Christ Jesus we will have eternal life with Him in heaven.

The way I see it I have nothing to lose by truly believing this.

Blaise Pascal wrote,

"Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists." Blaise Pascal.

So where will you place your wager?

Please think about it. 

A Question from Jesus

  A Question from Jesus

In John’s gospel we read,

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

“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.

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

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

Do you?

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

Please think about it.

The question is do you?

  The question is do you?

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

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

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. " 1John 1:1-3

The apostle John makes it clear here that he is writing this letter that the reader may know that he as seen and touched “that which was from the beginning” meaning from the creation of the world.

In his gospel John states,

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

He was with God in the beginning. 

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

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14

John firmly believed that Jesus was God in the flesh. And that salvation and eternal life came from Him. 

The question is do you?

Please think about it.

Glory to God

  Glory to God

Luke’s gospel records this as happening on the day Jesus was born,

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in th field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear, 

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying. 

"Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 

                                                                                           Luke2:8-14.

Today is Christmas day the day when Christians like myself celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.

We know Jesus was not necessarily born on December 25th. That however is unimportant. What is important is that we celebrate the day God reached down to mankind offering anyone who would believe in Him eternal life.

It is my prayer this day that all who reads this and my other blog postings that they will at the very least consider reading the New Testament and learning for themselves what The Bible writers believed about Jesus. 

It is my hope and prayer also that all who read this will accept Jesus into their heart.

Please think about it.

Not our way

  Not our way

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

On the day Jesus was crucified Luke’s gospel records,

"The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." Luke 23:35.

To a people looking for liberation from the Roman boot. Looking for a saviour to get them from under Roman oppression. Jesus hanging on the cross didn’t fit the bill.

The Jews of Jesus’ day were looking for a conquering  Messiah to lead them, victory over their oppressors, not a suffering Messiah.

What they, and people today fail to see is that God does not work the way man works. Lets face it most people living under oppression long for the day a leader arrises to free them. Usually by force of arms.

Jesus was totally the opposite of this. He died to make us free. Not necessarily in physical way. But rather spiritually.

Jesus is God reaching down to man.

The apostle Paul writing,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour 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.

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

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

Thus the question becomes; Do you believe in Jesus?

Please before you answer that question take time to not just read the New Testament but study it. Taking time to Pray and ask God to show you the truth about Jesus.

Please think about it.

My Reason

  My Reason

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.

This verse sums up why I write these blogs. It sums up why I tell people about Jesus.    Someone along time ago, took time to tell me about the Love and salvation that comes through the Grace of God. Which today it the most important thing in my life.

The apostle Paul reminds us,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

That sinning is falling short of Gods ideals. 

The Apostle Paul noting,

"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.

That our good works cannot save us. It is our faith in God and the Salvation God grants to all who would believe in Christ Jesus.

They noted Jesus speaking of himself said,

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

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

They also noted that I have a freewill to believe or not believe what is said in the Bible. That they have no right to judge me for what I believe. 

That their obligation to God was to simply tell me of the Love of God that comes through Christ Jesus. Whether I believe it or not is entirely up to me.

Thus I leave what I have written for you the reader to decide for yourself if you believe it or not.

Please think about it.

By Grace

By Grace

The apostle John wrote,

"We love because he first loved us."

                                                       1John 4:19 

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

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

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

In Christianity we believe that God loved His creation so much that he reached down from heaven, in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus, to show in human terms how far he would go reconcile mankind to Himself.

The apostle Paul tells us,

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

This is the reason for Christmas. Christians believe we could not live lives good enough to enter heaven. Thus God created away for us.

The apostle Paul states,

"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.

Thus my question to you is have you accepted this free gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

Rich toward God?

 Rich toward God?

The Psalmist writes,

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

                                                                Psalm 62:1,2

Whom or what do you wait for? Do you base your hopes on money? A lottery win?

Jesus told this parable,

“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 

"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  

And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21.

Are you rich toward God?

Is God first in your life?

Please think about it.

A Crown

  A Crown

The Prophet Isaiah states,

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  

And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted." 

                                                        Isaiah 12:3,4.

One of the things I’m thankful for is my salvation. That’s why I write these Blogs. I want to tell people about Jesus. 

I am eternally thankful that Jesus is in my life. Apart from my salvation Jesus gives me hope, and purpose in this life. 

The apostle Paul seeing the end of his life coming wrote,

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Question: Is there a crown of righteousness waiting for you when you leave this life?

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus then there is.

If on the other hand you don’t know, I would suggest that you read at least the New Testament and learn about Jesus and the Salvation he offers you.

Please think about it.

Faith Saves Us

  Faith saves us

Isaiah the prophet wrote,

“And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously

let this be made known in all the earth.”

                                                                       Isaiah 12:4,5.

As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe I have an obligation to God to present His message to the world. That message being,

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

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

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

                                                         Ephesians 2:8,9.

It is our faith in God that saves us not our works. 

In Hebrews chapter eleven we read how Abraham and the patriarchs were commended and saved by their faith in God. Thus in the same way they were saved so are we.

Jesus speaking of himself said,

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

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

My Trust

  My Trust

In the book of Psalms we read,

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” 

                                                                     Psalm 20:7.

One of my favourite quotes about believing in God comes from Blaise Pascal. It reads,

“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.

Thus my question to anyone reading this is where do you place your wager.

Please think about it.

Believe in God

  Believe in God

"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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 

Jesus said,

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Luke 12:4,5.

There is a simple truth here. You can either believe in God or not. If those who do not believe in God are correct then what is quoted above means nothing. On the other hand if it is true then we have a lot to fear.

I however do not believe God is a God of wrath. Quite the contrary God is a God of love, 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.” John 3:16,17.

God in sending Christ to this world with the express purpose of saving not just mankind in general but individuals, shows how much in human terms He was willing to go to reconcile each person to himself. 

In entering the world as Jesus. God experienced first hand what it was to be a man. Everything from the mundane such as feeling the rain on his face, sitting with friends, and attending a wedding. To the horrific, a merciless beating and crucifixion. 

Thus when an individual stands before the judgement seat of God no one can say He dose not understand what it is to be human. 

And anyone who reads the Bible cannot say they have not been warned because from cover to cover the Bible points the way to eternal life with God. Jesus summing things up when he said,

 “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 3:18.

Please think about it.

Your Choice

  Your Choice

The apostle John speaking of Jesus writes,

"Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.  

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:10-12.

In John’s gospel he records Jesus speaking of himself saying,

“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. Do you believe Jesus is the one and Only Son of God, The Saviour of mankind or not?

I believe upon your answer lies your eternal resting place.

Thus the choice is yours.

Please think about it.

Your Choice

 Your Choice.

Jesus speaking of himself said,

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

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

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

Here is a choice we all must make. What is your choice?

Please think about it.

The call of Jesus

The Call of Jesus
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.
This is the call of Jesus to all who believe in Him. To go into all the world and tell the world about Him. As Christians we believe what Jesus said about himself when he said,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
The purpose of Jesus coming into this world was to show not just mankind as a whole but individuals the way to heaven.
As C. S. Lewis said,
"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.
We also must remember that Jesus also issued a warning saying,
“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 3:18.
That being said I believe that having faith that Jesus is the way to heaven is one of the hardest things anyone can do.
I also believe that God wanted it that way because men and women of faith are willing to suffer and die for what they believe.
Thus it is up to you the reader to decide what you believe about Jesus. Is he the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind, or is he not?
Please think about it.

Place your bet

Place your bet
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17.
As a believer in Christ Jesus, I believe there is a God. It’s that simple. As a result I will honour Him in all I do. I will praise him and glorify His name. I will as the psalmist states,

“Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                           Psalm 150.

Those who do not believe in God may think I’m foolish, but so be it. In worshipping God I have lost nothing but will one day receive eternal life.
As Blaise Pascal put it.
“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 do you place your bet?
Please think about it.

My Fortress

My Fortress
The Psalmist writes,
“I love you, O LORD, my strength. 
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1,2.
Over my sixty plus years on this earth I have had a lot of things happen to me. Everything from my house burning down leaving my family and I with literally just the clothing on our backs, to a cancer diagnosis, to blood clots on my lungs that almost took my life, among other things.
During that time I had two choices. I could have called out to God and said, “Why me. Why am I going through this.” or “Lord in you I put my trust.”
I chose to say the latter, Lord in you I put my trust.
Now I’m far from a spiritual superman. I am simply an ordinary man who makes mistakes and falls short of what God would ask of me many times. That being said, I have been blessed with excellent men and women of God who have helped me with their teaching to build my house on The Rock in the good times.
It, I firmly believe is precisely because of this that I have got through the bad times. Times when I could have easily died.
Looking back there is one other thing I was willing to say to God. “God not my will but your will be done”
Jesus while in the garden of Gethsemane knowing what he was about to suffer prayed,
"...My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matthew 26:42b.
I firmly believe that as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must put our lives entirely in the hands of God. Without any kind of reservation.
We must remember that while this mortal life we live is finite, with a beginning and an end. We are destined to live throughout eternity. Thus the only thing that ultimately matter is where we will spend that eternity.
So dear reader are you certain of where you will spend eternity?
Please think about it.

God is

God is

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

                                                                                    Genesis 1:1

I believe this and the Bible does not leave this statement up for debate. In order to be a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus you have to believe this. I believe God is real and that he created the heavens and the earth.
I believe that science done correctly will prove it. I believe as the psalmist states,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

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

                                                                             Psalm 19:1-3

I don’t know if Stephen Hawking was a believer in Christ or even if he believed in the existence of God but he 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.
I do know the father or quantum mechanics winner of the Noble prize for physics, Werner Heisenberg is a believer in God and that he said,
“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,
but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you” Werner Heisenberg.
The question however always comes back to you the individual. Do you believe in God?
Do you believe as Christians do?
"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.
Christians take belief in God the creator one step further. We believe that God in the form of his one and only Son Jesus Christ entered the world He created to show not just mankind as a whole but individuals, how far he would go to show them the way to heaven.
As C. S. Lewis puts it.
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis
Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.