On Jesus
At this writing Christmas eve not that far away. And the eternal question is who do you believe Jesus to be?
The gospel of John records this,
“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.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
What Lewis is saying is reflected in the above account from John 10:24-32. The people were going to stone Jesus because he claimed to be one with God. This was something punishable by death at the time. Only an insane man would say such a thing and Jesus was not insane.
I believe each and every person on this earth needs to make a decision as to who they think Jesus is. Jesus is recorded as saying this to a woman called Martha. He said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27
This is the question we all must answer one way or the other. There is no middle ground.
The reward for believing in Jesus is an eternity with God. The apostle John writing,
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.
Please think about it.
Thursday 17 December 2015
Wednesday 16 December 2015
People in the 21st century
People in the 21st Century
The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said,
“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.”
Acts 17:22.
Irrespective of what century people live, people are religious. People today in our secular society may not admit it but they have god’s in abundance.
There’s the god of the stock market, and the dollar bill. People treat to them as god’s. They want to have favour with these god’s hoping they will bring prosperity and happiness to them.
Here in Canada for many years now governments have bowed to the god of natural resources. Noting how they go so goes the economy.
In North America as Christmas approaches we see the god of consumerism worshipped. With people everywhere quite often paying out more money than they have, going into debt to obtain things they think will make them happy, content and fulfilled.
These are god’s made with man’s hands of stone, plastic, and other materials. Things like the dollar bill, stocks and bonds, the latest gadgets, toys, and such are not wrong in themselves. They are things that make our life easier or more fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.
The problem comes when we put ourselves into debt for them. When we subconsciously or otherwise start worshipping material things. Making these things essential to our happiness.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
Man is more than flesh and blood. Man is body soul and spirit. Man is an eternal being. Life does not end in death but continues eternally.
It is here and now, in this life however where we decide our eternal resting place shall be. 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.
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 tells us,
“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 writes,
“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.
God has given every man and woman on this earth a choice. They can believe that first of all God exists and secondly that Jesus is the Son of God the saviour of mankind.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said,
“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.”
Acts 17:22.
Irrespective of what century people live, people are religious. People today in our secular society may not admit it but they have god’s in abundance.
There’s the god of the stock market, and the dollar bill. People treat to them as god’s. They want to have favour with these god’s hoping they will bring prosperity and happiness to them.
Here in Canada for many years now governments have bowed to the god of natural resources. Noting how they go so goes the economy.
In North America as Christmas approaches we see the god of consumerism worshipped. With people everywhere quite often paying out more money than they have, going into debt to obtain things they think will make them happy, content and fulfilled.
These are god’s made with man’s hands of stone, plastic, and other materials. Things like the dollar bill, stocks and bonds, the latest gadgets, toys, and such are not wrong in themselves. They are things that make our life easier or more fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.
The problem comes when we put ourselves into debt for them. When we subconsciously or otherwise start worshipping material things. Making these things essential to our happiness.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
Man is more than flesh and blood. Man is body soul and spirit. Man is an eternal being. Life does not end in death but continues eternally.
It is here and now, in this life however where we decide our eternal resting place shall be. 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.
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 tells us,
“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 writes,
“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.
God has given every man and woman on this earth a choice. They can believe that first of all God exists and secondly that Jesus is the Son of God the saviour of mankind.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 15 December 2015
Christianity under assault from within
Christianity under assault from within?
Jesus said,
“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 thornbushes, 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
We as Christians live in dangerous times. Many Christians believe we are in the so called end times. That may be so. But Christians need not worry we’ve read the book and it ends well for believers in Christ in the end.
However in this multimedia world Christianity is under attack and not so much from the outside but from within.
Most Christians tend to be on their guard when it comes from attacks from outside their faith. However they are less cautious about the attacks from within.
There are many ministries in the media and many Churches today who call themselves Christian but are far from God. They are perverting the word of God to suit their own way of thinking.
Back in the seventies there was an excellent example of this. Jim Jones a very charismatic preacher in the United States said things that sounded very good but led people astray.
The end coming when he and thousands of his followers who had gone down to south America committed mass suicide. A thousand or more died.
Today’s preachers and evangelist who are leading people astray are not leading people to commit mass suicided but they are misguiding people in other more subtle ways.
They are preaching the prosperity doctrine. Saying give to God and he’ll give you back a hundred, or a thousand fold. This has led people to give money they could not afford to give. With the resulting tragic financial consequences.
There are preachers out there claiming to heal people but are failing to show proof of any actual healings.
Some churches and ministers have abandoned at least in part the Bible. They pick and choose the parts they believe and dismiss the rest.
Others simply preach a feel good doctrine that people want to hear. After all who wouldn’t want to feel good?
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to be on guard for the enemy within the Christian community. Men and women calling themselves Christians who are not.
In this day and age when the media blasts us from every angle we must read the Bible for ourselves. We must pray and ask God to guide us and not rely on evangelist and preachers in the media that we know little about other than what we see in the media.
We need to be attending a Church congregation that studies the Bible in context and strives their best to obey the word of God in spirit and truth.
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“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 thornbushes, 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
We as Christians live in dangerous times. Many Christians believe we are in the so called end times. That may be so. But Christians need not worry we’ve read the book and it ends well for believers in Christ in the end.
However in this multimedia world Christianity is under attack and not so much from the outside but from within.
Most Christians tend to be on their guard when it comes from attacks from outside their faith. However they are less cautious about the attacks from within.
There are many ministries in the media and many Churches today who call themselves Christian but are far from God. They are perverting the word of God to suit their own way of thinking.
Back in the seventies there was an excellent example of this. Jim Jones a very charismatic preacher in the United States said things that sounded very good but led people astray.
The end coming when he and thousands of his followers who had gone down to south America committed mass suicide. A thousand or more died.
Today’s preachers and evangelist who are leading people astray are not leading people to commit mass suicided but they are misguiding people in other more subtle ways.
They are preaching the prosperity doctrine. Saying give to God and he’ll give you back a hundred, or a thousand fold. This has led people to give money they could not afford to give. With the resulting tragic financial consequences.
There are preachers out there claiming to heal people but are failing to show proof of any actual healings.
Some churches and ministers have abandoned at least in part the Bible. They pick and choose the parts they believe and dismiss the rest.
Others simply preach a feel good doctrine that people want to hear. After all who wouldn’t want to feel good?
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to be on guard for the enemy within the Christian community. Men and women calling themselves Christians who are not.
In this day and age when the media blasts us from every angle we must read the Bible for ourselves. We must pray and ask God to guide us and not rely on evangelist and preachers in the media that we know little about other than what we see in the media.
We need to be attending a Church congregation that studies the Bible in context and strives their best to obey the word of God in spirit and truth.
Please think about it.
Monday 14 December 2015
A time will come
A time will come
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I know a person who every time we talk brings up conspiracy theories. This man calls himself a Christian but I am not certain. Still that’s between him and God.
This man listens to off beat evangelist predominantly from the United States. He tells me president Obama is funding terrorist groups that are against the states.
A few days after the federal election here in Canada he told me our new prime minister was a Muslim after all in his mind only a Muslim would want twenty thousand plus middle eastern refugees to enter Canada.
All of his so called facts were either made up or simple lies he’d been fed by as I say some misguided preacher evangelist or some else who doesn’t have their facts strait.
Sadly this person is not alone. All too many Christians follow preachers and evangelist who are not presenting the word of God correctly.
Such men and women to quote the apostle Paul writing to Timothy,
“...to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Over the last little while in particular I’ve heard evangelist and those calling themselves Christians selling everything from over priced beauty aides with fancy Christian names to survival rations.
That’s not to count those who are out there proclaiming give to get. Give to God (quite often meaning to their particular ministry) and God will give you ten, a hundred, even a thousand fold back. What garbage. God is not a super banker.
Sadly many like the man I spoke of, follow these at the least misguided preachers. They don’t read the word of God for themselves in context. They simply follow a particular evangelist or preachers every word.
As Christians we especially in this multi media age need to turn back to the bible. We need to be reading it daily, praying and asking God to show us the truth contained within it.
We need to be attending a church that studies the Bible in a right and proper manner that dose not take things out of context to make it conform to what they believe.
We must remember the words of Jesus who 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
Please think about it.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I know a person who every time we talk brings up conspiracy theories. This man calls himself a Christian but I am not certain. Still that’s between him and God.
This man listens to off beat evangelist predominantly from the United States. He tells me president Obama is funding terrorist groups that are against the states.
A few days after the federal election here in Canada he told me our new prime minister was a Muslim after all in his mind only a Muslim would want twenty thousand plus middle eastern refugees to enter Canada.
All of his so called facts were either made up or simple lies he’d been fed by as I say some misguided preacher evangelist or some else who doesn’t have their facts strait.
Sadly this person is not alone. All too many Christians follow preachers and evangelist who are not presenting the word of God correctly.
Such men and women to quote the apostle Paul writing to Timothy,
“...to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Over the last little while in particular I’ve heard evangelist and those calling themselves Christians selling everything from over priced beauty aides with fancy Christian names to survival rations.
That’s not to count those who are out there proclaiming give to get. Give to God (quite often meaning to their particular ministry) and God will give you ten, a hundred, even a thousand fold back. What garbage. God is not a super banker.
Sadly many like the man I spoke of, follow these at the least misguided preachers. They don’t read the word of God for themselves in context. They simply follow a particular evangelist or preachers every word.
As Christians we especially in this multi media age need to turn back to the bible. We need to be reading it daily, praying and asking God to show us the truth contained within it.
We need to be attending a church that studies the Bible in a right and proper manner that dose not take things out of context to make it conform to what they believe.
We must remember the words of Jesus who 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
Please think about it.
Sunday 13 December 2015
God's Precepts
God’s Precepts
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
Psalm 11:10.
Christianity practices correctly offers the world a universal set of precepts that can be summed up in two sayings of Jesus.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also 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.”
Matthew 5:43-45.
If we truly love God, our fellow man and even our enemy we will not break any of God’s commandments.
The Apostle Paul said of Love,
In this day and age when terrorism’s evil head is it seems is all around. It’s time to show love to those around us, as well as to those who are afar off in foreign countries.
Please think about it.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
Psalm 11:10.
Christianity practices correctly offers the world a universal set of precepts that can be summed up in two sayings of Jesus.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also 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.”
Matthew 5:43-45.
If we truly love God, our fellow man and even our enemy we will not break any of God’s commandments.
The Apostle Paul said 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,13In this day and age when terrorism’s evil head is it seems is all around. It’s time to show love to those around us, as well as to those who are afar off in foreign countries.
Please think about it.
Saturday 12 December 2015
Honourably,
Honourably
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“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 it. I also believe God will ask us something similar to what the Talmud states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
God wants to hear from our own mouths the truth as to how we feel we dealt with our fellow man. Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
“At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31.
Today I would ask you when you stand before God will you be able to say you “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
If you are a business owner do you pay your employees a good living wage and benefits? To you do you best to even help them from time to time. An example would be allowing a parent to take time off to care for a sick child or family member.
If you are a politician do you do what is right for the individual in your constituency. Do you help pass legislation that specifically benefits the poorest in your constituency rather than simply pass tax breaks.
As an individual do you respect others and do what you can to help the poor and less fortunate in your community?
When you stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“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 it. I also believe God will ask us something similar to what the Talmud states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
God wants to hear from our own mouths the truth as to how we feel we dealt with our fellow man. Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
“At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31.
Today I would ask you when you stand before God will you be able to say you “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
If you are a business owner do you pay your employees a good living wage and benefits? To you do you best to even help them from time to time. An example would be allowing a parent to take time off to care for a sick child or family member.
If you are a politician do you do what is right for the individual in your constituency. Do you help pass legislation that specifically benefits the poorest in your constituency rather than simply pass tax breaks.
As an individual do you respect others and do what you can to help the poor and less fortunate in your community?
When you stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.
Friday 11 December 2015
About God
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.
“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.
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.
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