A Lesson from the mount of Transfiguration
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified.
But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”
Matthew 7:1-13
Kenneth L Baker a commentator in Zondervans NIV study Bible Copyright 2002 states,
“The transfiguration was:
(1) a revelation of the glory of the Son of God, a glory hidden now but to be fully revealed when he returns (see 2 Th 1:10);
(2) a confirmation of the difficult teaching given to the disciples at Caesarea Philippi (16:13–20); and
(3) a beneficial experience for the disciples, who were discouraged after having been reminded so recently of Jesus’ impending suffering and death (16:21).”
Jesus also states that Elijah the prophet the Jews had been waiting for had come in the form of John the Baptist. And that the Jews and their leaders didn’t recognize him. Just as they failed to recognize Jesus.
Jesus admonished his disciples not to tell of these events until after his death and resurrection a confidence they kept.
We today know Jesus will return it is something anticipated by all Christians, at that time he will be glorified in his holy people.
Paul writing to the Thessalonians states,
“on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you”
2 Thessalonians 1:10
If we are true believers we are looking forward to Christ’s return. And what at day that will be. Listen to Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12,
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11,12.
This is a prayer we as believers need to have for both ourselves and other who believe.
There is one other verse that comes to mind as I read this it’s written by Paul to Timothy, it reads,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15.
This is my prayer for all Christians.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Monday, 5 May 2014
Jesus and you
Jesus and you
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Matthew 16:21-28
Here Jesus begins to prepare for his death. Telling his disciples what must happen.
Peter thinking in worldly terms says it will never happen. Even at this point Peter was still thinking of Jesus as a conquering king.
Jesus uses what is translated ‘Satan’ in English but commentators say the actual word is borrowed from the Hebrew meaning adversary or accuser.
He’s simply saying to Peter you don’t understand all this is for the greater good and glory of God.
You see God does not do things the way man does. If so Jesus would have been born to a prominent family of the day, yet he wasn’t. He was born to an average family. Grew up in a small village. Experienced the things average people experienced. This way I believe he could better understand mankind as only a very small minority live a life of wealth and opulence.
Jesus also goes on to explain,
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
I think what Jesus said he is important especially for the new convert.
In Judaism when a person becomes a convert the Rabbi tells them what to expect and holds nothing back.
It’s important to tell new Christian converts this.
Here in North America it’s fairly easy to become a Christian and live the Christian life. Still there are people around that scoff at Christians and at times make life hard.
There are families that reject people who become a Christian or accuse them of getting into a cult.
Then there is the spiritual factor. Many times after the new convert makes the decision doubts come into their mind.
All of this needs to be explained to them in addition to telling them to study the Bible and attend a good church.
Jesus goes on to say,
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
This is a very true statement. What good are all the riches of this world if in the end you end up in the wrong place in eternity.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
Everyone both Christian and non-Christian will stand before God and be brought to account for what they’ve done and be rewarded accordingly.
Finally Jesus notes,
“I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
I believe like many commentators that this is a prediction of the transfiguration that would happen a week later. Something that demonstrated Jesus will one day return in His Fathers glory.
Think about it.
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Matthew 16:21-28
Here Jesus begins to prepare for his death. Telling his disciples what must happen.
Peter thinking in worldly terms says it will never happen. Even at this point Peter was still thinking of Jesus as a conquering king.
Jesus uses what is translated ‘Satan’ in English but commentators say the actual word is borrowed from the Hebrew meaning adversary or accuser.
He’s simply saying to Peter you don’t understand all this is for the greater good and glory of God.
You see God does not do things the way man does. If so Jesus would have been born to a prominent family of the day, yet he wasn’t. He was born to an average family. Grew up in a small village. Experienced the things average people experienced. This way I believe he could better understand mankind as only a very small minority live a life of wealth and opulence.
Jesus also goes on to explain,
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
I think what Jesus said he is important especially for the new convert.
In Judaism when a person becomes a convert the Rabbi tells them what to expect and holds nothing back.
It’s important to tell new Christian converts this.
Here in North America it’s fairly easy to become a Christian and live the Christian life. Still there are people around that scoff at Christians and at times make life hard.
There are families that reject people who become a Christian or accuse them of getting into a cult.
Then there is the spiritual factor. Many times after the new convert makes the decision doubts come into their mind.
All of this needs to be explained to them in addition to telling them to study the Bible and attend a good church.
Jesus goes on to say,
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
This is a very true statement. What good are all the riches of this world if in the end you end up in the wrong place in eternity.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
Everyone both Christian and non-Christian will stand before God and be brought to account for what they’ve done and be rewarded accordingly.
Finally Jesus notes,
“I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
I believe like many commentators that this is a prediction of the transfiguration that would happen a week later. Something that demonstrated Jesus will one day return in His Fathers glory.
Think about it.
Sunday, 4 May 2014
The Greatest Life Ever Lived
The greatest Life ever Lived
“When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
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 2:22-32
Jesus is the most influential person in all of history.
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was he replied, “the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.
I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.”
What these men say of Jesus is true.
Simeon the prophet said it best on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him, he said,
“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.”
Jesus is all he said he is. He is the one and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is God reaching down to mankind and saying I love you. Come unto me and I will give you rest.
The Apostle 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....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:1-4,10-13.
The choice is yours what do you think of Jesus?
Think about it.
“When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
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 2:22-32
Jesus is the most influential person in all of history.
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was he replied, “the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.
I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.”
What these men say of Jesus is true.
Simeon the prophet said it best on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him, he said,
“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.”
Jesus is all he said he is. He is the one and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is God reaching down to mankind and saying I love you. Come unto me and I will give you rest.
The Apostle 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....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:1-4,10-13.
The choice is yours what do you think of Jesus?
Think about it.
Saturday, 3 May 2014
Who do you say I am?
Who do you say I am?
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.”
Matthew 16:13-20
Here Jesus asks Peter point blank “who do you say I am?” to which Peter replies, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.”
Jesus notes that this was revealed to him by God.
I think when it comes down to it even today we need a revelation of God with respect to Jesus.
We can intellectually say there is a God and Jesus was a good and godly teacher. But when it comes to the divinity of Jesus that is something God must reveal to those who are truly seeking after him.
We must be truly looking for the Saviour.
Many men and women look at the Bible and the New Testament with and eye to pointing out it’s perceived errors. Many more simply dismiss the Bible as nothing more than a good or bad read.
These people generally don’t believe God exists. Therefore there is no need for a Messiah or Saviour.
These people for the most part, will never, following that train of thought, find the truth out about Jesus.
We first and foremost need to have faith there was a God. Peter did. He realized there was a God and like many Jews of his day was probably looking for a Messiah.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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 11:16.
When we exercise faith and accept there is a God, then God can and will reveal things to us.
Until that moment, the moment the true seeker of truth exercises faith saying there is a God nothing can really happen.
For his faith Jesus said to Peter
“I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Peter went on to become a leader in the church, and as history as proven, no matter what as come against the church nothing has overcome it.
It is stronger today than it has ever been.
There is on other thing here that should be noted.
“Then he (Jesus) warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.”
This warning was for their time. The time of the disciples.
Many Jews back then were looking for a conquering Messiah. Jesus was the suffering messiah mentioned in Isaiah 53.
Jesus did not want an uprising against Rome that was not his mission on the earth. He never spoke against Rome.
His mission was to reconcile mankind to God. Therefore to accomplish this he couldn’t afford his disciples or followers inciting an uprising against Rome. Thus he told them to not tell people he was the Messiah.
We know today he is the Messiah the Saviour of the world and it is a message we as Christians proclaim openly.
It is a message we want the whole world to hear.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Think about it.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.”
Matthew 16:13-20
Here Jesus asks Peter point blank “who do you say I am?” to which Peter replies, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.”
Jesus notes that this was revealed to him by God.
I think when it comes down to it even today we need a revelation of God with respect to Jesus.
We can intellectually say there is a God and Jesus was a good and godly teacher. But when it comes to the divinity of Jesus that is something God must reveal to those who are truly seeking after him.
We must be truly looking for the Saviour.
Many men and women look at the Bible and the New Testament with and eye to pointing out it’s perceived errors. Many more simply dismiss the Bible as nothing more than a good or bad read.
These people generally don’t believe God exists. Therefore there is no need for a Messiah or Saviour.
These people for the most part, will never, following that train of thought, find the truth out about Jesus.
We first and foremost need to have faith there was a God. Peter did. He realized there was a God and like many Jews of his day was probably looking for a Messiah.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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 11:16.
When we exercise faith and accept there is a God, then God can and will reveal things to us.
Until that moment, the moment the true seeker of truth exercises faith saying there is a God nothing can really happen.
For his faith Jesus said to Peter
“I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Peter went on to become a leader in the church, and as history as proven, no matter what as come against the church nothing has overcome it.
It is stronger today than it has ever been.
There is on other thing here that should be noted.
“Then he (Jesus) warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.”
This warning was for their time. The time of the disciples.
Many Jews back then were looking for a conquering Messiah. Jesus was the suffering messiah mentioned in Isaiah 53.
Jesus did not want an uprising against Rome that was not his mission on the earth. He never spoke against Rome.
His mission was to reconcile mankind to God. Therefore to accomplish this he couldn’t afford his disciples or followers inciting an uprising against Rome. Thus he told them to not tell people he was the Messiah.
We know today he is the Messiah the Saviour of the world and it is a message we as Christians proclaim openly.
It is a message we want the whole world to hear.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Think about it.
Friday, 2 May 2014
Warning
Warning
“When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.
“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:5-12.
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” says Jesus.
This is something that we should be careful of today, especially in the wired world.
Today at the touch of a mouse we can connect with thousands of preachers and evangelist the world over. It’s easy to get misled.
There are many people out there saying they know the will of God. That they know God’s formula, usually for getting rich or having a wonderful life.
Some go as far as saying if you’re not in good health then your out of the will of God, you’re sinning. What garbage.
There are many name it claim it preachers out in the world today. Many using the terminology ‘seed faith’. Calling you to sow into the kingdom. A term they use for asking for your support of their ministry.
There are many out there ready to give a formula for being rich or for good health.
It seems today that there is a Christian version of every secular get rich quick scheme.
Preachers both in the media and out of it are saying if you do such and such you’ll have a good life. A life without want.
There are many out there performing what they call miracles that are nothing more than fancy talk and hot air.
All too often in my life as a Christian I’ve seen people ripped off by these preachers.
Christians and especially new converts need to be cautious of ministers, evangelist and churches that are offering feel good doctrine. That are making wild claims.
The old saying “if it looks to good to be true it probably is” is true.
Now don’t get me wrong the majority of churches, pastors and evangelist are honest men and women who love the Lord and are doing what they believe to be is his will. Still caution never hurt.
It can be hard to find the right church for you.
When someone asks me what church to go to I am always cautious.
First and foremost you need a church that believes the Bible is the inerrant word of God. That it and nothing else is the foundation of the church.
Second you need a church that believes that as John records Jesus as 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
Thirdly the words of the Apostle Paul,
“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
These are two of the basic beliefs of the church. There are many more but I do not have the space to put them here.
Scripture aside what I also recommend is a church in which the pastor is subject to his church board or a higher authority, such as an associate group from which he is ordained. One that he is answerable to with the authority to correct him.
There are three groups I recommend here in Canada and the United States, The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and The Assemblies of God in the United States both these groups have a good track record in keeping those associated with them on the strait and narrow.
The other group is the Baptist. Honestly although there are various Baptist groups I’ve found that they are fairly consistent in their doctrine, and in keeping their associates following the word of God.
One more factor you should consider when you’re looking for a church congregation to attend, that is your comfort factor.
How do you like your church services. Pentecostal or Charismatic groups, as can some Baptist groups, be quite lively. While others quite solemn with a distinct structure.
It all comes down to what you like.
Finally I always tell people to pray about where they are to attend and never accept things at face value. If you don’t understand what the pastor or bible teacher is saying ask questions. Honest pastors or bible teachers will always be willing to answer your questions and back that answer with scripture.
Check the scriptures out on your own. See if they are taken in context and line up with the word of God as you know it. If not ask more questions.
If you fail to get a satisfactory answer or the pastors evasive perhaps it’s time to move on. Pray about it. Remember 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.
Think about it
“When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.
“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:5-12.
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” says Jesus.
This is something that we should be careful of today, especially in the wired world.
Today at the touch of a mouse we can connect with thousands of preachers and evangelist the world over. It’s easy to get misled.
There are many people out there saying they know the will of God. That they know God’s formula, usually for getting rich or having a wonderful life.
Some go as far as saying if you’re not in good health then your out of the will of God, you’re sinning. What garbage.
There are many name it claim it preachers out in the world today. Many using the terminology ‘seed faith’. Calling you to sow into the kingdom. A term they use for asking for your support of their ministry.
There are many out there ready to give a formula for being rich or for good health.
It seems today that there is a Christian version of every secular get rich quick scheme.
Preachers both in the media and out of it are saying if you do such and such you’ll have a good life. A life without want.
There are many out there performing what they call miracles that are nothing more than fancy talk and hot air.
All too often in my life as a Christian I’ve seen people ripped off by these preachers.
Christians and especially new converts need to be cautious of ministers, evangelist and churches that are offering feel good doctrine. That are making wild claims.
The old saying “if it looks to good to be true it probably is” is true.
Now don’t get me wrong the majority of churches, pastors and evangelist are honest men and women who love the Lord and are doing what they believe to be is his will. Still caution never hurt.
It can be hard to find the right church for you.
When someone asks me what church to go to I am always cautious.
First and foremost you need a church that believes the Bible is the inerrant word of God. That it and nothing else is the foundation of the church.
Second you need a church that believes that as John records Jesus as 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
Thirdly the words of the Apostle Paul,
“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
These are two of the basic beliefs of the church. There are many more but I do not have the space to put them here.
Scripture aside what I also recommend is a church in which the pastor is subject to his church board or a higher authority, such as an associate group from which he is ordained. One that he is answerable to with the authority to correct him.
There are three groups I recommend here in Canada and the United States, The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and The Assemblies of God in the United States both these groups have a good track record in keeping those associated with them on the strait and narrow.
The other group is the Baptist. Honestly although there are various Baptist groups I’ve found that they are fairly consistent in their doctrine, and in keeping their associates following the word of God.
One more factor you should consider when you’re looking for a church congregation to attend, that is your comfort factor.
How do you like your church services. Pentecostal or Charismatic groups, as can some Baptist groups, be quite lively. While others quite solemn with a distinct structure.
It all comes down to what you like.
Finally I always tell people to pray about where they are to attend and never accept things at face value. If you don’t understand what the pastor or bible teacher is saying ask questions. Honest pastors or bible teachers will always be willing to answer your questions and back that answer with scripture.
Check the scriptures out on your own. See if they are taken in context and line up with the word of God as you know it. If not ask more questions.
If you fail to get a satisfactory answer or the pastors evasive perhaps it’s time to move on. Pray about it. Remember 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.
Think about it
Thursday, 1 May 2014
The Grass Withers
The Grass withers
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her fifties in the early eighties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by some twenty almost thirty years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time.
They were ordinary people. They didn’t accomplish great things but they had a good full life with family and friends around them. And that is all most people can expect.
Throughout the years I’ve read about and heard of talented musicians in particular that have died by their own hand or of drug overdoses. For all their success they found it seems little meaning in life.
William Wordsworth wrote,
At the same time I know people in all strata of life, from the rich to the poor. From the famous to the unknown who simply find no meaning in life. And take their own life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14.
How sad to have such an outlook on life. Is it any wonder that people commit suicide?
As someone who lives with Bipolar Affective Disorder I understand what it is like to go through deep depression and despair.
But the one thing that has always kept me going is the fact that I truly believe there is a God that loves me.
I believe the words of Ecclesiastes when it says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Without God in my life my life would be meaningless. I know that no matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain top, my God is with me. That there is always hope.
Sadly all too many people in this world do not have hope. They to paraphrase Wordsworth in their youth begin in gladness but their life ends in despondency and madness.
This should not be so because the voice of Jesus echos through the centuries 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.”
Matthew 11:28,29.
Please think about it?
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her fifties in the early eighties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by some twenty almost thirty years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time.
They were ordinary people. They didn’t accomplish great things but they had a good full life with family and friends around them. And that is all most people can expect.
Throughout the years I’ve read about and heard of talented musicians in particular that have died by their own hand or of drug overdoses. For all their success they found it seems little meaning in life.
William Wordsworth wrote,
“We poets in our youth begin in gladness;
but therefore came in the end to despondency and madness.’
Suicide rates are on the rise. As someone who knows a great deal of mentally ill people I understand that mental illness is a very real illness that can lead to death at one’s own hand.At the same time I know people in all strata of life, from the rich to the poor. From the famous to the unknown who simply find no meaning in life. And take their own life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14.
How sad to have such an outlook on life. Is it any wonder that people commit suicide?
As someone who lives with Bipolar Affective Disorder I understand what it is like to go through deep depression and despair.
But the one thing that has always kept me going is the fact that I truly believe there is a God that loves me.
I believe the words of Ecclesiastes when it says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Without God in my life my life would be meaningless. I know that no matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain top, my God is with me. That there is always hope.
Sadly all too many people in this world do not have hope. They to paraphrase Wordsworth in their youth begin in gladness but their life ends in despondency and madness.
This should not be so because the voice of Jesus echos through the centuries 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.”
Matthew 11:28,29.
Please think about it?
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
To the Athenians and You
To the Athenians and you
The other day I was thinking about various sermons I had read over the years it brought to mind one of the oldest recorded sermons in Christendom that of Paul to the Athenians.
Paul was speaking at the Areopagus (the Hill of Aries) or Mars hill as the Romans called.
It was by the time the Apostle Paul spoke in it an important meeting place where philosophy, religion and law were discussed. It prompted me to read what Paul said there.
He was invited by the Stoics and Epicureans to speak there and he delivered a strait forward message for them and I believe you dear reader to think about, he said,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 17: 22-34.
Think about it
The other day I was thinking about various sermons I had read over the years it brought to mind one of the oldest recorded sermons in Christendom that of Paul to the Athenians.
Paul was speaking at the Areopagus (the Hill of Aries) or Mars hill as the Romans called.
It was by the time the Apostle Paul spoke in it an important meeting place where philosophy, religion and law were discussed. It prompted me to read what Paul said there.
He was invited by the Stoics and Epicureans to speak there and he delivered a strait forward message for them and I believe you dear reader to think about, he said,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 17: 22-34.
Think about it
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
A Sign
A sign
“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
He replied,“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.”
Matthew 16:1-4
Here the Pharisees and Sadducees normally enemies had got together against their perceived common enemy Jesus.
They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. They had no faith in him which is more than likely why Jesus refused to give them a sign.
He said the only sign they would have was the sign of Jonah. It was something Jesus had spoke of previously. Matthew recording,
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 12:40.
The religious leaders of his day were against him. I don’t think it would have mattered how many signs Jesus gave it would not have been enough.
The same is true today.
There are many things that point to Jesus being who he said he was, Lord and God, both inside and outside the Bible. Yet no matter how many proofs are given many will not believe.
I have found over the years that true seekers. People who are truly seeking meaning to life will see the truth about Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour of their life.
Think about it
“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
He replied,“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.”
Matthew 16:1-4
Here the Pharisees and Sadducees normally enemies had got together against their perceived common enemy Jesus.
They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. They had no faith in him which is more than likely why Jesus refused to give them a sign.
He said the only sign they would have was the sign of Jonah. It was something Jesus had spoke of previously. Matthew recording,
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 12:40.
The religious leaders of his day were against him. I don’t think it would have mattered how many signs Jesus gave it would not have been enough.
The same is true today.
There are many things that point to Jesus being who he said he was, Lord and God, both inside and outside the Bible. Yet no matter how many proofs are given many will not believe.
I have found over the years that true seekers. People who are truly seeking meaning to life will see the truth about Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour of their life.
Think about it
Monday, 28 April 2014
An Interesting Thought
An interesting thought
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
Matthew 15:21-28
Here we have someone Matthew referrers to as a Canaanite woman, a none Jew.
Jesus had come to the Jewish nation first. His ministry was directly to the Jews of his day. Yet this woman come to him and wants him to heal her child of demon possession.
Jesus reminds her his message is for the Jews and in rather strong terms says,
It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
To which she replies,
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
To which “Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
I believe it is possible for people other than Christians to believe Jesus is who he says he is the One and Only Son of God.
I believe there are a lot of people around the world today within other faiths that can accept Jesus’ teachings.
The Koran mentions Jesus numerous times. And the Jews recognize Jesus as at the very least a good man and teacher.
But he is more than that. He is the risen Son of God.
Christians are the only group in the world that claim their founder died, rose again to walk the earth and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
This is a claim made in the Bible a book of faith recognized by some other faiths.
So it is possible to believe Jesus is who he said he is and still not attend a Christian group of any kind.
The important thing however is to believe that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. That he came to earth to die for our sins the apostle Paul noting,
“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 key to believing Jesus is who he said he is. Jesus is God reaching down to man. Again the apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
No one is born a Christian. Becoming a Christian is an act of faith. It is stepping out and believing Jesus is all he said he is. Believing all that the Bible says he is.
For those who do believe Jesus is the Son of God. The ideal scenario is to find a group of other believers and join with them as this is the best way to grow as a Christian.
Still if that is not possible there is a lot of good places on the internet to get information. Sermons, and Bible studies are readily available to help one grown in Christ.
Many like Day of Discovery will even send you information and daily devotional books free of charge.
Many churches post their Sunday sermon on line for people to hear.
So if you can’t for whatever reason get to a church or Christian group look one up on the web.
But like anything else on the internet beware. Be cautious of those who would ask for money all the time. Especially those who promise a vast return on you investment.
One of the best sights I’ve found is mentioned above, Day of Discovery also known as RBC Ministries (rbc.org).
While I have never been to them I’ve read many articles from Berean Bible Church (bereanbiblefamily.org) that are good and up lifting.
I also recommend Living Truth at livingtruth.ca who also have pod casts. And of course anything by Billy Graham. Just to mention a few.
Still if it is possible I recommend attending a good church.
Think about it.
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
Matthew 15:21-28
Here we have someone Matthew referrers to as a Canaanite woman, a none Jew.
Jesus had come to the Jewish nation first. His ministry was directly to the Jews of his day. Yet this woman come to him and wants him to heal her child of demon possession.
Jesus reminds her his message is for the Jews and in rather strong terms says,
It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
To which she replies,
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
To which “Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
I believe it is possible for people other than Christians to believe Jesus is who he says he is the One and Only Son of God.
I believe there are a lot of people around the world today within other faiths that can accept Jesus’ teachings.
The Koran mentions Jesus numerous times. And the Jews recognize Jesus as at the very least a good man and teacher.
But he is more than that. He is the risen Son of God.
Christians are the only group in the world that claim their founder died, rose again to walk the earth and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
This is a claim made in the Bible a book of faith recognized by some other faiths.
So it is possible to believe Jesus is who he said he is and still not attend a Christian group of any kind.
The important thing however is to believe that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. That he came to earth to die for our sins the apostle Paul noting,
“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 key to believing Jesus is who he said he is. Jesus is God reaching down to man. Again the apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
No one is born a Christian. Becoming a Christian is an act of faith. It is stepping out and believing Jesus is all he said he is. Believing all that the Bible says he is.
For those who do believe Jesus is the Son of God. The ideal scenario is to find a group of other believers and join with them as this is the best way to grow as a Christian.
Still if that is not possible there is a lot of good places on the internet to get information. Sermons, and Bible studies are readily available to help one grown in Christ.
Many like Day of Discovery will even send you information and daily devotional books free of charge.
Many churches post their Sunday sermon on line for people to hear.
So if you can’t for whatever reason get to a church or Christian group look one up on the web.
But like anything else on the internet beware. Be cautious of those who would ask for money all the time. Especially those who promise a vast return on you investment.
One of the best sights I’ve found is mentioned above, Day of Discovery also known as RBC Ministries (rbc.org).
While I have never been to them I’ve read many articles from Berean Bible Church (bereanbiblefamily.org) that are good and up lifting.
I also recommend Living Truth at livingtruth.ca who also have pod casts. And of course anything by Billy Graham. Just to mention a few.
Still if it is possible I recommend attending a good church.
Think about it.
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Clean and Unclean a Warning
Clean & Unclean a Warning
"Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.
What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ”
Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.
“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-20
Here Jesus points out that it’s not what we eat or take into our bodies that makes us unclean but what comes out of us.
Our words our deeds make us unclean. The fact that we eat with dirty hands is not the big deal the pharisees make it out to be.
By the time of Jesus the religious higher archy had formed tradition upon tradition. Rules around every law God had ordained to try and prevent people from breaking the law.
It had become so strict that the man made rules had become as important as the law itself. Making it very hard to be observant to the rules for the average person.
He notes that what we take in means little but what comes out of our mouth from our heart is what defiles us.
He states, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
The other point He makes is that the Pharisees were also breaking the law. Jesus noting,
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Within the church there are such people today. Pastors and evangelist who would say give to my ministry and God will give you back ten, fifty a hundred fold.
They have encouraged people to the point that especially those of meager means or the elderly have given far more than they could afford only to find the money doesn’t come back.
Don’t get me wrong I think we should give to our home church first what we can afford. A tithe of any amount. But we should not be giving so much as to make ourselves a burden on others.
There are many even in the church today that are not of God. They may look like honest preachers and evangelist but they are not of God.
These people whom God has not planted will one day be uprooted and burned in the fire.
The point here I believe is to be where of these people.
Think about it.
"Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.
What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ”
Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.
“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-20
Here Jesus points out that it’s not what we eat or take into our bodies that makes us unclean but what comes out of us.
Our words our deeds make us unclean. The fact that we eat with dirty hands is not the big deal the pharisees make it out to be.
By the time of Jesus the religious higher archy had formed tradition upon tradition. Rules around every law God had ordained to try and prevent people from breaking the law.
It had become so strict that the man made rules had become as important as the law itself. Making it very hard to be observant to the rules for the average person.
He notes that what we take in means little but what comes out of our mouth from our heart is what defiles us.
He states, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
The other point He makes is that the Pharisees were also breaking the law. Jesus noting,
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Within the church there are such people today. Pastors and evangelist who would say give to my ministry and God will give you back ten, fifty a hundred fold.
They have encouraged people to the point that especially those of meager means or the elderly have given far more than they could afford only to find the money doesn’t come back.
Don’t get me wrong I think we should give to our home church first what we can afford. A tithe of any amount. But we should not be giving so much as to make ourselves a burden on others.
There are many even in the church today that are not of God. They may look like honest preachers and evangelist but they are not of God.
These people whom God has not planted will one day be uprooted and burned in the fire.
The point here I believe is to be where of these people.
Think about it.
Saturday, 26 April 2014
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus Walks on Water
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.
Friday, 25 April 2014
The Five Thousand and You
The Five thousand and You
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus always attracted a crowd such was his teachings that people wanted to hear him.
I always think of it in modern terms as Billy Graham being followed by the crowds he had in the arenas.
It must have been incredible to see.
The crowds that followed Jesus witnessed fantastic things. They seen him preform miracles and other things such as the feeding of the five thousand men mentioned here along with women and children.
Yet in the end these people were not around when it came to the crucifixion. There the mob whipped up by those who were against Jesus politically cried crucify him.
All the good Jesus did ultimately, come the day of his trial before Pilot meant nothing.
Pilot is recorded as saying,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
Luke 23:13,14
His wife advising him saying,
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19.
Pilot was in a bind. He couldn’t afford a riot. That would look bad in Rome so in the name of political expediency he gave in to the Jewish leaders and let him die.
Would it have been any different today. Who knows.
The one thing we all have to decide on however is Who is Jesus?
Is he a good man, a prophet, a teacher, or is He the One and Only Son of God who wants to have a personal relationship with you.
You dear reader are the one who must decide.
Please think carefully about it.
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus always attracted a crowd such was his teachings that people wanted to hear him.
I always think of it in modern terms as Billy Graham being followed by the crowds he had in the arenas.
It must have been incredible to see.
The crowds that followed Jesus witnessed fantastic things. They seen him preform miracles and other things such as the feeding of the five thousand men mentioned here along with women and children.
Yet in the end these people were not around when it came to the crucifixion. There the mob whipped up by those who were against Jesus politically cried crucify him.
All the good Jesus did ultimately, come the day of his trial before Pilot meant nothing.
Pilot is recorded as saying,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
Luke 23:13,14
His wife advising him saying,
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19.
Pilot was in a bind. He couldn’t afford a riot. That would look bad in Rome so in the name of political expediency he gave in to the Jewish leaders and let him die.
Would it have been any different today. Who knows.
The one thing we all have to decide on however is Who is Jesus?
Is he a good man, a prophet, a teacher, or is He the One and Only Son of God who wants to have a personal relationship with you.
You dear reader are the one who must decide.
Please think carefully about it.
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