Least and Greatest Possible Number

  Least and Greatest Possible number

Jesus said,

"This, then, is how you should pray: " ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9,10.

We live in turbulent times. Some Christians believe we may even be in the last days prior to the return of Christ Jesus. Which may or may not be the case. 

When Christ will return is not up to us. When it come to Christ’s return Jesus made it clear,

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36. 

What we as believers in Christ Jesus should be praying however is that Gods kingdom should come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. While at the same time obeying Christ’s command to,

“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 28:19,20.

As someone once told me we should be doing this, 

“to make sure the least possible people go to Hell and the greatest possible number of people go to heaven”.

So my question to you is. If you consider yourself a Christian are you reaching out to those around you and presenting the Gospel message to them?

Please think about it.

Faith Required

  Faith Required

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  

This is what the ancients were commended for. 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible....

"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 11:1-3,6.

Faith in anyone or anything is perhaps the hardest thing we humans do.

A scientist looks around him, sees something, and postulates what must be happening even though he cannot see it.

Many scientist have gone to their graves believing a theory that was not proven until long after their death.

It is the same when it comes to God. We must have faith that God exists even though we cannot see Him. But we are not asked to have blind faith.

The Psalmist tells us,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                   Psalm 19:1

The heavens, the earth and the universe all exist because God brought them into existence. Even the late Stephen Hawking said,

"It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us," Stephen Hawking 

William Philips, Nobel prize winner in Physics stated,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it" William Philips.

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, writer, and Catholic theologian. (1623-1662). Gave this advice as relevant to day as it was then, 

“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.

So, where is your faith?

Please think about it.

Two Masters

 Two Masters

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....

"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 16:19-21,24.

From my perch here in Canada I see many who call themselves Christians wanting to have their feet in both worlds. They want to be wealthy and they want to serve God.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being wealthy. Many wealthy people throughout the centuries have helped fund church growth. 

The problem becomes when acquiring wealth and all that it can buy you becomes more important than God.

Our service to God should be paramount in our life. And we don’t need to be rich to serve God. We just need to be willing to serve Him.

So my questions to you dear reader is;

Who is your master? 

Where is your treasure?

Are you willing to put God and service to Him over your earthly wealth?

Please think about it.

What God Expects

  What God Expects

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with your soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12. 

This is passage to me is strait forward. We as believers in God, in Christ Jesus are to

1. Fear God.

2. Walk in all His ways. Follow God without wavering from His teaching.

3. Love God. 

Jesus said,

“...“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.” Matthew 22:37.

4. Serve God with your whole heart.

If you claim to be a Christians. A follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A Christians Hope

A Christians Hope

In the book of Thessalonians we read,

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  

Therefore encourage each other with these words”1Thesalonians 4:13-18.

Christ will one day return and take those who believe in Him up into heaven. This is a cornerstone belief of all Christians. Those who are dead will rise first. Followed by those who are alive.

This is the hope of all those who truly believe in The Lord Jesus Christ. 

It may seem farfetched to the none believer. But it is what true Christians believe.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Before the gods

  Before the gods

The Psalmist writes,

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

 before the "gods" I will sing your praise.” 

                                                                   Psalm 138:1.

As I write this its 2022 and I think there are more “gods” in the world today than in the past. Things we may not think as gods. Money and materialism perhaps being the biggest, especially here in North America where I live.

It seems here in North America everyone is striving to be wealthy. It even extends to those who call themselves Christian evangelist. Men and women who say God wants you to be wealthy. And you will get that way if you have enough faith (and of course give to their ministry).

Such men and women have fallen away from the true faith.

Still that aside, the true believer in Christ Jesus is surrounded by a myriad of “gods” who want to pull them away from the faith.

In such an environment we as believers in Christ need to stand out. We need to turn to the scriptures and praise the LORD with our whole heart no matter the circumstance we are in.

Daily I read of believers in Jesus around the world who must meet in secret for fear of being persecuted, attacked, murdered, and even thrown in prison because they choose to follow Christ.

Men and women who despite the risks, worship and praise God out of a pure belief in Christ Jesus. Beliefs they are willing to die for.

Question; To those Christians who live in the United States, Canada and other western democracies, that live in freedom. Do you worship God in spirit and in truth openly?

Please think about it.

Come bless the Lord

  Come bless the Lord

The Psalmist writes,

“Come bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,

who stand by night in the house of the LORD!

Lift up you hands to the holy place

and bless the LORD!

May the LORD bless you from Zion

he who made heaven and earth!”

                                                                      Psalm 134 1-3 (ESV)

Here we have a call to all who serve the LORD, to worship God. To bless the LORD with your words and deeds. With your life.

For those who do this and for those who believe in God the Psalmist states,

“May the LORD bless you from Zion

he who made heaven and earth!"

Are you blessing the LORD? Are you worshipping God in word and deed? Is your life truly dedicated to serving God?

Please think about it.

Are Christians right or wrong?

  Are Christians right or wrong?

The prophet Isaiah states,

"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

The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Ultimately we will all die. The question is where will we spend eternity?

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.” John 3:16-17.

This is what I believe. This is the corner stone of Christian belief. If we as believers in Christ Jesus are wrong then those who do not believe as we do have nothing to fear. 

On the other hand if we are right then there is at the very least a great deal of things to consider because Jesus speaking of himself also states,

“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 3:18

Please think about it.

The Job of the Church

  The Job of the Church

In the book of James we read,

“You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  James 4:4.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham once said,

"Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them." Billy Graham.

Sadly this is true. Many calling themselves Christians are incorporating into their churches the ways of the world. Some are saying they want to be more inclusive. Which is good.

The problem becomes however when they compromise their beliefs in an effort to welcome others who do not believe as they do.

Others incorporate false doctrines. Claiming their nation is founded on the principles of God. Making statements that God will make you healthy and wealthy if you only have enough faith among other things.

The apostle Peter warns,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute."2Peter2:1,2.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be inclusive within our churches. All people irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle should be welcomed into our churches without fear of human judgement. After all Jesus sat down and talked with everyone. He made no distinction.

The apostle Paul tells us,

"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—   not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                             Billy Graham.

Please think about it.

If your brother

  If your brother

In the book of Leviticus we read,

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.”Leviticus 25:35.

Here is a powerful statement for all believers. We are to help those who cannot help themselves. A similar sentiment is written in the book of James it states,

"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.

Around the world there is a refugee crisis. The numbers of refugees fleeing their home countries is overwhelming. Aid agencies and indeed countries are finding it hard to cope with the numbers. A hundred million people by one estimate are displaced. Forty percent are children under eighteen.

As believers in Christ Jesus we are told by Jesus himself to,

"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.

The bottom line for those who believe in Christ Jesus is we are to help those who are in need to the extent we are able.

Please think about it.

When Least expected

 When Least expected

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2.

One thing I think Christians and environmentalist agree on is one day this world we live in will die if something is not done. The environment is falling apart as a result in the not too distant future if nothing is done now, mankind may go extinct.

Where believers in Christ Jesus disagree is that there is hope for mankind in the person of Jesus Christ. This world will die. But this world, this life we live is not all there is. There is life after death.

The spark within us that makes us a sentient beings, that thing we call the soul lives on throughout eternity. The question however becomes; where will you spend eternity?

Jesus offers all who would believe in Him hope. In the gospel of John we read Jesus speaking of Himself 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.  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.

C.S. Lewis speaking about Jesus states,

"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.

This means He died for you dear reader.

For those who have heard about Jesus and believe in Jesus an eternity in heaven awaits. The key to getting into heaven being, if your truly believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him into your life.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.” Billy Graham.

We don’t know when Jesus will return. We know that the apostle Paul tells us He will come as a thief in the night. At a time when we are least expecting Him.

Thus the question becomes is will you be ready for Him?

Please think about it.

My Beliefs

My Beliefs

The Gospel of John records,

"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

I believe Jesus is God incarnate creator of the universe and all that is in it. I believe that He is the Saviour of the all who would believe in Him.

The Apostles creed while not written by an apostle states what I an all true Christians believe. It states,

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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.