One Life

One life
There is a very famous poem that tells of the most important person ever to live it goes like this,

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 1926.
Today it is estimated that close to three billion people believe in Jesus Christ. They believe that he is the One and Only Son of God. Who came into the world to save mankind from their sins and point each individual to God.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
The Question is do you the reader believe this?
Before you make up your mind I would ask that you read the New Testament and find for yourself what Christians believe about Jesus.
Please think about it. 

For you

For you
C. S. Lewis talking about Jesus said,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis
The apostle Paul 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.
Christians believe that mankind was falling far short of what God’s ideal for their lives. God knew that mankind could not live a perfect life. That’s why he instituted the various sacrifices in the temple that we see referenced in the Old Testament.
Still they only covered sins.
Christians believe that God once and for all changed all that by entering the world he created in the form of His On and Only Son Jesus.
Christians believe that God cared for not just mankind as a whole but for each individual. Thus God offers each individual a choice.
Jesus speaking about himself gave everyone a choice saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
The apostle Paul writing,
“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.
Thus the choice is yours dear reader. God will not force himself upon you. You have a free will.
What I would ask however is read the New Testament for yourself. Read what the for yourself what the writers said and believed. Then make your decision.
Please think about it.

God, Jesus and you,

God, Jesus and you
The apostle Paul writes,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
                                                                               Romans 3:23.
Christians believe that everyone who has ever lived has sinned, and Sin separates us from God. Christians believe that we cannot live lives good enough to live with a holy God.
We also believe that God recognized this that is why He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins,
Paul immediately after saying “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” says,
“...and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
                                                                                                                                          Romans 3:24.
Still speaking to the Romans Paul explains,
“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.
Speaking to the Ephesians Paul 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.
We cannot work our way to heaven it is by the grace of God we get there though having faith in Christ. By truly believing that Jesus died for our sins that we may have eternal life with God.
Paul explains,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”
                                           Romans 5:6-11.
Believing in and accepting God’s grace that comes through Jesus is the way to heaven. Jesus saying,
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 Writer of Hebrews states,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ? 
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ? 
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 
  Hebrews 1:3-6
Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. No other faith in the world as far as this writer knows believes that the founder of their faith is God incarnate.
I as a Christian believe that God came into this world for several reasons. First and foremost he came to as Paul said reconcile man to Himself. To show man in human terms how far He would go.
Secondly ultimately God will judge every person on the earth. By His entering the world in the form of Jesus, He experienced all it was to be a man. We can never stand before God and say “You didn’t understand what it was to be a man, because you have never experienced what it is to be one. Someone all powerful cannot rightly judge someone as frail and full of flaws as a man.”
However when we stand before God that argument will not hold because he does understand. Jesus while on this earth never functioned more than a man.
He grew up in an average family for his day. He went to weddings. Wept at the death of a friend. Experienced the love of family and friends.
Experienced the hate of his enemies. He experienced a vicious beating at the hands of the Romans who’s governor had said he found nothing wrong with him worthy of death. Yet Jesus despite being beaten for a crime he did not commit was crucified.
Thus when we stand before Him and are judged, He can judge justly.
We today can however know the outcome of that judgement. Jesus while on the earth speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                              John 3:16-18.
As 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.
Are you willing to accept the Grace of God today?
Please think about it.

More than this life

More than this life
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
                  Ecclesiastes 1:14
“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.
Think about it. What is life? We live just a handful of years in the light of eternity. It’s not very long. Most people will live and die within a few hundred kilometres from where they were born. Most will live average unassuming lives. Some sadly will be statistics among casualties of war.
Other again sadly will be numbered in the millions that die of starvation or curable illnesses, something that is possible to eliminate with the right political will.
Even those who do great deeds will eventually have their names only remembered by historians. Such is life.
For me however I do not believe life ends with death. Like the Egyptians, all ancient peoples, the Jews, Muslims, all major faiths and the majority of people on the earth, I believe man is an immortal being. Destined to live on through eternity.
I believe what the writer or Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
I think most major faiths believe God will one day judge each individual as Ecclesiastes states.
Where I as a Christian would differ with non-Christians is that we can have our sins forgiven in this life. That we can be assured of eternal life with God today by believing in Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews says of Jesus,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
                                       Hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus speaking of Himself states,
“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 believe the apostle John when he states,
“Yet to all who received him, (Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
                                       John 1:12,13.
John also tells us,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 
1John 1:9-10
The apostle Paul make it clear we cannot work our way to heaven 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.
Confessing our sins directly to God and having faith in Jesus, accepting the saving grace of Jesus assures the individual eternal life with God.
It however all takes a step of faith. 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 having faith is perhaps the hardest thing anyone can be called to do.
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind?
If you are unsure take time to read the New Testament and see what Jesus and the apostles that knew Jesus have to say about him.
Please at least think about it.

Your Treasure

Your Treasure
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“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
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
               Ecclesiastes 1:14.
Jesus said,
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”  
                                                                                                                      Mark 8:36.
We came into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing. As one person has said, “The rich man and the poor man enter eternity broke.”
Now there’s nothing wrong with being rich in this life the apostle Paul states,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 
                                                                                        1 Timothy 6:10.
It’s the “love of money that can cause grief.
Still there are many wealthy people in this world that are doing good with the money they have. They are helping the poor and needy. They are contributing to noble causes.
The bottom line is however when you die all the money you have amounts to nothing. The only thing that goes into the next world are the things you’ve done for God.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 
                                                                              Matthew 6:19-21.
You have a choice in this world. You can choose to believe in God or you can reject Him. You can choose to believe in an afterlife or not.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It recognizes the existence of God. The Bible simply asks us to have faith in God. Whether you do or not is up to you.
Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
             John 14:6
Do you believe this?
                   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 we cannot work our way to heaven. We enter heaven by the Grace of God. Though our faith in Him.
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.
Please think about it.

An Eternity Poem

An Eternity Poem
The poet wrote,

Where are the people?

Where?

Are they but shadows in the mall?

Are they?

Are they shadows in time,

Shadows wandering looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads.

What is life?

What?

Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?

A wisp in the eternal ether 

Are people wisps?

What of man’s or woman’s! accomplishments?

What of them?

Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?

Is that life?

Is life simply a cacophony of sounds travelling through endless time?

Is it?

Or 

Is a life.

Yours or mine, 

more?

Is it a divine opera?

An opera played out on a high mesa 

A stage suspended between heaven and hell.

Are we as Shakespeare said simply actors?

Life is real,

 an opera, 

Played out before God.

On a high mesa between heaven and hell.

We are but actors in a play?

Actors awaiting the final curtain call 

sending us to eternity?

Are you ready for the final curtain call?

Are you?

What is the sum total of your life?

What?

A man lives in deeds,

What will your deeds say about you?

What will “they” say about you as you pass on?

What will God say?

Jesus said,

‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 

I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’ 

                                                               Revelations 3:20

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— 

Ephesians 2:8

The writer of Hebrews wrote, 

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see...

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 11:1,6

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

 that whoever believes in him shall not perish 

but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, 

but whoever does not believe stands condemned already 

because he has not believed in the name of 

God’s one and only Son”. 

John 3:16-18

Where will you spend eternity?

Where?

Will you accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life today?

Will you pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I recognize that Jesus is your one and only Son.
That he came to earth to die for my sins.
I confess I am a sinner and that I fall short of what you want for my life.
Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life.
That I may spend eternity with you

                                      In Jesus name I pray
                                                   Amen.
Please think about it.

Too Late?

Too Late?
Billy Graham said,
“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.”
                                               Billy Graham.
There was I believe an eternal question asked by Jesus to Martha that everyone must answer in their hearts. Jesus said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world, 
       John 11:25,26.
Each and every person who hears the truth about Jesus Christ must make a decision on who He is.
C. S. Lewis said,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 
                                                                                         C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
What I would ask, you the person reading this, is to read the New Testament and see what Jesus said about himself. See what the Apostles wrote and believed about Jesus then make your decision as to who Jesus is. So you can answer the question Jesus asked Martha,
“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?”
Do you?

God exists like it or not!

God exists like it or not!
           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 Problem of Pain
“He(God)  has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;...”  
     Ecclesiastes 3:11a.
Like it or not God exists. Individuals may deny His existence but that’s not to say God does not exist.
There’s an old joke that goes like this.
“A young school boy said to his teacher “Miss I believe in God.” to which the teacher said,
“Joey you can’t see God. Can you?”
“No.” said Joey.
“You can’t touch God can you?” said the teacher.
“No” said Joey.
“Then if you can’s see Him or touch Him, how can you believe He exist.” said the teacher
Joey thought for a moment and said “I cant see or touch your brain does that mean it doesn’t exist?”
Just because we can’t see or touch things doesn’t mean they don’t exist ask any good scientist will tell you that.
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.
Without fear of God’s judgement ultimately man could do anything he wants.
Rabbi Benjamine Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.”
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991).
When God is left out of the picture. When man does not fear judgement, individuals and society suffer.
Hitler and his henchmen did not fear God. Nor do modern day terrorist. Nor for that matter do criminals of any kind. Be they murderers or thieves. These people throw out the moral code I believe God has written on the hearts of every individual. Morals such as do not kill, do not steal and so forth.
They if you will have set themselves up as the absolute moral authority. I’m sure Hitler and those in charge of the death camps believed they were moral people. Even though the rest of humanity would disagree.
Whether individuals believe there is a God to fear or not He is there. I also believe the words of Ecclesiastes that says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
 Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
The choice however to believe in God is up to you the individual.
All I would ask is that you please think about it.

Are you Sure?

Are you sure?

“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.
Are you sure about your beliefs? Are you sure that what you believe about what comes after this world is correct?
I am.
I make no apologies I am a Christian. I have read what Jesus said. I have read the Bible, both the Old, and New Testament and I believe it.
I have also looked around be and seen the perfection of the universe and our world and come to the conclusion that behind it all is a God that created it all.
Christianity makes a point of saying God reached down to mankind and offers him eternal life. It is completely free all one has to do is believe in Jesus.
The book of Acts records this conversation between the apostle Paul and his jailor. It states,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 
                                                                                                                                 Acts 16:30,31.
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:6-8.
Jesus made the statement
“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.
We must all decide if what Jesus and the apostles said is true or not.
If it is not true no one has anything to worry about.
If it is true however it has eternal consequences.
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.

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.

Jesus is

Jesus is

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.   Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”  
                                    John 14:5-11.
Here is a statement by Jesus if not true it would mean that Christians are believing a lie and Jesus is deluded or worse.
Jesus makes it clear to Thomas the He is the only way to heaven. He states that
“I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
The New Testament gives another account of what Jesus says about himself. John’s gospel records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 
                                                                                                        John 10:24-32.
Jesus makes it clear He and God are one.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 
                                                                                  C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
So the question becomes, Who do you think Christ is?
Please think about it.

Death of a young man

Death of a young man.

“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
                                                                                                                 Tony Campolo.
I am writing this by way of a warning of sorts to all who would read this. The question I ask is, Where will you spend eternity?
As I write this a young man I know named Johnny has just died he was a month short of his thirtieth birthday.
I’ve known this young man all his life. When younger he attended Sunday School and church he had a family that cared for him, but as he grew to manhood he left the church and went his own way.
For most of his life he struggled with alcoholism and drugs. He’d get drunk and start using his fists and action that seen him put in jail several times.
His death came as a result of a fight in which he was hit over the head with a pipe killing him.
Many people over the years tried to reach Johnny. He’d stop by our house on numerous occasions to talk. He always knew that our door was open to him at any time day or night if he needed help.
My late sister in law a recovering alcoholic herself did her best while alive to try and get Johnny into various programs to get him sober, but to no avail.
Johnny sadly followed his own path that led to his ultimate demise.
I as a Christian believe God tries to reach us and give us a chance to accept Him as Lord of our lives up to the very moment of our death.  Such a decision is between the individual and God.
Where Johnny stood I do not know. It is between Him and God. Certainly Johnny knew the way to heaven all he had to do was reach out to the hand of Jesus. Something he could have done with his last breath.
 Question, Dear reader do you know where you will spend eternity?
The apostle John writing about Jesus said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
                                 John 1:12,13.
The Gift of Salvation, eternal life with God is free to all. The Apostle Paul said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                    Ephesians 2:8,9
Accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour is as simple as a sincere prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. That He came to this world to bring Salvation to each and every person who would believe in Him.
Please dear Lord forgive my sins and come into my heart and soul today. Be Lord of my life and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, I would suggest that you start reading the Bible for it is in reading the Bible that we can determine what God expects of us.
Start by reading the New Testament. Here in North America you can get a bible at any book store. You can even go on line and get the “you bible” app. A free App.
I suggest you read a modern translation, the New International Version, the New King James Version, American Standard Version are all easy to read and understand.
In my bible study at the church we use all of those versions.
I would also suggest you find a good church. As these blogs are read around the world it’s hard for me her in Canada to suggest a specific church. I do however suggest the Baptist Churches as they are consistent in their beliefs around the world.
In the United States Southern Baptist convention churches are good as is the Assemblies of God.
Additionally here in Canada I suggest a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church.
Remember not all church congregations are the same in character some are more lively than others, others are very conservative in the way they conduct their service while others are more contemporary with modern music and worship styles.
The key is to find a church that fits your liking while at the same time holds the Bible as the sacred inspired word of God.
Pray and ask God to lead you to the right church you’ll be surprised how he will lead you.
The key in all of this is knowing Jesus as your Lord and saviour. It is the only way you can be assured of going to heaven.
Please think about it.

A quick note

A quick note,

Here is what I believe is the most important message the world needs.

1/

 Jesus said

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

                                                                                         John10:10

2

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

3

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

4

The Writer of Hebrews wrote,

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

                                5                                       

Jesus said to Martha

“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

The above are quotations from the bible that I believe everyone needs to consider irrespective of who they are.
Christianity to my knowledge is the only faith in the world that claims God the creator of the universe came into the world to show mankind the way to heaven.
I know to some this concept is hard to believe but it is at least something each individual needs to think about.
C. S. Lewis said,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 
                                                                                C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
The decision is yours.
Please think about it.

To be Christian

To be Christian

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 
             C.S. Lewis
What makes a Christian?
Strictly defined a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the One and only Son of God. 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
You are not born a Christian it is an act of faith. The apostle Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”
                                                                  Ephesians 2:8,9 
The Apostle John writes of Jesus,
“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.
To be a Christian is to me much more than this. It is a lifestyle of love. It is hearing and putting into practice the words 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
Being a Christian is also obeying Jesus when He 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,” 
                                                                              Matthew 5:43,44.
Love for the Christian is defined by the apostle Paul who said,

“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.
Christianity is showing love to even our enemies. It is also faith in action. James the brother of Christ saying,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” 
                                                                                                                    James 2:14-20.
Christianity to me is one more thing it is about obeying Jesus who told us to go and make disciples of all nations saying,
“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.
Jesus is the most important thing within a Christians life. He gave to us, his followers what we consider the most important message ever given to human beings. The message recorded by the apostle John who 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.
It is a choice Christians believe all people everywhere must make. No one can make it for them or force them to make a choice.
Christians believe God gave man a freewill and that freewill entitles the individual to believe in Him or not.
Please think about it.