An Eternal bet

An eternal bet

The psalmist writes,

"You are my refuge and my shield; 

I have put my hope in your word."

                                                        Psalm 119:114.

Here is a simple thought. There are many in this world who say there is no God. I respect their beliefs.
That being said I believe there is a God who loves us. The creator of heaven and earth. A God who entered the world He created in the form of His one and only Son Jesus.
If I am wrong I have nothing to fear. 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.
Thus my question to you the reader; Where have you placed your bet?
Please think about it.

I will give thanks

I will give thanks
The Psalmist writes,

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness 

and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” 

                                                                                        Psalm 7:17.

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” 

                                                                      Psalm 9:1,2.

In the book of Joshua we read,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15.
I’m with Joshua on this one. I will praise God and serve God with my whole heart. I will tell the world about God, and the saving grace that comes through His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.
When it comes to those around me what they do with respect to God is up to them.
God has given every person on the earth freedom of choice. That includes believing in God. Thus it is up to you the reader to decide who you will follow.
Please think about it.

If we confess

If we confess
The Apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
This is a key statement of Christianity. It is very simple.
1/ Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord.
2/ Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.
3/ Everyone who calls on the name of The Lord will be saved.
Thus my question to you the reader is; do you believe this?
Before you answer the question however, I would ask that you take time to read The New Testament. Then decide for yourself based on what is presented there whether or not Jesus is what Christians say he is.
Please think about it.

The Lord Lives

The Lord Lives
The psalmist writes,

"The LORD lives! 

Praise be to my Rock!

 Exalted be God my Saviour!" 

                                                       Psalm 18:46.

As a believer in God. As a believer in Christ Jesus I have no doubt God exists and that He entered this world He created in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus.
I believe the Psalmist when he says,

“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.

Science tells me the universe has a beginning. Science tells me that everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the greatest galaxy are interconnected. Science tells me that we are at the perfect position not just in the solar system but in the universe for life to exist as we know it. All of this indicates to me there is a creator of the universe and everything in it.
That being said when it comes to believing in God it takes a leap of faith. A leap God wants us to take. 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 defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                                          Hebrews 11:1

I personally believe God wants us to make that leap of faith because having faith in anything is exceptionally hard for most people. As a result those who have faith especially in things they cannot see are the strongest of believers.
Thus my question to you; Do you have the faith to believe in God?
Please think about it.

Think about it.

Think about it.
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.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers and believers do not debate his existence. Even though they cannot physically see God they have faith He exists.
The psalmist states,

“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.

Science done right I believe will show the existence of God. We know the universe has a beginning. Not only that we know that everything in the universe from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy are linked.
Even Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of our time stated,
“The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us" Stephen Hawking. 
Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics wrote,
“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.
Another Nobel prize winners in Physics William Philips, wrote,
“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it”William Philips.
God is real, whether you want to believe in Him or not. As 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.
When it comes to God however it is up to you. In making mankind God did not make robots. He created living beings with a freewill to choose to believe and do what they wish.
God will never force His will upon you.
Jesus however talking about himself gave us a warning stating,
"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.
Please think about it.

In Joy sold everything

In Joy sold everything.
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.” Matthew 13:44. 
Here we have in a nutshell what is like for those who finds the love an grace of Jesus Christ. When an individual comes the realization that Jesus is the way the truth and life.
That he is the way to heaven.
Such a person is willing to give up everything. His way of life. His friends and even his family if necessary.
Becoming a believer in Christ Jesus is a big step. Many believers in Jesus around the world today are forced by non-believing family to never contact them again. Some are forced to leave their home village or town. Some even have to leave their country of birth. 
Still others are persecuted, beaten, put in jail, even murdered.
It is said that one Christian dies for their faith somewhere in the world every seven minutes.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
Yet it is still growing. Believers in Christ truly believing and rejoicing that they have found the way to heaven. Rejoicing in the fact that they have found the one thing on this earth that has eternal value.
Thus my question to you the reader; do you believe Jesus is truly the way to heaven?
Before you answer the question, I would ask that at least take time to read the New Testament and see what it says about Jesus. Then make your decision.
Please think about it.

Stands forever

Stands forever
                  Isaiah the prophet wrote,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

but the word of our God stands forever." 

                                                      Isaiah 40:6-8.

An anonymous poet writes,

“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,

"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"

"Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.”

                                                                           Anonymous.

Over the centuries there have been many men, some, the most powerful on earth, who have said there is no God.
Some countries today even try to wipe out belief in God. They persecute, imprison, and even murder Christians for simply believing in something they say does not exist. Yet despite this believers in Christ, believers in God still continue to believe.
Every one of Christ’ apostles except John suffered a martyrs death. Yet the gospel message continued.
During the early days of Christianity two apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin a Jewish religious court of the day.  Some members of the court wanted to put them to death for what they had said.
A wise man. A Pharisee named Gamaliel standing before the Sanhedrin however said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38,39.
I think the fact that believers in Christ Jesus, Christians are still around today, and are increasing in numbers despite persecution, shows they are from God. And those who would try to wipe Christians out are fighting against God.
As 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.
Please think about it.

Love Mercy

Love Mercy
In the book of Micah we read,
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.
From the actions of some Christians I would conclude that they do not act justly, do not love mercy and fail to walk humbly with God. Certainly many non-Christians would agree with me.
Many calling themselves Christians seem to be constantly yelling about the sins of the world when it is not their place to do that.
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

It is the job of all believers in Christ Jesus to reach out to the world around them with the saving grace of Christ Jesus. We cannot do this if we are not acting justly. If we don’t show mercy. If we are not showing love.
Matthew’s gospel records,
"While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:10-13.
Many calling themselves Christians today are acting exactly like those pharisees. As a result they will never reach people for Christ.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16.
I think the true believer in Christ Jesus needs to see themselves a “the worst of sinners” saved by the mercy and grace of God.
If they did at the very least it would humble them before God and man and help them better minister the gospel of Christ to those around them?
Please think about it.

Not because of our Righteousness

Not because of our righteousness.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
C. S. Lewis writes,
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  C.S. Lewis.
As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus, we believe that you cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That you cannot work your way to heaven.
We believe that God knowing this, entered the world he created in the form of his One and Only Son Jesus Christ to provide us away to heaven. That it is by the grace of God through Jesus Christ that we get to heaven.
The apostle Paul 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 New Testament makes it clear how we get to heaven. Quoting Jesus as saying,
“...I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
"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.
All of this however requires faith. 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 defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                               Hebrews 11:1.

Thus the question become do you believe this?
Please think about it.  

Be willing to

Be willing to
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between a rich man and Jesus,
"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 
"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.''" 
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22 
Want to be a true believer in Christ Jesus? Then you must be willing to give up everything.
Following Christ can be easy if you have your wealth to fall back on as a safety net. It however is not so easy if you have no financial safety net.
This man that came to Jesus believed there was a God. He even followed the ritual set down for him in the law.
His problem was he didn’t have the faith to give all his riches up and follow Jesus by faith. Leaning on God to supply all of his needs.
It’s the same today. There are people within the church who are not willing to give up their wealth and materially good lifestyle in order to follow Jesus.
The apostle Paul states what every true believer should agree with when he writes,
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19.
If you are wealthy, you may not be called on to give up all you have to follow Jesus but you should be willing to do so.
Thus my question to you; are you willing to give up everything you have to follow Christ?
Please think about it.

About the poor

About the poor
In the book of Leviticus we read,
" ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.
Leaving the fruit that had fallen and not going to the very edge of the field or not going over the field a second time left food for the poor to eat.
As one of my friends said it was perhaps the earliest recorded social safety net.
God wants us to look out for each other. It goes back to what 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.
We should to the best of our ability be looking out for those who are less fortunate around us. There are many reasons people are poor. Many reasons people are on the street. Everything from simply not being able to earn enough money to rent a home, to drug addiction, to mental illness and more.
Why they are on the street, or poor, or taking drugs, should be of no concern to true believers in Christ Jesus. To true Christians.
As Billy Graham the American evangelist put it,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                            Billy Graham

It is our job as far as possible to love and help those in need in the name of Christ Jesus.
Jesus said,
"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.'" Matthew 25:40
Thus my question to you; are you doing what you can when you can for those less fortunate?
Can you do more?
Please think about it.

A warning to the rich and powerful

A warning to the Rich and Powerful
Jesus told this story,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31
The Jesus and indeed all the gospel writers talked about relationships. About ones relationship with God and with ones relationship with ones fellow man.
In the above scripture Jesus tells of a rich man who could have made a difference in a poor man’s life. He could have shown compassion on the poor man. Given him something to eat, but chose not to.
This rich man seems to have ignored or not believed in God. He certainly didn’t believe he would face consequences for his actions.
Jesus who said,
"Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
By not helping the poor man and letting him suffer he was in a sense saying that’s how he wanted to be treated. Which is what happened according to the story Jesus told.
In the next life he was suffering while the poor man was at peace.
This story should serve as a warning to anyone in a position of power. Anyone who has the ability to help those in need.
It is saying while you may enjoy the good life here in this world. While you may disregard the needs of the poor and not help them. You will be held accountable when you stand before God.
Please think about it.