God Exists

God exists
In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                    Genesis 1:1.

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers and believers need no convincing when it comes to the existence of God.
The Bible does however say,

"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

Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century is quoted as saying,
"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
"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.
Louis Pasteur said,
"A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him... The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed by the work of the Creator" Louis Pasteur. 
All of that being said belief in God is an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"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.

Having faith in anything is very hard for many people. Yet scientist do it all the time. They look into the universe and theorise that something exists or is happening that they at that moment can’t really see. Then go on to believe what they have theorised until it is proved or disproved by scientific observation. Many scientist like Albert Einstein never lived to see their theories proved yet they believed in them.
So it is with those of us who believe in God. We have read the Bible, and looked around us and are sure God exists and if He doesn’t we have lost nothing. As Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it. 

Do you believe this?

Do you believe this?

The psalmist states,

"I wait for the LORD, 

my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." 

                                                             Psalm 130:5.

Is your hope in the Lord?
The Prophet Isaiah wrote,

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The Lord is everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tiered or weary, 

and his understanding no one can fathom. 

He give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. 

Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;

 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles;

 they will run and not grow weary 

they will walk and not faint." 

                                         Isaiah 40: 28-31.

If you are truly a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Warning

Warning
In the book of Obadiah we read,
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head.” Obadiah 1:15.
Here is a warning to all people presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, politicians, religious leaders, and the average person. “Your deeds will return upon your head”
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
You could take Matthew 7:12 this way. If you are harming others then it could be assumed you want others to harm you. If you are doing anything bad to others, then it could be interpreted that you want bad things to happen to you. As Obadiah said, “...As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head”
Jesus told this parable within which is a warning. He said,
“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.’ Luke 16:19-26.
Jesus when asked,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
Matthew also recording Jesus as saying,
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'  
      But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." Matthew 5:43,44.
So if you consider yourself a Christian are you doing to others what you would have others do to you?
When you stand before God what will He say to you?
Please think about it.

No other gods

No other gods
In the book of Exodus we read,
"You shall have no other gods before me."Exodus 20:3.
This verse in Exodus is perhaps the most forgotten verse in the Bible here in North America.
North America is full of God’s. God’s even those calling themselves Christians worship. God’s like consumerism, money, political parties and political leaders. Even Christian leaders or men and women calling themselves Christian leaders.
 In the United States many even put the constitution and the bill of rights ahead of or equal to God. This should not be so.
While Christians in the United states have wonderful freedoms, and the United States constitution and bill of rights are noble documents. They are not equal to the Bible in any way. And the Bible never promised Christians any form of rights, within any nation or society on earth.
  If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, you need to look at what you worship. At what you put ahead of God or equal to Him.
Jesus said,
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.  
God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24.
So my questions to you if you claim to be a Christian is;
1/ Do you put anything ahead of God?
2/ Do you truly worship God in Spirit and in truth?
Please think about it.

A Religious Effigy

A religious Effigy
Jesus speaking to his followers said,
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven Matthew 5:13-16.
Some time ago I came across a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday. It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with fire and brimstone.
The world cannot go on the way it is.
Never in the history of human kind as there been a greater need for the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus. Sadly however at least where I live here in North America the Church it seems has become a religious effigy of what it should be. The salt has lost its saltiness, the light is under the bowl and people are potentially going to hell because of it.
Sadly many in society to day think little about God and the salvation offered by Christ Jesus. Many in our society see what the apostle Paul saw when he wrote to Timothy.
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4.
Those outside the church see a church looking inward. A Church that passes judgement on them without getting to know them.
Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus. Have you become a religious effigy of what a Christian should be. Or are you presenting the Gospel of Christ, the hope of mankind, with love and understanding to others.
Please think about it.

God's word or yourself?

God’s word or yourself?
The Apostle Paul writes,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2Corinthians 5:17.
Are you a new creation?
Billy Graham the American evangelist in a reference to Christ’ disciples said, 
"The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same." Billy Graham.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus is your life turned right side up? OR are you mixing your old life and the things of this world with the teachings of Jesus?
The more I look at people who are claiming to be Christians here in North America, be they in the pulpit, in the media or in the pew, I sadly see a mixing of secularism and Christianity. This is true of all denominations.
Even those claiming to be evangelical fundamentalist are mixing their faith, their politics and secular teachings. Twisting God’s word to conform to their beliefs. Believing only what they want to believe. Making God’s word of little or no effect. This is something the apostle Paul warned about when he 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.
St. Augustine wrote,

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, 

and reject what you don't like,

 it is not the gospel you believe,

 but yourself.” 

                                   St Augustine.

So if you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, are you believing the Bible or only what you what to believe in it?
Please think about it.

Are You?

Are you?
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.
This is what Christians call the great commission. Christ telling his disciples and through them all believers in Christ Jesus to make disciple of all nations.
In order to do this effectively we must follow the teachings of Christ.
1. We must love. Jesus when asked,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.
2. We must not judge anyone especially if they are not believers in Christ Jesus, Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                       Billy Graham

3. We must obey the words of Jesus who said,

"So in everything, 

do to others

 what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" 

                                                            Matthew 7:12.

It is only by remembering these three things that we can be effective witnesses of Christ.
   It is only by making these three scriptures active in our daily life that we will win souls for Christ.
If you claim to be a Christian are you living the truths of these three scriptures in your daily life?
Please think about it.

What comes out of your mouth?

What comes out of your mouth?
Jesus said,
"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.'  
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  
These are what make a man ‘unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.' " Matthew 15:17-20.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have an obligation to watch what we say and do. Jesus in the above quoted scripture tells us it is not what we eat, what we put in our bodies that make us unclean it is what comes out of our mouths.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                         Francis of Assisi

I am reminded of a news story of a bakery owned by people claiming to be Christian. The owners of which would not bake a wedding cake for a same sex marriage. They said it was their right not to make the cake as they believed homosexuality to be a sin. These people I’m certain, probably without realizing it pushed that gay couple away from Christ.
And the owners of the bakery are not alone. There are many Christians who will not have anything to do with those of a different lifestyle or faith. Which is precisely the opposite of what Jesus would do. Jesus sat with sinners Mark’s gospel tells us,
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
In Acts chapter ten we read of the apostle Peter’s encounter with the Roman centurion  Cornelius. ‘Technically’ Peter, a Jew, should according to the law not have sat with him, but God showed Peter it was the right thing to do. God in a vision telling Peter,
"The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Act's 10:15.
As a result Peter went to the house of Cornelius. While speaking to him Peter said,
"He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." Acts 10:28.
The ultimate result of this encounter was that not only Cornelius but his family and close friends came to accept Christ as their Saviour.
So my question to you the reader is. If you claim to be a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus, are your words and deeds leading to the Salvation of those around you or are they pushing people away?
Please think about it.

Which world

Which world
Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 said,
“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’” Matthew 4:4.
To my way of thinking Jesus and the writer of Deuteronomy is making it clear. Individuals are spiritual beings. We cannot live on the things of this world alone. They will never truly fill that longing in mans heart.
I know a lot of people that buy a new car every few years. Their old one still works well but they like to get a new version every few years. Likewise people especially here in the west like to up grade their electronic devices every few years even if the old one works well. It’s the same with fashion many people are constantly throwing away perfectly good clothing in order to get the latest fashion.
Our materialistic society calls out from every corner telling us in order to feel good and look good we need the latest thing. If we just get the latest thing not only will we impress those around us but it will make us feel good.
Now there is nothing wrong with owning the latest things. The problem comes when we think that will give us lasting happiness and the things of this world is all there is.
Things are just that, inanimate objects, that offer little comfort when things go wrong. You can have all the money you’ve ever wanted. All the material possessions you’ve ever dreamed of, but when hard times come they are of little comfort.
This world, this life we live is fleeting. We live but a handful of years. Then all that we have gained in this world says here while we move on to the next.
One day we will all stand before God. If you don’t believe me you can wait and see. The trouble is at that point it will be too late. We must believe in God in this world in order to enter heaven. 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
The writer telling us,
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1.
The apostle Paul said,
“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.
As a Christian I believe that it is through belief in the saving grace that come through Jesus Christ God’s One and Only Son. That we get to heaven. Jesus speaking of 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.  
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 choice however is yours. C. S. Lewis wrote,
“If you live for the next world you get this one in the deal; but if you live for this one, you lose them both." C. S. Lewis.
So my question becomes, which world are you living for?
Please think about it.

Live good lives

Live good lives
The apostle Peter states,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Do you do this?
Many years ago I was told by my first pastor to memorize the words of Jesus who said,

“So in everything,

 do to others what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                                                         Matthew 7:12.

He told me if you sincerely believe what Jesus is saying you will always remember to present the gospel of Christ in a respectful manner to all who will listen.
In following these words of Christ you will find yourself respecting those of different faiths, lifestyles, and positions in life.
Not only that you will find yourself being respected by others. And those who have the respect of others find it easier to present the gospel of Christ to non-believers.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Please think about it.

Put it this way

Put this way
Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, said,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

Matthew 7:12.

Put this way in the year 2019 this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

Put it this way in the year 2019 this means,

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

Put it this way in the year 2019 this means,

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

Put it this way in the year 2019 this means,

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

And you might not like their faith.

Put it this way in the Year 2019 this means,

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

Put it this way in the year 2019 this means,

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,

unconditionally!

Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied:

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’ 

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: 

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22:36-40.

Jesus also said to all who believe in Him,
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  
Do to others as you would have them do to you. 
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.  
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.  
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.  
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27-36.
Please think about it. 

To the Lukewarm

To the Lukewarm
The book of Revelations records Christ speaking to the Church at Laodicea. A Church referred to as the Lukewarm Church.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:14-22
Here Jesus addresses a church that thinks it is doing well. It is a rich church that thinks it needs nothing. In reality it is as Jesus puts it, it is,
“Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
As someone once told me in deep need of spiritual healing.
The call of Jesus is to turn to Him that they may receive that healing.
Churches and individuals today especially I find here in North America think they are rich. They may be in a material sense rich. They are however if you look closer at them spiritually “Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” They need deep spiritual healing.
They need to turn to God. To pray and study God’s word as often as they can. They need to take the teachings of the Scriptures to heart.
Jesus tells us,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelations 3:20.
One thing I have learned over the years is that no matter how close we think we are to Jesus we can get even closer. We must never think because we appear to be rich that we are.
Just because we may appear to be rich especially in a material sense does not mean we are spiritually rich.
Our cry to God should always be “Draw me closer to you Lord.”
Please think about it.