About God
“It is incomprehensible that God should exist, and it is incomprehensible that he should not exist.”
Blaise Pascal.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God. But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.”
Ben Zion Bokser
The Psalmist wrote,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
I am a Christian it goes without saying I believe in God. Not only that but I’m in the majority in the world. The majority of people in the world believe in God and a life beyond the grave.
All I have to do is look around me to see the hand of God.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
I believe that. As I see the perfection of the natural world I can’t believe it all just came to be by chance. The perfection of it all tells me behind it all is the creators hand.
If life simply evolved as evolutionist say, with the survival of the fittest then man would have become extinct long ago. Simply because a universal moral code would not exist.
In order for man to survive as a species it is essential that all men subscribe to a universal moral code, especially do not kill.
Man even in our so called enlightened age, has a horrible track record when it comes to not killing our fellow man. Not counting wars in the United States alone so far this year over eleven thousand people have died due to gun violence alone. And this with laws that say you should not kill.
That aside, I believe man has written on his heart the fact that he should not kill. This I believe was implanted in mans heart by God.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
It is only when man recognizes there ultimately is a God that he will one day be held accountable to that society flourishes.
It’s when men loose their fear of God or twist His words for their own evil devices that things go wrong.
The proof is in world war two when the Nazi’s came to power men who did not fear God causing the deaths of over eleven million people, six million of them Jews alone in death camps. In a war that caused close to sixty million military and civilian casualties.
It’s happening today as terrorist kill and destroy anything they disagree with.
It happens on the streets of our towns and cities where everything from white collar crime to robberies to violent crime take place. Done by men and women who don’t give God a second thought. Who do not believe they will ultimately be called to judgement if not by earthly judges, most certainly by God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe in God it’s that simple. I believe we all one day will be judged by him.
I also believe in God because without His existence life would have no meaning.
Please think about it.
Friday 11 December 2015
Thursday 10 December 2015
The answer is not forty-two
The answer is not forty-two
In his sifi spoof The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams tells of a super computer built for some mice, determines the answer to life, the universe and everything is “forty-two”
Adams in his book spoofs everything in society. It’s an interesting book to read just for fun, there was even a movie made of it as well as a BBC television program.
That being said the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy assumption that the meaning of life is forty-two as we know is not true.
A individual is far more than that whatever it means.
Philosophers through the ages have argued over what the meaning of life is. Today people are drawn to various religious, philosophies and ways of life in the hope of finding true meaning and purpose in their life. Some are even turning to terrorist organisations to find purpose in life.
The Greeks in the days of the Apostles and Jesus were looking for meaning. They built temples to various Gods. They talked endlessly trying to find true meaning and were constantly on the lookout for new ideas.
One of those new ideas, at least to the ancient Greeks in Athens, was the belief the apostle Paul was talking about. Belief in Jesus. His speech to the Athenians then is as relevant today as it was then. The book of Acts records,
“So he(Paul) reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:17-34
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
As someone who has know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour for over forty years now I know that all the Bible says about Him is true.
My life as a Christian has meaning and purpose. In Christ I have lived a full and rich life. What more can I ask?
I would ask you dear reader to consider accepting Jesus into your life today.
Please think about it.
In his sifi spoof The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams tells of a super computer built for some mice, determines the answer to life, the universe and everything is “forty-two”
Adams in his book spoofs everything in society. It’s an interesting book to read just for fun, there was even a movie made of it as well as a BBC television program.
That being said the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy assumption that the meaning of life is forty-two as we know is not true.
A individual is far more than that whatever it means.
Philosophers through the ages have argued over what the meaning of life is. Today people are drawn to various religious, philosophies and ways of life in the hope of finding true meaning and purpose in their life. Some are even turning to terrorist organisations to find purpose in life.
The Greeks in the days of the Apostles and Jesus were looking for meaning. They built temples to various Gods. They talked endlessly trying to find true meaning and were constantly on the lookout for new ideas.
One of those new ideas, at least to the ancient Greeks in Athens, was the belief the apostle Paul was talking about. Belief in Jesus. His speech to the Athenians then is as relevant today as it was then. The book of Acts records,
“So he(Paul) reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:17-34
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
As someone who has know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour for over forty years now I know that all the Bible says about Him is true.
My life as a Christian has meaning and purpose. In Christ I have lived a full and rich life. What more can I ask?
I would ask you dear reader to consider accepting Jesus into your life today.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 9 December 2015
A time to Shine
Time to Shine
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
As I write this in the United States presidential candidate Donald Trump has made another outrageous statement against Muslims. Saying they should be banned from entering the United States. I wonder if he would also extend it to the Muslims he’s partnering with in his businesses in the middle east?
Trump is showing himself to be a hypocrite and a bigot. The sad thing is people agree with him.
In all of this I’ve noticed an absence of the Christian Church. Christians are told by Jesus to Love God, your neighbour, and even your enemy. Yet from what I see from my vantage point here in Canada is silence from Christians in the United States.
Where are the leaders of the major denominations, the evangelical leaders, the leaders of the so called super churches. They should be acting. They should be speaking against Trump and others like him.
They should be reaching out to the Syrian refugees and others offering them a safe place to live in the name of Jesus.
In contrast to the seeming paranoia in the United States the Canadian government is bringing in at least 25,000 refugees. Over the next few months. It’s making them permanent residence which offers them all the opportunities Canada has to offer.
Christians and other faith groups here in Canada are reaching out to those coming with open arms.
The world refugee crisis is an opportunity for Christians to show love in a tangible way. At the very least this crisis is bringing those in need of the love of Christ to our doorsteps.
Tony Campolo said,
“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.
This may very well be one of those important times in history. A time when we as Christians can shine. When we can show the world we care.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Certainly those who are displaced by the current problems in the middle east are in need of the Love and rest for their souls.
Something that we as Christians can offer them in Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
As I write this in the United States presidential candidate Donald Trump has made another outrageous statement against Muslims. Saying they should be banned from entering the United States. I wonder if he would also extend it to the Muslims he’s partnering with in his businesses in the middle east?
Trump is showing himself to be a hypocrite and a bigot. The sad thing is people agree with him.
In all of this I’ve noticed an absence of the Christian Church. Christians are told by Jesus to Love God, your neighbour, and even your enemy. Yet from what I see from my vantage point here in Canada is silence from Christians in the United States.
Where are the leaders of the major denominations, the evangelical leaders, the leaders of the so called super churches. They should be acting. They should be speaking against Trump and others like him.
They should be reaching out to the Syrian refugees and others offering them a safe place to live in the name of Jesus.
In contrast to the seeming paranoia in the United States the Canadian government is bringing in at least 25,000 refugees. Over the next few months. It’s making them permanent residence which offers them all the opportunities Canada has to offer.
Christians and other faith groups here in Canada are reaching out to those coming with open arms.
The world refugee crisis is an opportunity for Christians to show love in a tangible way. At the very least this crisis is bringing those in need of the love of Christ to our doorsteps.
Tony Campolo said,
“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.
This may very well be one of those important times in history. A time when we as Christians can shine. When we can show the world we care.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Certainly those who are displaced by the current problems in the middle east are in need of the Love and rest for their souls.
Something that we as Christians can offer them in Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 8 December 2015
Jesus is
Jesus is
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
John 14:5-11.
Here is a statement by Jesus if not true it would mean that Christians are believing a lie and Jesus is deluded or worse.
Jesus makes it clear to Thomas the He is the only way to heaven. He states that
“I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
The New Testament gives another account of what Jesus says about himself. John’s gospel records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32.
Jesus makes it clear He and God are one.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
So the question becomes, Who do you think Christ is?
Please think about it.
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
John 14:5-11.
Here is a statement by Jesus if not true it would mean that Christians are believing a lie and Jesus is deluded or worse.
Jesus makes it clear to Thomas the He is the only way to heaven. He states that
“I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
The New Testament gives another account of what Jesus says about himself. John’s gospel records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32.
Jesus makes it clear He and God are one.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
So the question becomes, Who do you think Christ is?
Please think about it.
Who can get to heaven?
Who can get to heaven?
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
Someone trying to put me on the spot in front of my pastor and others, asked me, “Can a Gay man get to heaven.”
I quoted the above verses from Psalm 139. It says,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
I informed the man that God knows us intimately that according to the Psalmist God created our inmost being. The He knitted us together in our mothers womb. To me that means God knows our very genetic code and what makes us, us.
God does not discriminate against anyone be they gay or strait, from Canada or from anywhere else in the world. God Loves all people equally and knows why they are like they are.
When 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.”
John 3:16.
He did not put limits on God’s love. He did not discriminate between races or sexual orientation. He simply said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
So yes anyone can get to heaven. They simply have to listen to the words of Jesus who gives all people everywhere a choice when He 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.
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— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation is a free gift from God open to all who will believe in Jesus Christ no matter who they are.
Please think about it.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
Someone trying to put me on the spot in front of my pastor and others, asked me, “Can a Gay man get to heaven.”
I quoted the above verses from Psalm 139. It says,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
I informed the man that God knows us intimately that according to the Psalmist God created our inmost being. The He knitted us together in our mothers womb. To me that means God knows our very genetic code and what makes us, us.
God does not discriminate against anyone be they gay or strait, from Canada or from anywhere else in the world. God Loves all people equally and knows why they are like they are.
When 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.”
John 3:16.
He did not put limits on God’s love. He did not discriminate between races or sexual orientation. He simply said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
So yes anyone can get to heaven. They simply have to listen to the words of Jesus who gives all people everywhere a choice when He 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.
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— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation is a free gift from God open to all who will believe in Jesus Christ no matter who they are.
Please think about it.
Monday 7 December 2015
Death of a young man
Death of a young man.
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo.
I am writing this by way of a warning of sorts to all who would read this. The question I ask is, Where will you spend eternity?
As I write this a young man I know named Johnny has just died he was a month short of his thirtieth birthday.
I’ve known this young man all his life. When younger he attended Sunday School and church he had a family that cared for him, but as he grew to manhood he left the church and went his own way.
For most of his life he struggled with alcoholism and drugs. He’d get drunk and start using his fists and action that seen him put in jail several times.
His death came as a result of a fight in which he was hit over the head with a pipe killing him.
Many people over the years tried to reach Johnny. He’d stop by our house on numerous occasions to talk. He always knew that our door was open to him at any time day or night if he needed help.
My late sister in law a recovering alcoholic herself did her best while alive to try and get Johnny into various programs to get him sober, but to no avail.
Johnny sadly followed his own path that led to his ultimate demise.
I as a Christian believe God tries to reach us and give us a chance to accept Him as Lord of our lives up to the very moment of our death. Such a decision is between the individual and God.
Where Johnny stood I do not know. It is between Him and God. Certainly Johnny knew the way to heaven all he had to do was reach out to the hand of Jesus. Something he could have done with his last breath.
Question, Dear reader do you know where you will spend eternity?
The apostle John writing about Jesus said,
“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.
The Gift of Salvation, eternal life with God is free to all. The Apostle Paul said,
“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
Accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour is as simple as a sincere prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. That He came to this world to bring Salvation to each and every person who would believe in Him.
Please dear Lord forgive my sins and come into my heart and soul today. Be Lord of my life and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, I would suggest that you start reading the Bible for it is in reading the Bible that we can determine what God expects of us.
Start by reading the New Testament. Here in North America you can get a bible at any book store. You can even go on line and get the “you bible” app. A free App.
I suggest you read a modern translation, the New International Version, the New King James Version, American Standard Version are all easy to read and understand.
In my bible study at the church we use all of those versions.
I would also suggest you find a good church. As these blogs are read around the world it’s hard for me her in Canada to suggest a specific church. I do however suggest the Baptist Churches as they are consistent in their beliefs around the world.
In the United States Southern Baptist convention churches are good as is the Assemblies of God.
Additionally here in Canada I suggest a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church.
Remember not all church congregations are the same in character some are more lively than others, others are very conservative in the way they conduct their service while others are more contemporary with modern music and worship styles.
The key is to find a church that fits your liking while at the same time holds the Bible as the sacred inspired word of God.
Pray and ask God to lead you to the right church you’ll be surprised how he will lead you.
The key in all of this is knowing Jesus as your Lord and saviour. It is the only way you can be assured of going to heaven.
Please think about it.
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo.
I am writing this by way of a warning of sorts to all who would read this. The question I ask is, Where will you spend eternity?
As I write this a young man I know named Johnny has just died he was a month short of his thirtieth birthday.
I’ve known this young man all his life. When younger he attended Sunday School and church he had a family that cared for him, but as he grew to manhood he left the church and went his own way.
For most of his life he struggled with alcoholism and drugs. He’d get drunk and start using his fists and action that seen him put in jail several times.
His death came as a result of a fight in which he was hit over the head with a pipe killing him.
Many people over the years tried to reach Johnny. He’d stop by our house on numerous occasions to talk. He always knew that our door was open to him at any time day or night if he needed help.
My late sister in law a recovering alcoholic herself did her best while alive to try and get Johnny into various programs to get him sober, but to no avail.
Johnny sadly followed his own path that led to his ultimate demise.
I as a Christian believe God tries to reach us and give us a chance to accept Him as Lord of our lives up to the very moment of our death. Such a decision is between the individual and God.
Where Johnny stood I do not know. It is between Him and God. Certainly Johnny knew the way to heaven all he had to do was reach out to the hand of Jesus. Something he could have done with his last breath.
Question, Dear reader do you know where you will spend eternity?
The apostle John writing about Jesus said,
“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.
The Gift of Salvation, eternal life with God is free to all. The Apostle Paul said,
“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
Accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour is as simple as a sincere prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. That He came to this world to bring Salvation to each and every person who would believe in Him.
Please dear Lord forgive my sins and come into my heart and soul today. Be Lord of my life and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, I would suggest that you start reading the Bible for it is in reading the Bible that we can determine what God expects of us.
Start by reading the New Testament. Here in North America you can get a bible at any book store. You can even go on line and get the “you bible” app. A free App.
I suggest you read a modern translation, the New International Version, the New King James Version, American Standard Version are all easy to read and understand.
In my bible study at the church we use all of those versions.
I would also suggest you find a good church. As these blogs are read around the world it’s hard for me her in Canada to suggest a specific church. I do however suggest the Baptist Churches as they are consistent in their beliefs around the world.
In the United States Southern Baptist convention churches are good as is the Assemblies of God.
Additionally here in Canada I suggest a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church.
Remember not all church congregations are the same in character some are more lively than others, others are very conservative in the way they conduct their service while others are more contemporary with modern music and worship styles.
The key is to find a church that fits your liking while at the same time holds the Bible as the sacred inspired word of God.
Pray and ask God to lead you to the right church you’ll be surprised how he will lead you.
The key in all of this is knowing Jesus as your Lord and saviour. It is the only way you can be assured of going to heaven.
Please think about it.
Sunday 6 December 2015
Advice from Apostles
Advice from Apostles
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:9-12.
Dear Christian, do you follow the words of the apostle Peter?
Do you live such good lives among the pagan that “though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”?
I am a firm believer that Christians should not be demonstrating in the streets unless our, or some other groups freedoms are being taken away.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“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
Protesting against people we disagree with or against laws that give equal rights to other groups we disagree with is wrong.
Neither Jesus or the apostles ever spoke out against Rome and it’s laws however abhorrent they were.
Admittedly they spoke against the religious leaders of their day. But they were Jews who had the right to speak against improper practices within Judaism.
In the same way we as Christians have the right to speak out against improper practices within Christianity.
The apostle 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
The writer of Hebrews gives us words that we who claim to be Christians must obey when he says,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
For me holiness is living a life dedicated to God and Christ. Living a life of Love for God, one’s neighbour, and even for one’s enemies. Of reaching out in the name of Jesus to reach the lost of this world no matter who they are.
Are you?
Please think about it.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:9-12.
Dear Christian, do you follow the words of the apostle Peter?
Do you live such good lives among the pagan that “though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”?
I am a firm believer that Christians should not be demonstrating in the streets unless our, or some other groups freedoms are being taken away.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“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
Protesting against people we disagree with or against laws that give equal rights to other groups we disagree with is wrong.
Neither Jesus or the apostles ever spoke out against Rome and it’s laws however abhorrent they were.
Admittedly they spoke against the religious leaders of their day. But they were Jews who had the right to speak against improper practices within Judaism.
In the same way we as Christians have the right to speak out against improper practices within Christianity.
The apostle 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
The writer of Hebrews gives us words that we who claim to be Christians must obey when he says,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
For me holiness is living a life dedicated to God and Christ. Living a life of Love for God, one’s neighbour, and even for one’s enemies. Of reaching out in the name of Jesus to reach the lost of this world no matter who they are.
Are you?
Please think about it.
Saturday 5 December 2015
Praise God
Praise God
All too often we as Christians listen to praise and worship music but we don’t praise God ourselves.
That being said her’s something for you dear Christian to do. Take five or ten minutes right now to praise God.
You don’t have to play an instrument or be able to sing on key. You can simply speak your praises to God.
The key is to take time to do nothing else than to praise God.
Please think about it.
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150.All too often we as Christians listen to praise and worship music but we don’t praise God ourselves.
That being said her’s something for you dear Christian to do. Take five or ten minutes right now to praise God.
You don’t have to play an instrument or be able to sing on key. You can simply speak your praises to God.
The key is to take time to do nothing else than to praise God.
Please think about it.
Thursday 3 December 2015
Wise words for Christians
Wise words for Christians
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Romans 12:18,19.
It is only through living at peace with those around us that we can effectively present the gospel. The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
Jesus said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Dear Christian are you?
Please think about it.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Romans 12:18,19.
It is only through living at peace with those around us that we can effectively present the gospel. The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
Jesus said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Dear Christian are you?
Please think about it.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
A check list for Christians
A check list for Christians
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Galatians 5: 19-26
Here is a checklist we as Christians need to look at carefully
The sinful nature The fruit of the Spirit
sexual immorality Love, Joy, Peace,
impurity and debauchery patience kindness
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred goodness faithfulness
discord, jealousy, fits of rage, gentleness self-control
selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions envy; drunkenness, orgies.
Sadly over the years I’ve seen many calling themselves Christians who have had more check marks on the left list than on the right.
As I look at demonstrators in front of abortion clinics and protesting against gay rights I have to ask myself are they exhibiting Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control? I know for certain those being demonstrated against are not seeing love or any of the other attributes Christians are suppose to be showing.
I like what the Apostle Paul says here,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Christ and the apostles never demonstrated against the secular Roman government. They stuck to the message of salvation and changed the world.
We may not agree with the things that are happening in our society. We may not agree with what laws our government pass. I’m sure the apostles didn’t agree with some of the laws of Rome yet they never spoke out against them.
They exhibited “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Which is what we should do.
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Galatians 5: 19-26
Here is a checklist we as Christians need to look at carefully
The sinful nature The fruit of the Spirit
sexual immorality Love, Joy, Peace,
impurity and debauchery patience kindness
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred goodness faithfulness
discord, jealousy, fits of rage, gentleness self-control
selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions envy; drunkenness, orgies.
Sadly over the years I’ve seen many calling themselves Christians who have had more check marks on the left list than on the right.
As I look at demonstrators in front of abortion clinics and protesting against gay rights I have to ask myself are they exhibiting Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control? I know for certain those being demonstrated against are not seeing love or any of the other attributes Christians are suppose to be showing.
I like what the Apostle Paul says here,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Christ and the apostles never demonstrated against the secular Roman government. They stuck to the message of salvation and changed the world.
We may not agree with the things that are happening in our society. We may not agree with what laws our government pass. I’m sure the apostles didn’t agree with some of the laws of Rome yet they never spoke out against them.
They exhibited “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Which is what we should do.
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
Tuesday 1 December 2015
A Christian truism
A Christian Truism
A Midnight Conversation with God
Dear Christian how often do you draw close to God? I mean really close to God?
I believe all of us from the most dedicated faithful pastor to those sitting in the pews go through times when they do things their way. Times when life is going good. There are no conflicts or problems in our life. Thus we don’t draw as near to God as we should.
It’s only when problems arise that we can’t handle that we turn to God. This should not be so. We should be turning to God each day of our lives, asking for guidance and protection for the coming day.
The Psalmist wrote,
Dear Christian do you believe the twenty-third psalm? Do you put your trust in God everyday during the good times and the bad times?
I have a great deal of respect for my pastor. He is a man of great faith. He gives praise to God every day of his life in the good times and in the bad.
Five years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer and told he wouldn’t live more than two years even with surgery and chemotherapy and radiation.
In fact the doctor who did the surgery on him said he would not have gone in had he realized it was so bad. Still he cut away what he could and my pastor underwent Chemotherapy.
My pastor admitted he was down when he first got the news but he said he realized that he served a great and loving God and that His will would prevail.
He took comfort in the fact that God had been there for him in the good times and would now be with him in the bad. And he would be content with God’s will being done in his life.
His trust was well founded. Today five years later they cannot find the cancer and he gives the praise to God.
Talking privately with him he told me that as a Christian he was in a win, win situation. That with Christ as his saviour he knew where his eternal resting place was. That he would go to heaven. Where there was no more suffering and pain.
At the same time if God had more for him to do here on earth God would heal him and let him continue in his ministry and be with his family.
This is how we all should be. We should draw near to God not only in the bad times but in the good time.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
What Jesus is saying is true. If we put our trust in Christ. If we truly love God he will be there for us both in good times and in bad.
Do you trust God in the good times and bad?
Please think about it.
A Midnight Conversation with God
“God, why is it
that the only time
I swim back to You
is when the sharks
are about to eat me?
I could harbour my soul
in your crystal, clear waters
but instead
I allow the undertow
to carry me far from You
and out into
the black, salty waters
where danger lurks
with each crashing wave
and where my feet
never touch the bottom.”
By Mike W. Blottenberger.Dear Christian how often do you draw close to God? I mean really close to God?
I believe all of us from the most dedicated faithful pastor to those sitting in the pews go through times when they do things their way. Times when life is going good. There are no conflicts or problems in our life. Thus we don’t draw as near to God as we should.
It’s only when problems arise that we can’t handle that we turn to God. This should not be so. We should be turning to God each day of our lives, asking for guidance and protection for the coming day.
The Psalmist wrote,
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23Dear Christian do you believe the twenty-third psalm? Do you put your trust in God everyday during the good times and the bad times?
I have a great deal of respect for my pastor. He is a man of great faith. He gives praise to God every day of his life in the good times and in the bad.
Five years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer and told he wouldn’t live more than two years even with surgery and chemotherapy and radiation.
In fact the doctor who did the surgery on him said he would not have gone in had he realized it was so bad. Still he cut away what he could and my pastor underwent Chemotherapy.
My pastor admitted he was down when he first got the news but he said he realized that he served a great and loving God and that His will would prevail.
He took comfort in the fact that God had been there for him in the good times and would now be with him in the bad. And he would be content with God’s will being done in his life.
His trust was well founded. Today five years later they cannot find the cancer and he gives the praise to God.
Talking privately with him he told me that as a Christian he was in a win, win situation. That with Christ as his saviour he knew where his eternal resting place was. That he would go to heaven. Where there was no more suffering and pain.
At the same time if God had more for him to do here on earth God would heal him and let him continue in his ministry and be with his family.
This is how we all should be. We should draw near to God not only in the bad times but in the good time.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
What Jesus is saying is true. If we put our trust in Christ. If we truly love God he will be there for us both in good times and in bad.
Do you trust God in the good times and bad?
Please think about it.
Christians beware!
Christians beware
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“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 7:15-23
Not so long ago at our midweek the topic of what ministry people should support came up. It came up because we were discussing the verse quoted above.
We noted that while the majority of ministries in the media are honest and good ministries doing there best to follow the word of God, there are some many that are not. Not only that some of those who are not true Christians are very high profile.
We was noted that not all who claim to be Christian are. They claim to have done miracles even cast out demons. Yet they do not know the Lord.
Many in the media especially put on a good show. They quote scripture and make it sound right yet they may not know the Lord. As someone said just because you can quote scripture and make it sound good does not make you a Christian.
One person even noted that Al Capone the famous gangster made himself look good by setting up a soup kitchen for the needy.
The same can be true of charlatans in the Christian community.
The conclusion we came to was beware. That before you support a ministry check their theology against the Bible. Are they quoting scripture in context or are they twisting it to make it sound good?
Beware of those who are asking for money. Especially those who are promising that if you give to God, He will give you back a ten, hundred or a thousand fold increase on what you give. That you will get back more than you give. The so called prosperity doctrine, or give to get theology.
Such theology sounds good after all who wouldn’t want ten, or a hundred fold return on their giving? But it’s wrong. God is not a super banker giving extreme interest on your investment.
You should be giving to the Lord’s work because you want to, not with the intention of getting any return.
Ask the ministry you wish to support to give a financial accounting.
Our church here in Canada is required to make an accounting of where every penny goes to the congregation every year. We even know the pastors salary. The same standard should go for any ministry individuals support. All expenses including the evangelist or pastors salary should be documented publicly.
Today with the internet it’s easy to check up on various ministries. You can also contact the ministry direct and ask them to give an accounting. If they refuse to give you that accounting then don’t support them.
Also be careful about the claims a ministry makes. Miracles do happen, but there are many in the media that are making false claims and refuse to give independent verification of the miracles.
The rule is if it’s too good to be true then it may not be true, is a good rule to follow.
The key I believe is to first and foremost support your local congregation where you are certain you know where the money is being spent wisely.
The other important thing is to spend time in prayer and ask God where you should give your money. Many Christians give more than their tithe.
The tithe should go to the congregation you are attending. As one person told me give to where you are being fed.
Any other money that is given to Christian causes should be done so with prayer. Again I firmly believe you should give to missions or other Christian causes through your local congregation as the money can be tracked and accounted for.
Please think about it.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“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 7:15-23
Not so long ago at our midweek the topic of what ministry people should support came up. It came up because we were discussing the verse quoted above.
We noted that while the majority of ministries in the media are honest and good ministries doing there best to follow the word of God, there are some many that are not. Not only that some of those who are not true Christians are very high profile.
We was noted that not all who claim to be Christian are. They claim to have done miracles even cast out demons. Yet they do not know the Lord.
Many in the media especially put on a good show. They quote scripture and make it sound right yet they may not know the Lord. As someone said just because you can quote scripture and make it sound good does not make you a Christian.
One person even noted that Al Capone the famous gangster made himself look good by setting up a soup kitchen for the needy.
The same can be true of charlatans in the Christian community.
The conclusion we came to was beware. That before you support a ministry check their theology against the Bible. Are they quoting scripture in context or are they twisting it to make it sound good?
Beware of those who are asking for money. Especially those who are promising that if you give to God, He will give you back a ten, hundred or a thousand fold increase on what you give. That you will get back more than you give. The so called prosperity doctrine, or give to get theology.
Such theology sounds good after all who wouldn’t want ten, or a hundred fold return on their giving? But it’s wrong. God is not a super banker giving extreme interest on your investment.
You should be giving to the Lord’s work because you want to, not with the intention of getting any return.
Ask the ministry you wish to support to give a financial accounting.
Our church here in Canada is required to make an accounting of where every penny goes to the congregation every year. We even know the pastors salary. The same standard should go for any ministry individuals support. All expenses including the evangelist or pastors salary should be documented publicly.
Today with the internet it’s easy to check up on various ministries. You can also contact the ministry direct and ask them to give an accounting. If they refuse to give you that accounting then don’t support them.
Also be careful about the claims a ministry makes. Miracles do happen, but there are many in the media that are making false claims and refuse to give independent verification of the miracles.
The rule is if it’s too good to be true then it may not be true, is a good rule to follow.
The key I believe is to first and foremost support your local congregation where you are certain you know where the money is being spent wisely.
The other important thing is to spend time in prayer and ask God where you should give your money. Many Christians give more than their tithe.
The tithe should go to the congregation you are attending. As one person told me give to where you are being fed.
Any other money that is given to Christian causes should be done so with prayer. Again I firmly believe you should give to missions or other Christian causes through your local congregation as the money can be tracked and accounted for.
Please think about it.
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