A great sinner, A Great Saviour

A great sinner, A Great Saviour

“My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Savior.”
           John Newton 
Over his desk at St. Mary Woolnoth  an Anglican church in the City of London, John Newton placed a plaque reading,
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.”
 Deuteronomy 15:15.
John Newton remembered today as the author of the hymn Amazing grace had an amazing conversion.
In his youth Newton was a seaman and a slave trader whose mouth was reportedly a cesspool of profanity. A man who to quote one source “liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.”
He became a deserter from the British Navy was flogged and made a slave of a slave, a sadistic woman who mistreated him.
Incredibly God reached down to this man and John Newton became one of England’s greatest preachers
 Newton went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
         1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul who before his conversion stood at the murder of the Stephen the Churches first martyr and was on a mission to imprison Christian believers was also reached by God. As a result he went from opposing the Gospel of Christ to being one of the leading proponents Christianity.
The conversion of these two men shows the amazing grace of Christ. The power of God to turn individuals around.
These men proved their conversion was real by spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ from the day of their conversion until their deaths.
The lives of these two men showed that anyone who is willing to accept the saving grace of God can change their lives.
John Newton and the apostle Paul could not have changed their life themselves such a conversion must come from coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
                                                                                                   Hebrews 11:6.
The apostle John wrote,
“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.
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world, 
John 11:25,26.
This is a question we must all answer. John Newton, the Apostle Paul answered it as must you. You must believe Jesus is “the Christ the Son of God” the saviour of mankind or not. The Choice is yours.
If you truly believe in Jesus is the saviour of mankind then He will come into your life and change it.
Your conversion may not be as dramatic as the apostle Paul and John Newton. But it will be a change for the better.
Please think about your relationship to Christ today.

A True Christian

A True Christian
Throughout the four decades plus I’ve been a Christian I’ve heard many people, non-Christians say,
“Why should I become a Christian? I know people who claim to be Christian but outside of church they are worse than me.”
That may be true. However Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                                    Matthew 7:21-23.
Many that attend Church that are not Christians. They may claim to be but they are not.
Some got to church for social reasons. Some because it’s what their parents and grandparents did and they are carrying on the tradition. Others for a myriad of reasons.
Like a someone has said “going to church makes you no more a Christian than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck”.
There are many out there especially in the media claiming to be Christians that are not. They quote the bible but still that does not make them a Christian.
It can be hard especially for a non-believer to tell a true Christian.
Still I as a Christian have several ways to tell a true Christian.
A true Christian has had his or her sins forgiven. The apostle John stating,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 
1John 1:9-10
The apostle Paul stating,
“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.
A true Christian has accepted the saving grace of Jesus and has had his or her life transformed. Perhaps slowly at first. Still ultimately they become more like Christ. The apostle Paul noting that once the Holy Spirit starts working in a persons life they start to change.
Paul writing,
“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.”  
                                                                                 Galatians 5:22,23.
These are traits of a true Christian.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“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
The Apostle Paul echos those words writing,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                             Romans 12:18
I believe a true Christian is a Peace maker.
Jesus saying
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” 
                                                                                                       Matthew 5:9.
A Christian wants people to know about Jesus who 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.
A true Christian knows that no matter the circumstance. Faith in Christ will bring you through. That you can have peace even through the darkest moments of your life.
Please think about it.

A Holy Priesthood

A Holy Priesthood,

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.
The apostle Peter tells believers we are a holy priesthood.
Sadly too many people who claim to be Christian are not acting like a Holy priesthood. They act more like a pale imitation of the world.
If you look at some who claim to be Christian evangelist, pastors, and Christian programming in the media they resemble the world more than Christ. They are judging the world. They are making outrageous unsubstantiated claims. They are even picking fights with other faiths.
This is not what it is to be Christian.
To be Christian is to Love God, your neighbour and even your enemy. 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.
Prior to saying that Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“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.
The Apostle Paul said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                             Romans 12:18  
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
                                                                                                    Matthew 5:9
The apostle Paul tells us what the results of the Holy Spirit working in a persons life is. He states,
“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.”  
                                                                                Galatians 5:22,23.
These are the signs of a true Christian.
The writer of Hebrews make it clear what Christians are suppose to do,
“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.
As the apostle Peter said,
“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.”
Take a few minutes right now and pray. Ask God to show you your shortcomings. Ask God how you can live a more holy life. A life God will be pleased with.
Take time to evaluate the ministries outside your church that you support. To evaluate the Church you attend.
Ask God to lead you and direct in the paths of righteousness. To truly be someone who lives in peace. In whom those around you see holiness.
Francis of Assisi wrote something I believe all true Christians need to be asking God, when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                                                       Francis of Assisi
   Ask God to make you a peacemaker for as Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
                                                                                                      Matthew 5:9

Mercy

Mercy
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 
                              James 2:12,13.
Do you show mercy to those around you?
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                            Francis of Assisi.
All the time in the media here in North America I hear preachers and evangelist screaming about the sins of the world. They say they are coming against the sin but loving the sinner.
The sinner however doesn’t see it like that. When they see someone attacking the sin their life, especially if it’s a sin they like, they see the attack on the sin as a personal attack on them.
You cannot win anyone to Christ by criticizing their life and lifestyle.
We need to be showing love. The apostle Paul tell us,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, 

it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....” 

                                                                              1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
All too many people have been pushed away for God by well meaning people who keep pointing out the sin in a persons life.
We need to remember the word of Francis of Assisi who said,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                                                      Francis of Assisi
The writer of Proverbs states,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” 
                                                                                                              Proverbs 3:3,4.
It is only in showing Love to people that we will win them to the Lord. Jesus made it clear saying,
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                       Matthew 7:1,2.
Jesus made things very clear when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
        Matthew 7:12.
As Christians before we speak we need to ask ourselves “are the words I am about to say to someone something I’d like to hear? Are my actions towards people truly nonjudgmental and truly showing love?”
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” 
                                                                                                                                    Job 13:15.
The above statement by Job is if you think about it very strong.
Job states even if God kills him, he will stand before God and defend his life to the face of God.
Think about it a man willing to stand up to almighty God and say to him I followed your rules. I had faith in you through all that happened to me.
That is some faith!
Do you have that kind of faith. Is your faith fully in God? Could you make the same statement to God.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                       Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”                                                                                                                                                 Hebrews 11:6.
Our faith must be completely in God. It must be as unwavering as humanly possible.
Someone once told me “of all the things man is called to do having faith in someone or something is the hardest.”
It is doubly hard when it comes to God because we cannot see Him but we are asked to have hope in Him.
That I believe is why God wants us to exercise faith. If we truly have faith in him then He can be certain that we are committed to Him.
Please think about it. 

Awake

Awake

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; 

I will sing and make music. 

Awake, my soul! 

Awake, harp and lyre! 

I will awaken the dawn. 

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; 

I will sing of you among the peoples. 

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; 

your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

let your glory be over all the earth.” 

                                                                                  Psalm 57:7-11.
As Christian this should be our call. We should be praising the Lord. We should be declaring God’s name through all the earth.
Matthew’s Gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                Matthew 28:18-20.
As Christians we should be presenting the gospel of Christ every day of our lives even if we don’t say a word. I like what Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                             Francis of Assisi. 
Our life and lifestyle should not be a religious copy of the world. Our life should at all times be reflecting the Love of Christ.
Billy Graham said,
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
      Billy Graham 
The writer of Hebrews said,
“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
So Christian are you putting Christ first in your life?
When people see you life do they see Christ reflected in it?
There is a prayer that I am use to saying especially when I work. It’s not magical but it asks God to help me and reminds me that my life should reflect God. The prayer simply states,
Dear Heavenly Father
Guide and direct my life this day. Be with me in all I do.
And may those I meet see you reflected in me.
            In Jesus name I pray.
                         Amen.
Dear Christian please think about your commitment to Christ this day.

Christian Belief 101

Christian belief 101
Christians believe the word written by the Apostle Paul who said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for,“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 
                                                                                                                                Romans 10:9-13.
The God we serve is not just the God of the Jews.
The way I see it God chose the Jews in times past to show himself to the world. But God did not stop there. God want’s all men everywhere to know him on a personal level. That is why He sent Jesus into the world to point the world to Him.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ? 
Hebrews 1:1-5.
Jesus came to earth to reconcile man to God. God realized man could not live a life holy enough to stand before Him.
God in giving man a freewill knew man might choose not to believe in Him that is the right of all who are truly free.
God seen that many have turned away from Him, even the Jews who have had the prophets and their forefathers to witness to them. Thus He entered the world in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus.
Through Jesus he pointed man to Himself.
Jesus speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                              John 3:16-18.
The apostle John makes it clear,
“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.
Still it take faith in God to save ones soul. To spend an eternity with God. The writer of Hebrews said,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”                                                                                                                                                Hebrews 11:6.
The writer defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                        Hebrews 11:1.
Faith in something we cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing for someone to do. Perhaps that is why God wants things that way, because those who are sure of what they hope for, certain of what they do not see, are true followers.
Please think about it.

Christians Believe

Christians Believe,
1/ We Christians believe we enter heaven thorough faith in God. That we are saved through faith, through the Grace of God not by works we have done,
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 writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                        Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
                                                                                                 Hebrews 11:6
2/ We believe, that we must confess our sins directly go God. The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 
1John 1:9-10.
3/ We believe, we are Children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
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. 
The apostle Paul states,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,  for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 
Galatians 3:26-28
4/ We believe we are a holy priesthood,
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. 
                                               1 Peter 2:9,10.

5/ We believe God so loved the world he entered the world in the form of His one and only Son to point us to heaven. Giving each individual a choice. Jesus speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                               John 3:16-18.
Please think about it.

A Christian Principle

A Christian Principle

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
           Matthew 7:12.
Here is a universal principle I believe everyone be they Christian or not can understand,  “do to others what you would have them do to you,”
I firmly believe that everyone will one day have to give an accounting to God. I firmly believe what the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
The Talmud makes an interesting point when it says,
“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
I know the Talmud is not considered an inspired book by Christians but the principle it points out is Christian.
For the Christian there can be no limits on who the “others” are.
Too many people calling themselves Christians limit who they help. I’ve heard people claiming to be Christians yell insults at people they don’t like.
One of the big hot button debates in the United States is same sex marriage. Those calling themselves Christians protest against it. That is not doing to others as you would have others do to you. Unless you want those you protest against to protest against you.
Secular governments make the laws and are not bound by Christians principles and morals.
Jesus and the founding fathers of the church understood this very well. They lived in the Roman empire. That had practises that they would strongly object too, yet they didn’t. If Jesus and the apostles didn’t speak out against those outside their faith.
The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
Paul also says,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” 
                                                                                                                                 Romans 13:1
The apostle Peter backs that statement saying,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”  
                                                      1 Peter 2:13,14.
They said this while living under the emperor Nero who would eventually order their deaths.
As Christians we need to take a good look at how we are conducting ourselves. Are we obeying the words of Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
           Matthew 7:12.
Please think about it.

"He" Shows

"He" shows

C. S. Lewis speaking about Jesus said,
“He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.” 
                                                 C.S.Lewis.
Over the years I’ve had people say to me, “Why doesn’t God show Himself to me?”
One look at their life tells me their mind is closed or they have a preconceived idea of how God should show Himself.
Many people have made up their mind that God dose not exist and adamantly maintain that position their whole life. What they say is “They are right and believers in God are wrong”
To argue with such a person is futile.
Still it is their right to believe what they wish.
To say God does not exist however is quite a statement.
It means first of all that the person believes they know everything. That they have faith that they are right and the majority of people that have ever lived or are living today are wrong.
That people of faith are living a lie. That people of faith are under a mass delusion.
Think about it there are about three billion Christians on the earth, several billion Muslims, millions of Jews and Hindus not to mention all the other faith groups all of whom believe in God.
Are these people truly deluded?
As a Christian I have a distinct set of beliefs that say God exists and that He entered the physical world, the world He created in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to reconcile each person to Himself.
That is my belief. That however aside all of the other faith groups in the world recognize there is a God. The majority of the people in the world believe in an after life and God. Are we all as one prominent atheist stated “to be considered insane?”
I cannot believe that. It just doesn’t make sense.
The Psalmist states,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 
                                                                                               Psalm 19:1-3.
The universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle are in such prefect alignment as to allow life to exist here on Earth. This cannot be simply by chance.
   If there is no God and a life after this, then life is in my opinion meaningless.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” 
                                                                                                      Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
If we are simply on this earth for but a short time. Just long enough to collect a few bangles bobbles and beads. Just long enough to do a few works then what’s the point.
I truly believe man is an eternal being that he will one day stand before God. As Ecclesiastes states,
“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 as a Christian believe that Jesus is the way to heaven and eternal life with God. I believe Jesus when He states,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
       John 14:6
I believe the apostle Paul who 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.
I believe the writer of Hebrews who said,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
                                                                                    Hebrews 11:6.
If as Atheist say I am wrong then I have nothing to fear for I have lived a good and rewarding life.
If I am right in my beliefs which I am sure I am, then Atheist have a lot to fear.
The American Evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,
“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.
Thus my question is. “Are you sure of your beliefs?”
Please think about it. 

The Way

The Way
“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.”
          Thomas Aquinas
No other person, no other faith in the world has made such a claim as Jesus and His followers.
Jesus said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  
  John 14:6.
Even when faced with the wrath of an angry crowd Jesus did not back down on His claim to be God John 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 even after being beaten, hung on the cross and facing death never backed down. Luke’s Gospel records what happened on when Jesus hung on the cross with two criminals.
Luke tells us,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
                                                                                                                       Luke 23:39-43.
Notice Jesus did what only God could do. Promise the man he would be with Him in Paradise.
In John’s Gospel we are told this conversation between Martha and Jesus. John records,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” 
  John 11:25,26.
Jesus made all these statements knowing that to claim to be God or equal to God could have had him killed. In fact it was that very Jewish law that his enemies reminded the Roman governor of and used to have Jesus put to death.
C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity, wrote of Jesus,
“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.
The apostle Paul Writing to the Romans said,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”
                                          Romans 5:6-11.
Christians believe that through Jesus, God reached down to mankind and said to man I love you so much I am willing in earthly terms to show you how far I will go to offer you eternal life.
Christians do not believe man can be good enough to stand before Holy God. You cannot work your way to heaven. The Apostle Paul stating,
“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
C. S. Lewis points out,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” 
                        C.S. Lewis.
The fact is, Jesus died for you the reader. Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

All men are like Grass

All men are like Grass
The prophet Isaiah wrote,
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 
                                                                                             Isaiah 40:6-8.

When your life is over how will you be remembered?
In the town where I live there is a small cemetery where twenty or so people are buried. They are the earthly remains of what at one time was a prominent family in this part of Canada. There are libraries, other buildings and even a road I drive on every day named after the family such was their importance at one time.
Yet today thousands of people daily travel down the roads named after the family use the library and other buildings and pass that small cemetery and pay no attention to it. Most don’t know who the family is or what t they did.  Such is the way of the world.
All of mans deeds eventually no matter how noble they may be are forgotten. A great example is the signing of the Magna Carta one of the greatest documents in history. People know about it. But other than King John who was forced to sign it, who knows the name of the men who wrote the Magna Carta. Undoubtedly some historians but few others. Yet historians tell us it was one of the most important documents ever written.
Like wise it is with the deed of all men. They eventually will be forgotten at least by men. God however will not forget.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
You can choose to deny God that is a freedom God gave you. That still does not negate the fact that God exists.
I believe every person on the earth needs to decide for themselves, first if there is a God and second if there is as I am certain, will He let you into his heaven.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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
Christians believe God reached down to man and offered him salvation simply by believing in his one and only son Jesus Christ. Jesus said of himself,
“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.
Put simply all our good deeds as good as they are will not get us to heaven only faith in God will do it.
The good deeds as a friend of mine said “are the icing on the cake.”
James the half brother of Christ writes,
James writes,
“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.
It is by our good works that people also remember us. It’s quiet often why libraries, other buildings and roads are named after people. Still even those good works will one day be forgotten by all but a few historians.
All the accolades of man however mean nothing in the face of eternity. There’s an old saying that goes like this,
“You have only one life. It will soon be past. Only what’s done for God will last.”
To the Christian reading this I would ask. Are you doing something with your faith? Are you helping others in the name of Christ?
Francis of Assisi a man who practised his faith wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                                                      Francis of Assisi
  Dear Christian is this the sincere prayer of your life?
Please think about it.