I Believe

I Believe
The apostle Peter wrote,
“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" 1 Peter 2:9.
For me as a Christian I see this advice from the apostle Peter as one of the cornerstones of my faith. 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 the job of the Christian of believers in Christ Jesus to tell the world about Him and the saving grace that comes from belief in Christ Jesus.
We are not to force our beliefs or even our morals on others. We are to present the gospel message to anyone who will listen and let them make the decision about Jesus.
   The Apostles Creed while not written by one of Jesus’ apostles sums up what I and other believers in Christ Jesus believe. I present it here for you to consider.

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.
12. I believe in life everlasting. 

Thus the question I would ask you is do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Not Blind

Not blind
The writer of Hebrews makes two simple statements,

"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.

I don’t think faith in anything is simple. I think that is why God asks us to have faith in Him even though we cannot see Him.
For many people having faith in something you cannot see is one of the hardest things in the world to do.
That being said God does not want us to have blind faith. God shows himself in many ways principally in the world around us. 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

Greater minds than mine have pointed out that the world appears to be designed for life as we know it to exist.
  Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of our time wrote,
“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 said,
“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
William Philips Nobel prize winner in Physics stated,
“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it"William Philips.
Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics and Nobel prize winner 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 question however comes down to you the individual. Have you the faith to believe God exists?
Please think about it.

A sermon for the ages

A sermon for the Ages
The book of acts records a sermon of the apostle Paul given to the Greeks in the Areopagus. A place where ideas and beliefs were exchanged in Athens. He was invited there by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. The book of acts states,
"So he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.' 
"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. Acts 17:17-34 
This talk of Paul’s could have been made quite easily at a “Ted Talk” on line today. Pauls Message is one for the ages. It is as relevant to day as it was then.
Even the outcome of what he said happens today when the gospel of Christ Jesus is presented. Some sneer. Others want to hear more. While others believe.
Where do you stand on Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

It's easy... or is it?

It’s easy...or Is it?
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.
According to Paul, Heaven is open to all who would believe in Christ Jesus. That if a person confesses with their mouth Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead, they will be saved.
That being said it is not easy believing what the apostle Paul is saying. Faith defined is

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                             Hebrews 11:1

Many people cannot believe what they cannot see, or feel.
Thus the question is; do you dear reader believe in Christ Jesus?
Have you confessed with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”?
Do you believe in your heard God raised Him from the dead?
Please think about it.

Praise God!

Praise God
The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD;

 let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me; 

let us exalt his name together." 

                                               Psalm 34:1-3.

As Christians I don’t think we praise the Lord enough. True we go to church and sing Gods praises there. But how often do we praise God when we are not in Church?
This morning as I was going shopping I was stopped at a stop light and I heard people praising God. They were sitting in a parking lot socially distancing and singing Gods praise.
      It surprised me but I got to thinking what a wonderful thing to do during this pandemic. They were not only praising God but witnessing to the people and cars that were passing by.
I think believers should do more of this. 
Why not take a few minutes right now to raise your voice and praise God right where you are?
          Please think about it.

Needs

Needs
The apostle Paul wrote,

“And my God will meet all your needs 

according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”

                                                             Philippians 4:19.

I think this is a verse many Christians here in North America forget about. Paul clearly states God will meet all our needs.
Our needs are much different from our wants. We may want a big house, expensive car, jewels, a million dollars. And while it might be nice to have all of these things they are not necessarily necessary.
Sadly here in North America we here preachers saying you need to be healthy and wealthy. Some even going as far as saying if you are not you lack the faith to be saved. Nothing could be further from the truth.
If we put our faith in God even though we go through difficult times He is there for us.
Paul went through a lot in his life. He was stoned, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, eventually put to death for his faith. Yet thorough all this Paul continued to trust God to supply all his needs and God did.
As should we. For trusting in God to supply our needs and seeing those needs met is a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
Thus the question becomes. If you are a Christian do you truly believe God will supply all your needs?
Please think about it. 

Ultimately

Ultimately
The apostle Paul writes,
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
While Paul is addressing the Corinthians here the message is also for us today. Paul was used by God to lay the foundation of the faith the Corinthian believers. But Paul warns no one can lay any other foundation than that already laid.
He points out that if believers try building on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or even straw it will be burned away. Resulting in the person entering heaven by the slimmest of margins.
Jesus said,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” Matthew 16:19-24.
Both Paul and Jesus here are warning Christians not to mix the riches of this world with their faith.
Ultimately the riches of this world will fade away. Everything material possession we have will dissolve away. Only what we have done for God will last.
Please think about it.

Look

Look
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.

Albert Einstein one of the greatest scientist ever to live made an interesting statement. He said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.”

                                                                 Albert Einstein

I have always been of the opinion that science done correctly will show there is a creator behind it all. And science seems to be heading in that direction.
Scientist are looking into nature. They are seeing that everything from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles have all come together to allow life as we know it here on earth to exist.
To me that speaks of a creator.
Einstein noted,

“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. 

We all dance to a mysterious tune, 

intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”

                                                              Albert Einstein.

I don’t know whether or not Einstein believed in God. I do know that his statement about we all being cosmic dust, dancing to a tune played an invisible player is true.
The Bible tells me,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
In other words God created the very cosmic dust that makes up the Earth the Universe and Everything in it.
God is that “invisible player” Einstein spoke of.
Mankind is God’s creation. That being said God in making mankind did not make robots. He made individuals with a freewill to do as they wish.
That includes the right to believe in God or not to believe in Him. I and billions of people like me believe God exists.
I believe in God not out of blind faith. I believe in God because of what I see around me. I have looked at what the Bible says and what science says and find no contradiction. Both point to a creator.
The choice however is up to you. Each individual must decide what they believe and ultimately live with the consequence of their decision.
Please think about it. 

My Shepherd

My Shepherd
The Psalmist writes,

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters, 

He restores my soul.

 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

 your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” 

                                                                          Psalm 23.

This is a promise to all who would believe in God. To all who would believe in Christ Jesus. No matter what we go through God will be with us. In good times and in bad times.
The writer of Proverbs states,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
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.
These are promises that I think many Christians struggle with yet they are promises we must believe in if we are to have peace in our heart and mind.
Do you struggle with letting God be your shepherd? With trusting in God in all your situations?
Why not take a few minutes to pray and ask God to help you trust more in Him?
Please think about it.

Need to Praise

Need to praise.
The Psalmist writes,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                           Psalm 150.

I think it is important for us as believers especially in these uncertain times to lift up our voices and praise God. To remember that God does bless us.
I am blessed to live in Canada where Covid-19 is relatively under control. To make things better I attend a small church that because of its size can meet, socially distance and take all precautions necessary to prevent spread of the illness.
So it just seemed appropriate the other day when our congregation sang,

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

Praise Him all creatures here below. 

Praise Him above ye heavenly host. 

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost." 

There is a lot of changes we must live with during this pandemic. At the same time there are a lot of things that don’t have to change. Principle among them is worshipping God.
You don’t need to meet in a Church building to worship God. All you need to do is lift your voice no matter where you are and give praise to God.
So why not take a few moments right now to praise God?
Please think about it. 

To save souls

To save souls

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.
I am someone who is not in favour of so called ‘hell fire and brimstone’ preachers. I say this because I don’t think yelling and screaming that someone is going to hell bothers non-believers because many times they don’t believe in hell.
In her book To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee writes,
“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.
Harper Lee is right. People calling themselves Christians have probably done as much if not more to turn people away from Christ than those who are not Christians.
In the name of Christ many try to take away the rights or restrict the rights of those they consider morally wrong or those they disagree with. You cannot legislate morality. Nor did Jesus and his disciples ever try to do this.
Jesus and his apostles lived in a society that was as least if not more diverse than our twenty-first century society. Yet they didn’t try to overthrow the Roman government.
Instead they sat down with those they disagreed with and presented the good news of Jesus Christ, much to the dismay it seems of the religious leaders of their day.
From my point of view I believe we as 21st century believers, especially those of us who live in the western democracies need to follow their example.
We need to stop yelling at those we disagree with. Stop telling them they are on the way to hell and point them to heaven.
Jesus speaking of himself said why he came to this earth. John’s gospel recording,
"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.
This is what we a believers in Christ Jesus must always remember. Our job is to save souls for Christ. NOT judge where they will spend eternity for only God knows that.
Please think about it.

Your actions and eternity

Your actions and eternity
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.
I contend that many wealthy people and especially politicians and religious leaders will one day find themselves in the same state as the rich man in this story.
Now being rich is not a sin there are many wealthy Christians who are doing good. The apostle Paul tells us,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
It’s what we do with the money and what emphasis we put on money that can cause us problems.
I believe as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must use the money we have, to at least in some small way, help those around us. I don’t believe we can do anything less.
So the question to you is; if you consider yourself a Christian do you do your best to help the needy around you even if it is just giving to a charity?
Please think about it.