Praise God

Praise God
Luke’s gospel records,
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." Luke 2:8-14.
Today is Christmas day. The day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The day we acknowledge what the Shepherds heard and saw. Angels bringing them good news of great joy that is for all people.
The day we choose to honour and praise our Lord and Saviour.
In our family first thing in the morning the family gathers together my wife reads the Christmas story and we praise God for all He has done for us.
Thus today I would ask you if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus to follow the lead of the Psalmist who wrote,

“Praise the LORD. 

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

 

John's Testimony

John’s Testimony
John’s Gospel records,
“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.
Here is something that if not completely true means the writers of the New Testament were fooled or trying to fool the world around them. If they were trying to fool the world around them then it is perhaps the biggest hoax in human history.
John here make it clear that
1/ “the Word” (Jesus) was God.”
2/ “That through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made.”
3/ “That the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
What John is saying here is God the creator of the universe and everything in it, came into the world He created. God became man.
John makes it clear he has seen the glory of Jesus first hand.
John right from the start of his writings makes it clear that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour of mankind.
Not only that he asks anyone who reads his gospel and his three other letters to believe this also.
So my Question to you on this Christmas eve do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Simeon's Testimony

Simeon’s testimony
Luke’s gospel records this incident when Jesus as a new born was taken by his parents to the temple to be dedicated to God. Luke writes,
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."Luke 2:25-32.
Here, as Luke puts it, Simeon a devout man of God a man who had been promised by God that he would not see death until he had seen the “Lord’s Christ”, proclaims Jesus to be the Lord’s Christ.
I have always contended that if this is a false statement why is it included in Luke’s gospel? Saying anything false about Jesus at anytime would push people away. Especially saying as Luke records,
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ”.
Such a statement could seem outrageous.
Thus from my point of view I can only conclude that Luke believed it to be true.
For us in the twenty-first century we have a choice. We can believe Luke or not believe him. There is no middle ground.
Not only that when it comes to the whole New Testament we have the same choice. We can believe what the writers of the New Testament wrote and believed or we cannot.
The choice is yours.
Please think carefully about it.

Thoughts about Atheism

Thoughts about Atheism
In the book of Joshua we read,

“But as for me and my household, 

we will serve the LORD.” 

                                         Joshua 24:15b.

In my previous blog post I noted that there is a God. Not only that but many who worship God are being persecuted around the world. One Christian dying every seven minutes for their faith. For believing in a God many of the governments persecuting Christians don’t believe exist.
C. S. Lewis noted,

“Atheist express their rage against God 

although in their view,

 He does not exist” 

                              C. S. Lewis.

Imagine getting upset or fearful of something that does not exist. Yet many political leaders, dictators and governments around the world throw Christians and other people who believe in God into prison.
Even here in the west there are many prominent Atheist who speak strongly out against something that they say does not exist. Which begs the question if God does not exist how can He hurt you?
Now I speak from a Christian prospective, as I am a Christian. I know there have been many horrible things done in the name of Christ and I firmly believe that those who did such things were Christians in name only.
As 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
A true Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus, will follow Christ’s teaching of love for not only God, but one’s neighbours and even one’s enemies. They will follow the words of Christ 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.
Sadly I do believe this message has got lost in the cacophony of false teaching that is in the media. Especially here in North America.
Still the message, if someone truly wants to find God, if someone wants to have a relationship with Christ is there. All one has to do is look for it.
I think however many atheist are not looking for it. When it comes to God many have their mind made up and nothing will change that.
Thus my question to you the reader is, are you truly searching for God?
Please think about it.

About God

About God
In the book of Genesis we read,

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

                                                                                      Genesis 1:1

Peter John Kreeft ph.d wrote,
"How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God? 
The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed." Peter John Kreeft ph.d 
Christians around the world believe in a loving, caring God. Yet many live as someone has said “in unsafe naighbourhood’s” It is even said that one Christian dies for their faith every seven minutes somewhere in the world. While many more are thrown into jail for doing nothing more than worshipping God.
To my way of thinking if everything said about Jesus is not true then someone would have to be mad to believe in Him. Yet there are around three billion Christians in the world today. Many living under repressive governments and dictators. Having to meet in secret.
For me God exists and all the dictators and repressive governments in the world cannot change that. As C. S. Lewis put it,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” .S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
So my question is do you believe in God?

If you're a believer

If you’re a believer
The Psalmist writes,

“The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it,

 the world, and all who live in it;” 

                                                 Psalm24:1.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus you then have to believe this statement. That not only includes those you agree with but those you disagree which including your enemies.
The apostle Peter writes,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
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.
This is the prime directive of the church. To see that no one perishes. To show each individual in this world the way to heaven.
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.
My point here is if you believe in Christ Jesus you must be willing to associate with everyone around you and present the gospel message in love, without judgement.
The Psalmist writes,
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.
Only God knows why we are like we are. Only he knows what is going on inside us. Thus only he has the right to judge us.
Time and time again I am reminded of what Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                       Billy Graham.

So my question to you is. If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing your best to love those around you?
Please think about it.

Precious

Precious
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. 
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
For me the most precious thing I have ever found is my faith in Christ Jesus. It is to me that hidden treasure, or that fine pearl. As such I want to tell the world about Christ Jesus. Thus the reason for me writing this blog.
At the same time I get upset at men and women who call themselves Christians that by their actions clearly are not.
I firmly believe that many who call themselves Christians here in North America. Many who are called Christian leaders will hear the words of Jesus who 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.
I believe many in the church community here in North America are suffering what one person said was “freedom”.
They use that freedom to attack other groups they disagree with. Which should not be. James the half brother of Jesus said,
“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.
It was Billy Graham the great American evangelist that said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                   Billy Graham.

Sadly many Christians especially within the so called evangelical community are judging the world around them. Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul 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.
Sadly those claiming to be Christians do the opposite of what Paul tells them to do. They judge those outside the church and do not act against those who have done wrong or are not teaching sound doctrine within the church.
Please think about it.  

I believe

I believe
The Gospel of 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.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers. And when it comes to Jesus the New Testament writers truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. God incarnate.
Just what I believe is in a nutshell symbolised by the Apostle’s creed. This statement of belief is first believed to appear in the third century A. D. I place it here for you to think about,
Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ God’s one and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost
I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
I believe in the resurrection of the body.
I believe in life everlasting.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

On Judging

On Judging
“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
Do you judge the world and those around you? Do you look on people you disagree with, people who are living a lifestyle you disagree with and judge them?
We should not be doing this.
We can however and are told to by Paul to not associate with immoral people who call themselves brothers in Christ. Paul says,
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 
not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat
“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 5:9-13.
Unfortunately all too many Christians do the opposite to what Paul says. They judge those outside our faith and turn a blind eye or refuse to speak out against anyone who claims to be a brother in Christ and is,
“..sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
We as Christians seem to have a bad record when it comes to speaking up against those who are doing wrong within our faith. Things that makes us look bad.
We need to be open and honest. Christianity like any group will from time to time find people in their midst that are Christians in name only. Their actions are not actions of true believers.
We need as Paul says, to, “Expel the wicked from among us.”
After all as 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
Think about it.

Speak carefully

Speak carefully.

“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
I believe we are going to be held account for all we say and do. That even Christians will be called to give account of their words and deeds.
I believe the Talmud while a Jewish book and not Christian, has a good point when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”  The Talmud.
After all if we profess to be believers, God knows and we know that we believe in God. He knows if we’ve prayed and observed the ritual. He even knows if we truly have dealt honourably and faithfully with our fellow man.
But he offers us a chance to be honest,  asking us do we believe we have dealt honourably and faithfully in all our dealings with our fellow men.”
As Christians we are called to live as good a life as we humanly can.
People around us are looking at us and they notice what we do right and wrong. If our lifestyle is not better than that of the worlds then the world can say, “Why should I become a Christian I am as good if not better than them.”
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
"Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them."Billy Graham
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                            Francis of Assisi.

Our life and lifestyle should reflect the Love of God. We will make mistakes. We will get upset with people we come in contact with. But the key is when we make mistakes we need to admit them and correct them.
And when we deal with others that have done something against us we must show mercy towards them and forgive them.
It was Jesus who said,
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”  Matthew 6:12
James makes it very clear
“... judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”  James 2:,13
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis
Please think about it.

John's Testimony

John’s Testimony

“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.  
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1John 1:1-4  
Here in a nutshell is what John himself a disciple of Christ actually seen and believes.
He testifies to have actually been with Christ. Here is a man that more than likely received a physical hug of friendship from Christ himself. Who shared meals with Jesus, who even seen him crucified and spoke with him after he rose from the dead.
John truly knew Christ intimately.
He testifies that Jesus is the life. John States,
“...we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”  
John makes it clear why he is writing this,
“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.”
John after spending three years with Jesus. Was convinced beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was indeed God in the flesh.
This man had first hand knowledge of Jesus. He would have known if Jesus was truly who he said he was. He would have seen the flaws.
It’s been my experience that the longer you’re with someone the better you get to know them. The harder it is for someone to hide flaws and other things from you.
When I worked in industry we would keep a person on probation as long as we could. Not because we saved money we didn’t they received the same pay as a permanent worker.
We kept them on probation to see if they not only caught onto the job but if they were a reliable employee. That they turned up on time. If they got along with the other workers. Or if they had any negative traits that would compromise the company.
The company had found out that most people revealed their true colours usually within their first ninety days.
It would have been the same for the disciples of Jesus. They had three years to judge his teachings, his life and lifestyle.
They would know if there was anything wrong with him.
They obviously found no fault in him. Thus they followed him even after his death and resurrection.
At the trial of two of the Apostles a Pharisee named Gamaliel one of the finest teachers of his day noted to the Sanhedrin.
“Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”  Acts 5:35-39.
What he is saying is basically false messiahs had arisen in the past but when their leader died they dispersed and the movement came to nothing.
He makes the very valid point saying,
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”   
I believe history has proven and continues to prove that Jesus is the Son of God.
That the movement he started is from God and that those who are fighting against it are indeed fighting against God.
Think about it.

Faith

Faith
In the book of Acts we read this incident between Paul and Silas and their jailor,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30,31.
The writer of Hebrews make these two statements,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                              Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 

                                                                              Hebrews 11:6

Blaise Pascal said,

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe 

and enough shadows to blind those who don't.”

                                                                     Blaise Pascal.

Thomas Aquinas wrote,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. 

To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” 

                                                                                Thomas Aquinas.

So my question to you is when it comes to Christ Jesus, what do you believe?