Truths

Truths

Jesus said,

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.... 

Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27,28,31 

The great American civil rights leader said,

“We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.

We are in nature but we live above nature.

Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.

Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.

We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.

Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.

Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace; help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God's children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom of our LORD and of our God, we pray.

Amen.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Both the words of Jesus and Martin Luther King jr. are universal truths, both Christian and non-Christian alike need to put into practice. 

Please think about it.

Our Destiny

 Our Destiny 

Jesus talking to Martha said,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

Someone has said,

"Our Destiny doesn’t end with our death.”

                                                        Author unknown

The late Martin Luther King jr. said in a prayer,

“Then, finally, help us to realize

 that man was created to shine like stars 

and live on through all eternity.”

                                                       Martin Luther King jr.

What do you believe?

Do you believe life ends at death? 

Do you believe there is life after death? 

Are you even certain what happens after death?

As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe there is life after death and you can know here and now where you will 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.  

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.

This in a nutshell is what Christians believe. As a Christian I leave it here with you to decide for yourself if it is true or false.

Please think about it.

Is Jesus

 Is Jesus

Johns gospel 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.

“The Word” John is referring to here is Jesus. Whom he, the disciples and Christians both now and in the past believe to be the Son of God. Creator of the world. Saviour of mankind.

If the disciple and for that matter all Christians, are wrong in their beliefs, then they are believing a monumental lie that has lasted two thousand years.

While what the disciples or any Christian for that matter believes is of importance to them. It is what you personally believe about Jesus is important.

Is Jesus the Son of God, Creator of the world, your Saviour?

Before you answer that question. Please take some time to read the New Testament while asking God to show you the truth.

Please think about it.

Now Abides

 Now Abides

The apostle Paul writes,

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

 But the greatest of these is love." 

                                                         1 Corinthians 13:13.

The apostle Paul defines Christian love as,

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Sadly hate and prejudges seems to be flooding into our society from all directions. Even men and women calling themselves Christians are being drawn into it. Yelling insults and trying to restrict the rights of others they disagree with.

With that in mind I felt prompted to write this, what I call the Christians Pledge.

As a believer in Christ Jesus,

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12.

  Please don’t just think about doing this.

Do it.

Love God and your fellow man

 Love God and your fellow man

"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.

Jesus when asked,

"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 neighbor as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

The apostle John writes,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

Love is what the Christian life is all about. Gods Love for mankind. The individuals love for God. The individuals love for his fellow man.

Question; Are you showing The Love of God to those around you?

Please think about it.

By Grace

By Grace

The apostle John wrote,

"We love because he first loved us."

                                                       1John 4:19 

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.

In Christianity we believe that God loved His creation so much that he reached down from heaven, in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus, to show in human terms how far he would go reconcile mankind to Himself.

The apostle Paul tells us,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

This is the reason for Christmas. Christians believe we could not live lives good enough to enter heaven. Thus God created away for us.

The apostle Paul states,

"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.

Thus my question to you is have you accepted this free gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

Glorify and Praise

Glorify and Praise

Lukes gospel records Mary as glorifying God for the blessing He has given her to bear His one and Only Son,

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Luke 1:46-50.

Christmas is one of the holiest days of the year for Christians. A time for praising God for the gift of His one and Only Son Christ Jesus.

It is a time when we can rejoice with the Psalmist who wrote,

"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.

If you truly believe in Christ Jesus, will you take some time this Christmas day to glorify and praise God for sending His Son into the world?

Please think about it.

Christmas Eve

 Christmas eve.

On this day Christmas eve, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The one we believe is the saviour of mankind. The apostle John referring to Jesus as the word states,

“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 1:14.

What Christians believe about Jesus is summed up in what is known as the Apostles Creed. Although not written by an apostle of Christ it states in a nutshell what we as believers in Christ Jesus believe it states,

    The Apostles Creed

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.

This is what all who truly believe in Christ believe. No Christian can force these beliefs on you. Each individual must decide for themselves if what is said her is true of false.

Thus I leave it here for you to decide for yourself.

Please think about it.

An Apostles Testimony

An Apostles Testimony

"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.  

We write this to make our joy complete." 1John 1:1-4  

Here in a nutshell is what John himself a disciple of Christ actually seen and believes.

He testifies to have actually been with Christ. Here is a man that more than likely received a physical hug of friendship from Christ himself. Who shared meals with Jesus, who even seen him crucified and spoke with him after he rose from the dead.

John truly knew Christ intimately. 

He testifies that Jesus is the life. John States,

"...we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us."  John makes it clear why he is writing this,

"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."

John after spending three years with Jesus. Was convinced beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was indeed God in the flesh.

The way I see it is either the apostle John was fooled and is believing a monumental lie that to day is believed by almost a third of the worlds population, Or John is perpetuating a lie made up by the apostles. 

As for me I believe that Jesus is Gods one and only Son. The Saviour of mankind. But that is me. You dear reader must decide for yourself who Jesus is.

Please take time to read the New Testament and find out what those early writers believed about Jesus. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.

Please at least think about it.

Do you even believe?

 Do you even believe?

In Lukes Gospel we read,

Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:28-32.

Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the temple as was required by law to dedicate him to God. While there Simeon the prophet came over took the child in his arms and proclaimed that, Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Proclaiming, 

  "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 29-32.

Christmas is but a few days away as I write this. For me Christmas and Easter are the most important days on the Christian calendar. One, Christmas, is the day God through His one and Only Son Jesus Christ came into the world. Beginning the process that would end at Easter thirty-three years later with Christs death and resurrection. For the salvation of all who would believe in Him.

In Jesus we see God in his grace reaching down to His creation. The apostle Paul pointing out,

"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

As Jesus put it,

"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.

Thus the questions I have for you dear reader is,

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? 

Do you believe that Jesus came into this world to Give you eternal life?

Do you even believe in Jesus?

Please think about it.

Why we celebrate Christmas

 Why we celebrate Christmas

We celebrate because 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.

We celebrate because by the grace of God we may enter 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.

We celebrate because the Apostle Paul tells us,

"You see, at just the right time,

when we were still powerless, 

Christ died for the ungodly"

                                       Romans 5:6.

We believe what the apostle John writes,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13. 

Do you believe this

Please think about it.

A Biblical Issue

 A Biblical issue

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.

God cares for the poor. There are I am told over 2000 verses in the bible that deal with the poor.

Here long before there was such a thing as government welfare God decreed that those who owned farms were not to pick up fruit that had fallen on the ground or even go over their vineyard a second time. They were to leave the fruit for the poor and aliens in their midst.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo makes a good point when he states,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

Thus my question to you. If you are a Christian are you doing what you can to help the poor? 

Please think about it.