What Pliny saw
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:12-17
Here Paul describes how a Christian is to act.
Writing to the Roman emperor Trajan in 112 AD Pliny the Younger, the Roman governor of Bithynia-Pontus (now in modern Turkey) told of the practices of Christians he said,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to do any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..."
Pliny describes a basic church service in addition to telling how those early Christians acted.
Pilny admittedly was looking for a way to punish Christians for reasons lost to history. Yet he found a faithful peace loving group of believers. That practiced what Paul was saying to the Colossians.
Read the words of Paul above again
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:12-17
Does your life reflect what Paul is telling the Colossians?
Think about it.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Jesus is Real
Jesus Real.... Really?
Here’s something for even Christians to consider.
Most Christians I’ve found quote a lot of scripture but when asked to prove Jesus outside the Bible they are hard pressed to do so. Here is brief look at proofs outside the bible.
It was written initially to non-Christians but is useful for Christians to know.
Over the years I’ve heard people say Jesus is not real. Such people are in my opinion at the very least ill-informed at worst denying the evidence.
I could write volumes on the evidence for the reality of Christ but space does not allow however I will give several proofs for the reader to consider.
As you read this keep in mind that no one denies the existence of Alexander the great yet there are no known eye witness accounts of his life and the earliest known mention of him are in documents that were written 300 years after his death.
Also not that Alexander was a great conqueror and emperor who would have had much written about him.
By contrast Jesus was a humble man from a poor family in a back water area of the Roman Empire who conquered nothing. You would not expect much to remain about him.
Additionally little has survived archeologically from the time of Jesus. Even of the Caesars who ruled.
It wasn’t until 1961 that archaeologist discovered Pontius Pilate’s name inscribed on block referring to him as prefect of Judea. It wasn’t until 1990 that an ossuary (bone box) that has been authenticated with the name of Caiphas the name of the high priest was discovered.
World historian Will Durant notes that no Jew or Gentile from the first-century ever denied the existence of Jesus
One statistic I read about non-Christian accounts of Jesus versus Tiberius Caesar states.
Within 150 years of Christ’s death there were the same number of secular writers who mention both Tiberius and Jesus.
Considering Christian and non-Christian sources together there are forty-two
mentions of Christ and only ten mentions of Tiberius.
One historian notes about one-third of non-Christian sources are from the first century with the majority originating no later than the mid second century.
Not even the opponents of Jesus in the early centuries doubted Jesus lived.
Early Christians wrote thousands of letters, sermons, commentaries and creeds that speak of Jesus.
A full thirty-six thousand complete and partial writings about Jesus have been discovered from the first century.
These are works from outside the bible, but from them you can reconstruct almost the entire new testament.
The fact that these were written so close to the time of Jesus, within living memory of many people shows Jesus did exist.
A noted archaeologist Sir William Ramsey who initially rejected the writings of Luke but after examining them carefully went on later to say,
“Luke is a historian of the first rank.… This author should be placed along with the very greatest historians.… Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness.”
Two noted historians William Albright and A. T. Robinson date the New Testament books to the first century. Albright to between 50 A.D. and 75 A.D. and Robinson to between 40-65 AD.
Beyond all of these facts there is common sense why would anyone write so much about someone who didn’t exist.
How could someone who didn’t exist have such a profound effect on history.
And here’s one other statistic to consider. While little exists archeologically from the time of Jesus over 24,000 complete or partial manuscript copies of New Testament books exist far more than any other ancient document.
Today both secular and religious historians admit Jesus Christ has had more influence on history than any other person.
If Jesus was not a real person his followers have created the most monumental lie in the history of the world.
The last words on this go to C. S. Lewis who at one time was an Atheist. He went on to study Christianity and Jesus in great detail becoming a believer as he did. He wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Think about it.
Here’s something for even Christians to consider.
Most Christians I’ve found quote a lot of scripture but when asked to prove Jesus outside the Bible they are hard pressed to do so. Here is brief look at proofs outside the bible.
It was written initially to non-Christians but is useful for Christians to know.
Over the years I’ve heard people say Jesus is not real. Such people are in my opinion at the very least ill-informed at worst denying the evidence.
I could write volumes on the evidence for the reality of Christ but space does not allow however I will give several proofs for the reader to consider.
As you read this keep in mind that no one denies the existence of Alexander the great yet there are no known eye witness accounts of his life and the earliest known mention of him are in documents that were written 300 years after his death.
Also not that Alexander was a great conqueror and emperor who would have had much written about him.
By contrast Jesus was a humble man from a poor family in a back water area of the Roman Empire who conquered nothing. You would not expect much to remain about him.
Additionally little has survived archeologically from the time of Jesus. Even of the Caesars who ruled.
It wasn’t until 1961 that archaeologist discovered Pontius Pilate’s name inscribed on block referring to him as prefect of Judea. It wasn’t until 1990 that an ossuary (bone box) that has been authenticated with the name of Caiphas the name of the high priest was discovered.
World historian Will Durant notes that no Jew or Gentile from the first-century ever denied the existence of Jesus
One statistic I read about non-Christian accounts of Jesus versus Tiberius Caesar states.
Within 150 years of Christ’s death there were the same number of secular writers who mention both Tiberius and Jesus.
Considering Christian and non-Christian sources together there are forty-two
mentions of Christ and only ten mentions of Tiberius.
One historian notes about one-third of non-Christian sources are from the first century with the majority originating no later than the mid second century.
Not even the opponents of Jesus in the early centuries doubted Jesus lived.
Early Christians wrote thousands of letters, sermons, commentaries and creeds that speak of Jesus.
A full thirty-six thousand complete and partial writings about Jesus have been discovered from the first century.
These are works from outside the bible, but from them you can reconstruct almost the entire new testament.
The fact that these were written so close to the time of Jesus, within living memory of many people shows Jesus did exist.
A noted archaeologist Sir William Ramsey who initially rejected the writings of Luke but after examining them carefully went on later to say,
“Luke is a historian of the first rank.… This author should be placed along with the very greatest historians.… Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness.”
Two noted historians William Albright and A. T. Robinson date the New Testament books to the first century. Albright to between 50 A.D. and 75 A.D. and Robinson to between 40-65 AD.
Beyond all of these facts there is common sense why would anyone write so much about someone who didn’t exist.
How could someone who didn’t exist have such a profound effect on history.
And here’s one other statistic to consider. While little exists archeologically from the time of Jesus over 24,000 complete or partial manuscript copies of New Testament books exist far more than any other ancient document.
Today both secular and religious historians admit Jesus Christ has had more influence on history than any other person.
If Jesus was not a real person his followers have created the most monumental lie in the history of the world.
The last words on this go to C. S. Lewis who at one time was an Atheist. He went on to study Christianity and Jesus in great detail becoming a believer as he did. He wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Think about it.
Friday, 29 August 2014
Mark This
Mark this
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
Timothy 3:1-5
There is no doubt about it we are living in perilous times. Here in North America society is vastly different today in 2014 than it was even a hundred years ago.
Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading as Paul predicted. People are becoming lovers of self.
Young people in particular are so desensitized to immoral things that they don’t notice we are sliding down a slippery slope that leads to destruction.
C. S. Lewis said,
“The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
C. S. Lewis.
The internet has provided us with an instrument that can be used for great good. Sadly it can also be used for great evil.
Today’s youth in particular are exposed on the internet to everything from a rover exploring the surface of Mars, to wonderful artistic works to insights to marvellous innovations.
That same internet exposes them to the evils of the world.
It seems to me a new morality is entering the world.
I grew up in the hippy generation. The “do your own thing man.” as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else doing your own thing was perfectly fine.
In today’s world the under thirty-five crowd have taken it a step further, find it normal to see people posting pictures of themselves in provocative poses. Doing things that are morally wrong. Things that in my generation and to the generation of my parents would have had them put in jail.
They live in a new morality. While the basics are still there, do not steal, do not kill, etc. There are many things that are far from the moral values of the scriptures.
Even many church denominations and congregations are letting such thing slip in. What Paul said to Timothy is coming true today
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power...”
There are many Churches and believers today that believe in God but are lovers of the pleasures of this world and thus deny the power of God.
We as believers need to be studying the scriptures and presenting the love and power of God to all people both inside and outside the Church.
The call of Paul is to be watchful. To be careful that we don’t exchange God’s moral system for the morals of this world.
To not deny the power of God.
We are called to have nothing to do with those who claim to be Christians but deny the power of God.
Where do you stand? Do you believe that the word and God’s morality is for today? Do you believe in the power of God?
Is God for you the same Yesterday, Today and Forever?”
Think about it.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
Timothy 3:1-5
There is no doubt about it we are living in perilous times. Here in North America society is vastly different today in 2014 than it was even a hundred years ago.
Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading as Paul predicted. People are becoming lovers of self.
Young people in particular are so desensitized to immoral things that they don’t notice we are sliding down a slippery slope that leads to destruction.
C. S. Lewis said,
“The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
C. S. Lewis.
The internet has provided us with an instrument that can be used for great good. Sadly it can also be used for great evil.
Today’s youth in particular are exposed on the internet to everything from a rover exploring the surface of Mars, to wonderful artistic works to insights to marvellous innovations.
That same internet exposes them to the evils of the world.
It seems to me a new morality is entering the world.
I grew up in the hippy generation. The “do your own thing man.” as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else doing your own thing was perfectly fine.
In today’s world the under thirty-five crowd have taken it a step further, find it normal to see people posting pictures of themselves in provocative poses. Doing things that are morally wrong. Things that in my generation and to the generation of my parents would have had them put in jail.
They live in a new morality. While the basics are still there, do not steal, do not kill, etc. There are many things that are far from the moral values of the scriptures.
Even many church denominations and congregations are letting such thing slip in. What Paul said to Timothy is coming true today
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power...”
There are many Churches and believers today that believe in God but are lovers of the pleasures of this world and thus deny the power of God.
We as believers need to be studying the scriptures and presenting the love and power of God to all people both inside and outside the Church.
The call of Paul is to be watchful. To be careful that we don’t exchange God’s moral system for the morals of this world.
To not deny the power of God.
We are called to have nothing to do with those who claim to be Christians but deny the power of God.
Where do you stand? Do you believe that the word and God’s morality is for today? Do you believe in the power of God?
Is God for you the same Yesterday, Today and Forever?”
Think about it.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Approved
Approved
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
2 Timothy 2:22-26
What is an approved worker? Paul states say it’s,
Someone who
All too often, today, we get sidetracked by what is happening around us. We let the world seep into our lives and the church. We complain and argue about everything from what the pastor said to what other denominations believe, to what law the government past.
Jesus said:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19,20.
He gave clear direction and clear teaching. We are to go and make disciples of all nations.
He, told us not to argue.
He told us not to judge.
Paul tells us what it is to be a Christian worker. Get rid of our youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness, faith, love. Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, don’t quarrel. Be gentle to all. Be humble.
Think about it.
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
2 Timothy 2:22-26
What is an approved worker? Paul states say it’s,
Someone who
flees
youthful lusts;
Pursues
righteousness, faith, love, peace out of a pure heart.
Avoids
foolish and ignorant disputes,
A servant of the LORD must not
quarrel
be gentle to all;
able to teach,
patient,
In humility,
correcting those who are in opposition.”
All too often, today, we get sidetracked by what is happening around us. We let the world seep into our lives and the church. We complain and argue about everything from what the pastor said to what other denominations believe, to what law the government past.
Jesus said:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19,20.
He gave clear direction and clear teaching. We are to go and make disciples of all nations.
He, told us not to argue.
He told us not to judge.
Paul tells us what it is to be a Christian worker. Get rid of our youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness, faith, love. Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, don’t quarrel. Be gentle to all. Be humble.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
To be Provocative
To be provocative
The other day I was listening to a Christian show. The commentator said that a young man in his church had come out to their small congregation and said he was gay. To the surprise of the commentator people got up and hugged the young man.
Having said that here is something I want to put out to all the Christians that read my Blogs it’s from a book called images a book that portrays different scenarios in life.
The book makes no commentary. It was simply written to make the reader think.
The title of this piece is simply Images of a Woman, think carefully how you would react then ask the question, what would Jesus do?
Images of a Woman
That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day. She would get only one chance to make an impression. To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care. Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital. She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest steps, she ever had to make. Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly. I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that. That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life. I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly. I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew. If so they did not commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or for who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me, what at times, has been a difficult burden. He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am. A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am. In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I want to be completely honest.
I am very active within this congregation and wish to continue in my work here.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability. After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered, the then pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.” He said. “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to continue in her work here please rise to your feet.”
What would Jesus do? Why do you think He would think that way?
Think about it.
The other day I was listening to a Christian show. The commentator said that a young man in his church had come out to their small congregation and said he was gay. To the surprise of the commentator people got up and hugged the young man.
Having said that here is something I want to put out to all the Christians that read my Blogs it’s from a book called images a book that portrays different scenarios in life.
The book makes no commentary. It was simply written to make the reader think.
The title of this piece is simply Images of a Woman, think carefully how you would react then ask the question, what would Jesus do?
Images of a Woman
That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day. She would get only one chance to make an impression. To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care. Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital. She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest steps, she ever had to make. Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly. I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that. That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life. I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly. I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew. If so they did not commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or for who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me, what at times, has been a difficult burden. He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am. A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am. In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I want to be completely honest.
I am very active within this congregation and wish to continue in my work here.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability. After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered, the then pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.” He said. “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to continue in her work here please rise to your feet.”
What would Jesus do? Why do you think He would think that way?
Think about it.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Let no one
Let no one
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Chapter four of 1 Timothy Paul is warning Timothy to watch out for those who would teach things that are wrong, and to stay true to the doctrines he has learned.
In verse twelve is given a word of advise that we should all take to heart. To be an example to those around us.
Being a Christian is a full time thing, it is a lifestyle, not something nice to do when we go to church or when we feel like it.
Mahatma Gandhi said of those who professed to be Christians
Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.
Mahatma Gandhi
I’ve had a lot of none-Christians say to me, “why should I be a Christian because I’ve seen what they do and I’m better than that.”
We as believers need to draw closer to God each day. We need to put our trust in Him and allow Him to work in us and through us in such a way, that the world sees a difference between what they are doing and us.
All too often, people are turned away from Christ, because they don’t believe we are practising what we preach.
Young Christians entering the church full of enthusiasm have that zeal deadened because they fail to see older Christians setting an example.
Paul tells Timothy
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
We need to set an example of how to live, in all aspects of our life. We need to show God come first in our life.
I was always taught that the order of priority for any Christian, be they a pastor, evangelist, or the average person sitting in the pew, is God first, family second, our ministry then ourselves.
It is true we need balance in our lives. Some one said “it is possible to be so heavenly minded that we become no earthly good.” We cannot and should not allow that to happen. Nor can we let the things of this world draw us away from God.
Work is a necessity for all of us. Things such as sports, dance classes, and other recreational activities are good in their place but they should never keep us from God.
For me there is no debate, especially on a Sunday, between going to a sports event, a movie, the theatre or other recreational event.
My attendance at a worship service comes first. My extended family, my brother and sister, none believers accept this fact and respect my beliefs. They even accommodate my beliefs and lifestyle at family gatherings.
I have also instilled on my children over the years the need to put God first. Today while they have a strong work ethic and active social lives God always comes first.
They are active both inside and outside the church walls. Witnessing to people by their lifestyle choice, in deed as well as in word. Which makes me as their father proud.
Now my family is no different than any other family and we are far from perfect we fall short many times. Never the less we pick ourselves up and keep on living for Christ.
And looking around at the friends we have and others within our church I see they are doing what we do also. So if we can do it anyone can.
Paul’s call to Timothy is also to us to,
“ be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,in purity”
Think about it.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Chapter four of 1 Timothy Paul is warning Timothy to watch out for those who would teach things that are wrong, and to stay true to the doctrines he has learned.
In verse twelve is given a word of advise that we should all take to heart. To be an example to those around us.
Being a Christian is a full time thing, it is a lifestyle, not something nice to do when we go to church or when we feel like it.
Mahatma Gandhi said of those who professed to be Christians
Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.
Mahatma Gandhi
I’ve had a lot of none-Christians say to me, “why should I be a Christian because I’ve seen what they do and I’m better than that.”
We as believers need to draw closer to God each day. We need to put our trust in Him and allow Him to work in us and through us in such a way, that the world sees a difference between what they are doing and us.
All too often, people are turned away from Christ, because they don’t believe we are practising what we preach.
Young Christians entering the church full of enthusiasm have that zeal deadened because they fail to see older Christians setting an example.
Paul tells Timothy
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
We need to set an example of how to live, in all aspects of our life. We need to show God come first in our life.
I was always taught that the order of priority for any Christian, be they a pastor, evangelist, or the average person sitting in the pew, is God first, family second, our ministry then ourselves.
It is true we need balance in our lives. Some one said “it is possible to be so heavenly minded that we become no earthly good.” We cannot and should not allow that to happen. Nor can we let the things of this world draw us away from God.
Work is a necessity for all of us. Things such as sports, dance classes, and other recreational activities are good in their place but they should never keep us from God.
For me there is no debate, especially on a Sunday, between going to a sports event, a movie, the theatre or other recreational event.
My attendance at a worship service comes first. My extended family, my brother and sister, none believers accept this fact and respect my beliefs. They even accommodate my beliefs and lifestyle at family gatherings.
I have also instilled on my children over the years the need to put God first. Today while they have a strong work ethic and active social lives God always comes first.
They are active both inside and outside the church walls. Witnessing to people by their lifestyle choice, in deed as well as in word. Which makes me as their father proud.
Now my family is no different than any other family and we are far from perfect we fall short many times. Never the less we pick ourselves up and keep on living for Christ.
And looking around at the friends we have and others within our church I see they are doing what we do also. So if we can do it anyone can.
Paul’s call to Timothy is also to us to,
“ be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,in purity”
Think about it.
Monday, 25 August 2014
Love Those
Love those
“And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourself were aliens in Egypt”
Deuteronomy 10:19
The following is from a book called Images,
Images of a Christmas 1995
Of a Woman
The service now over, the last hymn sung, the pastors and audience begins to fill the foyer. Slowly, the once silent hall, becoming a symphony of sound and movement. The congregation now a real life opera.
All around people greeted each other, laughed and joked, passed the time with family and friends. There was, however, one conspicuous by her silence.
A slender slip of a woman, in her early forties, neatly, but plainly dressed. She stood against the mirrored walls, beside the sanctuary doors staring at the floor, glancing only occasionally at the crowd, to whom she seemed invisible.
I watched for nearly ten minutes, as I went about my work.
People talked all around her, yet no one, not even an usher, once turned to say...
“Hello.”
I knew, I knew her from somewhere, but couldn’t remember where. So my work finished, I approached her and said “Hello”.
Her smile went beyond words, a blessing from God.
Turns out, she’d been coming for several weeks with no one ever speaking to her. We had a mutual friend with whom she’d travelled the world.
She was a missionary. From age twenty to forty, she’d lived away from home, giving of her youth in Africa, Europe and in Asia. Proclaiming the word of God.
Yet, here she stood in the middle of one of the largest churches in the area, with no one ever stopping to simply say...
“Hello.”
“And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourself were aliens in Egypt”
Deuteronomy 10:19
Something to think about:
How would you react to seeing such a person in your church? Do you even notice someone like that?
If we can’t ensure those in our church are greeted and looked after, how can we expect to reach out to those outside of the church.
Think about it.
“And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourself were aliens in Egypt”
Deuteronomy 10:19
The following is from a book called Images,
Images of a Christmas 1995
Of a Woman
The service now over, the last hymn sung, the pastors and audience begins to fill the foyer. Slowly, the once silent hall, becoming a symphony of sound and movement. The congregation now a real life opera.
All around people greeted each other, laughed and joked, passed the time with family and friends. There was, however, one conspicuous by her silence.
A slender slip of a woman, in her early forties, neatly, but plainly dressed. She stood against the mirrored walls, beside the sanctuary doors staring at the floor, glancing only occasionally at the crowd, to whom she seemed invisible.
I watched for nearly ten minutes, as I went about my work.
People talked all around her, yet no one, not even an usher, once turned to say...
“Hello.”
I knew, I knew her from somewhere, but couldn’t remember where. So my work finished, I approached her and said “Hello”.
Her smile went beyond words, a blessing from God.
Turns out, she’d been coming for several weeks with no one ever speaking to her. We had a mutual friend with whom she’d travelled the world.
She was a missionary. From age twenty to forty, she’d lived away from home, giving of her youth in Africa, Europe and in Asia. Proclaiming the word of God.
Yet, here she stood in the middle of one of the largest churches in the area, with no one ever stopping to simply say...
“Hello.”
“And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourself were aliens in Egypt”
Deuteronomy 10:19
Something to think about:
How would you react to seeing such a person in your church? Do you even notice someone like that?
If we can’t ensure those in our church are greeted and looked after, how can we expect to reach out to those outside of the church.
Think about it.
Sunday, 24 August 2014
You Shall Love
You shall love.
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty:
as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
For all the law if fulfilled in one word, even in this:
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13, 14
The other day I heard an evangelist who was spouting judgment from his pulpit. He pointed to various groups and condemned them.
We live in perilous times. I will not deny that. As I write this an American journalist has just been beheaded by men that are nothing short of evil.
There is evil all around us. Hamas is firing rockets into Israel knowing full well that Israeli retaliation will cause the death of many innocent people in Gaza. All because of an ideology that says Israel should not exist.
Other terrorist groups around the world are kidnapping and threatening innocent people in the misguided belief they are doing it for God.
Such beliefs are in my opinion from the pit of hell.
Still as horrendous as these things are, we as Christians are called to love. It is the one thing that can truly change the world.
We are not as the evangelist I heard called to judge. Jesus makes that clear in Matthew 7:1,2. We are called to love.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France said,
"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. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
One day God will judge the world. Those terrorist who are killing innocent men women and children will stand before him and be cast into the pit of Hell I have no doubt about that.
Until then however it is our duty, however hard it may be, to love not only our neighbours but our enemies as well.
Think about it.
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty:
as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
For all the law if fulfilled in one word, even in this:
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13, 14
The other day I heard an evangelist who was spouting judgment from his pulpit. He pointed to various groups and condemned them.
We live in perilous times. I will not deny that. As I write this an American journalist has just been beheaded by men that are nothing short of evil.
There is evil all around us. Hamas is firing rockets into Israel knowing full well that Israeli retaliation will cause the death of many innocent people in Gaza. All because of an ideology that says Israel should not exist.
Other terrorist groups around the world are kidnapping and threatening innocent people in the misguided belief they are doing it for God.
Such beliefs are in my opinion from the pit of hell.
Still as horrendous as these things are, we as Christians are called to love. It is the one thing that can truly change the world.
We are not as the evangelist I heard called to judge. Jesus makes that clear in Matthew 7:1,2. We are called to love.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France said,
"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. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
One day God will judge the world. Those terrorist who are killing innocent men women and children will stand before him and be cast into the pit of Hell I have no doubt about that.
Until then however it is our duty, however hard it may be, to love not only our neighbours but our enemies as well.
Think about it.
Saturday, 23 August 2014
The Argument for Christ
The Argument for Christ
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
The whole thing with our faith in Christ boils down to this statement:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us,in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
God reached down to man by sending His Son Jesus Christ. We are justified before God by our faith in Christ Jesus, because He died for our sins.
Paul in the book of Ephesians puts it this way:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
We cannot work our way to heaven. Salvation is a free gift. All we have to do is,
Admit that we are a sinner, that we have done things wrong. That we have fallen short of God’s ideals. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins.
Then ask Christ into our life.
Your salvation is between you and God. Only you and He know if you truly believe.
Something to think about:
Many go to church all their lives out of habit or duty, or because its socially acceptable, or their friends go, or because their parents went or simply because they feel it’s the right thing to do once a week.
Many of those same people are not sure if they were to die today, if they would go to heaven. Are you one of those people?
If so why not pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe Jesus Christ is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
I know that I am a sinner. That I fall short of what you want of me.
Please forgive the wrong I have done and come into my life.
To day I give you permission to work in my life. To show me what it is to love and serve you.
I pray this in the name of your son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Remember it is not the prayer that saved you but your act of faith in praying it. Your act of accepting by faith Christ’s atoning death on the cross for your sins saves you.
Think about it.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
The whole thing with our faith in Christ boils down to this statement:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us,in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
God reached down to man by sending His Son Jesus Christ. We are justified before God by our faith in Christ Jesus, because He died for our sins.
Paul in the book of Ephesians puts it this way:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
We cannot work our way to heaven. Salvation is a free gift. All we have to do is,
Admit that we are a sinner, that we have done things wrong. That we have fallen short of God’s ideals. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins.
Then ask Christ into our life.
Your salvation is between you and God. Only you and He know if you truly believe.
Something to think about:
Many go to church all their lives out of habit or duty, or because its socially acceptable, or their friends go, or because their parents went or simply because they feel it’s the right thing to do once a week.
Many of those same people are not sure if they were to die today, if they would go to heaven. Are you one of those people?
If so why not pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe Jesus Christ is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
I know that I am a sinner. That I fall short of what you want of me.
Please forgive the wrong I have done and come into my life.
To day I give you permission to work in my life. To show me what it is to love and serve you.
I pray this in the name of your son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Remember it is not the prayer that saved you but your act of faith in praying it. Your act of accepting by faith Christ’s atoning death on the cross for your sins saves you.
Think about it.
Friday, 22 August 2014
Nothing
Nothing
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-39
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The passage is self explanatory. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No matter where we go or what we do God is there for us. The love of God transcends all things.
It was because of God’s love in his life that the apostle Paul could write,
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13:
Paul and the other apostles endured extreme hardships for the sake of the Gospel, they did this because they believed in what they were doing. They loved God passionately. They knew they were in a win, win situation. That whatever happened to them didn’t matter because God was there for them. Nothing could separate them from the love of God.
It’s easy to be a Christian in good times but what about in the bad?
When hardships come into our lives many people blame God. They call out and say “why me?” It is in those times, we should be thanking God that we can turn to Him. That He is there to guide us through the trouble. That when all else fails, we can depend on Him.
God’s love will never fail us.
God suffers long for us. In human terms Jesus showed us how far God was willing to go for us, by dying for us.
In the trials of your life, do you really believe God is with you? Do you turn to Him for guidance in good times and in bad?
Is he really the first person you turn to for help.
In the good times do you thank Him enough?
Think about it.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-39
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The passage is self explanatory. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No matter where we go or what we do God is there for us. The love of God transcends all things.
It was because of God’s love in his life that the apostle Paul could write,
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13:
Paul and the other apostles endured extreme hardships for the sake of the Gospel, they did this because they believed in what they were doing. They loved God passionately. They knew they were in a win, win situation. That whatever happened to them didn’t matter because God was there for them. Nothing could separate them from the love of God.
It’s easy to be a Christian in good times but what about in the bad?
When hardships come into our lives many people blame God. They call out and say “why me?” It is in those times, we should be thanking God that we can turn to Him. That He is there to guide us through the trouble. That when all else fails, we can depend on Him.
God’s love will never fail us.
God suffers long for us. In human terms Jesus showed us how far God was willing to go for us, by dying for us.
In the trials of your life, do you really believe God is with you? Do you turn to Him for guidance in good times and in bad?
Is he really the first person you turn to for help.
In the good times do you thank Him enough?
Think about it.
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Love as God Loves
Love as God Loves
Read John 17
Here Jesus in John clearly states who He is and how He has glorified the Father.
He also prays for the disciples ending with the words “that the love with which You loved Me maybe in them, and I in them.”
The love with which the Father loved Jesus maybe in them. That is an incredible love.
God loved Jesus with an infinite love, and this is the kind of love Jesus was asking for His disciples.
It was this kind of love that those disciples took to the world. It is the kind of love that allowed them to suffer martyrdom and endure all they had to endure. This is the kind of love God imparts to us.
Read Paul’s words,
This is what love is all about. Love will go through anything. If we truly love God and truly want to do His will we must love. We must love even our worst enemy. As Christians, we must grasp the meaning of an all too often used and misused verse:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".
John 3:16
We need also to remember the verse after John 3:16 it states,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17
We must love people so passionately, that we do not want to see one of them go to hell because that’s how much God did.
How passionate are you for winning souls for Christ?
Is your love so great that it will do all that 1 Corinthians 13 states?
Think about it.
Read John 17
“O righteous Father! The world has not known You,
but I have known You;
and these have known that You sent Me.
“And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it,
that the love with which You loved Me
maybe in them, and I in them.”
John 17:25,26Here Jesus in John clearly states who He is and how He has glorified the Father.
He also prays for the disciples ending with the words “that the love with which You loved Me maybe in them, and I in them.”
The love with which the Father loved Jesus maybe in them. That is an incredible love.
God loved Jesus with an infinite love, and this is the kind of love Jesus was asking for His disciples.
It was this kind of love that those disciples took to the world. It is the kind of love that allowed them to suffer martyrdom and endure all they had to endure. This is the kind of love God imparts to us.
Read Paul’s words,
Love suffers long and is kind:
love does not envy;
love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own,
is not provoked,
thinks no evil.
does not rejoice in iniquity,
but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8aThis is what love is all about. Love will go through anything. If we truly love God and truly want to do His will we must love. We must love even our worst enemy. As Christians, we must grasp the meaning of an all too often used and misused verse:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".
John 3:16
We need also to remember the verse after John 3:16 it states,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17
We must love people so passionately, that we do not want to see one of them go to hell because that’s how much God did.
How passionate are you for winning souls for Christ?
Is your love so great that it will do all that 1 Corinthians 13 states?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
From John 15
From John 15
In this chapter, Jesus calls His disciples friends. If we truly love God, we are His friends.
It is our duty, as Christians, to get to know God intimately and passionately. By doing so, we will truly know God’s will. We will ask the Father for something and He will give it because it is what He wants also.
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “ states Jesus.
Paul writes,
"Love suffers long and is kind, loves does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
We are going into a world, that at times will hate what we have to say. They will persecute us and may even put us to death. Yet, we are called to love.
Stephen, the church’s first martyr, showed how in touch he was with God’s love, when in acts when as he was being stoned he said,
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Acts 7:59-60
Something to think about:
Jesus set the example: He died on the cross asking His heavenly Father not to hold what they were doing to him, against his persecutors.
That is the kind of love we must have for the world. We may not like what they are doing to us, but we endure all things for the Gospel and show love to the world.
Do you love those around you. Can you forgive even your worst enemy.
Think about it.
“I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit,
for without Me you can do nothing.
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered,
and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;
so you will be My disciples.
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you;
abide in My love.
“If you keep My commandments,
you will abide in My love,
just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy maybe full.
“This is My commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:5-12In this chapter, Jesus calls His disciples friends. If we truly love God, we are His friends.
It is our duty, as Christians, to get to know God intimately and passionately. By doing so, we will truly know God’s will. We will ask the Father for something and He will give it because it is what He wants also.
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “ states Jesus.
Paul writes,
"Love suffers long and is kind, loves does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
We are going into a world, that at times will hate what we have to say. They will persecute us and may even put us to death. Yet, we are called to love.
Stephen, the church’s first martyr, showed how in touch he was with God’s love, when in acts when as he was being stoned he said,
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Acts 7:59-60
Something to think about:
Jesus set the example: He died on the cross asking His heavenly Father not to hold what they were doing to him, against his persecutors.
That is the kind of love we must have for the world. We may not like what they are doing to us, but we endure all things for the Gospel and show love to the world.
Do you love those around you. Can you forgive even your worst enemy.
Think about it.
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