Will you be happy?

Will you be happy?

Tony Campolo wrote,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
                                                                                                              Tony Campolo
The other day I was rushed to hospital light headed and short of breath. Such a thing had happened to me four years earlier. Then it was due to large blood clots on my lungs that kept me in hospital for over a week almost killing me.
This time it was a suspected heart attack. Like the blood clots of a few years earlier it could have taken my life.
Like the last time, as odd as it may seem, I also had no fear of death. I did honestly pray and ask God to spare my life and he did.
It was quite an unusual thing for me to be lying in the Emergency ward. I didn’t pray a lot just a quick prayer asking God to spare my life. It was not up to me to tell God what to do. My life was his to do with as he wished.
I have no fear of death for me it brings no sorrow. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when I die I will go to be with God for all eternity.
The 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.
I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. That He is the one and only Son of God. That He died for my sins that I may spend eternity in heaven.
John the apostle referring to Jesus writes,
"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.
I can honestly say if what John is saying is true, which I believe he is, then I am a Child of God and thus do not have to fear death.
I can say when I die and others are crying over me, I will be happy.
Will you? Can you be certain?
Please think about it.

A possible conversation with God

                                 A possible conversation with God
                A Man                                                                       God
“You exist!”
                                   “Of course I exist!”
“But I couldn’t see you?
I couldn’t touch you?”
                                             “I know. 
                                 I wanted it that way.”

“Why?”
                                       “Because I wanted you
                                    To have faith.”
“But you could have showed
yourself in the flesh.”
                                          “I did.
                                I sent my Son Jesus.
                          He died for the sins of all who
                                 would believe in Him.
                        I even raised him from the dead.
“But that’s unbelievable.
It can’t be true.”
                                    “But it is. 
                                                                                 Why would anyone make that up?
                                And you had the choice.
                                   I gave you a freewill 
                            To believe what you wished.
                                 You exercised yours.
“But you could have
showed yourself to me.”
                                     “I did.
                                Through creation,
                             Through my prophets,
                               Through the Bible,
                   Through My One and Only Son.
                    I gave you a life time of chances.”
So what will happen to me?
                                                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.
                               What do you think?
Post Script
If Christians are wrong in what we believe no one has anything to fear. If we are right there are eternal consequences. 
Please think about it.

The Way to Peace

The way to Peace
Rabbi Benjamin Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
Rabbi Blech is right. That is why I believe man needs to turn back to God.
The holocaust of world war two, the pogroms prior to that and modern day terrorist show that man can justify anything in his own mind. Even if it is the killing of millions of innocent people.
Throughout the centuries both secular atheistic governments and those claiming to do things in the name of God have brought death and destruction on the innocent.
I do not believe anyone who truly believes in God would commit an act of war or genocide. True believers in God believe the words of Ecclesiastes who wrote,
“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.
They believe they will one day have to give an account of their life to God. Who will judge them fairly and decide their eternal fate.
They believe the words of Deuteronomy who wrote,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” 
                                                                                    Deuteronomy 6:5-9.
Jesus not only affirmed the words of Deuteronomy saying 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 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?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
    Matthew 5:43-47
It is my belief that the answer to true world peace lies in recognizing there is a God we will ultimately answer to.
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.
It is only when individuals and society turn from belief in God or twists the truths of God to suit their own way of thinking, that society starts to decline.
I firmly believe that the way to change the world for the better is to turn to the teachings of Jesus. The teachings of the Bible.
Teachings that tell us to love God, our neighbour, whoever they may be, and to love even our enemy.
Please think about it.

New years day

New Years Day A. D. 2016

"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
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 
                                                                                                                    Matthew 25:34-46.
Today is New Years day in the year of our Lord 2016. As I speak millions of refugees are running away from the conflict in the middle east.
To their credit many Christians and those of other faith are stepping up and giving what help the can as are various nations of the world.
We as Christians are I believe obligated to reach out to those in need of help. To reach out and do anything we can not only to help the refugees but anyone in need.
In doing so we are building bridges. We are showing we are not simply spouting empty words.
In sponsoring refugees and indeed those in need in our communities we are showing in a tangible way the love of God. We are obeying the words of Jesus.
The brother of Jesus, James said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” 
                                                                                                                                James 2:14-19.
As this New Year begins let we as Christians start to show our faith by our deeds. Showing to the world the Love of God. Dealing honourably and faithfully with our fellow man.
Please think about it.

On Faith

On faith

“He spreads out the northern  skies  over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.”
                                             Job 26:7
When I see the above picture of the earth taken by Apollo 17 from the moon. I am amazed at the accuracy of Job’s statement over two thousand years prior to Apollo going to the moon.
I am reminded that God created this beautiful blue dot. The writer of Genesis stating,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 
                                                                                       Genesis 1:1.
In another picture taken from the Voyager space probe 6,054,587,000 Kilometres from earth we are shown yet again how small earth is in the vastness of the universe.
Yet that “mote of dust” as Carl Sagan called it is our home.
Carl Sagan wrote,
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”
                                                                          Carl Sagan
Sagan of course is right. That tiny speck in the universe is all we have. That is if you think of it from a purely human prospective.
There is however more than this world. I know Sagan and all who do not believe in God would disagree with me. After all it seems far more logical to us that if there is a God, why would he not simply reveal himself directly to us?
The answer is simple. He requires us to if you will take a more difficult path. A path that shows our love and loyalty to Him. The path of faith.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:1
Going on to say,
“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.
It’s not like God did not leave us any evidence that he exists, He did.
He set the earth, that “mote of dust” we live on at the perfect position not only in the solar system but in the universe. A position that allows life as we know it to exist.
Also throughout history he has sent his prophets to tell the world about Him.
God has set I believe in each persons heart the knowledge that there is life beyond the grave.
History stands as a testament to this belief. All societies throughout history have had rituals designed to help the departed enter the next life. The majority of people that have ever lived have believed in God.
Additionally He himself in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ came into the world to point our way to heaven.
John the apostle wrote,
“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 light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
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 1:1-5, 10-14.
Now I know Atheist and others do not believe the words of John. But then to believe that God created the universe and everything in it. To believe He entered the world He created takes faith.
And to have faith in anything especially God is a very difficult thing to do.
Please think about it.

Creation

Creation
Albert Einstein said,
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
                                                 Albert Einstein.
I listened to a scientist not so long ago that said that not only the solar system but the universe is so fine tuned that it allows life to exist as we know it on planet earth.
He pointed out that not only are we in the perfect position in the solar system to sustain life. But that the stars and other celestial bodies are at the perfect distance from us to allow life to exist.
I do not believe this is by chance. I believe there is a God behind it all. The Bible states.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 
                                                                                                                                  Psalm 19:1.
Einstein and other great scientist have spent their lives trying to figure out the origins of life. As I have read about some of their works, it has strengthened by belief that there is a creator behind it all.
I do not get into the argument as to how long it took God to create the universe. Sixty billion years or six days it makes no difference to my faith. God being all powerful could have done it either way.
My faith is based on the fact that after looking at the world around me and reading the Bible I can see there is a divine creator.
The Apostle Paul speaking in Athens gave a message that I believe is relevant to do day. The book of Acts records,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others”
                                                                                                   Acts 17:22-34.
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:1.
Here is a simple fact. God exists.
The Bible does not debate God. It simply accepts the fact that God exists. Then goes on to ask the reader to believe the same thing.
Through the Bible God asks the reader to believe in Him through faith. The writer of 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.
The apostle Paul making it clear that our salvation is through faith, when he states,
“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
James states,
““...Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.”
            James 2:23b.
To believe in anything by faith alone is a difficult thing. Perhaps the most difficult thing a person can do.
Perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith in Him.
It’s easy to dismiss God by saying you can’t see Him or touch Him. It’s much harder to believe in Him when you can’t see or touch Him.
Many scientist over the years have gone through a similar experience. They have said things exist that they can’t see.
They postulated a theory based on certain things they see that seems to indicate something exists and even though at the time they couldn’t prove it. They had faith in their idea. An idea that was later proven. The theory of black holes is a good example.
So it is with God. We can look around us at the universe and see the perfectness of it. We can see the hand of a creator behind it and we can say there is a God.
Yet still we may not be able to prove it in a tangible way this side of the grave. Such is the nature of faith.
It’s easy to dismiss God. To say that he doesn’t exist simply because you can’t see Him. It’s infinitely harder to believe in a God you can’t see.
I believe one of the reasons God asks us to have faith in Him is because it shows how committed we are to Him.
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
And Faith in God is perhaps the hardest thing to have.
Please think about it.

Of Christians

Of Christians

“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.
The above scripture from the gospel of Matthew says it all. The job of the Christian is to go into all the world make disciples and teach the new converts and anyone else who will listen what Jesus taught.
Jesus did not at any time say go and protest outside of abortion clinics. He never told us to protest against laws that granted people of different lifestyles, races and religions the same rights as us.
Jesus and his followers never protested against the secular civil authorities of Rome.
True he did speak against the wrong practices of Jewish religious leaders of his day. But Jesus was a Jew and had the right to do so. Still even with the religious leadership he never led protests, nor did his disciples.
The early Christian church was persecuted by Jews and Gentiles alike yet the early church never protested demanding their rights.
This is the way Christians should be today. We Christians should be reaching out to the world in love.
Only when our right to worship as we see fit, or the rights of others are being restricted should Christians be protesting the government.
The apostle Paul who suffered persecution under the emperor Nero, one of the most vicious persecutors of Christians said,
“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.” 
                                                                                                                                  Romans 13:1.
The apostle Paul also 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.
Calling all Christians everywhere to refrain from judging those outside the church and keep our own house in order. Reminding us only God has the right to judge people. For only God knows why a person is the way they are. Only God knows the hearts of the individual.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
I agree with him. Sometimes you have to help those you fundamentally disagree with. But in doing so you also build bridges between you and them.
The words of the Apostle Peter are as true today as they were when he wrote them. Peter said,
“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 2:12.
For me a Christian is not just someone who believes Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind. One who has accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. A Christian to me is much more. They are people who are following the teachings 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 calls believers in Him to go 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,”
                                                                                                         Matthew 5: 43,44
The apostle Paul writes,
“On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
      Romans 12:20a.
To be a Christian is to show love and understanding not just to those who agree with you. Those of your faith, but to God, your neighbour whoever he or she may be, as well as to your enemy.
As I a Christian look at those who call themselves Christians here in North America I see many who need to read the bible and the teachings of Jesus again lest they hear 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.

Of Atheist and those who believe in God

Of Atheist and those who believe in God

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 
                                                                      Psalm 14:1.
I listened to a prominent Atheist the other day say there is no God and those who think there is a God should be considered mentally ill. I’ll give him the doubt and say that this man was exaggerating.
This person by all accounts is a very radical atheist. Who attacks Christians in particular. And while I accept the fact that he has his right to say what he says. I don’t however think the man as well educated as he is, has thought things through.
After all in calling people who think there is a God mentally ill, he is saying the majority of the world is mentally ill.
Think about it Christians and Muslims alone, who believe in God, account for over half the worlds population. That’s not counting Hindu’s, Jews and others who believe in God.
Not only that in saying people who believe in God should be considered mentally ill is to say the majority of people in the world or who have ever lived are mentally ill.
Peter John Kreeft a Catholic philosopher said,
“Atheism is cheap on people because it snobbishly says nine out of ten people through history have been wrong about God and have had a lie at the core of their hearts.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
Anyone who says there is no God has in effect set themselves up as judge and jury. They in their opinion know best. If you will, they have made themselves a god of a type.
Atheist say we can’t prove God. That however is not completely true. There are many things scientist can’t prove by seeing things or touching things directly. However they can see the results of what they are looking for.
A good example is black holes. When the theory of Black Holes was first thought of they couldn’t be seen. It took faith to believe they were there. That the theory was correct.
In the same way I cannot see God but from what I see around me I can see the results of His handiwork.
No one can formulate love. We can’t see it or touch it yet we know it exists.
I cannot see sub atomic particles with the naked eye, yet I know they exist because I can perform certain scientific tests that will show me they are there.
Likewise I can look at the universe around me from the biggest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particles and see they are in perfect order. I can see that the universe is set in such away that it allows life as we know it on earth to exist.
That tells me there is a creator behind it all.
As a Christian I know I will never convince the most ardent atheist there is a God. Then as a Christian that is not my job.
My job as a Christian was given to me by Jesus who 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.
That is what I do. I present the teachings of Christ to anyone who will listen. If they believe me, good. If they do not. That is their right. The God I serve, the creator of the universe gave man a free will and that free will allows people to reject God and say that He does not exist.
All I would ask is that anyone reading this would take time to at least read the New Testament with an open mind. Read it and make your own conclusions. Remembering all the time the Bible is a book of faith not science. And God wants us to believe in him through 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
Please think about it.

The Way to Heaven

The Way to Heaven
The gospel of Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
                                                                                                                      Luke 23:39-43.
The above is the account of the crucifixion of Jesus. These are probably the last words the two criminals at least spoke on this earth.
In their conversation with Jesus we see the choice all people everywhere must make.
The one criminal wanted Jesus to prove he was the Christ by getting them down from the cross.
He like many others both then and now wanted some sign from Jesus.
Jesus had given signs. He’d done numerous miracles. He’d even said He and God were one. The gospel of John records.
“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,  and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  
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 10:22-30.
Yet still people did not believe Him.
The other Criminal however did believe in Jesus. He demonstrates to the world how one receives eternal life saying,
“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
                                                                                                  Luke 23:41,42.
This man believed by faith Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. He confessed that he was a sinner being punished justly for his deeds. He then simply asked Jesus to remember him when he came into His kingdom.
To which Jesus said,
“Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
                                                                                                                                Luke 23:43.
 We Christians believe that first and foremost you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. God in the flesh.
Then we believe we must confess our sin to him directly.
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.
The apostle John also tells us,
“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.
Salvation and eternal life with God is a free gift from God.. The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
All we have to do as individuals is go to God in prayer. Confess our sins to God, and believe by faith Jesus is the one and Only Son of God.
The writer of 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.
Please think about it.

Christmas

Christmas
The apostle Luke records,
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  
And everyone went to his own town to register. 
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.... 
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ),  and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
                                                                                      Luke 2:1-7, 21-31.
The Apostle John put things this way,
“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 light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ...
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
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 1:1-5, 10-14.
God became a man. The God that created the heavens and the earth became a man. This is the most fundamental belief of Christianity.
I personally believe it.
I believe the apostle John who wrote,
“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.”
                                                  John 3:16
God loved man so much that He came to this world in the form of Jesus that all who believe in Him should have eternal life.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that eternal life is free. That salvation is through faith in God, faith in Christ. Writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                          Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us,
“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.
I believe this.
 So at this Christmas time as I do every day throughout the year I will worship God.
And as it is Christmas time when we, my family, friends, and all Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I will praise Him all the more.
And while I may not have all the instruments mentioned I will as the Psalmist did,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

 praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                                                                                      Psalm 150.
And that I do not have to think about.
So to all who reads this Christian, or not, may God bless you richly and show you the truth about Jesus Christ this Christmas day, and throughout the coming year.

A Lesson from a Birth

A Lesson from a Birth
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  
For nothing is impossible with God.” 
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” 
     Luke 1:26-38.
Here is if you think about it a remarkable account of an angel telling a young Jewish girl that she would be the mother of the Messiah.
This is one of the core beliefs of Christianity. If not true, Christians around the world are believing a lie.
The writer Luke states at the beginning of his gospel,
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,  just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.  
Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,  so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” 
                                                                         Luke 1:1-4.
We are not entirely sure who Theophilus was but it doesn’t matter. What matters is Luke who is considered by historians to be well educated, put down for us what he found out about Jesus. Luke is believed to have had access to first hand accounts of many of the events.
If what Luke is saying is untrue and Mary was not visited by an angel then like I said Christians are believing a lie.
Likewise if we question the reliability of even one part of Luke’s account of the life of Jesus then it brings all of his account into question.
If Luke is writing a lie then why put into his account the visitation of angels to Mary and indeed Joseph and the shepherds?
Why include throughout his gospel the accounts of miracles and other fantastic events like the resurrection.
The fact is Luke was telling the truth. A truth that Christians present to individuals everyday giving them the choice to believe it or not.
So the question becomes do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

May the Love of Christ come into your heart and life this Christmas season,

 and bless you richly.