An Invisible Player

An Invisible Player
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 
Stephen Hawking noted,
“It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us,”Stephen Hawking,
Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics has stated,
“Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural’) plan.” Dr. Arno Penzias.
The Bible States,

“In the beginning

God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                 Genesis 1:1.

The New Testament states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
It has been my observation over the years that the one thing scientist and people of faith have in common is faith.
A scientist will study something carefully, come up with a theory as to how it works or was created, then even if at the time he or she cannot prove it, will believe in that theory until it has been proven or proved to be wrong.
Eienstein is a good example some of his theories were not proven correct until after his death.
Scientist also have another thing in common with people of faith. They study their subject carefully to see they have got everything right.
For me, a believer in Christ Jesus that means I study the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament and the world around me in order to see if my belief in God is correct.
The Psalmist wrote,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                               Psalm 19:1-3.

This statement is proven by many scientist that have studied the world around them. The world, the universe we live in has a creator.
Still having said this, I believe each individual needs to be looking for God in order to find him. Faith in God is just that an act of faith. Which is what God wants. The writer of Hebrews telling 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.

Please think about it.

Christians and Atheist Agree

Christians and Atheist Agree.
I came across the following interesting statement the other day it said,
“The one thing Christians and Atheist agree on is that we will not get out of this life alive. Where they differ is what happens after this life is over.” author unknown.
That being said if the Atheist is right then Christians have nothing to fear. If on the other hand the Christian is right in believing the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
Then the Atheist has a lot to fear. As C. S. Lewis put it,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

The Believers Obligation

The Believers Obligation
The great evangelist John Wesley wrote,

Do All the Good You Can

Do all the good you can,

By any means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                             John Wesley.

James the half brother of Jesus wrote to the Church,
“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. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Helping the poor is a Christian precept. There are 2000 verses in the Bible that tell us to care for the poor. Thus if we consider ourselves believers in Christ Jesus we should be helping the poor. It should be part of our lifestyle.
As individuals we should be contributing what we can to food banks and other charities that help the poor.
I firmly believe that we who live in western democracies should even be looking at the politicians we vote for. A politician has a great deal of power. Power that can be used for helping the poor, the homeless and those less fortunate in our society.
As for individual believers in Christ Jesus what better way to serve the Lord and win souls for Christ than helping the poor in the name of Jesus?
The poem I quoted at the top of this article is essentially a sermon in a nutshell urging believers in Christ Jesus to do what is right in the sight of God. Please read it again

Do all the good you can,

By any means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                             John Wesley.

Please think about it.

Christians?

Christians?
Harper Lee in her book to Kill a Mockingbird said,
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)...” Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.
This is completely true.
Throughout the years I’ve seen many calling themselves Christians quoting the Bible as a way to justify their actions. Actions that are not in keeping with the teachings of Jesus. The apostle Paul said there would be people who claimed to be believers in Christ Jesus who were not. People who had turned away from the teachings of Christ. The apostle Paul 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.
Jesus himself said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
It is very easy to go to church, read the Bible and claim you are a Christian. But just because you do so does not mean you are a true believer in Christ Jesus.
Sadly many people around the world claiming to be Christians have caused great harm. They have protested against everything “they” see as wrong. Such people it seems lack Love and compassion for those they protested against.
Believers in Christ Jesus are not meant to protest against anything. Jesus and the apostles did not protest. Nor should we.
As believers in Christ Jesus we are called to show love and compassion to those around us.
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.
I firmly believe we should be known for our love and compassion not for what we are protesting against. 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.
Please think about it.

The Jesus Problem

The Jesus Problem?
John’s gospel quotes Jesus as saying,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6.
This is quite a controversial statement. One debated by Christians and non-Christians around the world. Yet Christians believe the statement to be completely true.
I firmly believe God does not work the way we humans work. God knows better.
Skip Moen wrote of God,
"God does not come to us in nicely defined, rationally explained, thought categories.  God does not fit Himself into our theological text books. The Hebrew God breaks all the rules.  He is near, yet transcendent; clothed in human form, yet holy; more terrifying than can be imagined, yet compassionate; invisible, yet revealed; judging, yet merciful; sovereign, yet humble. No matter where you look, God breaks the molds."  Skip Moen
I have said many times that if we humans were in God’s place we would simply show our power from on high thus ensuring that people at the very least would believe God exists.
God however does not do that. The God we Christians believe in requires us to have faith in Him even if we cannot see Him.
Jesus is quoted in the gospel of John as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18
The writer of Hebrews telling 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.
Faith is an incredible thing. People who have faith in anything will do anything for what they believe in. It is the same for believers in Christ Jesus. Millions in the past and even today are willing to die for their faith in God, their faith in Christ Jesus.
If Jesus is not the Son of God, God incarnate, the Saviour of mankind, then that faith is in vain. Still at the end of their lives they will by following the teachings of Christ lived a good life.
On the other hand if Jesus is all that Christians believe then those who do not believe in Him have a great deal to worry about.
Thus I would ask you the reader to take time and at the very least read the New Testament. If you do not want to read the whole New Testament. Read at least the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Who do you think Jesus is?

Who do you think Jesus is?
Matthews gospel records this conversation between Jesus and the apostle Peter. He notes,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16
John’s gospel records a conversation between Jesus and Martha
“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 11:25,26,27.
John’s gospel also records this incident,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30.
In each of the quotes above the gospel writers makes it clear that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. They even quote Jesus as saying he is one with God. God incarnate.
The New Testament does not shy away from saying who Jesus is. The writer of Hebrews not only says who Jesus is but tells us why he came to this earth. He writes,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Note the writer tells us that Jesus is the exact representation of God. That he provided purification of sins.
True believers in Christ Jesus believe this. The question however becomes do you believe this?
What I would ask of you is to please before you decide who Jesus is, take sometime to read the New Testament and find out what the early followers of Jesus, men who witnessed his life first hand had to say about him?
Please think about it.

Attributes of a Believer

Attributes of a Believer
The apostle Paul states,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
Over the years I’ve been asked how to spot a true believer in Christ Jesus. After all it’s easy to go to church and say you are a Christian and not be one. Additionally Christians are human, at times they get frustrated with people and even lose their temper.
Still that being said I believe true Christians will without saying anything be noted for their life and lifestyle.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

A Christians life will be as the apostle Paul said filled with the fruits of the Spirit,

“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...”

A true believer in Christ Jesus will do their best to live up to the words obey the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone.”

                                           Romans 12:18

Believers in Christ will follow obey the words written by the apostle Peter,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
A believer in Christ Jesus will believe and act on the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians made an important point. He said,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 

the old has gone, the new has come!”  

                                                               2 Corinthians 5:17.

I firmly believe if someone truly accepts Christ into their lives. Their lives will start to change for the better and people around them will notice this without them saying a word.
Please think about it.

Meaning

Meaning
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”Ecclesiastes 1:14
Over the years I have met many men and women who are looking for meaning in life. They have looked for that meaning in wealth, in science, in the arts, even in drugs and alcohol.     Some people even go off to join extremists and terrorist groups all in the hopes of finding meaning for their lives.
Sadly many unable to find meaning in the things of this world and what our secular society has to offer have committed suicide.
They concluded that what the writer of Ecclesiastes stated was right when he said,
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
Looking at this life from man’s prospective. From a secular prospective where all there is, is this life, I can see how someone would think that way. Life quite often dose not seem to have any meaning.
After all what good is it if we acquire vast wealth, and possessions only to loose it all on the day we die?
Atheist tell us there is no God or an after life to which I think Peter John Kreeft answers wisely saying,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning?....
...in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value” Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining life from a human prospective comes to this conclusion,
“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.
The key I believe to finding meaning and peace in this life is belief in God.
C. S. Lewis said,
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”  C.S. Lewis
 Rick Warren said,

“You were made by God and for God, 

and until you understand that, 

life will never make sense.” 

                                             Rick Warren.

Rick Warren is right until you understand that you were made by God and for God life will never make sense.
It is when we realize that life does not end in death. That man is an eternal being who was created by God to live on through eternity that we can truly find meaning in life.
Thomas Aquinas said,
“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.” Thomas Aquinas
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.
Jesus offers to all who will believe in him peace. A peace that reaches to a persons soul. A peace the world cannot take away.
It is a peace that anyone can have if they would simply turn to Jesus in prayer and truly ask Him into their life.
Are you willing to ask Jesus into your life today?
Please think about it.

Receivers of the Word

Receivers of the Word
Matthews gospel records this parable spoken by Jesus,
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  
He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:1-9
Jesus interpreted his parables this way,
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23.
What Jesus is saying is very typical of what happens in our churches today. As well as those who hear the word of God but are not part of the church.
 There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.
There are others who receive the word but the moment persecution or hard spiritual times come, they fall away.
Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth. Their worries in this world taking precedent over their faith in God.
Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.
This latter group I believe also has a responsibility to reach out to the other tree groups. To what they can to bring to a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.
In the book of Jude we read,
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” Jude 1:20-23.
Please think about it,

F. A. I. T. H.

F.A.I.T.H.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                            Hebrews 11:1

“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

For some Christians the word FAITH means,

Forsaking 

All

I 

Take 

Him.

Faith is a very personal thing. You cannot force people to have faith in anyone or anything they must make that decision for themselves.
For a true follower of Christ, faith in Christ means we will follow him to our grave. No matter what the circumstances.
A true believer in Christ understands the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 11-13.
Please think about it.

Let Love

Let Love
The writer of Proverbs states,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name

 in the sight of God and man.”

                                          Proverbs 3:3,4.

Martin Luther King jr. the great American civil rights leader said,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

                                                                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in a December 1942 sermon said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.” Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver.
As believers in Christ Jesus we are called to love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
According to the apostle Paul,

“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.

Love opens a multitude of doors. Without Love for God, our neighbour and even our enemy we cannot effectively present the Gospel of Christ Jesus to the world. For Jesus himself 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.
Please think about it. 

Make Known

Make Known
The writer of Chronicles states,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” 1Chronicles 16:8.
Jesus 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.
It is I believe the job of every believer in Christ Jesus to tell the world about God and the Saving Grace that comes through His One and Only Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
If you are truly a believer in Christ Jesus then your faith in Christ should be the most valuable thing you have. You should want to tell people about your faith.
The apostle Peter said,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’  1Peter 2:9.
Thus the question becomes, If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus is your faith so precious to you that you want to share it with anyone who will listen?
Please think about it.