Away from the Way
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
Do you drive people away from God. It is very easy to do so. Christians I think do it all the time. The principle reason they judge others. The other reason is we don’t see them as “normal” or “like us” or that their “lifestyle” is different from ours.
That’s what Abraham essentially did in the quote from the Talmud.
Jesus made it clear we are not to judge.
Matthew recording,
“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.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
If we as Christians are judging anyone, especially those outside the church we cannot expect to win them to Christ.
Paul states,
"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.
We live in a secular society, with a secular government. It is that government that God allows to govern, that gives us our rights and freedoms. It is that same government that allows other groups we disagree with to have the freedoms they have.
We should never be doing anything to that will restrict another person or groups freedoms.
We are not to judge. We have no right to say who gets to heaven or who doesn’t
Jesus 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.
Matthew records,
“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.
Our job is to point people in the direction of heaven. To do what Jesus would want us to do.
Tony Campolo an American evangelist wrote,
“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.
When the disciples went out into the world particularly as they moved into the greater Roman empire, they must have seen things that to them as Jews were morally appalling.
Yet we have no record of them ever trying to impose their beliefs on others. They simply presented their beliefs to others and let them decide for themselves.
Paul speaking to the Athenians as recorded in Acts 17 is a classic example of how Christians should present the gospel.
Paul wandered through Athens and seen temples to every conceivable god, yet he didn’t criticize. Instead he met them where they were at and presented the gospel. The result was some believed and some wanted to ask him back.
This is how we should be as Christians. Presenting the Gospel of Christ in a none threatening way in a way that makes people want to think.
Our message should never change. We should not be judging people because of their life style, or whether or not they are like us.
We should be showing love even to our enemies, neighbours, and friends alike.
We should be keeping watch within our own church congregations to see that no evil is going on.
Should we find evil within the midst of our congregations we should be expelling it as Paul said.
We should never be judging those outside the church. The churches job is to reach the lost souls of this world for Christ.
Think about it.
Wednesday 12 November 2014
Tuesday 11 November 2014
November 11th 2014 a Day to Remember
November 11th 2014 a day to Remember.
Twenty million, the estimated number of people killed in the first world war. Fifty-five million, the estimated number of people killed in the second world war. Estimated because no one will ever know the real number.
To ring a bell once a second, to remember the deaths of each of those killed in the two world wars alone it would take two point three years. And that just to remember the deaths of the soldiers, and civilians in two world wars that took place prior to the first half of the twentieth century.
Since then untold thousands if not millions have died as a result of small wars, in what has been called the bloodiest century in history.
War is a terrible thing forced on peace loving men and women by despots who deal in hate.
Rabbi Abb Hillel Silver said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon,
The writer of Proverbs wrote,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3,4
No one who has ever forced war on someone has ever been called good or called a man of peace. For to impose war on anyone is to break the commandment “do not kill”.
Sadly in the last century and now in this, the peace loving nations are being forced to take up arms to protect our freedoms.
The killing of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, age 53, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, a reservist based out of Hamilton, Ontario, on duty at the National war memorial in Ottawa. Illustrates that we must be vigilant.
The terrorist group that inspired the killers of these two men are not men of God. They are at best misguided at worst instruments of Satan himself.
We as Christians must stand up to such people. We must support our troops who defend our freedoms.
While I am not a Canadian I am thankful and proud that I come from a country and can live in this country, where young men and women like Warrant officer Vicent and Corporal Cirillo stand on guard that I may live in peace.
Today if you can take time to attend a remembrance day service in your town or city. If that’s not possible watch on television.
Either way as you go about your daily tasks take two minutes to simply be silent and pray for our men and women not only in the military, but for first responders, police, fire fighters, and paramedics. All of whom make our lives as individuals a safer and better place to live.
Twenty million, the estimated number of people killed in the first world war. Fifty-five million, the estimated number of people killed in the second world war. Estimated because no one will ever know the real number.
To ring a bell once a second, to remember the deaths of each of those killed in the two world wars alone it would take two point three years. And that just to remember the deaths of the soldiers, and civilians in two world wars that took place prior to the first half of the twentieth century.
Since then untold thousands if not millions have died as a result of small wars, in what has been called the bloodiest century in history.
War is a terrible thing forced on peace loving men and women by despots who deal in hate.
Rabbi Abb Hillel Silver said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon,
The writer of Proverbs wrote,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3,4
No one who has ever forced war on someone has ever been called good or called a man of peace. For to impose war on anyone is to break the commandment “do not kill”.
Sadly in the last century and now in this, the peace loving nations are being forced to take up arms to protect our freedoms.
The killing of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, age 53, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, a reservist based out of Hamilton, Ontario, on duty at the National war memorial in Ottawa. Illustrates that we must be vigilant.
The terrorist group that inspired the killers of these two men are not men of God. They are at best misguided at worst instruments of Satan himself.
We as Christians must stand up to such people. We must support our troops who defend our freedoms.
While I am not a Canadian I am thankful and proud that I come from a country and can live in this country, where young men and women like Warrant officer Vicent and Corporal Cirillo stand on guard that I may live in peace.
Today if you can take time to attend a remembrance day service in your town or city. If that’s not possible watch on television.
Either way as you go about your daily tasks take two minutes to simply be silent and pray for our men and women not only in the military, but for first responders, police, fire fighters, and paramedics. All of whom make our lives as individuals a safer and better place to live.
Monday 10 November 2014
Building each other up
Build each other up
“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
Put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. That’s what Paul says. Do you.
Is your faith in God or in the things you have?
Faith according to Hebrews is,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is not what we see. It’s not the amount of cash in our bank account or the big house or any other treasure we have. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Do you have love, the apostle Paul states of Love,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Is this the kind of love you have?
Paul tells us to put on “the hope of salvation as a helmet”
Are you sure of your salvation. Do you know for certain if you were to die to night that you would go to heaven?
If not it’s time to pray. To pray, confess your sins to God and let Jesus come into your heart and life today.
Salvation is a free gift 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
The apostle John telling us,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10
If you are truly saved are you doing what Paul tells the Thessalonians “encouraging one another and building each other up.”
Encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Are you?
Think about it.
“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
Put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. That’s what Paul says. Do you.
Is your faith in God or in the things you have?
Faith according to Hebrews is,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is not what we see. It’s not the amount of cash in our bank account or the big house or any other treasure we have. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Do you have love, the apostle Paul states of Love,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Is this the kind of love you have?
Paul tells us to put on “the hope of salvation as a helmet”
Are you sure of your salvation. Do you know for certain if you were to die to night that you would go to heaven?
If not it’s time to pray. To pray, confess your sins to God and let Jesus come into your heart and life today.
Salvation is a free gift 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
The apostle John telling us,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10
If you are truly saved are you doing what Paul tells the Thessalonians “encouraging one another and building each other up.”
Encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Are you?
Think about it.
Sunday 9 November 2014
A Testimony
A Testimony
She stood for a long moment, looking at him, snow blowing around her in swirls, glistening in the bright light.
A few short hours ago, she’d thought him an inmate at the institution, they’d been visiting. Now, he was offering her a chance to find a job in the city.
Questions, dozens of questions went through her head. Was it God’s will? Did she want to take the chance, the risk? Could she move from the small town she’d known all her life? Was she ready to move?
For uncounted years, as a child she’d been abused by the hands of her stepfather. Had it not been for the love of Christian friends, she’d surely have gone mad. Now, she’d have to leave those friends. To go with a stranger.
Was this the door opening, allowing her to escape the stigma of her traumatic past?
Standing amid the arc lights of the prison parking lot, she would have to make a decision.
He stood there, watching her. The snow on the ground, reflecting the intense artificial lighting, making the midnight black as bright as day.
God had make it clear, she was the one. Yet, he couldn’t tell her. God made that clear. All he could do was invite her to come and look for a job.
In a few hours, a hundred miles would separate them. A seemingly, insurmountable obstacle. Yet, he knew she was the one and God would find a way.
He had no idea the LORD had opened a prison door that night, setting a captive free, and although the hallway to freedom would take some years to transverse, the journey had begun. A love story beginning with a single word, “yes.”
The above story I know is true. It is testimony to what the apostle Paul writes,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28.
You see that is the beginning of a love story that has lasted from that moment until now. A love story that is still continuing.
It is how my wife and I met. I was with a gospel group invited to perform at a coffee shop in a small town in Northern Ontario and then at some minimum security prisons.
My now wife was with the organizers.
I know non-Christians might think our meeting was by chance. But I’m convinced it wasn’t. My wife and I were truly made for each other.
We are not as one would say ‘normal’ we are when it come down to it a little odd which in many ways has served us well.
In the thirty-seven years since our meeting have served the Lord in various capacities and never once in all that time has he let us down.
In another few days we will have been married thirty-five years.
True we have had our ups and downs we have seen our eight year old son hit by a car almost killing him and putting him into a coma. The doctors telling us he would have brain damage.
They didn’t take into account the power of prayer. Today some twenty-six or so years later there is no sign of brain injury.
While living in a rural area we watched our uninsured house burn down before the fire department could do anything taking with it all our belongings.
At the same time we seen God’s provision. In less than two days we had a house full of furniture, clothing and all we could ever need to start over. God has been very good to us.
More recently we received a call from Africa where our twenty-six year old youngest son had fallen from a roof and badly broken his leg. A break that would need special surgery.
Miraculously they were near one of the best hospitals in Kenya where there was an excellent bone specialist from England available to perform the surgery. God had once again provided.
We have never doubted what our Lord and Saviour can and does do for us.
We are not rich in a materialistic sense but we are rich in many other ways.
We have been blessed with wonderful children, all of whom are serving the Lord today.
We have been blessed with good friends and church family.
And we can sing with David,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...”
1 Chronicles 16:8-12
Can you?
Think about it.
She stood for a long moment, looking at him, snow blowing around her in swirls, glistening in the bright light.
A few short hours ago, she’d thought him an inmate at the institution, they’d been visiting. Now, he was offering her a chance to find a job in the city.
Questions, dozens of questions went through her head. Was it God’s will? Did she want to take the chance, the risk? Could she move from the small town she’d known all her life? Was she ready to move?
For uncounted years, as a child she’d been abused by the hands of her stepfather. Had it not been for the love of Christian friends, she’d surely have gone mad. Now, she’d have to leave those friends. To go with a stranger.
Was this the door opening, allowing her to escape the stigma of her traumatic past?
Standing amid the arc lights of the prison parking lot, she would have to make a decision.
He stood there, watching her. The snow on the ground, reflecting the intense artificial lighting, making the midnight black as bright as day.
God had make it clear, she was the one. Yet, he couldn’t tell her. God made that clear. All he could do was invite her to come and look for a job.
In a few hours, a hundred miles would separate them. A seemingly, insurmountable obstacle. Yet, he knew she was the one and God would find a way.
He had no idea the LORD had opened a prison door that night, setting a captive free, and although the hallway to freedom would take some years to transverse, the journey had begun. A love story beginning with a single word, “yes.”
The above story I know is true. It is testimony to what the apostle Paul writes,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28.
You see that is the beginning of a love story that has lasted from that moment until now. A love story that is still continuing.
It is how my wife and I met. I was with a gospel group invited to perform at a coffee shop in a small town in Northern Ontario and then at some minimum security prisons.
My now wife was with the organizers.
I know non-Christians might think our meeting was by chance. But I’m convinced it wasn’t. My wife and I were truly made for each other.
We are not as one would say ‘normal’ we are when it come down to it a little odd which in many ways has served us well.
In the thirty-seven years since our meeting have served the Lord in various capacities and never once in all that time has he let us down.
In another few days we will have been married thirty-five years.
True we have had our ups and downs we have seen our eight year old son hit by a car almost killing him and putting him into a coma. The doctors telling us he would have brain damage.
They didn’t take into account the power of prayer. Today some twenty-six or so years later there is no sign of brain injury.
While living in a rural area we watched our uninsured house burn down before the fire department could do anything taking with it all our belongings.
At the same time we seen God’s provision. In less than two days we had a house full of furniture, clothing and all we could ever need to start over. God has been very good to us.
More recently we received a call from Africa where our twenty-six year old youngest son had fallen from a roof and badly broken his leg. A break that would need special surgery.
Miraculously they were near one of the best hospitals in Kenya where there was an excellent bone specialist from England available to perform the surgery. God had once again provided.
We have never doubted what our Lord and Saviour can and does do for us.
We are not rich in a materialistic sense but we are rich in many other ways.
We have been blessed with wonderful children, all of whom are serving the Lord today.
We have been blessed with good friends and church family.
And we can sing with David,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...”
1 Chronicles 16:8-12
Can you?
Think about it.
Saturday 8 November 2014
Because
Because
The following is what I believe each individual Christian should be able to say and people able to see in their lives. It’s simply called Because and I present it hear for you to think about.
Because
Because...
“...He (God) first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
I will...
love God
Because...
“...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
I will...
love God
Because...
Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:
“...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
I will...
love God and my neighbours whoever they may be.
Because...
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27,28
I will...
Love my enemy.
Because...
Jesus said,“A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35
I will...
love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because...
The apostle Paul said,
“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,
I will...
I will show this kind of love to those around me.
Because...
The Bible says,
“Now abides faith, hope and love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
I will...
Have faith hope and love in God
and for my fellow man.
Because...
According to Ephesians 2:8,9:
“...by grace you have been saved through faith,
and not of yourselves; it is a gift of God,
not of works; lest anyone should boast.”
I will...
Have hope in Christ and present this hope to my fellow man.
Because
According to Romans 5:1,2:
“...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our LORD Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace
which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God.”
I have...
I have peace with God and rejoice in the glory of God
Because of this and much more
I will love both God, and my neighbour
who ever they may be.
Friday 7 November 2014
Ideals to consider
God’s Welfare Plan
“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 19:10
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,
but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
Exodus 23:10,11.
“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.
You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD'S time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”
Deuteronomy 15:1,2.
Can you imagine modern financial institutions, governments or even individuals doing the above.
When it comes to money in particular instead of cancelling a debt when someone can’t pay financial institutions put up the interest rate making it even harder for the individual to pay.
Deuteronomy reminds us,
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11.
Christians I know are among the most generous in the world when it comes to giving to the needy. Still do we as individual Christians live up to the ideals listed in the above scriptures?
To the Christian businessman I would ask do you forgive debts without making a fuss about it?
I know in my line of business I get written the occasional bad cheque. I’ve been fortunate only once was it deliberate. Most of the time it’s in error. But there have been times when the person has thought they could afford me a couple told me before the event another after the event but offered to pay me later.
I simply said it was on the house. They didn’t owe me anything I could tell it wasn’t deliberate and they probably needed the money more than me.
My son I found approaches things the same way. He owns several houses and two tenants that I know about left him without paying rent. One even damaged the house. When I asked him if he was going after them for the money he said no. “that God understood where those people were at. It wasn’t his place to case after them. Instead he fixed the damage and even without advertizing the house, people asked him if they could rent it. It was a blessing from God.
My son and I are no different. I know of Christian businessmen over the years that have done the same. That have forgiven debts not really looking for a blessing but have received one anyway.
God cares for the individual and he wants us to do the same.
The Talmud tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
The Jews have a word for giving to the poor, Tzedakah
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply an act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
One source told me there are various levels of Tzedakah
Something for we Christians to think about.
“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 19:10
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,
but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
Exodus 23:10,11.
“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.
You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD'S time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”
Deuteronomy 15:1,2.
Can you imagine modern financial institutions, governments or even individuals doing the above.
When it comes to money in particular instead of cancelling a debt when someone can’t pay financial institutions put up the interest rate making it even harder for the individual to pay.
Deuteronomy reminds us,
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11.
Christians I know are among the most generous in the world when it comes to giving to the needy. Still do we as individual Christians live up to the ideals listed in the above scriptures?
To the Christian businessman I would ask do you forgive debts without making a fuss about it?
I know in my line of business I get written the occasional bad cheque. I’ve been fortunate only once was it deliberate. Most of the time it’s in error. But there have been times when the person has thought they could afford me a couple told me before the event another after the event but offered to pay me later.
I simply said it was on the house. They didn’t owe me anything I could tell it wasn’t deliberate and they probably needed the money more than me.
My son I found approaches things the same way. He owns several houses and two tenants that I know about left him without paying rent. One even damaged the house. When I asked him if he was going after them for the money he said no. “that God understood where those people were at. It wasn’t his place to case after them. Instead he fixed the damage and even without advertizing the house, people asked him if they could rent it. It was a blessing from God.
My son and I are no different. I know of Christian businessmen over the years that have done the same. That have forgiven debts not really looking for a blessing but have received one anyway.
God cares for the individual and he wants us to do the same.
The Talmud tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
The Jews have a word for giving to the poor, Tzedakah
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply an act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
One source told me there are various levels of Tzedakah
The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and the Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:
Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.
Something for we Christians to think about.
Thursday 6 November 2014
Of Christians and Gay's
Of Christians and Gay's
Over the years I have been asked by many people can Gay people get to heaven.
Over those same years I have sadly witnessed many pastors and evangelist in the media say emphatically no. I disagree.
At the risk of alienating the Christians that read my blogs I say anyone can get to heaven to say otherwise or to judge any other group because they are not like us is wrong.
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
Simply put keep our own house clean and let God take care of those outside the church.
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.
What Jesus said is true. If we judge someone, especially someone outside the church they are going to judge us also.
James makes it clear,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it....
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:8-10,12, 13.
American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That’s what I as a Christian do and I truly believe all Christians should be doing.
When it comes to who gets to heaven I believe the following applies to all people.
First of all the Apostle Paul make it clear is a free gift. Writing to the Ephesians he 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
God sent His one and only Son to point mankind to the path that leads to Him. John recoding,
“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.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“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.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
There are many within our church walls today who are sinners, but know how to act like Christians. So they go unnoticed.
I would go as far as saying some of these people are even pastors and evangelist.
All who have not already need to admit they are sinners and accept Christ into their life.
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,
“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
John recoding,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) 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
No one has the right to tell someone whether or not they are saved. That is a personal decision between the individual and God.
Only God knows the heart of men. Only God knows why we are the way we are.
So ultimately, in the end, it come down to what do you believe?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus made it very clear, saying,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Do you believe this?
Think about it.
Over the years I have been asked by many people can Gay people get to heaven.
Over those same years I have sadly witnessed many pastors and evangelist in the media say emphatically no. I disagree.
At the risk of alienating the Christians that read my blogs I say anyone can get to heaven to say otherwise or to judge any other group because they are not like us is wrong.
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
Simply put keep our own house clean and let God take care of those outside the church.
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.
What Jesus said is true. If we judge someone, especially someone outside the church they are going to judge us also.
James makes it clear,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it....
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:8-10,12, 13.
American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That’s what I as a Christian do and I truly believe all Christians should be doing.
When it comes to who gets to heaven I believe the following applies to all people.
First of all the Apostle Paul make it clear is a free gift. Writing to the Ephesians he 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
God sent His one and only Son to point mankind to the path that leads to Him. John recoding,
“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.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“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.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
There are many within our church walls today who are sinners, but know how to act like Christians. So they go unnoticed.
I would go as far as saying some of these people are even pastors and evangelist.
All who have not already need to admit they are sinners and accept Christ into their life.
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,
“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
John recoding,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) 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
No one has the right to tell someone whether or not they are saved. That is a personal decision between the individual and God.
Only God knows the heart of men. Only God knows why we are the way we are.
So ultimately, in the end, it come down to what do you believe?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus made it very clear, saying,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Do you believe this?
Think about it.
Wednesday 5 November 2014
Where
Where
The following is a poem from a book I wrote called images. The sole purpose of writing the book was to make people think I put this here for both the Christian and none-Christian to think about.
Where
Where are the people?
Where?
Are they but shadows in the mall?
Shadows wandering, looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles or beads.
Are they?
Are they but shadows in time,
What is life?
Yours or mine?
What?
Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?
A wisp in the eternal aether
Are people wisps of smoke?
What of man’s or woman’s! accomplishments?
What of them?
Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?
Is that life?
Is life simply a cacophony of molecules and atoms,
Sound and energy travelling through endless time?
Is it?
Or
Is a life.
Yours and mine,... more?
Is it a divine opera?
An opera played out on a high mesa
A stage suspended between heaven and hell.
Are we as Shakespear said, simply actors?
Are we but actors in a play?
Actors awaiting the final curtain call,
Sending us to eternity?
Are you ready for the final curtain call?
Are you?
What is the sum total of your life?
What?
What will “they” say about you when you pass on?
What will God say?
The Psalmist wrote
“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
Psalms 39:4,5
Jesus said,
‘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.’
Revelations 3:20
The Apostle Paul wrote,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 2:8
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see...
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 11:1,6
Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through me.” John 14:6
Life is more than a wisp of smoke in the eternal aether.
Shadows wandering, looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads.
Shadows in time.
Life is a divine opera.
An opera played out on a high mesa.
A stage suspended between heaven and hell.
An opera with a twist.
A play who’s final ending is determined by you and me.
A play deciding where we will spend eternity.
Where will you spend eternity?
Will you accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life today?
Will you pray.Dear Heavenly Father,
I recognize that Jesus is your one and only Son.
That he came to earth to die for my sins.
I confess I am a sinner and that I fall short of what you want for my life.
Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life.
That I may spend eternity with you
In Jesus name I pray
Amen.
Tuesday 4 November 2014
Your People will be My People and Your God my God
Your people will be my people and your God my God.
“But Ruth replied,“don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.
May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth 1:16,17 (NIV)
The rest of the story goes this way God brings a series of circumstances together and blesses Ruth, a Moabite woman and her mother-in-law Naomi an Israelite. She meets and marries Boaz and they have a son named Obed.
The last verses of the book of Ruth read:
"Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz, the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David."
Ruth 4:21, 22 (NIV)
Matthew chapter one verse five reminds us that Boaz’s mother was Rahab.
That same chapter shows us all the line of Jesus. Starting from Abraham going through Rahab and Ruth to Jesus, himself.
Can you say what Ruth said? Are you truly followers of the one true and living God. Or, are you a follower of a particular pastor, preacher or evangelist?
I’ve heard many people over the years say they follow the teachings of various preachers many to their detriment.
A few years ago in our city a minister of a fair sized church sinned and fell from grace. Quite a few of those who had been following him fell away from church. They were following the man not God.
Paul had the same problem to address in Corinth. Writing 1Corinthians he states
“For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
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.
1 Corinthians 3:4-11.
Jesus must be the foundation on which our faith is built.
We can listen and learn from good evangelist and pastors but our foundation must be on the one foundation that cannot be shaken, that of Jesus Christ.
Think about it.
“But Ruth replied,“don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.
May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth 1:16,17 (NIV)
The rest of the story goes this way God brings a series of circumstances together and blesses Ruth, a Moabite woman and her mother-in-law Naomi an Israelite. She meets and marries Boaz and they have a son named Obed.
The last verses of the book of Ruth read:
"Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz, the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David."
Ruth 4:21, 22 (NIV)
Matthew chapter one verse five reminds us that Boaz’s mother was Rahab.
That same chapter shows us all the line of Jesus. Starting from Abraham going through Rahab and Ruth to Jesus, himself.
Can you say what Ruth said? Are you truly followers of the one true and living God. Or, are you a follower of a particular pastor, preacher or evangelist?
I’ve heard many people over the years say they follow the teachings of various preachers many to their detriment.
A few years ago in our city a minister of a fair sized church sinned and fell from grace. Quite a few of those who had been following him fell away from church. They were following the man not God.
Paul had the same problem to address in Corinth. Writing 1Corinthians he states
“For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
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.
1 Corinthians 3:4-11.
Jesus must be the foundation on which our faith is built.
We can listen and learn from good evangelist and pastors but our foundation must be on the one foundation that cannot be shaken, that of Jesus Christ.
Think about it.
Monday 3 November 2014
Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites
Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. Jesus said,
“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.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
The apostle Paul said,
"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.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“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
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. Jesus said,
“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.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
The apostle Paul said,
"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.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“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
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
Sunday 2 November 2014
A manger, carpenter's bench and a crown of thorns
A manger, carpenter’s bench and a crown of thorns
“They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career.”
W.E. Orchard
Let’s face it Christians are an odd bunch. We worship a carpenter from Nazareth, a back water town in a back water province of the mighty Roman empire. A man that preached for only three years and died a hideous death on a cross without raising a fist in anger.
This is not what man would consider great. Yet today Jesus Christ is considered by many to be the greatest man that ever lived.
It defies human logic.
General George S. Patton defined greatness this way
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Gen. George Patton.
Patton’s definition doesn’t take into account Jesus. He was nothing like Patton described. He was not a great general and his glory is not fleeting.
Earthly glory is indeed fleeting but then Jesus never claimed to be an earthly hero.
Another General who knew what he was talking about was Napoleon he said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
I do not believe Jesus to be a man. True while he walked this earth he acted as nothing more than a man. Because I believe that in order to be fair with man upon judgement day he had to know what it was to truly be human. Never the less I believe Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.
I believe what the apostle John said,
“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....
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.
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, 12-14.
For me Jesus was and is the Son of God, God incarnate who came to earth not only to show how far in earthly terms he would go to reconcile man to God, but I believe he came to experience all it was to be a man.
No one can stand before God today and say you do not know what it is to be a man because he does. He walked this earth and truly know what it is to be human.
The question is to you the reader, Do you believe Jesus is who He said he is or not?
To the believer the question is, if you truly believe in him and trust him, do you feel if you are doing enough for him.
Think about it.
“They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career.”
W.E. Orchard
Let’s face it Christians are an odd bunch. We worship a carpenter from Nazareth, a back water town in a back water province of the mighty Roman empire. A man that preached for only three years and died a hideous death on a cross without raising a fist in anger.
This is not what man would consider great. Yet today Jesus Christ is considered by many to be the greatest man that ever lived.
It defies human logic.
General George S. Patton defined greatness this way
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Gen. George Patton.
Patton’s definition doesn’t take into account Jesus. He was nothing like Patton described. He was not a great general and his glory is not fleeting.
Earthly glory is indeed fleeting but then Jesus never claimed to be an earthly hero.
Another General who knew what he was talking about was Napoleon he said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
I do not believe Jesus to be a man. True while he walked this earth he acted as nothing more than a man. Because I believe that in order to be fair with man upon judgement day he had to know what it was to truly be human. Never the less I believe Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.
I believe what the apostle John said,
“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....
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.
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, 12-14.
For me Jesus was and is the Son of God, God incarnate who came to earth not only to show how far in earthly terms he would go to reconcile man to God, but I believe he came to experience all it was to be a man.
No one can stand before God today and say you do not know what it is to be a man because he does. He walked this earth and truly know what it is to be human.
The question is to you the reader, Do you believe Jesus is who He said he is or not?
To the believer the question is, if you truly believe in him and trust him, do you feel if you are doing enough for him.
Think about it.
Saturday 1 November 2014
Faith of a Prostitute
Faith of a prostitute
Did you know there, are only four woman other than Mary, the mother of Christ mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew. The woman are, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife. Neither are Jewish by birth, and one is a prostitute.
We hear constantly about the great leaders, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Peter, Paul, John and the others. But there are other “little people” who are just as important.
Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho who seen the Israelites coming and feared God.
She believed what she had heard. She believed and acted on her beliefs.
She clearly seen the power of God, and at the risk of her own life hid the spies sent to Jericho by Joshua.
As a result, she was a recipient of the blessing given to Abram by God in
Genesis 12:3 when it states:
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:3
If we consider what happened to Rahab after the fall of Jericho, she was truly a recipient of God’s blessing. Her great grandson would be king David. Twenty-eight generations from David was the Messiah. The Saviour of the world.
From her lineage came the greatest blessing God could bestow on mankind.
Rahab is an example to us all. She shows that God will and does use anyone He pleases irrespective of gender or profession. All they have to do is believe and act on their faith.
No one remembers the leaders of Jericho, but the lowly prostitute Rahab is remembered in the very opening words of the New Testament. Her faith is remembered in the book of Hebrews amid the mention of great men of God.
She is remembered with great men such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephathah, David, Samuel and the prophets. All who acted on their faith.
The lesson to be learned here is that:
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.".
Think about it.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe,
when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrews11:30,31Did you know there, are only four woman other than Mary, the mother of Christ mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew. The woman are, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife. Neither are Jewish by birth, and one is a prostitute.
We hear constantly about the great leaders, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Peter, Paul, John and the others. But there are other “little people” who are just as important.
Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho who seen the Israelites coming and feared God.
She believed what she had heard. She believed and acted on her beliefs.
She clearly seen the power of God, and at the risk of her own life hid the spies sent to Jericho by Joshua.
As a result, she was a recipient of the blessing given to Abram by God in
Genesis 12:3 when it states:
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:3
If we consider what happened to Rahab after the fall of Jericho, she was truly a recipient of God’s blessing. Her great grandson would be king David. Twenty-eight generations from David was the Messiah. The Saviour of the world.
From her lineage came the greatest blessing God could bestow on mankind.
Rahab is an example to us all. She shows that God will and does use anyone He pleases irrespective of gender or profession. All they have to do is believe and act on their faith.
No one remembers the leaders of Jericho, but the lowly prostitute Rahab is remembered in the very opening words of the New Testament. Her faith is remembered in the book of Hebrews amid the mention of great men of God.
She is remembered with great men such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephathah, David, Samuel and the prophets. All who acted on their faith.
The lesson to be learned here is that:
1, God is the God of all people
2, no one is exempt from the salvation He offers
3, He will use anyone, including you.
All God wants from us is faith. Hebrews 11:6 states:"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.".
Think about it.
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