Yes or No?

 Yes or No?

The Psalmist writes,

"The fool says in his heart,

 "There is no God." 

                                 Psalm 14:1.

The Bible doesn’t debate the existence of God. It was written to believers and believers need no explanation. The Bible does however make some blunt statements about God and individuals. An excellent example being here in Psalm 14:1. 

Whether you believe the statements, the Bible in general, or that God exists is entirely up to you. God never forces you to believe anything. After all he gave you a freewill to do as you wish and that includes believing in Him.

When it comes to believing in God however C. S. Lewis makes this point.

"Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when two atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product the sensation I call thought. But if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It's like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. 

But if I can't trust my own thinking, of course I can't trust the arguments leading to Atheist or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God" C. S. Lewis The case for Christianity. 

Ultimately the choice to follow God is up to you. God will never impose himself upon you nor should anyone who believes in Him. 

Each individual is endowed by God with a freewill to believe and do as they wish. Thus the Choice is yours. 

Do you believe in God yes or no?

Please think about it.

Reason and Warning

 Reason and Warning

In John’s gospel we read of Jesus saying,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

This is the reason Jesus came into this world. To point all who would believe in Him the way to heaven.

Additionally Jesus issues this warning,

“Whoever believes in him (Jesus) 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 3:17.

If what is reported here by the apostle John is to believed, then what is said is to my mind the most important warning in history.

As C. S. Lewis put it,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.

That being said. It is a personal choice. Thus all who hear about Jesus must decide for themselves.

Which dear reader you must decide for yourself; Is what the New Testament says about Jesus true or false?

Please think about it.

A Baseline

 A Baseline

The Psalmist states,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111: 10.

Anyone who has ever lived needs a reference point for their morality and behaviour. If you truly believe in God you have a solid baseline for your morality.

Abba Hillel Silver at the height of World war two wrote,

"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver

As world war two showed when men turn their back on Gods morals millions suffer. 

So here is a question for anyone reading this, be they Christian or not where does your moral baseline come from?

If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus are you morals based on the teachings of Jesus, on the teachings of the Bible.

Please think about it.

Nothing Can

 Nothing Can

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39.

Paul is right. If you truly believe in Christ Jesus. If you are truly dedicated to Him. Nothing in this world or the next will separate you from “the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

We may go through hard time. We may be persecuted, thrown in jail or even murdered. But none of this will separate the true believer in Christ Jesus.

Are you such a believer?

Please think very carefully about it.

One Day

 One day

In the Book of Genesis we read,

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work and that he had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it God rested from His work that He had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3.

Rest. Do you take time to rest and worship God at least once a week? 

Now I’m not going into whether we should rest on the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week or not. I believe it’s up to the individual to decide when they worship God. Ultimately we should I believe show our devotion to God everyday of the week. 

We should put time aside each day to pray and worship God in word, and in song.

That being said we should take one day where we devote the entire day to worshipping God. Preferably without distractions.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to spend time with other believers in praising God and thanking Him for all He as done for us.

Thus my question to you; Do you set a day aside for the worship of God?

If not why not?

Please think about it. 

Something to take to heart

 Something to take to heart? 

Matthews gospel records someone asking Jesus,

"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.

What Jesus is saying here is nothing new. Jesus is echoing the words from the book of Deuteronomy That states,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Anne Frank a young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis during world war two wrote,

"Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don't lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!" Anne Frank.

Sadly in our world today even among some who call themselves Christians, there is a lack of love shown to those around them.

Sadly many Christians particularly here in North America are known for what they are against, or because of their actions are considered judgemental, even bigoted. 

This should not be so. If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus you need to take a look at you life. Take a look at what your words and deeds are doing and ask, “am I truly showing love to those around me, family, friend, and foe alike?

Francis of Assisi wrote a wonderful prayer, all who consider themselves a true follower of Christ Jesus should take to heart and sincerely pray. He wrote,

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." 

                                                                        Francis of Assisi 

Please think about it.

Sadly Christians forget

 Sadly Christians forget

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour." Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly I think Christians forget what is said here. They don’t get wisdom or understanding. Instead they rely too much on others to whom they think are wise and understand things, better than them.

Being a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus is a continuing learning process. A journey in which we should grow day by day. This not only includes studying the scriptures but studying the thing in the world around us. Observing people reading as wide a range of books as we can.

Christian life is not lived in a bubble. It is lived in a world filled with things both for and against what we as believers Christ believe. And the only way we know how to act toward them is by understanding why the world around us is they way it is.

Studying the scriptures in addition to studying the secular world around us, studying human behaviour, science, history, social behaviour or other things makes us wise. And shows us how we can best present the word of God.

If you consider yourself a Christian, when was the last time you studied the scriptures for yourself? When was the last time you looked at the world around you and studied what was happening?

Please think about it.

What are your works saying?

 What are your works saying?

In proverbs we read,

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

 and he examines all his paths.” 

                                                         Proverbs 5:21.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

"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.

Too many Christians today here in North America believe they are saved by the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8) which in their minds means nothing else is necessary. It is true we are saved by grace. But at the same time we must remember that we too will stand before God to answer for our actions.

I firmly believe that our faith should spur us on to do good works. In the book of James we read,

"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.

Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus; What is your works telling those around you? What are they saying to God?

Please think about it.

Are they, Are you?

 Are they, Are you?

Jesus notes,

"Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:22,23.

I believe there are many men and women claiming to be Christians in this world who are in for a big shock when they stand in front of God. They will hear the words “away from me, you evildoers!”

Many calling themselves Christians especially here in North America are not Christians. They are not correctly following the teachings of Jesus. 

These people claim to be prophesying in the name of Jesus. They claim to be driving out demons and performing miracles, but they are not.

It is such people that individual Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, need to beware of. Jesus warned, 

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:15-20.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to take a very close look at the pastors, evangelist and other teachers we follow. We need to hold them to account by asking how they spend the money they give. We need to ask them to prove that the people they claim to heal are really healed.

Sadly few ask these questions. Even sadder is when these false prophets and teachers are proven to be false, many still chose to follow them. Choosing to believe the lie rather than the truth.

Thus my question to you; Are you following false teachers? Have you looked at the lives and teachings of those pastors, evangelist and teachers you support?

Have you looked at your relationship with Christ Jesus and asked the question, am I following Jesus and presenting the gospel message to the best of my ability?

Please think about it.

The gates of hell will not prevail

 The gates of hell will not prevail

The Psalmist writes,

"The fool says in his heart, 

"There is no God." 

                                     Psalm 14:1

C.S. Lewis said of Christianity,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.

For me I believe there has to be something to Christianity. We are a people who preach peace, love and living in harmony with our fellow man. We present to those who will listen to us the way we believe you get to heaven. Then leave it up to the individual to decide for themselves if we are right or wrong. 

A true Christian will never force their faith on anyone.

That being said if Christianity is untrue. If God does not exist why are governments such as North Korea putting Christians in forced labour camps?

Why wont Saudi Arabia allow people to convert to Christianity? 

Why are atheist in the United States trying to get Christian symbols out of schools and other public places?

It seems to me if there is nothing behind the Christian faith then the symbols and practices of Christianity are meaningless.

Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, (361-363 A.D.)  an ancient adversary of Christianity. Said in his work against Christianity:

“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”

At the end of his life Julian was forced to say: “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”

Over the centuries many men and governments have come against Christianity yet none have prevailed. 

Christianity is stronger today than it has ever been and it is still growing even in countries that try to suppress it.

It continues to grow because it is of God, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Think about it.

Where?

Where?

        The apostle Paul writes,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

Lucian, Greek rhetorician, pamphleteer, and satirist. (born ad 120, Samosata, Commagene, Syria died after 180, Athens) said of Christians,

"These deluded creatures, you see, have persuaded themselves that they are immortal and will live forever, which explains the contempt of death and willing self-sacrifice so common among them. It was impressed on them too by their lawgiver that from the moment they are converted, deny the gods of Greece, worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws, they are all brothers...." Lucian.

Lucian like many today do did not believe in Christ. But he definitely described what Christians believe.

I've heard Christian friends of mine say Christians can't loose. 

"We may get beat up, tortured, even thrown to lions but we can't loose.

We believe that we are immortal as is everyone ever born. The difference between Christians and none-Christians is that when this life is over, we are certain where we will spend eternity."

We believe that in accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour we will one day be with him in heaven.

Where will you spend eternity?

Please think about it.

The Sower

 The sower

Jesus told this parable

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  

He who has ears, let him hear.”   Matthew 13:1-9.

Jesus seldom interpreted his parables but he does this one and as he does it better than me thus I give you his interpretation,

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23.

This interpretation is very typical of what happens in our churches today. There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.

There are others who receive the word out of the emotion of the moment only to fall away when the emotion dies off.

Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world. And fall away as their worries in this world take precedent over the word of God.

Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.

Where are you in this spectrum of hearers of the word?

Please think about it.