God and you
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Do you believe in God? As I post this Christmas, one of the two most holy days in the Christian calender is almost upon us. Yet there are many in the world that would deny there is a God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes it clear that there is a God and He will bring every deed to judgment.
The Bible does not debate there is a God. It makes it clear to God exists and that He gave man a freewill. That freewill in order to be truly free meant that man has the choice to believe in the existence of God or not.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
I believe God has laid on the hearts of all men a moral code. That is only when men turn from that moral code and lack any fear of God and His judgement that things in our society go wrong.
Hitler and the Nazi party during world war two proved that. Terrorist around the world are proving it.
Hitler and the modern terrorist do not fear God. Modern terrorist are not following the will of God.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy wrote,
“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.
We are in such a time. A time when men are not following God or fail to recognize He exists at all. The result is a world moving to the abyss.
If ever there is a need for people to turn to God it is now.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
It see,s the call of Jesus to love God our neighbour, and even our enemies seems to be lost in the cacophony of sounds that make up the modern world.
Yet the call of Christ is needed more than ever before.
To the reader I would ask that you at least consider reading about Jesus and the actions and beliefs of the early Church in the New Testament this Christmas.
Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Consider Jesus
Consider Jesus
John's Gospel records
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
John 14:5-11.
Here is a truth. The writers of the New Testament didn’t hide anything. They told of the miracles of Jesus however fantastic they may have sounded. They told of Jesus’ claim to be God. They did not back down on what they believed. They did not sugar coat it to make things easier to accept.
They said Jesus performed miracles, he healed the sick, forgave sins and said plainly that he and God the Father are one.
They said all of this, and ask the reader to believe them.
If all that is said in the New Testament about Jesus is untrue. If even a portion of it is untrue, why would men who want people to believe in Jesus write what they did.
The writers of the New Testament want people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind. They could only expect people to believe in Jesus if they told the truth.
Thus I a Christian. Who believes Jesus is God in incarnate, God the flesh, the Saviour of mankind ask you the reader to make your decision.
Please take time to read the New Testament and decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.
John's Gospel records
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
John 14:5-11.
Here is a truth. The writers of the New Testament didn’t hide anything. They told of the miracles of Jesus however fantastic they may have sounded. They told of Jesus’ claim to be God. They did not back down on what they believed. They did not sugar coat it to make things easier to accept.
They said Jesus performed miracles, he healed the sick, forgave sins and said plainly that he and God the Father are one.
They said all of this, and ask the reader to believe them.
If all that is said in the New Testament about Jesus is untrue. If even a portion of it is untrue, why would men who want people to believe in Jesus write what they did.
The writers of the New Testament want people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind. They could only expect people to believe in Jesus if they told the truth.
Thus I a Christian. Who believes Jesus is God in incarnate, God the flesh, the Saviour of mankind ask you the reader to make your decision.
Please take time to read the New Testament and decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.
Monday, 21 December 2015
Foolishness or the way to Heaven?
Foolishness or the way to Heaven?
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-27.
Christians if you think about it have a peculiar message. We first of all believe that God in the form of His Son Jesus, came into the world He created to reconcile mankind to Himself.
Not only that but he did it the opposite way we as men would think. God did not send a heavenly army into the world to force himself on man. Instead he chose Jesus to be born to parents of low status, common people.
God gave Jesus a ministry that lasted just three years and allowed him to die on a Roman cross.
The story of Jesus does not however end at the grave because Jesus rose from the grave walked on the earth for a short while then ascended up to heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father and will one day judge both the living and the dead.
To many in the world today and throughout ages past this does not seem the right way to do things. But God dose not do things mans way.
God wants us to accept Him by Faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus asked Martha a question we all must answer for ourselves,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,
John 11:25,26
Please think about it.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-27.
Christians if you think about it have a peculiar message. We first of all believe that God in the form of His Son Jesus, came into the world He created to reconcile mankind to Himself.
Not only that but he did it the opposite way we as men would think. God did not send a heavenly army into the world to force himself on man. Instead he chose Jesus to be born to parents of low status, common people.
God gave Jesus a ministry that lasted just three years and allowed him to die on a Roman cross.
The story of Jesus does not however end at the grave because Jesus rose from the grave walked on the earth for a short while then ascended up to heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father and will one day judge both the living and the dead.
To many in the world today and throughout ages past this does not seem the right way to do things. But God dose not do things mans way.
God wants us to accept Him by Faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus asked Martha a question we all must answer for ourselves,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,
John 11:25,26
Please think about it.
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Why Christians do
Why Christians do
“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 28:19,20.
We Christians believe that we have the most important message ever given to mankind the way to heaven.
We believe that you can know here and now in this life that you are going to heaven.
First of all the apostle Paul writes,
“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.
Christians believe that God reached down to man offering him the gift of eternal life free of charge.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
Christians believe that man could never be good enough to have fellowship with Him. As a result God sent Jesus to die for our sins. Thus showing mankind how far in human terms He would go to reconcile man to Himself.
Christians believe we must confess our sins, our short comings to God. Sinning is simply falling short of what God would have for our lives.
The apostle John wrote,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
Christians believe that accepting Christ into one’s life is as simple as a prayer like this.
Dear Heavenly Father
I know that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. Please forgive me.
I believe Jesus is you one and only Son who died for my sins.
Please come into my life today and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, then I would suggest you get a bible and starting in the New Testament read all about Jesus and what the early church and the true church today believes.
Find a good church congregation one who believes the Bible is the inspired word of God. Talk to the pastor of the church congregation and ask him any questions you may have.
As these blogs are read around the world. I cannot recommend a specific church. However I do recommend Baptist churches as they from my experience have a consistent message and form of worship.
What I would however ask is that whether you prayed the prayer above or not. I would ask that over this Christmas season you visit a church near you. Take time to read about Jesus and make your own decision about Him.
Please think about it.
“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 28:19,20.
We Christians believe that we have the most important message ever given to mankind the way to heaven.
We believe that you can know here and now in this life that you are going to heaven.
First of all the apostle Paul writes,
“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.
Christians believe that God reached down to man offering him the gift of eternal life free of charge.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
Christians believe that man could never be good enough to have fellowship with Him. As a result God sent Jesus to die for our sins. Thus showing mankind how far in human terms He would go to reconcile man to Himself.
Christians believe we must confess our sins, our short comings to God. Sinning is simply falling short of what God would have for our lives.
The apostle John wrote,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
Christians believe that accepting Christ into one’s life is as simple as a prayer like this.
Dear Heavenly Father
I know that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. Please forgive me.
I believe Jesus is you one and only Son who died for my sins.
Please come into my life today and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, then I would suggest you get a bible and starting in the New Testament read all about Jesus and what the early church and the true church today believes.
Find a good church congregation one who believes the Bible is the inspired word of God. Talk to the pastor of the church congregation and ask him any questions you may have.
As these blogs are read around the world. I cannot recommend a specific church. However I do recommend Baptist churches as they from my experience have a consistent message and form of worship.
What I would however ask is that whether you prayed the prayer above or not. I would ask that over this Christmas season you visit a church near you. Take time to read about Jesus and make your own decision about Him.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 19 December 2015
A Christian
A Christian
Piliny the Younger Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan wrote,
"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 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..."
Note that Piliny states that the Christians sung hymns to Christ as to a God. Those early Christians recognized Christ was God.
Piliny also noted Christians bound themselves by an oath to tell the truth and be honest in all their dealings.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. This is the most basic belief of all Christians. You cannot be a Christian without believing Jesus is God.
Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one”
John 10:30.
Christians have settled in their own hearts and minds who Jesus is. 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.
Christians believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of mankind.
They believe the words of the apostle John who said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
Christians, true Christians follow the teachings of Jesus who 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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
This same Jesus went one step further saying,
“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.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
Christians are to show love that goes beyond that of those in the world.
A true Christian will put no restrictions on love. The Apostle Paul writing,
Please think about it.
Piliny the Younger Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan wrote,
"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 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..."
Note that Piliny states that the Christians sung hymns to Christ as to a God. Those early Christians recognized Christ was God.
Piliny also noted Christians bound themselves by an oath to tell the truth and be honest in all their dealings.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. This is the most basic belief of all Christians. You cannot be a Christian without believing Jesus is God.
Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one”
John 10:30.
Christians have settled in their own hearts and minds who Jesus is. 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.
Christians believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of mankind.
They believe the words of the apostle John who said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
Christians, true Christians follow the teachings of Jesus who 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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
This same Jesus went one step further saying,
“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.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
Christians are to show love that goes beyond that of those in the world.
A true Christian will put no restrictions on love. The Apostle Paul writing,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.Please think about it.
Friday, 18 December 2015
About Jesus
About Jesus
A lot has been said about Jesus through the centuries now with Christmas day just a week away I’d like to present to you these words by Dr James Allan Francis
Today the followers of Jesus number close to 2,500,000,000 and the number is still growing despite persecution.
His true followers are winning souls for Christ not by force of arms but by love. Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17.
The call of Jesus to the whole world is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Please think about it.
A lot has been said about Jesus through the centuries now with Christmas day just a week away I’d like to present to you these words by Dr James Allan Francis
One Solitary Life
He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him
He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth
When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life
Dr James Allan Francis.Today the followers of Jesus number close to 2,500,000,000 and the number is still growing despite persecution.
His true followers are winning souls for Christ not by force of arms but by love. Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17.
The call of Jesus to the whole world is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 17 December 2015
On Jesus
On Jesus
At this writing Christmas eve not that far away. And the eternal question is who do you believe Jesus to be?
The gospel of John records this,
“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.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
What Lewis is saying is reflected in the above account from John 10:24-32. The people were going to stone Jesus because he claimed to be one with God. This was something punishable by death at the time. Only an insane man would say such a thing and Jesus was not insane.
I believe each and every person on this earth needs to make a decision as to who they think Jesus is. Jesus is recorded as saying this to a woman called Martha. 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?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27
This is the question we all must answer one way or the other. There is no middle ground.
The reward for believing in Jesus is an eternity with God. The apostle John writing,
Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
John 1:12,13.
Please think about it.
At this writing Christmas eve not that far away. And the eternal question is who do you believe Jesus to be?
The gospel of John records this,
“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.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
What Lewis is saying is reflected in the above account from John 10:24-32. The people were going to stone Jesus because he claimed to be one with God. This was something punishable by death at the time. Only an insane man would say such a thing and Jesus was not insane.
I believe each and every person on this earth needs to make a decision as to who they think Jesus is. Jesus is recorded as saying this to a woman called Martha. 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?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27
This is the question we all must answer one way or the other. There is no middle ground.
The reward for believing in Jesus is an eternity with God. The apostle John writing,
Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
John 1:12,13.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
People in the 21st century
People in the 21st Century
The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.”
Acts 17:22.
Irrespective of what century people live, people are religious. People today in our secular society may not admit it but they have god’s in abundance.
There’s the god of the stock market, and the dollar bill. People treat to them as god’s. They want to have favour with these god’s hoping they will bring prosperity and happiness to them.
Here in Canada for many years now governments have bowed to the god of natural resources. Noting how they go so goes the economy.
In North America as Christmas approaches we see the god of consumerism worshipped. With people everywhere quite often paying out more money than they have, going into debt to obtain things they think will make them happy, content and fulfilled.
These are god’s made with man’s hands of stone, plastic, and other materials. Things like the dollar bill, stocks and bonds, the latest gadgets, toys, and such are not wrong in themselves. They are things that make our life easier or more fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.
The problem comes when we put ourselves into debt for them. When we subconsciously or otherwise start worshipping material things. Making these things essential to our happiness.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
Man is more than flesh and blood. Man is body soul and spirit. Man is an eternal being. Life does not end in death but continues eternally.
It is here and now, in this life however where we decide our eternal resting place shall be. 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.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“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.
The Apostle John writes,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
God has given every man and woman on this earth a choice. They can believe that first of all God exists and secondly that Jesus is the Son of God the saviour of mankind.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.”
Acts 17:22.
Irrespective of what century people live, people are religious. People today in our secular society may not admit it but they have god’s in abundance.
There’s the god of the stock market, and the dollar bill. People treat to them as god’s. They want to have favour with these god’s hoping they will bring prosperity and happiness to them.
Here in Canada for many years now governments have bowed to the god of natural resources. Noting how they go so goes the economy.
In North America as Christmas approaches we see the god of consumerism worshipped. With people everywhere quite often paying out more money than they have, going into debt to obtain things they think will make them happy, content and fulfilled.
These are god’s made with man’s hands of stone, plastic, and other materials. Things like the dollar bill, stocks and bonds, the latest gadgets, toys, and such are not wrong in themselves. They are things that make our life easier or more fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.
The problem comes when we put ourselves into debt for them. When we subconsciously or otherwise start worshipping material things. Making these things essential to our happiness.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
Man is more than flesh and blood. Man is body soul and spirit. Man is an eternal being. Life does not end in death but continues eternally.
It is here and now, in this life however where we decide our eternal resting place shall be. 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.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“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.
The Apostle John writes,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
God has given every man and woman on this earth a choice. They can believe that first of all God exists and secondly that Jesus is the Son of God the saviour of mankind.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Christianity under assault from within
Christianity under assault from within?
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“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 7:15-23
We as Christians live in dangerous times. Many Christians believe we are in the so called end times. That may be so. But Christians need not worry we’ve read the book and it ends well for believers in Christ in the end.
However in this multimedia world Christianity is under attack and not so much from the outside but from within.
Most Christians tend to be on their guard when it comes from attacks from outside their faith. However they are less cautious about the attacks from within.
There are many ministries in the media and many Churches today who call themselves Christian but are far from God. They are perverting the word of God to suit their own way of thinking.
Back in the seventies there was an excellent example of this. Jim Jones a very charismatic preacher in the United States said things that sounded very good but led people astray.
The end coming when he and thousands of his followers who had gone down to south America committed mass suicide. A thousand or more died.
Today’s preachers and evangelist who are leading people astray are not leading people to commit mass suicided but they are misguiding people in other more subtle ways.
They are preaching the prosperity doctrine. Saying give to God and he’ll give you back a hundred, or a thousand fold. This has led people to give money they could not afford to give. With the resulting tragic financial consequences.
There are preachers out there claiming to heal people but are failing to show proof of any actual healings.
Some churches and ministers have abandoned at least in part the Bible. They pick and choose the parts they believe and dismiss the rest.
Others simply preach a feel good doctrine that people want to hear. After all who wouldn’t want to feel good?
The apostle Paul writes,
“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 be on guard for the enemy within the Christian community. Men and women calling themselves Christians who are not.
In this day and age when the media blasts us from every angle we must read the Bible for ourselves. We must pray and ask God to guide us and not rely on evangelist and preachers in the media that we know little about other than what we see in the media.
We need to be attending a Church congregation that studies the Bible in context and strives their best to obey the word of God in spirit and truth.
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“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 7:15-23
We as Christians live in dangerous times. Many Christians believe we are in the so called end times. That may be so. But Christians need not worry we’ve read the book and it ends well for believers in Christ in the end.
However in this multimedia world Christianity is under attack and not so much from the outside but from within.
Most Christians tend to be on their guard when it comes from attacks from outside their faith. However they are less cautious about the attacks from within.
There are many ministries in the media and many Churches today who call themselves Christian but are far from God. They are perverting the word of God to suit their own way of thinking.
Back in the seventies there was an excellent example of this. Jim Jones a very charismatic preacher in the United States said things that sounded very good but led people astray.
The end coming when he and thousands of his followers who had gone down to south America committed mass suicide. A thousand or more died.
Today’s preachers and evangelist who are leading people astray are not leading people to commit mass suicided but they are misguiding people in other more subtle ways.
They are preaching the prosperity doctrine. Saying give to God and he’ll give you back a hundred, or a thousand fold. This has led people to give money they could not afford to give. With the resulting tragic financial consequences.
There are preachers out there claiming to heal people but are failing to show proof of any actual healings.
Some churches and ministers have abandoned at least in part the Bible. They pick and choose the parts they believe and dismiss the rest.
Others simply preach a feel good doctrine that people want to hear. After all who wouldn’t want to feel good?
The apostle Paul writes,
“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 be on guard for the enemy within the Christian community. Men and women calling themselves Christians who are not.
In this day and age when the media blasts us from every angle we must read the Bible for ourselves. We must pray and ask God to guide us and not rely on evangelist and preachers in the media that we know little about other than what we see in the media.
We need to be attending a Church congregation that studies the Bible in context and strives their best to obey the word of God in spirit and truth.
Please think about it.
Monday, 14 December 2015
A time will come
A time will come
“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.
I know a person who every time we talk brings up conspiracy theories. This man calls himself a Christian but I am not certain. Still that’s between him and God.
This man listens to off beat evangelist predominantly from the United States. He tells me president Obama is funding terrorist groups that are against the states.
A few days after the federal election here in Canada he told me our new prime minister was a Muslim after all in his mind only a Muslim would want twenty thousand plus middle eastern refugees to enter Canada.
All of his so called facts were either made up or simple lies he’d been fed by as I say some misguided preacher evangelist or some else who doesn’t have their facts strait.
Sadly this person is not alone. All too many Christians follow preachers and evangelist who are not presenting the word of God correctly.
Such men and women to quote the apostle Paul writing to Timothy,
“...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.”
Over the last little while in particular I’ve heard evangelist and those calling themselves Christians selling everything from over priced beauty aides with fancy Christian names to survival rations.
That’s not to count those who are out there proclaiming give to get. Give to God (quite often meaning to their particular ministry) and God will give you ten, a hundred, even a thousand fold back. What garbage. God is not a super banker.
Sadly many like the man I spoke of, follow these at the least misguided preachers. They don’t read the word of God for themselves in context. They simply follow a particular evangelist or preachers every word.
As Christians we especially in this multi media age need to turn back to the bible. We need to be reading it daily, praying and asking God to show us the truth contained within it.
We need to be attending a church that studies the Bible in a right and proper manner that dose not take things out of context to make it conform to what they believe.
We must remember the words of Jesus who said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “
Matthew 7:22,23
Please think about it.
“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.
I know a person who every time we talk brings up conspiracy theories. This man calls himself a Christian but I am not certain. Still that’s between him and God.
This man listens to off beat evangelist predominantly from the United States. He tells me president Obama is funding terrorist groups that are against the states.
A few days after the federal election here in Canada he told me our new prime minister was a Muslim after all in his mind only a Muslim would want twenty thousand plus middle eastern refugees to enter Canada.
All of his so called facts were either made up or simple lies he’d been fed by as I say some misguided preacher evangelist or some else who doesn’t have their facts strait.
Sadly this person is not alone. All too many Christians follow preachers and evangelist who are not presenting the word of God correctly.
Such men and women to quote the apostle Paul writing to Timothy,
“...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.”
Over the last little while in particular I’ve heard evangelist and those calling themselves Christians selling everything from over priced beauty aides with fancy Christian names to survival rations.
That’s not to count those who are out there proclaiming give to get. Give to God (quite often meaning to their particular ministry) and God will give you ten, a hundred, even a thousand fold back. What garbage. God is not a super banker.
Sadly many like the man I spoke of, follow these at the least misguided preachers. They don’t read the word of God for themselves in context. They simply follow a particular evangelist or preachers every word.
As Christians we especially in this multi media age need to turn back to the bible. We need to be reading it daily, praying and asking God to show us the truth contained within it.
We need to be attending a church that studies the Bible in a right and proper manner that dose not take things out of context to make it conform to what they believe.
We must remember the words of Jesus who said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “
Matthew 7:22,23
Please think about it.
Sunday, 13 December 2015
God's Precepts
God’s Precepts
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
Psalm 11:10.
Christianity practices correctly offers the world a universal set of precepts that can be summed up in two sayings of Jesus.
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
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.
If we truly love God, our fellow man and even our enemy we will not break any of God’s commandments.
The Apostle Paul said of Love,
In this day and age when terrorism’s evil head is it seems is all around. It’s time to show love to those around us, as well as to those who are afar off in foreign countries.
Please think about it.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
Psalm 11:10.
Christianity practices correctly offers the world a universal set of precepts that can be summed up in two sayings of Jesus.
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
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.
If we truly love God, our fellow man and even our enemy we will not break any of God’s commandments.
The Apostle Paul said of Love,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13In this day and age when terrorism’s evil head is it seems is all around. It’s time to show love to those around us, as well as to those who are afar off in foreign countries.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 12 December 2015
Honourably,
Honourably
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe it. I also believe God will ask us something similar to what the Talmud states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
God wants to hear from our own mouths the truth as to how we feel we dealt with our fellow man. Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
“At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31.
Today I would ask you when you stand before God will you be able to say you “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
If you are a business owner do you pay your employees a good living wage and benefits? To you do you best to even help them from time to time. An example would be allowing a parent to take time off to care for a sick child or family member.
If you are a politician do you do what is right for the individual in your constituency. Do you help pass legislation that specifically benefits the poorest in your constituency rather than simply pass tax breaks.
As an individual do you respect others and do what you can to help the poor and less fortunate in your community?
When you stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe it. I also believe God will ask us something similar to what the Talmud states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
God wants to hear from our own mouths the truth as to how we feel we dealt with our fellow man. Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
“At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31.
Today I would ask you when you stand before God will you be able to say you “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
If you are a business owner do you pay your employees a good living wage and benefits? To you do you best to even help them from time to time. An example would be allowing a parent to take time off to care for a sick child or family member.
If you are a politician do you do what is right for the individual in your constituency. Do you help pass legislation that specifically benefits the poorest in your constituency rather than simply pass tax breaks.
As an individual do you respect others and do what you can to help the poor and less fortunate in your community?
When you stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.
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