Stranger than fiction

Stranger than fiction
The Apostle John writes,
“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.
Someone once said to me, “sometimes you just have to admit that truth is stranger than fiction.”
They were right especially when it comes to God.
As a Christian I believe in God. Not only that I believe God in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ entered the world that He created to show each person the way to heaven.
Deep down I think everyone believes there is a God. Even Atheists.
C. S. Lewis said,

"Atheist express their rage against God 

although in their view He does not exist" 

                                                               C. S. Lewis.

My answer to anyone who gets upset with me for speaking about my belief in God is simple. “If God does not exist why get upset. Something that does not exist cannot hurt you.”
God however does exist.
Werner Heisenberg the father of Quantum Mechanics and winner of the noble prize in physics said,
“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,
but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you" Werner Heisenberg.
The Psalmist writes,

“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.

We only have to look at the world around us. Everything from the largest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particle is designed to allow life as we know it to exist. This tells me there is a Creator God behind it all.
The apostle John who not only believed in God but knew Jesus personally speaking of Jesus, said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13 
This gives life meaning to me.
The choice however is yours.
Please think about it. 

The Absence of Love

The absence of Love
The apostle John wrote,

“Whoever does not love does not know God, 

because God is love.” 

                              1 John 4:8

Some people who don’t believe in God have made the statement that if God created everything He also created evil.
I believe God did in fact create everything including man to which he gave a freewill. He however did not create evil.
Albert Einstein is accredited with saying,

“Does cold exist?

In fact, cold does not exist.

 According to the laws of Physics, 

what we consider cold 

is in reality the absence of heat.

Does darkness exist?

Darkness does not exist either. 

Darkness is in reality the absence of light. 

 Light we can study, but not darkness.

Evil does not exist.

 It is just like darkness and cold. 

God did not create evil.

Evil is the result of what happens 

when man does not have God's love present in his heart. 

                                                                            Albert Einstein (1879-1959)  

Please think about it.

You will find Him

You will find Him
In the book of Deuteronomy we read.
“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 4:29.
When someone tells me they don’t believe in God, or God doesn’t exist. I ask the question; have you truly searched for God?
Most people I know who don’t believe in God have not truly read the Bible. Either that or they’ve made up their mind that, since they can’t see or touch God physically he doesn’t exist.
C. S. Lewis said,
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
Blaise Pascal said,
“Belief (in God) 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
Pascal also wrote,
“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.” Blaise Pascal.
It is my hope that for you the reader there is enough light in your faith to see God.
That being said, what I would say to anyone who does not believe in God, is give God a chance to reach out to you. Read the Bible particularly the New Testament. Read it with an open mind. Praying asking God to show Himself to you.
It can’t hurt.
Please think about it.

Within you

Within you,
In the Gospel of Luke we read,
“Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,' or ‘There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."Luke 17:20,21.
Now while I firmly believe Jesus will come to this earth one day to judge the world and to rule the nations of the world. I also believe what Jesus said here.
“...the kingdom of God is within you.”
The apostle Paul writing
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  2 Corinthians 5:17.
If our commitment to Christ Jesus is true then we do become a new creation. We look at people from the point of view of Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul writes,
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” 2 Corinthians 5:16.
The apostle John writes,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John 4:7-10.
It is my belief if someone is a believer in Christ Jesus they will show what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirt. Paul writing,
“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 
So my question to you the reader. If you claim to be a true follower of Christ Jesus are you exhibiting the fruits of the spirit? Are you truly showing unconditional love to those around you?
Please think about it.

The Law of the Lord

The Law of the Lord
The Psalmist writes,

The law of the Lord is Perfect; 

it gives new strength.

The commands of the Lord are trustworthy,

giving wisdom to those who lack it.

The laws of the Lord are right,

and those who obey them are happy.

The commands of the Lord are just

and give understanding to the mind.

Reverence for the Lord is good'

it will continue for ever.

The judgements of the Lord are just;

they are always fair.

They are more desirable than the finest gold;

they are sweeter than the purest honey.

They give knowledge to me, your servant;

I am rewarded for obeying them. 

                                                                  Psalm 19:7-11 (good news bible).

The Bible is a book not just for yesterday but for today. Within its pages lie truths and wisdom that are universal. Here in Psalm 19:7-11 the psalmist tells us Gods word,
1. Gives us strength.
2. Gives wisdom to those who lack it.
3. The Law of the Lord is right and those who obey them are happy.
4. God’s commandments are just and give understanding to the mind.
5. Reverence for the Lord is a good thing.
6. God’s judgements are just and always fair.
7. All of these things are more desirable than the finest gold.
Jesus said,
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.
I firmly believe that God must come first in our lives. That we should seek His face and seek our His wisdom for living on a daily basis.
In order to do that we must Pray and Study the Bible daily. For in doing so God will show himself to us and grant to us the wisdom we need for each day.
Please think about it.

God

God
The Prophet Isaiah writes,

"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.”

                                                              Isaiah 40:28.

God exists I have no doubt about that. And frankly I don’t debate His existence or that He created the universe and everything in it.
The Psalmist writes,

"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

For me it doesn’t make any difference if God made the heavens in six twenty-four hour days or started it all with the big bang and let it develop over billions of years. The numbers mean nothing. God is almighty and could have done it either way.
The fact however that the Earth is in the perfect position in the universe to sustain life as we know it tells me there is a Creator God behind it all.
Still the Bible is a book of faith not science and we must always remember that.
Galileo Galilei said,

“The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, 

not the way the heavens go.”

                                       Galileo Galilei.

He is right. The purpose of the Bible is to show people how to get to heaven. The writers of the Bible were believers and accepted by faith, without question the existence of God.
The apostle John writes,
"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.
What John here is asking those who believe in God (or for that matter those who do not believe in God) is to, by faith, believe that the God who created the universe and everything in it, entered it in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ. Who’s purpose was and still is today to offer forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
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
Thus my question to you the reader; Do you believe in God? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Saviour of Mankind?
Please think about it.

In full View

In full View
In the book of Proverbs we read,

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths.” 

                                           Proverbs 5:21.

Here is something even Christians seem to forget many times. We fail to remember that God is watching us.
I firmly believe that if we remembered this more often Christians would not say and do many of the things they do.
That’s not to say God is ready to bash us with a big stick every time we do something He disapproves of. Quite the contrary God is a loving God, who cares for us.
In Deuteronomy we read,
"For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath." Deuteronomy 4:31.
The apostle John writes,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John 4:7-10.
Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for your life. Sin is doing things wrong deliberately and refusing to admit to those sins before God.
God give everyone a lifetime to come to repentance. To admit we are sinners and turn to him. The apostle John stating,
"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 Peter writes,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
Thus my question to you, especially if you are a believer in Christ Jesus; Have you any unrepentant sin in your life?
Please think about it.

Do your pray for

Do you pray for
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
       But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  1Timothy 2:1-4.
Someone once said to me “why should I pray for a dictator who brings hardship on people? Why should I pray for rulers that live unethical lives? Leaders who are immoral?
Especially why should I pray for my enemies?
Paul makes it clear why we should pray for those in authority. He states, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” When we live peaceful and quiet lives it is easier to spread the gospel.
We should also be praying for the salvation of our political leadership.
As for praying for our enemies. We should be praying for their salvation. That God will change their heart. That they would let us live our lives in peace.
The apostle Paul writing about Jesus said,
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:9-11.
Every leader of every country like every other person that has ever lived will one day bow before Jesus and confess that He is Lord.
Every leader, as will every person will be judged by God for their deeds in this life. The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
"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." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
As Christians we have a duty to tell the world about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. That extends to all walks of life from the poorest person living on the street, to the richest man in the world, to all those in authority over us.
Thus my question to you the reader. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus;
Do you pray for your political leaders?
Do you pray for your boss at work?
Do you pray for your enemy?
Do you pray for peace and freedom that the gospel of Christ may spread more easily?
Please think about it.

One Law Giver

One Law Giver
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbour?” James 4:10-12.
James here makes it clear we are not to sit in judgement of anyone. He makes it clear that there is “only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” that person being God.
The reason we have no right to judge someone, particularly when it comes to where they will spend eternity, is we do not know why a person is the way they are. We do not know what is truly on a persons heart.
Jesus himself 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.
Judgement is a two edged sword. If we pass judgment on others we are giving them the right to judge us. After all Jesus told us,
“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.
If you believe what Jesus is saying. In judging someone you are giving them the right to judge you.
Please think about it.

My job is to love

My job is to Love
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.  
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:5-10.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be careful what we say. What we say has the power to bring people closer to God or push them away.
When the gay pride parade was on in Toronto I was at a meeting of Christian believers unrelated to the pride parade. At the meeting someone got up and started to put down the LGBTQ community. The way it was said made it sound that if they didn’t aline their way of life with Christians it was wrong. It made it sound that they had a ‘special sin’.
With people saying this kind of thing is it any wonder members of the LGBTQ community are reluctant to enter a church?
The whole incident left me shaking my head.
We here in Canada live in a multicultural secular democracy that allows all faiths and lifestyles to exist in harmony along side one another.
In many ways we are like the Roman empire that embraced many cultures and faiths. That allowed people of different beliefs to interact. A good example of this was the apostle Paul speaking in the Areopagus in Athens.
The people who invited Paul to speak did not believe as Paul did. Yet they heard him speaking about his faith in the market square and asked him to speak.
They, I’m sure did this because Paul was not speaking out against their faith or their lifestyle. Paul was simply presenting the gospel message in as pure a way as he knew how to.
So it should be today in 2020.
The way I see it a great light is shining on those who believe in Christ Jesus. The world is watching and we need to tame our tongue.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,
“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4.
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.
He did not tell us to judge and condemn anyone who’s faith or lifestyle was different from ours. He said make disciples. Teach them to obey everything he as commanded us to do.
Billy Graham the late American Evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

If we remember this and present to gospel of Christ in a loving way we will win far more people to Christ than we will condemning someone because of their faith, their way of life, or their lifestyle.
  Please think about it. 

What good is it?

What good is it?
James that half brother of Jesus wrote,
"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
What does your faith produce?
Do you do your best to help those around you?
Have you ever helped in a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food bank?
Have you ever put a money into the hat of someone begging on the side walk?
I know not everyone is cut out to help in homeless shelters, soup kitchens or food banks, but we can all do something. It takes very little effort to drop some money into the hands of someone begging on the street.
I know some people say giving to someone begging on the street encourages them to continue to do it, or worse they’ll only spend it on drugs.
While that may be so. There are those who are homeless that will use the money they receive for food and essentials.
Homelessness is a world wide phenomena. While we hear about the famine and refugee crisis around the world, which we should try to help if we can. We also need to remember those who are near to us.
Every major city in the world has people who live on the streets for a myriad of reasons. Many who live and work in the cities of the world pass them without a thought.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should however notice them and do what we can for them.
Now I’m not saying drop a dollar or two into the hat of everyone you see begging on the street. Most people can’t afford that. But every bit helps. Give a dollar hear and there. Give to reputable charities who help the needy. Encourage your church congregation to at the very least give something to the needy.
Please think about it.

Speak and Act

Speak and Act
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.
We as believers will be held accountable to God. God expects us to live up to His standards. We must always remember that God will judge us.
We must remember that if we judge someone without showing mercy we will not be shown mercy by God. As 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.
We must remember what the apostle Paul said,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
God showed his kindness and love to us and this is the same way we must be. We must love all those we come in contact with.
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 told us,
"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, 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 all boils down to, 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.
Think of it this way. If you are a Christian knowing what you as a Christian about Christ, would you, if you didn’t know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Would you not want someone to tell you about Jesus and the consequences of not knowing Him?
Please think about it.