The question is do you?

  The question is do you?

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. " 1John 1:1-3

The apostle John makes it clear here that he is writing this letter that the reader may know that he as seen and touched “that which was from the beginning” meaning from the creation of the world.

In his gospel John states,

"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

John firmly believed that Jesus was God in the flesh. And that salvation and eternal life came from Him. 

The question is do you?

Please think about it.

This is the testimony

  This is the testimony

The apostle John speaking about Jesus states,

“And this is the testimony: 

God has given us eternal life, 

and this life is in His Son.  

He who has the Son has life; 

he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

                                                                           1 John 5:11-12.

This statement is one of the corner stone statement of Christianity. God has given us eternal life through His one and only Son, Christ Jesus.

In John’s gospel Jesus is recorded as saying,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.

 No one comes to the Father except through me.  

                                                                          John 14:6.

If these two statements are false and as some say there is a multitude of ways to heaven. Then no one needs to worry.

If on the other hand they are absolutely true statements. Then those who do not believe these statements, have at the very least a lot to think about.

So dear reader, what do you think?

Is Jesus the only way to heaven?

Please think about it.

I never knew you

  I never knew you

Jesus said,

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

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 7:21-23.

If you consider yourself a Christian where do you stand with Jesus?

There are many pastors, evangelist, Christian teachers, and people who just sit in the pew who will hear the words, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.”

They will hear it for I believe two reason. Principally they only intellectually accepted Jesus. The simply believed he existed. They have never accepted Christ as their Saviour. Everything they have done is in their own strength.

Another reason, especially when it comes to pastors, evangelist and teachers they are simply charlatans out to get rich. They have twisted the word of God to their own ends.

They are not preaching the true gospel. They are as someone once said “out to flees the flock”. 

For anyone who considers themselves a Christian we need to look on the reasons we are following Christ. 

Additionally we need to be asking ourselves are the pastors, evangelist, and Christian teachers we follow truly teaching the word of God correctly?

The apostle Paul states,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.

Are you and those pastors, evangelist and Christian teachers you support doing this?

Please think about it.

Like the thief on the cross

  Like the thief on the cross

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“I'm going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: 'Lord, remember me.” Billy Graham.

Are you?

When we look at Luke’s account of the crucifixion we see to criminals. Criminals who show us the choice we have.

One insults at Jesus, not believing He was the Christ, the Messiah. He asked Jesus to prove who He was by getting them down from the cross. In other words he would only believe Jesus was the Christ if Jesus proved it by getting them out of their situation.

The other rebuked the first and by faith believed Jesus to be the Christ. As such he confessed he was being justly punished for his crimes. Asking Jesus to remember him when he came into His kingdom.

That man did what we all must do.

Believe Jesus is the Christ.

Confess our sins to Him 

And accept Christ’s forgiveness.

Have you done this? 

Will you get to heaven like the thief on the cross?

Please think about it.

What we must do

  What we must do.

  The apostle Peter said,

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:36-39.

The Apostle Peter makes it clear that Jesus is both Lord and Christ.

He goes on to say that everyone of us must repent of our sins and be baptized.

The best definition of sin I have found is, “sin is falling short of Gods ideal for your life.” Something we all do everyday. Thus our need to ask Gods forgiveness. 

The apostle Paul states,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Will you acknowledge that you have sinned, that you fall short of the glory of God?

Are you willing to go to God now, ask for His forgiveness and receive by faith Christ as you Saviour?

Here’s a simple prayer that you might want to consider praying.

Dear Heavenly Father

I admit that I fall short of your glory. I admit that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins. I acknowledge that Jesus paid the price for my sins. 

Please come into my life this day.

I ask this in the name of Jesus.

Always remember that the prayer does not save you. It is you faith in Christ Jesus that saves you.

So if you have prayed this prayer and meant it. Please consider finding a church near you that truly teaches the Bible.

As this blog is read all over the world. It is impossible for me to recommend a specific church. But I do recommend the Mennonite-Brethren or Baptist churches.

All I would ask is that you pray believing that God will lead you to the right church.

Ultimately however, when it come to Jesus, salvation and the way to heaven it is up to you to decide if what I am saying is true.

I would however encourage you to read for yourself the New Testament and see what the writers who knew Jesus believed Him to be.

Please think about it.

What Peter believed

 What Peter believed

In Mark’s gospel we read,

"Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.'"Mark 8:27-29.

The disciples knew Jesus better than anyone. And here you see Peter stating that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is the Messiah.

If what Peter said is false then he and the other disciples are responsible for perpetuating potentially one of the most monumental lies in human history. Causing literally billions of people in the world today to believe that lie.

Causing tens of millions of people throughout the centuries to die in vain.

The truth however is Peter was speaking the truth.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

You must be willing

  You must be willing

Jesus said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  

For I have come to turn " ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:32-39.

This I believe is a statement everyone considering becoming a Christian should read and take to heart.

Simply put Jesus is saying if you are going to follow me you need to realize that it’s all or nothing. I must be first in your life. And you must be willing to give up everything for me. Not that, that will necessarily happen. But never the less you must be willing to give everything up for the cause of Christ.

The reward for doing so is eternal life in heaven with God.

Thus my question for you;

Are you willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ?

Please think about it.

Are you lukewarm?

 Are you lukewarm

       "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.  

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelations 3:14-22.

Here Jesus notes that the Laodicean church are neither cold or hot and that God wishes that they’d be one or the other.

They thought they needed nothing. Yet the truth was just the opposite. 

Spiritually they were lukewarm and such people are hard to reach. 

Jesus tells them to turn to Him and buy riches from Him. To buy salve for their eyes, that their eyes would be opened spiritually to their needs.

He calls them to repent. That He is there knocking on their hearts door waiting to be asked into their life.

For those who do open that door and repent of their sins they will get to sit with Him on His throne.

Question:

Are you lukewarm?

Do you believe you have all you need to be a follower of Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

"Do you live up to Philadelphia's standard?

  Do you live up to Philadelphia’s standard?

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:7-13.

Here is the church Jesus praises. Finding nothing wrong. It’s a church many falsely think they are.

However to those who truly are following God the way the Church at Philadelphia was following God will be rewarded by living in Gods temple. Never having to leave it.

God will even make their enemies fall down at their feet.

They will also be kept from the hour of trial.

Take a few minutes to evaluate your life for Christ. Do you honestly think your spiritual life lives up to the standard of those in Philadelphia?

Please think about it.

On Life Support?

 On life support?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:1-6.

Here Jesus called to the church at Sardis to wake up. One commentary I read said they were in a deep “spiritual coma”

Jesus notes that they have a reputation for being alive, when in reality they are dead.

He notes their deeds there service to God is incomplete. Therefor they must repent and do God’s work.

At the same time there are people within Sardis who have not stopped working for God. They have not soiled their clothing. As a result they will receive a conquers reward.

Do you have a reputation for being alive when in fact you know you are spiritually dead?

Is the Church you attend truly alive or on life support?

Please think about it. 

False teacher and the wicked

 False Teachers and the Wicked

    In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  

So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):  

Only hold on to what you have until I come. 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— Revelations 2:18-26

Here Jesus notes that He knows of the church at Thyatira’s love, faith and perseverance. But he notes that there is a woman, a self proclaimed prophetess referred to as Jezebel. Someone who is misleading people into sexual immorality and other things, that God disapproves of.

Jesus states He has given her time to repent but she was unwilling therefor she will pay the price for her misdeeds and sins. 

Jesus notes that He searches the hearts and minds of all people. And that He will repay each person according to their deeds.

Jesus finally calls the church to hold onto their faith until His return.

Question do you know of any false teachers? Men and women who are misleading those in the church congregation or denomination you attend?

The apostle Paul writes,

"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 5:12,13.

Is the church congregation or denomination doing this with false teachers and the wicked?

Please think about it.

Who are you following?

  Who are you following?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.

Here the church at Pergamum is commended by Jesus for staying true even though a member of their church Antipas was put to death for his beliefs.

Jesus goes on however to note that the church a Pergamum is mixing the teachings of Balaam with their faith in Christ and holding to the teachings of the Nicolaitans both heretical teachings.

He warns that if they do not repent from teaching these false teachings, Jesus himself will fight against them.

Those who turn from these teachings however will be given a reward for doing so.

Question:

Are you following false teachers?

Are the pastors, evangelist, and teachers you follow truly teaching The Word of God?

Please think about it.