Freedom
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe. In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.”
Baruch Spinoza
I am speaking here as a Christian appalled at the way Christian groups especially in the United States are reacting to the gay marriage law.
The United States and all western democracies are just that democracies. They are not “Christian democracies” they are “secular democracies”. There is no such thing as a Christian government on this earth at this time. And governments like it or not have the right to define marriage even if it is not to the liking of Christians.
Living in a secular democracy is something the apostles knew very well. They lived in the Roman empire an empire as ethnically diverse as any nation today. An empire that was filled with pagan practises that the average Christian or Jew at the time would have disliked immensely.
Yet nowhere in the New Testament do I see Jesus or his disciples speaking out against the civil secular authorities.
Jesus even when brought before Pilate never said anything against the civil authority of Rome. In fact he said,
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
John 19:11a
The apostle Paul while living under one of the worst emperors Nero even wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”
Romans 13:1-3
Someone years ago once told me, when you restrict someone else’s freedom you ultimately restrict your own.
It is my feeling that provided the freedoms granted to any group does not infringe on my freedoms to believe as I wish as a Christian then they should have the right to believe and do as they wish.
We know such a system worked because thanks to the freedom of the Roman empire with all its diversity Christianity flourished.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Put simply Paul is saying, lets keep our own house clean and not judge those outside the church. Especially others who do not recognize our standards and ethics.
We as Christians are called to Love God, our neighbour and our enemy, even if we disagree with them. We can’t show this in a democracy if we are trying to restrict someone’s rights.
James the brother of Christ wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
We are to show love and mercy even to our worst enemy and the gay, lesbian and trangendered community are not our enemies. They are the same as anyone else in this world, people in need of the love of God.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18,
Christians have no right to judge anyone, that is God’s job. Only God knows the inner thoughts and feelings of an individual. Only God knows what makes a man or woman what they are.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:11,12.
One of those sinful desires is the desire to judge individuals.
Perhaps the best example of how a Christian should speak and act toward those whom he disagrees with is when the Apostle Paul spoke at the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:17-34.
Athens was the centre of pagan worship. There were things I know Paul would object to but Paul realized that he was a visitor, or as Peter said an “alien and stranger.” therefore he respected their beliefs and ways.
As a result they listened to him, some accepted Christ while others wanted to hear more.
I know within some church groups same sex marriage is a bone of contention. I know many groups treat the trangender community as if they have “special sins”. This should not be.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
We cannot win souls for Christ be they in the gay community or in any other community in this world if we are judging them and trying to restrict their rights. They will only turn us away and that prevents us from doing our job.
Jesus told Christians what our job is when he said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Christian please think carefully about how you act around non-Christians no matter who they are. All men and women in this world are in need of the saving grace of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Upon your actions may rest the eternal destiny of those you come in contact with.
Remember the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
Friday, 3 July 2015
Thursday, 2 July 2015
Who do you serve?
Who do you serve?
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14,15
As Christians we must be careful whom we serve. I’ve heard too many people over the years say I follow such and such an evangelist or pastor. Or such and such a pastor or evangelist says this or that.
These people take the words of these men and woman at face value. They never question them. They will even argue with others who disagree with them as if the pastor or evangelist they are following is infallible.
Such things happened in the early church the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas’”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?”
1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
As Christians we should never let one man or woman’s interpretation of the scriptures be our only source of teaching. Men make mistakes they are only human.
There are even some teachers and preachers who deliberately pervert the scriptures. They believe a certain way and, if you will “cherry pick” the scriptures that back their belief. They fail to listen to scriptures that contradict their beliefs.
The classic line I hear from such preachers is “don’t come against the elect of God.”
There is a fine line here. Within the Christian community we have differences of opinion on various things and that is fine, provided, it’s not on the major issues. Issues such as the sovereignty of Christ.
So we must be careful not to speak out against any minister, preacher, teacher or evangelist simply because we disagree with them on the minor points.
There are still however false Christian teachers out there who say they believe in Christ who are out there to get rich or deliberately lead people astray. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
Sadly thanks to the mass media world we live in we are exposed to false teachers all the time. These teachers may even seem legitimate. They string scriptures in such a way as to make their doctrine seem correct when it is not.
That’s why we as Christians need to be on guard. We need to know our Bible. We need to study the scriptures daily.
We need to find a body of believers that have as their base the Bible. A group that studies from the bible directly. A group that does not just use study notes from one pastor, evangelist or teacher but from a wide range of teachers.
I’ve found over the years some of my best learning experiences have come when I’ve read teachings of those I disagree with.
When I come across someone I disagree with I ask myself why do they think the way they do? Are they right or am I? If I get a chance I even speak to the person who has opposing view to me.
In our adult bible study I lead at the church I use this technique. Everyone who attends has the right to express their view whether my pastor or I agree with it or not. We then discuss it as a group using the scriptures as our authority.
We are careful to see that every scripture is taken in context.
We also look at the history and culture of the time as well as various commentaries from a wide range of authors.
I believe that the word of God is so important it is our duty to see that we are preaching and teaching it in as accurate a way as possible.
I believe this because the potential eternal resting place of someone’s eternal soul may depend on what I and other teachers teach.
Therefore my advise to all Christians is to study the Bible carefully. Use a wide range of commentaries. Listen to a wide range of teachers. Question what they say and what you believe. Be open an honest and willing to accept that you may be wrong in some of what you believe. If you are proven to be wrong, be willing to change.
Remember the absolute authority about God is the Bible not some Televangelist, evangelist, preacher, or teacher.
And through all of your studying pray, pray, pray. Pray and ask God to show you the truth in the scriptures.
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14,15
As Christians we must be careful whom we serve. I’ve heard too many people over the years say I follow such and such an evangelist or pastor. Or such and such a pastor or evangelist says this or that.
These people take the words of these men and woman at face value. They never question them. They will even argue with others who disagree with them as if the pastor or evangelist they are following is infallible.
Such things happened in the early church the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas’”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?”
1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
As Christians we should never let one man or woman’s interpretation of the scriptures be our only source of teaching. Men make mistakes they are only human.
There are even some teachers and preachers who deliberately pervert the scriptures. They believe a certain way and, if you will “cherry pick” the scriptures that back their belief. They fail to listen to scriptures that contradict their beliefs.
The classic line I hear from such preachers is “don’t come against the elect of God.”
There is a fine line here. Within the Christian community we have differences of opinion on various things and that is fine, provided, it’s not on the major issues. Issues such as the sovereignty of Christ.
So we must be careful not to speak out against any minister, preacher, teacher or evangelist simply because we disagree with them on the minor points.
There are still however false Christian teachers out there who say they believe in Christ who are out there to get rich or deliberately lead people astray. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
Sadly thanks to the mass media world we live in we are exposed to false teachers all the time. These teachers may even seem legitimate. They string scriptures in such a way as to make their doctrine seem correct when it is not.
That’s why we as Christians need to be on guard. We need to know our Bible. We need to study the scriptures daily.
We need to find a body of believers that have as their base the Bible. A group that studies from the bible directly. A group that does not just use study notes from one pastor, evangelist or teacher but from a wide range of teachers.
I’ve found over the years some of my best learning experiences have come when I’ve read teachings of those I disagree with.
When I come across someone I disagree with I ask myself why do they think the way they do? Are they right or am I? If I get a chance I even speak to the person who has opposing view to me.
In our adult bible study I lead at the church I use this technique. Everyone who attends has the right to express their view whether my pastor or I agree with it or not. We then discuss it as a group using the scriptures as our authority.
We are careful to see that every scripture is taken in context.
We also look at the history and culture of the time as well as various commentaries from a wide range of authors.
I believe that the word of God is so important it is our duty to see that we are preaching and teaching it in as accurate a way as possible.
I believe this because the potential eternal resting place of someone’s eternal soul may depend on what I and other teachers teach.
Therefore my advise to all Christians is to study the Bible carefully. Use a wide range of commentaries. Listen to a wide range of teachers. Question what they say and what you believe. Be open an honest and willing to accept that you may be wrong in some of what you believe. If you are proven to be wrong, be willing to change.
Remember the absolute authority about God is the Bible not some Televangelist, evangelist, preacher, or teacher.
And through all of your studying pray, pray, pray. Pray and ask God to show you the truth in the scriptures.
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
JESUS IS ALIVE!!!
Jesus is alive!
"Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
Luke 24:13-24.
Above is the story of the men on the road to Emmaus who meet Jesus after his resurrection. It clearly states that people seen Jesus after he had died and rose from the dead. That he was in bodily form.
This is a claim that is unique to Christians. The Author and Finisher of our faith is the One and Only Son of God, Jesus.
We believe Jesus lived a perfect life, died for sins he didn’t commit was buried and rose from the grave victorious. That he ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. He did this for us. The apostle Paul writing,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
The other day our Church played a movie called God is not dead. It fell into the category of drama. I would recommend if you get a chance to see it. The point of the movie was simple God is not dead despite what some vocal atheist say.
At the end of the movie it asked people to text three words to all their contacts. Those three words were “God is Alive!”
I would ask you the reader if you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God to consider texting or tweeting this line to all your contacts,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be....” Acts 16:31a “Pass it on”
Ask your Christian friends to do it also.
It may be the most important thing you ever tweet or text.
Think about it.
"Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
Luke 24:13-24.
Above is the story of the men on the road to Emmaus who meet Jesus after his resurrection. It clearly states that people seen Jesus after he had died and rose from the dead. That he was in bodily form.
This is a claim that is unique to Christians. The Author and Finisher of our faith is the One and Only Son of God, Jesus.
We believe Jesus lived a perfect life, died for sins he didn’t commit was buried and rose from the grave victorious. That he ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. He did this for us. The apostle Paul writing,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
The other day our Church played a movie called God is not dead. It fell into the category of drama. I would recommend if you get a chance to see it. The point of the movie was simple God is not dead despite what some vocal atheist say.
At the end of the movie it asked people to text three words to all their contacts. Those three words were “God is Alive!”
I would ask you the reader if you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God to consider texting or tweeting this line to all your contacts,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be....” Acts 16:31a “Pass it on”
Ask your Christian friends to do it also.
It may be the most important thing you ever tweet or text.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Thou has conquered O Galilean
Thou has conquered O Galilean
Julian the Apostate who was Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. a vehement adversary of Christianity wrote in his works against Christianity,
“Jesus...has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal the lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany”
At the end of his life he said, “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Julian also confirmed to authenticity of the four gospels.
No one be they a Non-Christian of another faith or Atheist can deny the effect Jesus had on history.
Napoleon Bonaparte 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. 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.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
People for centuries have spoken out against Jesus and Christianity its enemies have said it will die out from the moment it started but it hasn’t.
The book of Acts record what happened when two of Jesus disciples were brought before the religious authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus it records
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men
rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:28-39.
Gamaliel was right to fight against Christianity is futile because it is of God.
God started his redemptive work with Abraham, Moses and the Jewish nation. God however loves the entire world thus he sent his one and only Son through the line of David that all the world may be blessed and have the opportunity to come to know him.
Those today be they the terrorist of this world. Be they Atheist or others who would deny Christ and come against Him are I firmly believe fighting against God.
I firmly believe those who do not believe in Christ will one day be shocked to find themselves standing before Jesus.
Jesus himself when asked who he was said,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:24-30
I think C.S. Lewis summed up Jesus and Christianity best when 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
Jesus made one thing clear. God loves us and He gave us a choice when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 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.
Please think about it.
Julian the Apostate who was Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. a vehement adversary of Christianity wrote in his works against Christianity,
“Jesus...has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal the lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany”
At the end of his life he said, “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Julian also confirmed to authenticity of the four gospels.
No one be they a Non-Christian of another faith or Atheist can deny the effect Jesus had on history.
Napoleon Bonaparte 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. 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.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
People for centuries have spoken out against Jesus and Christianity its enemies have said it will die out from the moment it started but it hasn’t.
The book of Acts record what happened when two of Jesus disciples were brought before the religious authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus it records
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men
rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:28-39.
Gamaliel was right to fight against Christianity is futile because it is of God.
God started his redemptive work with Abraham, Moses and the Jewish nation. God however loves the entire world thus he sent his one and only Son through the line of David that all the world may be blessed and have the opportunity to come to know him.
Those today be they the terrorist of this world. Be they Atheist or others who would deny Christ and come against Him are I firmly believe fighting against God.
I firmly believe those who do not believe in Christ will one day be shocked to find themselves standing before Jesus.
Jesus himself when asked who he was said,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:24-30
I think C.S. Lewis summed up Jesus and Christianity best when 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
Jesus made one thing clear. God loves us and He gave us a choice when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 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.
Please think about it.
Monday, 29 June 2015
A question for the ages
A question for the ages
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
A question for the ages. Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The writer of Hebrews did he wrote,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Hebrews 1:3-6.
I believe the most important question anyone anywhere in the world must ask themselves is, Who is Jesus?”
There are groups around claiming to be Christian yet deny the deity of Christ. They claim he is an angel or a prophet not the Son of God by whom the world was created.
John’s Gospel records,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14.
John makes it clear Jesus is God incarnate. That Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
This was an incredible statement for his time, because if he wasn’t one with the father why would he make such a statement. It was a claim that was punishable by death. Jesus would have had to be insane to make such a statement.
In order to be a true Christian by my way of believing you have to believe Jesus is the Son of God. That He is God incarnate. That he is the Saviour of the world.
You cannot believe less and be a Christian.
Please think about it.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
A question for the ages. Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The writer of Hebrews did he wrote,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Hebrews 1:3-6.
I believe the most important question anyone anywhere in the world must ask themselves is, Who is Jesus?”
There are groups around claiming to be Christian yet deny the deity of Christ. They claim he is an angel or a prophet not the Son of God by whom the world was created.
John’s Gospel records,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14.
John makes it clear Jesus is God incarnate. That Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
This was an incredible statement for his time, because if he wasn’t one with the father why would he make such a statement. It was a claim that was punishable by death. Jesus would have had to be insane to make such a statement.
In order to be a true Christian by my way of believing you have to believe Jesus is the Son of God. That He is God incarnate. That he is the Saviour of the world.
You cannot believe less and be a Christian.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Christians Beware!
Christians beware
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”
1 Timothy 1:3-7
Time and time again throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters to the church he warns against false teachers. Today his warnings need to be heeded more than ever.
Christians are generally a trusting people. When someone say’s they are a Christian we believe them.
When someone speaks from the pulpit be that pulpit in a local church or in the media, and says they are a man or woman of God we believe them.
While I would say the majority of teachers, preachers and evangelist in the world today are honest men and women of God teaching what they believe, I know there are a lot of fakes out there. Men and women who would lead people astray or are trying to separate them from their money.
Sadly especially in the evangelical community in North America there is no real way of policing our faith for fakes.
I know of men and women calling themselves Christians who have threatened to take other Christians to court because they threatened to expose blatantly wrong teaching.
Christians should not be taking other Christians to court. Rather we should be willing to have any dispute we have with other fellow believes at the very least mediated by other believers to see if a solution can be reached.
The apostle Paul notes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to on guard against those who teach falsely. Men and women who use the Bible for their own gain or to deliberately deceive others and lead them away from the truth about God and Christ.
That is why I urge everyone who claims to be a believer to read the bible for themselves. To pray and ask God to show them the truth in the scriptures.
To question those evangelist, pastors and teachers they are listening to. Don’t be scared to look up the scriptures spoken on by those whom you listen to.
Ask yourself and God are those scriptures used in the right context or have they been misinterpreted.
If you feel there is a conflict talk to others about your suspicions. Even ask the person you were listening to, to explain themselves better.
If you’re not satisfied then stop listening to them, don’t support them.
I am a firm believer in questioning everything that a pastor, teacher or evangelist says or does.
Christian leaders should be held up to a very high standard. Higher than the person sitting in the pew.
Remember the words of Jesus,
“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
Remember also the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
So my advice to Christians in general is to guard against false teachers. Examine everything you are being taught or listening to.
Above all ask God to show you what is right so that you are not deceived or led astray.
Please think about it.
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”
1 Timothy 1:3-7
Time and time again throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters to the church he warns against false teachers. Today his warnings need to be heeded more than ever.
Christians are generally a trusting people. When someone say’s they are a Christian we believe them.
When someone speaks from the pulpit be that pulpit in a local church or in the media, and says they are a man or woman of God we believe them.
While I would say the majority of teachers, preachers and evangelist in the world today are honest men and women of God teaching what they believe, I know there are a lot of fakes out there. Men and women who would lead people astray or are trying to separate them from their money.
Sadly especially in the evangelical community in North America there is no real way of policing our faith for fakes.
I know of men and women calling themselves Christians who have threatened to take other Christians to court because they threatened to expose blatantly wrong teaching.
Christians should not be taking other Christians to court. Rather we should be willing to have any dispute we have with other fellow believes at the very least mediated by other believers to see if a solution can be reached.
The apostle Paul notes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to on guard against those who teach falsely. Men and women who use the Bible for their own gain or to deliberately deceive others and lead them away from the truth about God and Christ.
That is why I urge everyone who claims to be a believer to read the bible for themselves. To pray and ask God to show them the truth in the scriptures.
To question those evangelist, pastors and teachers they are listening to. Don’t be scared to look up the scriptures spoken on by those whom you listen to.
Ask yourself and God are those scriptures used in the right context or have they been misinterpreted.
If you feel there is a conflict talk to others about your suspicions. Even ask the person you were listening to, to explain themselves better.
If you’re not satisfied then stop listening to them, don’t support them.
I am a firm believer in questioning everything that a pastor, teacher or evangelist says or does.
Christian leaders should be held up to a very high standard. Higher than the person sitting in the pew.
Remember the words of Jesus,
“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
Remember also the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
So my advice to Christians in general is to guard against false teachers. Examine everything you are being taught or listening to.
Above all ask God to show you what is right so that you are not deceived or led astray.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
Love and the Christian
Love and the Christian
Christians have an obligation before God to Love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45.
Without love for God, our neighbour and our enemy we can’t effectively win souls for Christ.
Christians should not be constantly pointing to the sin of the world. People in the world know full well there is a lot of sin in the world. They don’t need reminding.
What the world is looking for is unconditional love irrespective of who they are, what they believe or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
It is incumbent on the Christian to get one pure message to the world. John’s gospel records the message Jesus want us to take to the world when it records the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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.
Wouldn’t it be a terrible shame if because we failed to show love in as pure a form as we can toward family, friends, and even our enemy that even one person would miss out on going to heaven?
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That’s what we all as Christians should be doing. Are you?
Please think about it.
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8aChristians have an obligation before God to Love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45.
Without love for God, our neighbour and our enemy we can’t effectively win souls for Christ.
Christians should not be constantly pointing to the sin of the world. People in the world know full well there is a lot of sin in the world. They don’t need reminding.
What the world is looking for is unconditional love irrespective of who they are, what they believe or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
It is incumbent on the Christian to get one pure message to the world. John’s gospel records the message Jesus want us to take to the world when it records the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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.
Wouldn’t it be a terrible shame if because we failed to show love in as pure a form as we can toward family, friends, and even our enemy that even one person would miss out on going to heaven?
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That’s what we all as Christians should be doing. Are you?
Please think about it.
Friday, 26 June 2015
The hardest thing
The hardest thing to do
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3.
There is one thing scientist and Christians have in common, faith.
A good scientist postulates a theory of why things work based on the facts at hand. He studies the facts and has faith that they add up to the conclusion he has made. He then presents that theory to his peers for scrutiny. They weigh the facts and agree or disagree with him as the case may be.
Eienstein’s theory of relativity, the big bang theory are all examples of this.
Christians are the same. They have studied the facts before them and come to the conclusion that God is real.
They have read what the psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
They have looked at the world around them. They have looked at the mathematical perfection of the universe around them, from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle and have concluded this can’t be by chance. There must be a creator. And yes perhaps he did use the big bang to do it. How he did it however is immaterial to their faith. They have simply taken what the Bible says and the basic facts they see around them in the world and, I believe rightly conclude, that God exists.
They then present this for the people of the world to judge.
Christians ask that people read the Bible carefully and weigh the facts. Asking God to show His reality in the words of the scriptures.
Christians go one step further than any other faith however they ask people to read the New Testament and make the decision as to whether they believe Jesus when he said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
That his words when speaking to Martha are true, when he said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25, 26
Jesus even asked his disciple to make a decision as to what they thought he was. Matthew recording,
“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.”
Matthew 16:13-17
So the question for you dear reader becomes,
What think ye of Christ?
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3.
There is one thing scientist and Christians have in common, faith.
A good scientist postulates a theory of why things work based on the facts at hand. He studies the facts and has faith that they add up to the conclusion he has made. He then presents that theory to his peers for scrutiny. They weigh the facts and agree or disagree with him as the case may be.
Eienstein’s theory of relativity, the big bang theory are all examples of this.
Christians are the same. They have studied the facts before them and come to the conclusion that God is real.
They have read what the psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
They have looked at the world around them. They have looked at the mathematical perfection of the universe around them, from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle and have concluded this can’t be by chance. There must be a creator. And yes perhaps he did use the big bang to do it. How he did it however is immaterial to their faith. They have simply taken what the Bible says and the basic facts they see around them in the world and, I believe rightly conclude, that God exists.
They then present this for the people of the world to judge.
Christians ask that people read the Bible carefully and weigh the facts. Asking God to show His reality in the words of the scriptures.
Christians go one step further than any other faith however they ask people to read the New Testament and make the decision as to whether they believe Jesus when he said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
That his words when speaking to Martha are true, when he said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25, 26
Jesus even asked his disciple to make a decision as to what they thought he was. Matthew recording,
“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.”
Matthew 16:13-17
So the question for you dear reader becomes,
What think ye of Christ?
Thursday, 25 June 2015
In the Morning I look to You
In the Morning I Look for You
“In the morning I look for you, My rock and my tower, I lay my prayers before you, that day and night are in me.
Before your greatness, I stand, and am unnerved, because your eye will see the thoughts that are in me.
What is it that the heart or the tongue can do, and what power is there in the spirit that is in me?
But I know you are pleased with the songs that men make, and so I shall praise you while the divine soul is in me.”
Solomon Ibn Gabirol
I write this to those who go to church each week. Please consider it carefully.
Do you look to God each morning? Do you lay your prayers before Him? Do you praise Him?
The Psalmist wrote,
Can you truly say the Lord is your Shepherd? Or, Do you see Church as a place you need to go to once a week to feel good.
Do you worship God while on your own, when there is no one around to see you?
Are you sure if you were to die today you would go to heaven?
I ask this because there are many who go to church every week who truly don’t know God. There are those who read my Blogs who even though they may go to church have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. They may not even realize they are not going to heaven.
I therefore write the following to those who go to church but do not have the assurance they are going to heaven.
The way to heaven is open to anyone who believes. It comes down to who you think Jesus is and if you believe what he said,
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
John’s gospel records this,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“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
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
If you believe the above and have never formally accepted Jesus into your heart and mind perhaps now is the time. It’s as simple as saying this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. I believe that he came to earth to die for my sins. That through His sacrificial death on the cross my sins are forgiven.
I admit I am a sinner and ask that you forgive my sins and become Lord of my life today.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Please think about it.
“In the morning I look for you, My rock and my tower, I lay my prayers before you, that day and night are in me.
Before your greatness, I stand, and am unnerved, because your eye will see the thoughts that are in me.
What is it that the heart or the tongue can do, and what power is there in the spirit that is in me?
But I know you are pleased with the songs that men make, and so I shall praise you while the divine soul is in me.”
Solomon Ibn Gabirol
I write this to those who go to church each week. Please consider it carefully.
Do you look to God each morning? Do you lay your prayers before Him? Do you praise Him?
The Psalmist wrote,
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23Can you truly say the Lord is your Shepherd? Or, Do you see Church as a place you need to go to once a week to feel good.
Do you worship God while on your own, when there is no one around to see you?
Are you sure if you were to die today you would go to heaven?
I ask this because there are many who go to church every week who truly don’t know God. There are those who read my Blogs who even though they may go to church have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. They may not even realize they are not going to heaven.
I therefore write the following to those who go to church but do not have the assurance they are going to heaven.
The way to heaven is open to anyone who believes. It comes down to who you think Jesus is and if you believe what he said,
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
John’s gospel records this,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“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
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
If you believe the above and have never formally accepted Jesus into your heart and mind perhaps now is the time. It’s as simple as saying this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. I believe that he came to earth to die for my sins. That through His sacrificial death on the cross my sins are forgiven.
I admit I am a sinner and ask that you forgive my sins and become Lord of my life today.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:1,2
Here is a simple truth all Christians should know. You are blessed if you truly know the Lord. If you meditate on His word.
There are a lot of things that come into our lives that try to rob us of our peace. It’s easy to feel resentment when tragedy enters our life. This however should not be. If we believe the Bible then we must remember Romans 8;28 that reads,
“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (KJV).
We may not see anything good in the tragedy we are going through at the time but if you trust God, He will work things out.
Many years ago now while I was at work on the night shift, my wife woke up to see the ceiling of our house glowing red. She immediately got our two young children out of the house and called the fire department from a neighbours house.
At the time we lived outside of town in a rural area. By the time the fire department arrived our house and everything we owned was ashes. That happened on a Friday.
Praise God however by Saturday we were asking people not to give us anything else. We had been donated a complete set of livingroom furniture, beds, clothing, even pots, pans and dishes.
My brother in law even had an empty basement apartment a hundred kilometres nearer to where I worked that we could use. Which meant I could spend more time with my family.
We were blessed to find a good church which my children grew up in. Both as a result are now serving the Lord, something that may not have happened in the circumstances we were in.
The only thing we lost were some irreplaceable personal items pictures and such. However even the pictures were replaced in part thanks to family members.
This incident in our lives proved to us that the God we believed in did love and care for us.
We have gone through several other serious problems since then but God has always been with us. We have never doubted that.
I can say with the Psalmist,
I am not rich materially but I have never missed a meal. I have a small but adequate house to call my own. I have a loving caring family all of whom are serving the Lord.
And I have a loving caring God who is there for me in all situations. What more could I ask for.
I am a blessed man.
Question: Dear Christian do you love the Lord with all your heart and soul? Can you rejoice in God? Can you rejoice that Christ is your Saviour? Can you do all this through the good times and the bad times?
Please think about it.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:1,2
Here is a simple truth all Christians should know. You are blessed if you truly know the Lord. If you meditate on His word.
There are a lot of things that come into our lives that try to rob us of our peace. It’s easy to feel resentment when tragedy enters our life. This however should not be. If we believe the Bible then we must remember Romans 8;28 that reads,
“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (KJV).
We may not see anything good in the tragedy we are going through at the time but if you trust God, He will work things out.
Many years ago now while I was at work on the night shift, my wife woke up to see the ceiling of our house glowing red. She immediately got our two young children out of the house and called the fire department from a neighbours house.
At the time we lived outside of town in a rural area. By the time the fire department arrived our house and everything we owned was ashes. That happened on a Friday.
Praise God however by Saturday we were asking people not to give us anything else. We had been donated a complete set of livingroom furniture, beds, clothing, even pots, pans and dishes.
My brother in law even had an empty basement apartment a hundred kilometres nearer to where I worked that we could use. Which meant I could spend more time with my family.
We were blessed to find a good church which my children grew up in. Both as a result are now serving the Lord, something that may not have happened in the circumstances we were in.
The only thing we lost were some irreplaceable personal items pictures and such. However even the pictures were replaced in part thanks to family members.
This incident in our lives proved to us that the God we believed in did love and care for us.
We have gone through several other serious problems since then but God has always been with us. We have never doubted that.
I can say with the Psalmist,
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Psalm 23.I am not rich materially but I have never missed a meal. I have a small but adequate house to call my own. I have a loving caring family all of whom are serving the Lord.
And I have a loving caring God who is there for me in all situations. What more could I ask for.
I am a blessed man.
Question: Dear Christian do you love the Lord with all your heart and soul? Can you rejoice in God? Can you rejoice that Christ is your Saviour? Can you do all this through the good times and the bad times?
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
A Libertine
A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.”
Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London England, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
R. J. Morgan
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.”
Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience, to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
C. S. Lewis pointed out,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul it has happened to over two billion Christians on the earth today, and it can happen to you.
Please consider accepting Christ into your heart and life today.
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.”
Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London England, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
R. J. Morgan
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.”
Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience, to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
C. S. Lewis pointed out,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul it has happened to over two billion Christians on the earth today, and it can happen to you.
Please consider accepting Christ into your heart and life today.
Monday, 22 June 2015
On Government
On government
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.”
Romans 13:1-7
Here is a clear statement to Christians
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities”
I hear Christians today speaking against the government and that’s their right in a free and democratic society. Still we are to submit to the governing authorities.
Remember Paul made this statement in the time when the government was entirely pagan When the emperor Nero ruled a man who was one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Kenneth L. Barker, writing a commentary in Zondervan NIV Study Bible writes
“submit. A significant word in vv. 1–7. governing authorities. The civil rulers, all of whom were probably pagans at the time Paul was writing. Christians may have been tempted not to submit to them and to claim allegiance only to Christ. established by God. Even the possibility of a persecuting state did not shake Paul’s conviction that civil government is ordained by God.”
Kenneth L Barker
As Christians we should be praying for those who govern us no matter what their political stipe is. Remember God used a pagan emperor to fulfill scripture. He had a Roman emperor call a census that took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem so that Jesus could be born.
He used the “pax Roma” the Roman peace, a time when it was relatively safe to travel around the world to spread the gospel in the first century. To spread it from beyond from its beginnings in Israel to every part of the known world.
Throughout history there has never really been a Christian government. God has always used secular governments to help spread the gospel.
As Christians we should be praying that those governments allow us opportunity to spread the gospel.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:9-12.
Even if the governments persecute us if we must remember the words of Peter to,
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
We must live lives that point people toward Christ. Francis of Assisi wrote two things all Christians should remember,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.”
Romans 13:1-7
Here is a clear statement to Christians
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities”
I hear Christians today speaking against the government and that’s their right in a free and democratic society. Still we are to submit to the governing authorities.
Remember Paul made this statement in the time when the government was entirely pagan When the emperor Nero ruled a man who was one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Kenneth L. Barker, writing a commentary in Zondervan NIV Study Bible writes
“submit. A significant word in vv. 1–7. governing authorities. The civil rulers, all of whom were probably pagans at the time Paul was writing. Christians may have been tempted not to submit to them and to claim allegiance only to Christ. established by God. Even the possibility of a persecuting state did not shake Paul’s conviction that civil government is ordained by God.”
Kenneth L Barker
As Christians we should be praying for those who govern us no matter what their political stipe is. Remember God used a pagan emperor to fulfill scripture. He had a Roman emperor call a census that took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem so that Jesus could be born.
He used the “pax Roma” the Roman peace, a time when it was relatively safe to travel around the world to spread the gospel in the first century. To spread it from beyond from its beginnings in Israel to every part of the known world.
Throughout history there has never really been a Christian government. God has always used secular governments to help spread the gospel.
As Christians we should be praying that those governments allow us opportunity to spread the gospel.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:9-12.
Even if the governments persecute us if we must remember the words of Peter to,
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
We must live lives that point people toward Christ. Francis of Assisi wrote two things all Christians should remember,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
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