New Years Day A.D. 2016

New Years Day A. D. 2016

"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.
As I write this it is New Years day 2016. Today there are millions of refugees streaming out of the middle east running from terrorism. It is I am told the worst refugee crisis since the second world war.
It is in times of crisis like this that I believe people can show how good they are or how bad.
I look at the European countries taking in hundreds of thousands of those fleeing war. I see Canada to it’s credit taking in 25,000. Both church groups and others are doing what they can to help those fleeing the conflicts.
I as a Christian can only speak as a Christian and I firmly believe that individuals and groups that can, and the larger churches that can, should be sponsoring refugee families.
They should also be speaking out against those who would deny sanctuary to those who need it.
 Jesus said,
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” 
                                                                                          Matthew 10:42.
Jesus 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
Doing to others what you would have them do to you is a universal truth. Would you not want others to help you if you were in the same position as those fleeing terror?
Terrorist groups today feed on real or perceived prejudges. The only way to fight them is to win the moral high ground.
On the statue of Liberty are written these words,

“Give me your tired, your poor, 

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, 

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. 

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, 

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

                                                                                   Emma Lazarus
These are noble words respected in freedom loving countries around the world. They are words that all free and democratic people around the world need to be living up to as we enter this coming year.
Please think about it.

On Faith

On faith

“He spreads out the northern  skies  over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.”
                                             Job 26:7
When I see the above picture of the earth taken by Apollo 17 from the moon. I am amazed at the accuracy of Job’s statement over two thousand years prior to Apollo going to the moon.
I am reminded that God created this beautiful blue dot. The writer of Genesis stating,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 
                                                                                       Genesis 1:1.
In another picture taken from the Voyager space probe 6,054,587,000 Kilometres from earth we are shown yet again how small earth is in the vastness of the universe.
Yet that “mote of dust” as Carl Sagan called it is our home.
Carl Sagan wrote,
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”
                                                                          Carl Sagan
Sagan of course is right. That tiny speck in the universe is all we have. That is if you think of it from a purely human prospective.
There is however more than this world. I know Sagan and all who do not believe in God would disagree with me. After all it seems far more logical to us that if there is a God, why would he not simply reveal himself directly to us?
The answer is simple. He requires us to if you will take a more difficult path. A path that shows our love and loyalty to Him. The path of faith.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:1
Going on to say,
“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.
It’s not like God did not leave us any evidence that he exists, He did.
He set the earth, that “mote of dust” we live on at the perfect position not only in the solar system but in the universe. A position that allows life as we know it to exist.
Also throughout history he has sent his prophets to tell the world about Him.
God has set I believe in each persons heart the knowledge that there is life beyond the grave.
History stands as a testament to this belief. All societies throughout history have had rituals designed to help the departed enter the next life. The majority of people that have ever lived have believed in God.
Additionally He himself in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ came into the world to point our way to heaven.
John the apostle wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 
                                                                                             John 1:1-5, 10-14.
Now I know Atheist and others do not believe the words of John. But then to believe that God created the universe and everything in it. To believe He entered the world He created takes faith.
And to have faith in anything especially God is a very difficult thing to do.
Please think about it.

Creation

Creation
Albert Einstein said,
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
                                                 Albert Einstein.
I listened to a scientist not so long ago that said that not only the solar system but the universe is so fine tuned that it allows life to exist as we know it on planet earth.
He pointed out that not only are we in the perfect position in the solar system to sustain life. But that the stars and other celestial bodies are at the perfect distance from us to allow life to exist.
I do not believe this is by chance. I believe there is a God behind it all. The Bible states.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 
                                                                                                                                  Psalm 19:1.
Einstein and other great scientist have spent their lives trying to figure out the origins of life. As I have read about some of their works, it has strengthened by belief that there is a creator behind it all.
I do not get into the argument as to how long it took God to create the universe. Sixty billion years or six days it makes no difference to my faith. God being all powerful could have done it either way.
My faith is based on the fact that after looking at the world around me and reading the Bible I can see there is a divine creator.
The Apostle Paul speaking in Athens gave a message that I believe is relevant to do day. The book of Acts records,
“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 17:22-34.
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:1.
Here is a simple fact. God exists.
The Bible does not debate God. It simply accepts the fact that God exists. Then goes on to ask the reader to believe the same thing.
Through the Bible God asks the reader to believe in Him through faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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 Paul making it clear that our salvation is through faith, when he states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                    Ephesians 2:8,9
James states,
““...Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.”
            James 2:23b.
To believe in anything by faith alone is a difficult thing. Perhaps the most difficult thing a person can do.
Perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith in Him.
It’s easy to dismiss God by saying you can’t see Him or touch Him. It’s much harder to believe in Him when you can’t see or touch Him.
Many scientist over the years have gone through a similar experience. They have said things exist that they can’t see.
They postulated a theory based on certain things they see that seems to indicate something exists and even though at the time they couldn’t prove it. They had faith in their idea. An idea that was later proven. The theory of black holes is a good example.
So it is with God. We can look around us at the universe and see the perfectness of it. We can see the hand of a creator behind it and we can say there is a God.
Yet still we may not be able to prove it in a tangible way this side of the grave. Such is the nature of faith.
It’s easy to dismiss God. To say that he doesn’t exist simply because you can’t see Him. It’s infinitely harder to believe in a God you can’t see.
I believe one of the reasons God asks us to have faith in Him is because it shows how committed we are to Him.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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
And Faith in God is perhaps the hardest thing to have.
Please think about it.

Of Christians

Of Christians

“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.
The above scripture from the gospel of Matthew says it all. The job of the Christian is to go into all the world make disciples and teach the new converts and anyone else who will listen what Jesus taught.
Jesus did not at any time say go and protest outside of abortion clinics. He never told us to protest against laws that granted people of different lifestyles, races and religions the same rights as us.
Jesus and his followers never protested against the secular civil authorities of Rome.
True he did speak against the wrong practices of Jewish religious leaders of his day. But Jesus was a Jew and had the right to do so. Still even with the religious leadership he never led protests, nor did his disciples.
The early Christian church was persecuted by Jews and Gentiles alike yet the early church never protested demanding their rights.
This is the way Christians should be today. We Christians should be reaching out to the world in love.
Only when our right to worship as we see fit, or the rights of others are being restricted should Christians be protesting the government.
The apostle Paul who suffered persecution under the emperor Nero, one of the most vicious persecutors of Christians said,
“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 Paul also said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                          1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Calling all Christians everywhere to refrain from judging those outside the church and keep our own house in order. Reminding us only God has the right to judge people. For only God knows why a person is the way they are. Only God knows the hearts of the individual.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
I agree with him. Sometimes you have to help those you fundamentally disagree with. But in doing so you also build bridges between you and them.
The words of the Apostle Peter are as true today as they were when he wrote them. 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.” 
                                                                                          1 Peter 2:12.
For me a Christian is not just someone who believes Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind. One who has accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. A Christian to me is much more. They are people who are following the teachings 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 calls believers in Him to go one step further 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,”
                                                                                                         Matthew 5: 43,44
The apostle Paul writes,
“On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
      Romans 12:20a.
To be a Christian is to show love and understanding not just to those who agree with you. Those of your faith, but to God, your neighbour whoever he or she may be, as well as to your enemy.
As I a Christian look at those who call themselves Christians here in North America I see many who need to read the bible and the teachings of Jesus again lest they hear 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.

Of Atheist and those who believe in God

Of Atheist and those who believe in God

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 
                                                                      Psalm 14:1.
I listened to a prominent Atheist the other day say there is no God and those who think there is a God should be considered mentally ill. I’ll give him the doubt and say that this man was exaggerating.
This person by all accounts is a very radical atheist. Who attacks Christians in particular. And while I accept the fact that he has his right to say what he says. I don’t however think the man as well educated as he is, has thought things through.
After all in calling people who think there is a God mentally ill, he is saying the majority of the world is mentally ill.
Think about it Christians and Muslims alone, who believe in God, account for over half the worlds population. That’s not counting Hindu’s, Jews and others who believe in God.
Not only that in saying people who believe in God should be considered mentally ill is to say the majority of people in the world or who have ever lived are mentally ill.
Peter John Kreeft a Catholic philosopher said,
“Atheism is cheap on people because it snobbishly says nine out of ten people through history have been wrong about God and have had a lie at the core of their hearts.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
Anyone who says there is no God has in effect set themselves up as judge and jury. They in their opinion know best. If you will, they have made themselves a god of a type.
Atheist say we can’t prove God. That however is not completely true. There are many things scientist can’t prove by seeing things or touching things directly. However they can see the results of what they are looking for.
A good example is black holes. When the theory of Black Holes was first thought of they couldn’t be seen. It took faith to believe they were there. That the theory was correct.
In the same way I cannot see God but from what I see around me I can see the results of His handiwork.
No one can formulate love. We can’t see it or touch it yet we know it exists.
I cannot see sub atomic particles with the naked eye, yet I know they exist because I can perform certain scientific tests that will show me they are there.
Likewise I can look at the universe around me from the biggest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particles and see they are in perfect order. I can see that the universe is set in such away that it allows life as we know it on earth to exist.
That tells me there is a creator behind it all.
As a Christian I know I will never convince the most ardent atheist there is a God. Then as a Christian that is not my job.
My job as a Christian was given to me by Jesus who said,
“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.
That is what I do. I present the teachings of Christ to anyone who will listen. If they believe me, good. If they do not. That is their right. The God I serve, the creator of the universe gave man a free will and that free will allows people to reject God and say that He does not exist.
All I would ask is that anyone reading this would take time to at least read the New Testament with an open mind. Read it and make your own conclusions. Remembering all the time the Bible is a book of faith not science. And God wants us to believe in him through faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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
Please think about it.

The Way to Heaven

The Way to Heaven
The gospel of Luke records,
“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.
The above is the account of the crucifixion of Jesus. These are probably the last words the two criminals at least spoke on this earth.
In their conversation with Jesus we see the choice all people everywhere must make.
The one criminal wanted Jesus to prove he was the Christ by getting them down from the cross.
He like many others both then and now wanted some sign from Jesus.
Jesus had given signs. He’d done numerous miracles. He’d even said He and God were one. The gospel of John records.
“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,  and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  
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.” 
                                  John 10:22-30.
Yet still people did not believe Him.
The other Criminal however did believe in Jesus. He demonstrates to the world how one receives eternal life saying,
“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.’”
                                                                                                  Luke 23:41,42.
This man believed by faith Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. He confessed that he was a sinner being punished justly for his deeds. He then simply asked Jesus to remember him when he came into His kingdom.
To which Jesus said,
“Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
                                                                                                                                Luke 23:43.
 We Christians believe that first and foremost you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. God in the flesh.
Then we believe we must confess our sin to him directly.
The apostle John wrote,
“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 John also tells us,
“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.
Salvation and eternal life with God is a free gift from God.. The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
All we have to do as individuals is go to God in prayer. Confess our sins to God, and believe by faith Jesus is the one and Only Son of God.
The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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.
Please think about it.

Christmas

Christmas
The apostle Luke records,
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  
And everyone went to his own town to register. 
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.... 
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ),  and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
                                                                                      Luke 2:1-7, 21-31.
The Apostle John put things this way,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ...
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 
                                                                                                     John 1:1-5, 10-14.
God became a man. The God that created the heavens and the earth became a man. This is the most fundamental belief of Christianity.
I personally believe it.
I believe the apostle John who wrote,
“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
God loved man so much that He came to this world in the form of Jesus that all who believe in Him should have eternal life.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that eternal life is free. That salvation is through faith in God, faith in Christ. Writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                          Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us,
“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.
I believe this.
 So at this Christmas time as I do every day throughout the year I will worship God.
And as it is Christmas time when we, my family, friends, and all Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I will praise Him all the more.
And while I may not have all the instruments mentioned I will as the Psalmist did,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

 praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                                                                                      Psalm 150.
And that I do not have to think about.
So to all who reads this Christian, or not, may God bless you richly and show you the truth about Jesus Christ this Christmas day, and throughout the coming year.

A Lesson from a Birth

A Lesson from a Birth
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  
For nothing is impossible with God.” 
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” 
     Luke 1:26-38.
Here is if you think about it a remarkable account of an angel telling a young Jewish girl that she would be the mother of the Messiah.
This is one of the core beliefs of Christianity. If not true, Christians around the world are believing a lie.
The writer Luke states at the beginning of his gospel,
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,  just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.  
Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,  so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” 
                                                                         Luke 1:1-4.
We are not entirely sure who Theophilus was but it doesn’t matter. What matters is Luke who is considered by historians to be well educated, put down for us what he found out about Jesus. Luke is believed to have had access to first hand accounts of many of the events.
If what Luke is saying is untrue and Mary was not visited by an angel then like I said Christians are believing a lie.
Likewise if we question the reliability of even one part of Luke’s account of the life of Jesus then it brings all of his account into question.
If Luke is writing a lie then why put into his account the visitation of angels to Mary and indeed Joseph and the shepherds?
Why include throughout his gospel the accounts of miracles and other fantastic events like the resurrection.
The fact is Luke was telling the truth. A truth that Christians present to individuals everyday giving them the choice to believe it or not.
So the question becomes do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

May the Love of Christ come into your heart and life this Christmas season,

 and bless you richly.

God and you

God and you

“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.
Do you believe in God? As I post this Christmas, one of the two most holy days in the Christian calender is almost upon us. Yet there are many in the world that would deny there is a God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes it clear that there is a God and He will bring every deed to judgment.
The Bible does not debate there is a God. It makes it clear to God exists and that He gave man a freewill. That freewill in order to be truly free meant that man has the choice to believe in the existence of God or not.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:1.
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.
I believe God has laid on the hearts of all men a moral code. That is only when men turn from that moral code and lack any fear of God and His judgement that things in our society go wrong.
Hitler and the Nazi party during world war two proved that. Terrorist around the world are proving it.
Hitler and the modern terrorist do not fear God. Modern terrorist are not following the will of God.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy wrote,
“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.
We are in such a time. A time when men are not following God or fail to recognize He exists at all. The result is a world moving to the abyss.
If ever there is a need for people to turn to God it is now.
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.
It see,s the call of Jesus to love God our neighbour, and even our enemies seems to be lost in the cacophony of sounds that make up the modern world.
Yet the call of Christ is needed more than ever before.
To the reader I would ask that you at least consider reading about Jesus and the actions and beliefs of the early Church in the New Testament this Christmas.
Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Consider Jesus

Consider Jesus
             John's Gospel records
"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 truth. The writers of the New Testament didn’t hide anything. They told of the miracles of Jesus however fantastic they may have sounded. They told of Jesus’ claim to be God. They did not back down on what they believed. They did not sugar coat it to make things easier to accept.
They said Jesus performed miracles, he healed the sick, forgave sins and said plainly that he and God the Father are one.
They said all of this, and ask the reader to believe them.
If all that is said in the New Testament about Jesus is untrue. If even a portion of it is untrue, why would men who want people to believe in Jesus write what they did.
The writers of the New Testament want people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind. They could only expect people to believe in Jesus if they told the truth.
Thus I a Christian. Who believes Jesus is God in incarnate, God the flesh, the Saviour of mankind ask you the reader to make your decision.
Please take time to read the New Testament and decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Foolishness or the way to Heaven?

Foolishness or the way to Heaven?
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
                                          1 Corinthians 1:18-27.
Christians if you think about it have a peculiar message. We first of all believe that God in the form of His Son Jesus, came into the world He created to reconcile mankind to Himself.
Not only that but he did it the opposite way we as men would think. God did not send a heavenly army into the world to force himself on man. Instead he chose Jesus to be born to parents of low status, common people.
God gave Jesus a ministry that lasted just three years and allowed him to die on a Roman cross.
The story of Jesus does not however end at the grave because Jesus rose from the grave walked on the earth for a short while then ascended up to heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father and will one day judge both the living and the dead.
To many in the world today and throughout ages past this does not seem the right way to do things. But God dose not do things mans way.
God wants us to accept Him by Faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                               Hebrews 11:1
Jesus asked Martha a question we all must answer for ourselves,
“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
Please think about it.

Why Christians do

Why Christians do
“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 28:19,20.
We Christians believe that we have the most important message ever given to mankind the way to heaven.
We believe that you can know here and now in this life that you are going to heaven.
First of all 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 that God reached down to man offering him the gift of eternal life free of charge.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8.
Christians believe that man could never be good enough to have fellowship with Him. As a result God sent Jesus to die for our sins. Thus showing mankind how far in human terms He would go to reconcile man to Himself.
Christians believe we must confess our sins, our short comings to God. Sinning is simply falling short of what God would have for our lives.
The apostle John wrote,
“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.
Christians believe that accepting Christ into one’s life is as simple as a prayer like this.
Dear Heavenly Father
I know that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. Please forgive me.
I believe Jesus is you one and only Son who died for my sins.
Please come into my life today and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, then I would suggest you get a bible and starting in the New Testament read all about Jesus and what the early church and the true church today beleives.
Find a good church congregation one who believes the Bible is the inspired word of God. Talk to the pastor of the church congregation and ask him any questions you may have.
As these blogs are read around the world. I cannot recommend a specific church. However I do recommend Baptist churches as they from my experience have a consistent message and form of worship.
What I would however ask is that whether you prayed the prayer above or not. I would ask that over this Christmas season you visit a church near you. Take time to read about Jesus and make your own decision about Him.
Please think about it.

A Christian

A Christian
Piliny the Younger Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..." 
Note that Piliny states that the Christians sung hymns to Christ as to a God. Those early Christians recognized Christ was God.
 Piliny also noted Christians bound themselves by an oath to tell the truth and be honest in all their dealings.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. This is the most basic belief of all Christians. You cannot be a Christian without believing Jesus is God.
Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one”
                                    John 10:30.
Christians have settled in their own hearts and minds who Jesus is. 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.
Christians believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of mankind.
They believe the words of the apostle John who 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.
Christians, true Christians follow the teachings of Jesus who 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.
This same Jesus went one step further 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.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
     Matthew 5:43-46
Christians are to show love that goes beyond that of those in the world.
A true Christian will put no restrictions on love. The Apostle Paul writing,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

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

 it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

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

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
A lot has been said about Jesus through the centuries now with Christmas day just a week away I’d like to present to you these words by Dr James Allan Francis

One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village 

The child of a peasant woman 

He grew up in another obscure village 

Where he worked in a carpenter shop 

Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him

He never wrote a book 

He never held an office 

He never went to college 

He never visited a big city 

He never travelled more than two hundred miles 

From the place where he was born 

He did none of the things 

Usually associated with greatness 

He had no credentials but himself 

He was only thirty three 

His friends ran away 

One of them denied him 

He was turned over to his enemies 

And went through the mockery of a trial 

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves 

While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing 

The only property he had on earth 

When he was dead 

He was laid in a borrowed grave 

Through the pity of a friend 

Nineteen centuries have come and gone 

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race 

And the leader of mankind's progress 

All the armies that have ever marched 

All the navies that have ever sailed 

All the parliaments that have ever sat 

All the kings that ever reigned put together 

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth 

As powerfully as that one solitary life 

                                                                                  Dr James Allan Francis.
Today the followers of Jesus number close to 2,500,000,000 and the number is still growing despite persecution.
His true followers are winning souls for Christ not by force of arms but by love. Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  
           John 3:16-17.
The call of Jesus to the whole world is,
“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.
Please think about it.