?
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received--only what you have given.”
Francis of Assisi.
The other day it came to light about a man in the United States that bought the patent on an important drug and jacked the price up astronomically. It reportedly made him the most hated person in America if not the world.
He’s an example of how greed can possess men.
There are many people out there that as they say “like their toys.” They love money and possessions. They spend all their lives accumulating wealth but to what end.
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
Later on in the same chapter he writes,
“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 2:26.
That man who’s greed jacked up the price of an essential drug obviously had no fear of God. He and others who do not recognize or fear God. Men and women who think this life is all there is, will one day be surprised. When they find themselves before God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes saying.
“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
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
To Non-Christians
To Non-Christians
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
This is a note to non-Christians from a Christian. Above I quoted Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi saw a lot of people who claimed to be Christian but are not.
Just because someone goes to church, can quote scripture from memory or has a fancy television program, doesn’t mean they are Christian.
Christians are not born Christians it is a choice one makes when you are old enough to understand what you are doing.
Sadly what also happens is some pick up the bible and start preaching what it says wrongly. Yes they may have years of Bible school and seminary but that does not make them Christian. They have an agenda and pick verses and chapters from the bible out of context to back what they say.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy this warning,
“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.
This has happened all through church history and with the rise of the internet and other social media is exploding today.
Some who are preaching the Bible wrongly are I am certain are simply mislead. Others are deliberately misleading people for personal gain.
Jesus warned that on judgement day,
“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.
The thing is it’s often hard for someone outside, or for that matter someone, in the church to tell who a real Christian is and who is simply one in name only.
The advice I usually give to people who ask how to tell the difference is money. Every ministry needs money to continue. The good ministries will generally simply ask a person who can to give without promises made on God’s behalf. The request is usually made with a few simple well chosen words.
On the other hand ministries that are not preaching sound Christian teachings are usually preaching give to get. So called seed faith.
Give God ten, or a hundred, or a thousand and He’ll give you it back ten, a hundred or a thousand fold back. As if God is some kind of sugar daddy or banker that gives you outrageous interest.
Another key thing a true Christian will show is love kindness and understanding to all people irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
The writer of Hebrews saying
“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.
This is what Mahatma Gandhi didn’t see in those who called themselves Christians.
A true Christian will obey the words of the apostle Paul who 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.
A true Christian will not judge those outside of the church. That is God’s place because only He knows what is on the hearts of men.
Thus I ask you to give God and Christ a chance. Please take time to read the Bible particularly the New Testament.
Pray and ask God to show you the truths there in and take time to find a church to your liking where you can learn more about God.
Please think about it.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
This is a note to non-Christians from a Christian. Above I quoted Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi saw a lot of people who claimed to be Christian but are not.
Just because someone goes to church, can quote scripture from memory or has a fancy television program, doesn’t mean they are Christian.
Christians are not born Christians it is a choice one makes when you are old enough to understand what you are doing.
Sadly what also happens is some pick up the bible and start preaching what it says wrongly. Yes they may have years of Bible school and seminary but that does not make them Christian. They have an agenda and pick verses and chapters from the bible out of context to back what they say.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy this warning,
“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.
This has happened all through church history and with the rise of the internet and other social media is exploding today.
Some who are preaching the Bible wrongly are I am certain are simply mislead. Others are deliberately misleading people for personal gain.
Jesus warned that on judgement day,
“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.
The thing is it’s often hard for someone outside, or for that matter someone, in the church to tell who a real Christian is and who is simply one in name only.
The advice I usually give to people who ask how to tell the difference is money. Every ministry needs money to continue. The good ministries will generally simply ask a person who can to give without promises made on God’s behalf. The request is usually made with a few simple well chosen words.
On the other hand ministries that are not preaching sound Christian teachings are usually preaching give to get. So called seed faith.
Give God ten, or a hundred, or a thousand and He’ll give you it back ten, a hundred or a thousand fold back. As if God is some kind of sugar daddy or banker that gives you outrageous interest.
Another key thing a true Christian will show is love kindness and understanding to all people irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
The writer of Hebrews saying
“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.
This is what Mahatma Gandhi didn’t see in those who called themselves Christians.
A true Christian will obey the words of the apostle Paul who 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.
A true Christian will not judge those outside of the church. That is God’s place because only He knows what is on the hearts of men.
Thus I ask you to give God and Christ a chance. Please take time to read the Bible particularly the New Testament.
Pray and ask God to show you the truths there in and take time to find a church to your liking where you can learn more about God.
Please think about it.
Monday, 28 September 2015
He has set eternity in the hearts of men
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men
“What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.....
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13,16,17.
I believe the above scripture. God I know has put “eternity in the hearts of men”. The majority of people in the world do believe there is a life after this one. That there is a God who will one day judge mankind.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
It is only when people lose their fear of God or completely reject His existence that society starts to decay. Hitler is a good example of this. He and his henchmen refused to believe in God and his moral standards. The result was world war two and tens of millions of innocent lives being taken.
Isis is another example. While they claim to follow God they have perverted the ways of God and live according to their own twisted code of conduct.
Such things also happen on the individual level. Mass murderers or for that matter anyone who murders, have lost their fear of God.
Those who steal, commit adultery, or any number of crimes have all lost their fear of God. Thus they feel they can do anything they wish.
Man needs moral absolutes in order for a society to function correctly.
It speaks to the fact that there must be a God, a creator, in that societies around the world all have basically the same moral code that they live by. I cannot believe this is by chance.
That being said I firmly believe that all people will one day have to stand in front of God and give an account for their deeds in this life.
What will you say?
Please think about it.
“What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.....
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13,16,17.
I believe the above scripture. God I know has put “eternity in the hearts of men”. The majority of people in the world do believe there is a life after this one. That there is a God who will one day judge mankind.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
It is only when people lose their fear of God or completely reject His existence that society starts to decay. Hitler is a good example of this. He and his henchmen refused to believe in God and his moral standards. The result was world war two and tens of millions of innocent lives being taken.
Isis is another example. While they claim to follow God they have perverted the ways of God and live according to their own twisted code of conduct.
Such things also happen on the individual level. Mass murderers or for that matter anyone who murders, have lost their fear of God.
Those who steal, commit adultery, or any number of crimes have all lost their fear of God. Thus they feel they can do anything they wish.
Man needs moral absolutes in order for a society to function correctly.
It speaks to the fact that there must be a God, a creator, in that societies around the world all have basically the same moral code that they live by. I cannot believe this is by chance.
That being said I firmly believe that all people will one day have to stand in front of God and give an account for their deeds in this life.
What will you say?
Please think about it.
Sunday, 27 September 2015
A Statement of Fact
A statement of fact
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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 apostle Paul make it very clear how we get to heaven, how we are saved from hell. By believing in Jesus, and confessing that He is Lord before men.
Paul makes it clear there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all.
That “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
In order to believe such a thing you need faith because 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
Do you believe Jesus is Lord and God. The saviour of the world?
Please think about it.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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 apostle Paul make it very clear how we get to heaven, how we are saved from hell. By believing in Jesus, and confessing that He is Lord before men.
Paul makes it clear there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all.
That “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
In order to believe such a thing you need faith because 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
Do you believe Jesus is Lord and God. The saviour of the world?
Please think about it.
Saturday, 26 September 2015
The Only
The Only
Napoleon Bonaparte said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Jesus is unique in history. He’s unique because he is God incarnate, God in the flesh. The God who created the universe and everything in it chose to come into this world to reconcile man to himself.
The apostle John 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 Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14
Jesus made several statements about himself he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
John’s Gospel also 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.”
John 10: 24-30.
I believe Jesus had to come into this world to prove to mankind how far God would go to reconcile man to Himself.
He had to do it to experience all that it was to be a man. Everything from the mundane things such as rain against his face to the smell of a dusty road. Jesus also knew what it was like to have enemies that disliked what he said. He knew what it was like to be falsely accused and put to death in a most hideous way for a crime he didn’t commit.
Thus we cannot stand before him on judgement day and say you didn’t understand because all you know is absolute power.
When Jesus came to this earth he acted as nothing more than a normal man. Thus he knows what it is like to human. Thus he has the right to judge us fairly.
Jesus has given each and every person on this earth a choice when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18
Please think about it.
Napoleon Bonaparte said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Jesus is unique in history. He’s unique because he is God incarnate, God in the flesh. The God who created the universe and everything in it chose to come into this world to reconcile man to himself.
The apostle John 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 Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14
Jesus made several statements about himself he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
John’s Gospel also 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.”
John 10: 24-30.
I believe Jesus had to come into this world to prove to mankind how far God would go to reconcile man to Himself.
He had to do it to experience all that it was to be a man. Everything from the mundane things such as rain against his face to the smell of a dusty road. Jesus also knew what it was like to have enemies that disliked what he said. He knew what it was like to be falsely accused and put to death in a most hideous way for a crime he didn’t commit.
Thus we cannot stand before him on judgement day and say you didn’t understand because all you know is absolute power.
When Jesus came to this earth he acted as nothing more than a normal man. Thus he knows what it is like to human. Thus he has the right to judge us fairly.
Jesus has given each and every person on this earth a choice when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18
Please think about it.
Friday, 25 September 2015
Seeing God
Seeing God.
“He (God) 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 met many Atheist and frankly most are closed minded. Most simply dismiss God out of hand. They say you can believe in Him that’s your choice, but I’m not.
If you have already made up your mind about God all the words in the world will not change most peoples minds.
God is always their waiting patiently for the individual to seek Him out, to acknowledge Him. Yet so many people miss out on what to me is the most important thing in my life. They miss out because they fail to acknowledge there is a God who loves them.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C. S. Lewis.
The fact that the majority of people do believe there is an afterlife and God is to me evidence that God exists.
God gave man a freewill. This meant that he can believe what he wants. That still doesn’t change the fact that there is a God. That’s the definition of freewill, to believe what you want irrespective of the facts.
Each person must decide for themselves if there is a God.
Not only that but from a Christian perspective the individual must decide in his or her own mind just who Jesus is.
Jesus made it clear we have two clear cut choices when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
The choice is yours. To quote C. S. Lewis one more time,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it
“He (God) 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 met many Atheist and frankly most are closed minded. Most simply dismiss God out of hand. They say you can believe in Him that’s your choice, but I’m not.
If you have already made up your mind about God all the words in the world will not change most peoples minds.
God is always their waiting patiently for the individual to seek Him out, to acknowledge Him. Yet so many people miss out on what to me is the most important thing in my life. They miss out because they fail to acknowledge there is a God who loves them.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C. S. Lewis.
The fact that the majority of people do believe there is an afterlife and God is to me evidence that God exists.
God gave man a freewill. This meant that he can believe what he wants. That still doesn’t change the fact that there is a God. That’s the definition of freewill, to believe what you want irrespective of the facts.
Each person must decide for themselves if there is a God.
Not only that but from a Christian perspective the individual must decide in his or her own mind just who Jesus is.
Jesus made it clear we have two clear cut choices when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
The choice is yours. To quote C. S. Lewis one more time,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it
Thursday, 24 September 2015
The choice
The Choice
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The gospel of 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.
God gives every person everywhere a choice. You can accept Jesus is who he claimed to be the Son of God, the saviour of mankind, the resurrection and the life, or you can reject his claim.
The choice is yours. God will not impose His will on you.
From the dawn of creation God has given man a choice believe in Him or reject Him. There is no in between.
Believing God exists and Jesus is God incarnate is an act of faith. 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.
The choice dear reader is yours.
Please think about it.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The gospel of 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.
God gives every person everywhere a choice. You can accept Jesus is who he claimed to be the Son of God, the saviour of mankind, the resurrection and the life, or you can reject his claim.
The choice is yours. God will not impose His will on you.
From the dawn of creation God has given man a choice believe in Him or reject Him. There is no in between.
Believing God exists and Jesus is God incarnate is an act of faith. 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.
The choice dear reader is yours.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
The way to heaven
The Way to Heaven
Every now and then I like to tell readers of my blogs how I and other Christians believe you get to heaven and inherit eternal life with God.
The following is what I is what I believe.
I present it here you the reader to at least think about it.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for.
First of all it is an act of faith. Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The writer 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
The Apostle Paul make it clear salvation and the eternal life it brings is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians 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
Salvation come from God to man. It is God in love reaching down to mankind. The apostle John writing,
“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.
When asked the way to heaven,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
The Apostle John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Simply put salvation and eternal life with God comes through accepting Jesus as God’s one and only Son. Believing that he came to die for our sins. Confessing in prayer our sins directly to God accepting that forgiveness. And letting Christ into our hearts and mind.
The prayer for forgiveness is as simple as talking to God as though he were standing in front of you. You can simply say,
Dear Heavenly Father.
I recognize that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. I accept that Jesus Christ is your one and only Son. That he died for my sins. Please forgive me.
Dear Jesus
I accept you this day as my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my life and this day and make my life. Help me to live each day for you.
Amen.
If you truly accepted Jesus into your life then I would suggest you start reading the Bible. Start in the new Testament praying and asking God to show you the truths there in.
The next thing I would advise is to find a bible believing Church. But be careful when it comes to Churches there are some that do not follow the bible correctly.
What I advise is again pray and ask God to direct you to a Church. I recommend Baptist Churches most places in the world. They have their roots deep in the Bible. In North America where I live I also recommend the Assemblies of God in the United States, and The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in Canada. These are good solid Bible believing churches.
Also remember that each church congregation has its own personality. So if the one you go to initially is not to your liking try others until you feel comfortable.
Remember also that it fine to be nervous when entering a church for the first time but most good churches will have someone to greet you and say a few kind words.
It is also permissible to ask questions of the pastor if you don’t understand things. In larger churches you may have to arrange an appointment but in most smaller churches the pastors will usually take time to speak with you at the alter or privately.
If they don’t have time for you even after making an appointment or they don’t answer your questions perhaps that is not the place for you. You may need to find another church.
Either way I would ask that you have patients and look around until you’ve found one that is to your liking.
Think about it.
Every now and then I like to tell readers of my blogs how I and other Christians believe you get to heaven and inherit eternal life with God.
The following is what I is what I believe.
I present it here you the reader to at least think about it.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for.
First of all it is an act of faith. Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The writer 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
The Apostle Paul make it clear salvation and the eternal life it brings is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians 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
Salvation come from God to man. It is God in love reaching down to mankind. The apostle John writing,
“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.
When asked the way to heaven,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
The Apostle John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Simply put salvation and eternal life with God comes through accepting Jesus as God’s one and only Son. Believing that he came to die for our sins. Confessing in prayer our sins directly to God accepting that forgiveness. And letting Christ into our hearts and mind.
The prayer for forgiveness is as simple as talking to God as though he were standing in front of you. You can simply say,
Dear Heavenly Father.
I recognize that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. I accept that Jesus Christ is your one and only Son. That he died for my sins. Please forgive me.
Dear Jesus
I accept you this day as my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my life and this day and make my life. Help me to live each day for you.
Amen.
If you truly accepted Jesus into your life then I would suggest you start reading the Bible. Start in the new Testament praying and asking God to show you the truths there in.
The next thing I would advise is to find a bible believing Church. But be careful when it comes to Churches there are some that do not follow the bible correctly.
What I advise is again pray and ask God to direct you to a Church. I recommend Baptist Churches most places in the world. They have their roots deep in the Bible. In North America where I live I also recommend the Assemblies of God in the United States, and The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in Canada. These are good solid Bible believing churches.
Also remember that each church congregation has its own personality. So if the one you go to initially is not to your liking try others until you feel comfortable.
Remember also that it fine to be nervous when entering a church for the first time but most good churches will have someone to greet you and say a few kind words.
It is also permissible to ask questions of the pastor if you don’t understand things. In larger churches you may have to arrange an appointment but in most smaller churches the pastors will usually take time to speak with you at the alter or privately.
If they don’t have time for you even after making an appointment or they don’t answer your questions perhaps that is not the place for you. You may need to find another church.
Either way I would ask that you have patients and look around until you’ve found one that is to your liking.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
A Message for today
A Message for today.
I give you here a message given to non-Christians centuries ago that is as relevant today as it was on the day it was spoken. The message was spoken by the apostle Paul in Athens and is recorded in the Bible in the book of Acts. It reads,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:17-34.
My question to you the reader is do you believe Paul’s message or not?
Please think about it.
I give you here a message given to non-Christians centuries ago that is as relevant today as it was on the day it was spoken. The message was spoken by the apostle Paul in Athens and is recorded in the Bible in the book of Acts. It reads,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:17-34.
My question to you the reader is do you believe Paul’s message or not?
Please think about it.
Monday, 21 September 2015
A True Christian
A True Christian
“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.
I write this to predominantly non-Christians because I think all too many times especially here in North America, Christians are judged by the words and deeds of a small minority of Evangelist and Pastors in the media.
These men and women if they are Christians are Christians by the slimmest of margins and they are most definitely misguided.
A true Christian truly believes that they must tell anyone who will listen about the most important thing in their life. Namely their personal relationship with Jesus.
They want all people everywhere to come to know Christ. They believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Jesus saying,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
They also, and this is a key, belief that man cannot be good enough to get to heaven. That God reached down in the form of Jesus to reconcile man to Himself. The apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
A true Christian believes all have sinned, the apostle Paul writing,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
AND ALL MEANS ALL. the person calling themselves a Christian protesting, the evangelist, pastor and people sitting in the pew. All are sinners according to the bible.
Everyone irrespective of who they are have fallen short of God’s ideal.
But the Bible tells us all we need to do to have our sins forgiven is honestly and sincerely confess those sins to Christ.
The apostle John saying,
“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.
Your sins are between you and God. If you are sincere with God, He will show you where you fall short of His ideal for your life. Not only that God will work with you to get sin out of your life.
A true Christian will not judge anyone who is not a Christian. The apostle Paul making a clear statement when he says,
“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.
A True Christian without judging anyone will present the words of Jesus to anyone who will listen offering them. True Christians will present the choice Jesus presented when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
Please think about it.
“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.
I write this to predominantly non-Christians because I think all too many times especially here in North America, Christians are judged by the words and deeds of a small minority of Evangelist and Pastors in the media.
These men and women if they are Christians are Christians by the slimmest of margins and they are most definitely misguided.
A true Christian truly believes that they must tell anyone who will listen about the most important thing in their life. Namely their personal relationship with Jesus.
They want all people everywhere to come to know Christ. They believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Jesus saying,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
They also, and this is a key, belief that man cannot be good enough to get to heaven. That God reached down in the form of Jesus to reconcile man to Himself. The apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
A true Christian believes all have sinned, the apostle Paul writing,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
AND ALL MEANS ALL. the person calling themselves a Christian protesting, the evangelist, pastor and people sitting in the pew. All are sinners according to the bible.
Everyone irrespective of who they are have fallen short of God’s ideal.
But the Bible tells us all we need to do to have our sins forgiven is honestly and sincerely confess those sins to Christ.
The apostle John saying,
“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.
Your sins are between you and God. If you are sincere with God, He will show you where you fall short of His ideal for your life. Not only that God will work with you to get sin out of your life.
A true Christian will not judge anyone who is not a Christian. The apostle Paul making a clear statement when he says,
“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.
A True Christian without judging anyone will present the words of Jesus to anyone who will listen offering them. True Christians will present the choice Jesus presented when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 20 September 2015
A Truth
A Truth
For me the poem rings true. Many people have throughout the centuries from ancient Roman emperors, to modern dictators, to communism and Atheist have come against the Bible and the teachings of God.
Some have predicted that Christianity would pass away. The thing is just the opposite has happened it’s opponents have passed on.
Today in the twenty-first century there are many who would deny God exists. They in my opinion are wrong.
Peter John Kreeft said,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
For me the evidence that there is a God who created everything is all around me, the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles are in perfect harmony. The world we live in is in is positioned perfectly in space to allow life as we know it to exist. I cannot believe this is by chance.
Further more all men recognise there are moral absolutes a civilized society must live by in order to survive.
This is something that could not have simply happened randomly. It had to have been there from the beginning in man’s hart. If this were not so, those who did not share the common morals, especially if they were violent, would dominate and potentially have driven mankind to extinction before now.
All of this points to there being a God.
Ultimately however belief in God and Christ is an act of 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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
If I am wrong in my thinking I have lost nothing. I have simply lived a good life that for me has had purpose and meaning.
If I am right as I know I am, then those who would deny God and the truths in the Bible have a great deal to consider. For what they believe will determine their eternal resting place.
Please think about it.
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and bater all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.
AnonymousFor me the poem rings true. Many people have throughout the centuries from ancient Roman emperors, to modern dictators, to communism and Atheist have come against the Bible and the teachings of God.
Some have predicted that Christianity would pass away. The thing is just the opposite has happened it’s opponents have passed on.
Today in the twenty-first century there are many who would deny God exists. They in my opinion are wrong.
Peter John Kreeft said,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
For me the evidence that there is a God who created everything is all around me, the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles are in perfect harmony. The world we live in is in is positioned perfectly in space to allow life as we know it to exist. I cannot believe this is by chance.
Further more all men recognise there are moral absolutes a civilized society must live by in order to survive.
This is something that could not have simply happened randomly. It had to have been there from the beginning in man’s hart. If this were not so, those who did not share the common morals, especially if they were violent, would dominate and potentially have driven mankind to extinction before now.
All of this points to there being a God.
Ultimately however belief in God and Christ is an act of 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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
If I am wrong in my thinking I have lost nothing. I have simply lived a good life that for me has had purpose and meaning.
If I am right as I know I am, then those who would deny God and the truths in the Bible have a great deal to consider. For what they believe will determine their eternal resting place.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 19 September 2015
Your Choice
Your Choice
“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 passage of scripture is Luke’s account of a conversation that went on between the two men who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
We see in those two criminals the choice every man and woman on upon hearing about Jesus must make.
One man doubting that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah said to him if you are the Christ, “Save yourself and us!” in other words prove it by getting yourself and us down from these crosses.
This man wanted tangible proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was thinking in terms of this life. Asking to escape death by Jesus getting them off the cross. This in this man’s mind would prove Jesus was the Messiah.
What this man didn’t realize that accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ is an act of faith which the other criminal did.
The other criminal said,
“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.’”
This man did what all people everywhere must do. He accepted by faith that Jesus was the Christ, the messiah. He then confessed his sins. Admitting he was “getting what his deeds deserved”.
Then he asked Jesus to simply “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
To which Jesus replied
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In other words that man had his sins forgiven and got to heaven.
This is the message Christians everywhere want the world to hear.
First of all we must have faith in God and Jesus. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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.
Then we must admit we fall short of what God wants for our life. That we are sinners.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
We must confess our sins directly to God,
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9-10.
My question to you the reader is do you believe this. I say this because if I am right and I believe I am. Then your eternal resting place, rests on your decision.
Please think about it.
“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 passage of scripture is Luke’s account of a conversation that went on between the two men who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
We see in those two criminals the choice every man and woman on upon hearing about Jesus must make.
One man doubting that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah said to him if you are the Christ, “Save yourself and us!” in other words prove it by getting yourself and us down from these crosses.
This man wanted tangible proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was thinking in terms of this life. Asking to escape death by Jesus getting them off the cross. This in this man’s mind would prove Jesus was the Messiah.
What this man didn’t realize that accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ is an act of faith which the other criminal did.
The other criminal said,
“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.’”
This man did what all people everywhere must do. He accepted by faith that Jesus was the Christ, the messiah. He then confessed his sins. Admitting he was “getting what his deeds deserved”.
Then he asked Jesus to simply “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
To which Jesus replied
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In other words that man had his sins forgiven and got to heaven.
This is the message Christians everywhere want the world to hear.
First of all we must have faith in God and Jesus. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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.
Then we must admit we fall short of what God wants for our life. That we are sinners.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
We must confess our sins directly to God,
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9-10.
My question to you the reader is do you believe this. I say this because if I am right and I believe I am. Then your eternal resting place, rests on your decision.
Please think about it.
Friday, 18 September 2015
Love
Love
Here is to me the Christian definition of Love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45.
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 22:37-40.
I as a Christian must follow the example and teaching of Jesus. As a result I must love God and my neighbour. Additionally I must love my enemies, and pray for those who persecute me.
It is my belief that I would not truly be showing love to people if I did not present to them the most important thing in my life. That being the salvation and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.
One of the key teachings of Christ is recorded in the gospel of Matthew’
"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 age is still continuing to this day. Therefore I feel I am obligated before God to present to anyone who will listen to me the Love of God.
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.
Jesus while on this earth made some very important statements about himself. He said,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“....“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?”
John 11:25,26.
The Gospel of John records this incident in the life of Jesus,
“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
The Choice is up to you dear reader.
Do you believe what Jesus said?
Please think carefully about it.
Here is to me the Christian definition of Love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45.
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 22:37-40.
I as a Christian must follow the example and teaching of Jesus. As a result I must love God and my neighbour. Additionally I must love my enemies, and pray for those who persecute me.
It is my belief that I would not truly be showing love to people if I did not present to them the most important thing in my life. That being the salvation and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.
One of the key teachings of Christ is recorded in the gospel of Matthew’
"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 age is still continuing to this day. Therefore I feel I am obligated before God to present to anyone who will listen to me the Love of God.
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.
Jesus while on this earth made some very important statements about himself. He said,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“....“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?”
John 11:25,26.
The Gospel of John records this incident in the life of Jesus,
“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
The Choice is up to you dear reader.
Do you believe what Jesus said?
Please think carefully about it.
Thursday, 17 September 2015
On Christians
On Christians
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi seen many men that were claiming to be Christian but who’s words and actions were not in line with the teachings of Jesus. It’s the same today.
There are many out there particularly in North America that claim to be Christians that are not. This is I think this is particularly true within the evangelical community.
This actually came up in my Bible study group a few days ago. At the study we all agreed that you are not born a Christian. Nor are you a Christian simply because you go to church. Becoming a Christians is a choice.
To be a Christian one at the very least must believe Jesus is the Son of God. That he died for your sins. That he rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of God the father. One must actually pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and soul. Jesus will not come in if He is not invited. And you cannot just say the words you must truly believe them.
From that point on I firmly believe that the persons life will start to change. Their morals and their actions will start to line up with those teachings of Jesus. True this at times can be a long process but if a person is truly serious about becoming a Christian this will happen.
Sadly all too many calling themselves Christians have prayed a simple prayer then never bother to read the Bible. It is only in studying the Bible that a Christian can grow.
Sadly also it seems and I see this particularly in evangelical churches many simply pray the prayer as a right of passage.
These people go to church every Sunday they even go to various other meetings through the week and any special meetings that may pop up. Still they have not made a heart felt commitment.
Likewise there are Christians who are Christians by the slimmest of margins. These people quite often follow a particular preacher or evangelist. And I find here in North America particularly, they mix the constitution and “THEIR RIGHTS” with teachings from the Bible.
They don’t seem to realize that Christians as in the time of Jesus live in a secular state. A state that is as ethnically and culturally diverse as the Roman Empire.
They fail to see that at no time did Christ, his apostles or the first century Church ever protest.
The apostle Paul living under the Emperor Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians even wrote,
“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.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Romans 13:1,2
The Apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
Jesus and the Apostles were very tolerant. They sat down with everyone, tax collectors, Samaritans, teachers of the law and anyone who would listen to them.
They told people about Jesus and all he taught them. They never condemned anyone. Jesus said we were not to judge and a true Christian will not judge those outside the church. They will not even impose their beliefs on anyone. They will simply offer a Choice the same choice Jesus offered to people when He said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
This to me is a true Christian one who Believes Jesus is God incarnate the Saviour of each and every person who will turn to Him.
A person who will sit down with anyone irrespective of who they are and have an open conversation with anyone who is willing to listen to them.
Please think about it.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi seen many men that were claiming to be Christian but who’s words and actions were not in line with the teachings of Jesus. It’s the same today.
There are many out there particularly in North America that claim to be Christians that are not. This is I think this is particularly true within the evangelical community.
This actually came up in my Bible study group a few days ago. At the study we all agreed that you are not born a Christian. Nor are you a Christian simply because you go to church. Becoming a Christians is a choice.
To be a Christian one at the very least must believe Jesus is the Son of God. That he died for your sins. That he rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of God the father. One must actually pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and soul. Jesus will not come in if He is not invited. And you cannot just say the words you must truly believe them.
From that point on I firmly believe that the persons life will start to change. Their morals and their actions will start to line up with those teachings of Jesus. True this at times can be a long process but if a person is truly serious about becoming a Christian this will happen.
Sadly all too many calling themselves Christians have prayed a simple prayer then never bother to read the Bible. It is only in studying the Bible that a Christian can grow.
Sadly also it seems and I see this particularly in evangelical churches many simply pray the prayer as a right of passage.
These people go to church every Sunday they even go to various other meetings through the week and any special meetings that may pop up. Still they have not made a heart felt commitment.
Likewise there are Christians who are Christians by the slimmest of margins. These people quite often follow a particular preacher or evangelist. And I find here in North America particularly, they mix the constitution and “THEIR RIGHTS” with teachings from the Bible.
They don’t seem to realize that Christians as in the time of Jesus live in a secular state. A state that is as ethnically and culturally diverse as the Roman Empire.
They fail to see that at no time did Christ, his apostles or the first century Church ever protest.
The apostle Paul living under the Emperor Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians even wrote,
“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.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Romans 13:1,2
The Apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
Jesus and the Apostles were very tolerant. They sat down with everyone, tax collectors, Samaritans, teachers of the law and anyone who would listen to them.
They told people about Jesus and all he taught them. They never condemned anyone. Jesus said we were not to judge and a true Christian will not judge those outside the church. They will not even impose their beliefs on anyone. They will simply offer a Choice the same choice Jesus offered to people when He said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
This to me is a true Christian one who Believes Jesus is God incarnate the Saviour of each and every person who will turn to Him.
A person who will sit down with anyone irrespective of who they are and have an open conversation with anyone who is willing to listen to them.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
An Interesting Thought
An interesting thought,
Here’s an interesting thought from Peter John Kreeft. He states,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
The Bible is very blunt when it come to people who say there is no God. It notes,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
For me and many Christians like me knowing there is a God and a life beyond what we have now is not only reassuring but it makes this life worthwhile.
Knowing that this life is simply a momentary thing that leads through belief in Jesus Christ to life eternal makes me happy.
Now I can point to many things in science and the world around me that tell me there is a God who loves us. Ultimately however belief in God comes down to an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
Jesus gave each and every person a choice when He said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
I could write a million words as to why I believe in God and His one and only Son Jesus Christ. And all those words may not convince some people. That is their choice. I would however ask one thing of those who read this and don’t believe in God or that Jesus is God incarnate.
I would ask that they read at least the New Testament with an open mind examine the truths laid out by the writers.
And my prayer for all who read not only the New Testament but the whole Bible is that God will show them the truth with respect to God and Jesus.
Please think about it.
Here’s an interesting thought from Peter John Kreeft. He states,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
The Bible is very blunt when it come to people who say there is no God. It notes,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
For me and many Christians like me knowing there is a God and a life beyond what we have now is not only reassuring but it makes this life worthwhile.
Knowing that this life is simply a momentary thing that leads through belief in Jesus Christ to life eternal makes me happy.
Now I can point to many things in science and the world around me that tell me there is a God who loves us. Ultimately however belief in God comes down to an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
Jesus gave each and every person a choice when He said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
I could write a million words as to why I believe in God and His one and only Son Jesus Christ. And all those words may not convince some people. That is their choice. I would however ask one thing of those who read this and don’t believe in God or that Jesus is God incarnate.
I would ask that they read at least the New Testament with an open mind examine the truths laid out by the writers.
And my prayer for all who read not only the New Testament but the whole Bible is that God will show them the truth with respect to God and Jesus.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
I Want
I Want
I am a Christian.
And want the world to know,
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.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The Christian message in it’s simplest form is this.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew5: 43-45
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 22:37-40.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
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.
Jesus also said,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The apostle John wrote,
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
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
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
Salvation, belief in Jesus Christ, and God,
is an act of 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.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to
think about what I have written
because 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
Please think about it.
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