Why Christianity?
Because,
“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
God reached down to me, simply for the reason it is impossible for me to reach up to Him and live a life without sin.
Because,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Because Salvation in an act of Faith on our part.
“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.
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
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Because I do believe the words of Jesus
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
All of this and more simply made sense to me. And the more I read the Bible the more things just fell into place in my mind.
So I challenge you to read the Bible particularly the New Testament. Put away any preconceived notions you have and read it with an open mind.
Then determine for yourselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Of Jesus
Of Jesus
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it....
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-5,10-14
The above portions of scripture tell it all about Jesus.
He is God, “The Word” He chose to come down to earth to experience all there was to be a man and to reconcile His created beings to himself.
He came into the world and the world rejected him.
But as John records,
“...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.”
If Christians are wrong about this no one has much to fear but if we are right that Jesus is God.
That it is as 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.
Then people have a lot to fear.
Think about it.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it....
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-5,10-14
The above portions of scripture tell it all about Jesus.
He is God, “The Word” He chose to come down to earth to experience all there was to be a man and to reconcile His created beings to himself.
He came into the world and the world rejected him.
But as John records,
“...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.”
If Christians are wrong about this no one has much to fear but if we are right that Jesus is God.
That it is as 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.
Then people have a lot to fear.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Do you really know Love?
Do you really know 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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Poets throughout the ages have tried to express what love is. Yet I believe there is no better words for describing love than the words of the apostle Paul.
It’s a check list for true love.
We live in a society where marriage is easy and divorce is easier. Divorce statistics are unbelievably high.
I think the reason we have such high rates of divorce is that we don’t know what love is.
Love in the twenty-first century is mistaken for that bubbly feel good thing that we get around someone. It’s that wonderful feeling we get from having intimate relations with someone else.
This is not love.
Love is there for the long haul.
I’ve been on this earth as of my last birthday sixty years. Thirty-four years of which have been in a loving marriage relationship.
My wife and I have gone through the feel good stage at one end and at the other end of the spectrum we’ve been totally ticked off at each other.
We’ve done things that drive each other insane. We still do. Never the less in the end we make up, cuddle up and still after all of these years enjoy being with each other.
I can honestly say that I can’t remember what our last disagreement was about. I just asked my wife if she could and she couldn’t.
We know we’ve argued, and had disagreements especially when we were younger. We are both very strong willed with very definite ideas on things. Our arguments at time I think could be heard across town.
But over the years they’ve actually become less and less. And we honestly upon reflection as I was preparing to write this, can’t remember much of what our arguments were about.
What we do remember is when we lived in the Toronto area going to Niagara Falls walking hand in hand for a short time before returning home, only to have to rush to the hospital so my wife could give birth to our first son.
We remember the little things, like holding hands when we went to church on Sunday. The reasons she has an artificial rose beside her computer.
When we were about to get married our pastor at the time quoted the above verse to us. He reminded us that true love is not a physical thing although that is a part of it.
He reminded us that it is a spiritual union of two souls that become one.
Over the years we in our marriage have proven that to be true. We look at what Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
And we know it’s true.
Think about it.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Poets throughout the ages have tried to express what love is. Yet I believe there is no better words for describing love than the words of the apostle Paul.
It’s a check list for true love.
We live in a society where marriage is easy and divorce is easier. Divorce statistics are unbelievably high.
I think the reason we have such high rates of divorce is that we don’t know what love is.
Love in the twenty-first century is mistaken for that bubbly feel good thing that we get around someone. It’s that wonderful feeling we get from having intimate relations with someone else.
This is not love.
Love is there for the long haul.
I’ve been on this earth as of my last birthday sixty years. Thirty-four years of which have been in a loving marriage relationship.
My wife and I have gone through the feel good stage at one end and at the other end of the spectrum we’ve been totally ticked off at each other.
We’ve done things that drive each other insane. We still do. Never the less in the end we make up, cuddle up and still after all of these years enjoy being with each other.
I can honestly say that I can’t remember what our last disagreement was about. I just asked my wife if she could and she couldn’t.
We know we’ve argued, and had disagreements especially when we were younger. We are both very strong willed with very definite ideas on things. Our arguments at time I think could be heard across town.
But over the years they’ve actually become less and less. And we honestly upon reflection as I was preparing to write this, can’t remember much of what our arguments were about.
What we do remember is when we lived in the Toronto area going to Niagara Falls walking hand in hand for a short time before returning home, only to have to rush to the hospital so my wife could give birth to our first son.
We remember the little things, like holding hands when we went to church on Sunday. The reasons she has an artificial rose beside her computer.
When we were about to get married our pastor at the time quoted the above verse to us. He reminded us that true love is not a physical thing although that is a part of it.
He reminded us that it is a spiritual union of two souls that become one.
Over the years we in our marriage have proven that to be true. We look at what Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
And we know it’s true.
Think about it.
Monday, 26 May 2014
In Memorial
In Memorial
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21
I thought this appropriate, as today is Memorial Day in the United States. A time when they honour those who have served and are serving in their armed forces.
Someone asked me back in November around Remembrance Day (November 11th) when Canada honours its fallen soldiers, is it right for us as Christians to honour our soldiers.
My simple answer is yes.
Over the past number of years my pastor has asked me to prepare a brief slide show of remembrance for our fallen soldier that is presented at our church on Remembrance day.
It is a memorial to those who not only have fallen but those who have served and are serving in our armed forces.
I believe we must honour those who choose to put themselves in harms way to uphold our freedoms.
Whether we like to admit it or not the soldiers of the western nations have always been their for us amid the darkest days of history.
Western nations particularly in the twentieth century and into this new century have been bastions of freedom where our faith has been able to grow and prosper.
All true Christians want to do if we are honest is to as the Apostle Paul said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We wish to follow the commission given to us by Jesus who said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
What Jesus is telling us as Christians is to present what he has taught us to the individual person and let them make the decision for themselves.
Sadly in many nations we cannot do that.
Kelly James Clark writing in the world post states,
“German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." Although met with predictable criticism, Rupert Short's recent research report for Civitas UK confirms Merkel's claim -- we may not want to hear it, but Christianity is in peril, like no other religion. While this is a contest no one wants to win, Short shows that "Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers." Short is the author of the recently published Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack. He is concerned that "200 million Christians (10 percent of the global total) are socially disadvantaged, harassed or actively oppressed for their beliefs."
It is because of the statistics above 200,000,000 Christians under attack and many of them dying for their faith, that we need a strong military to protect that most precious gift freedom.
So today take time to pray for those men and women who have served and are serving in the military. That we may have the freedoms we enjoy.
Please don’t think about it DO IT.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21
I thought this appropriate, as today is Memorial Day in the United States. A time when they honour those who have served and are serving in their armed forces.
Someone asked me back in November around Remembrance Day (November 11th) when Canada honours its fallen soldiers, is it right for us as Christians to honour our soldiers.
My simple answer is yes.
Over the past number of years my pastor has asked me to prepare a brief slide show of remembrance for our fallen soldier that is presented at our church on Remembrance day.
It is a memorial to those who not only have fallen but those who have served and are serving in our armed forces.
I believe we must honour those who choose to put themselves in harms way to uphold our freedoms.
Whether we like to admit it or not the soldiers of the western nations have always been their for us amid the darkest days of history.
Western nations particularly in the twentieth century and into this new century have been bastions of freedom where our faith has been able to grow and prosper.
All true Christians want to do if we are honest is to as the Apostle Paul said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We wish to follow the commission given to us by Jesus who said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
What Jesus is telling us as Christians is to present what he has taught us to the individual person and let them make the decision for themselves.
Sadly in many nations we cannot do that.
Kelly James Clark writing in the world post states,
“German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." Although met with predictable criticism, Rupert Short's recent research report for Civitas UK confirms Merkel's claim -- we may not want to hear it, but Christianity is in peril, like no other religion. While this is a contest no one wants to win, Short shows that "Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers." Short is the author of the recently published Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack. He is concerned that "200 million Christians (10 percent of the global total) are socially disadvantaged, harassed or actively oppressed for their beliefs."
It is because of the statistics above 200,000,000 Christians under attack and many of them dying for their faith, that we need a strong military to protect that most precious gift freedom.
So today take time to pray for those men and women who have served and are serving in the military. That we may have the freedoms we enjoy.
Please don’t think about it DO IT.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
The Authority of Jesus
The Authority of Jesus
“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
But if we say, ‘From men’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Matthew 21:23-27.
Here the chief priests and elders questioned the authority of Jesus to teach. It was just another incident in a series of traps the religious leaders were laying for Jesus. Jesus did not fall for it.
Today people while respecting Jesus as a good man are still asking the by what authority did Jesus come.
The early apostles had no doubt by who’s authority Jesus spoke. Peter is recorded as staying,
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:22-36
Think about it.
“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
But if we say, ‘From men’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Matthew 21:23-27.
Here the chief priests and elders questioned the authority of Jesus to teach. It was just another incident in a series of traps the religious leaders were laying for Jesus. Jesus did not fall for it.
Today people while respecting Jesus as a good man are still asking the by what authority did Jesus come.
The early apostles had no doubt by who’s authority Jesus spoke. Peter is recorded as staying,
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:22-36
Think about it.
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Not Everybody
Not everybody
“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.
Here’s a note from a Christian to none believers or those who are looking to Christianity as a way to life eternal.
I’ve been a Christian now for forty-one years give or take a few months. I firmly believe that Jesus is the One and Only Son of God.
I believe him when 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 believe the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
That being said I do not believe what a lot of the North American televangelist say. I think many of them are not Christian and are not doing the will of God.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said of such people,
“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.
Many evangelist that are in the media are in it for the money. Their ministry may have started innocently enough but they got hooked on the fame and money and they turned away from God.
Now I have no problem with ministers and evangelist making good money. For all I care they can be millionaires, as long as they are preaching the word of God correctly.
Sadly a lot of what I see in the media these days are rich televangelist proclaiming the so called prosperity doctrine. The doctrine of God wants you healthy and wealthy.
Sadly also far too many people fall for the scams these charlatans are pushing.
I believe these frauds do more to harm Christianity than all it’s enemies put together.
I also believe the scripture I quoted at the start of this article,
“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.
My advice to anyone looking at Christianity is not to look at the televangelist in the media but to go to a local church. Talk to the pastor ask him or her what they believe.
Have an open and honest discussion with them and the bible teachers in their church.
I recommend Baptist churches, Assemblies of God Churches in the United States and Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada churches in Canada.
I find their ministers and pastors are well educated generally and are open to answer any question you might have.
Please don’t judge Christians by what you see in the media most are not like that. They are normal people who have found new life, eternal life, in Jesus Christ and are living their faith.
By attending church one can also get a better understanding of where Christians are coming from.
Please think about going to church.
“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.
Here’s a note from a Christian to none believers or those who are looking to Christianity as a way to life eternal.
I’ve been a Christian now for forty-one years give or take a few months. I firmly believe that Jesus is the One and Only Son of God.
I believe him when 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 believe the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
That being said I do not believe what a lot of the North American televangelist say. I think many of them are not Christian and are not doing the will of God.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said of such people,
“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.
Many evangelist that are in the media are in it for the money. Their ministry may have started innocently enough but they got hooked on the fame and money and they turned away from God.
Now I have no problem with ministers and evangelist making good money. For all I care they can be millionaires, as long as they are preaching the word of God correctly.
Sadly a lot of what I see in the media these days are rich televangelist proclaiming the so called prosperity doctrine. The doctrine of God wants you healthy and wealthy.
Sadly also far too many people fall for the scams these charlatans are pushing.
I believe these frauds do more to harm Christianity than all it’s enemies put together.
I also believe the scripture I quoted at the start of this article,
“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.
My advice to anyone looking at Christianity is not to look at the televangelist in the media but to go to a local church. Talk to the pastor ask him or her what they believe.
Have an open and honest discussion with them and the bible teachers in their church.
I recommend Baptist churches, Assemblies of God Churches in the United States and Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada churches in Canada.
I find their ministers and pastors are well educated generally and are open to answer any question you might have.
Please don’t judge Christians by what you see in the media most are not like that. They are normal people who have found new life, eternal life, in Jesus Christ and are living their faith.
By attending church one can also get a better understanding of where Christians are coming from.
Please think about going to church.
Friday, 23 May 2014
Of Faith
Of Faith
“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
Faith in God is a very difficult thing to have. You can’t see Him or touch Him which in itself makes it hard for people to believe in Him. That’s why I believe Jesus came.
John in his gospel records this conversation,
“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 14:8-11.
Jesus came into this world I believe for several reasons. One I believe is to experience what it was to be a man, so that he could better judge people.
Noone can stand before Him on Judgement day and say you don’t know what it was like to be a man. To be tempted to go through all the trials and tribulations of man, because he doses.
Jesus walked this earth, and experienced all it was to be a man.
The other reason Jesus came to this earth was to show people God exists.
Jesus performed miracles and wonders witnessed by many and recorded for the ages both inside and outside the bible.
Jesus is God. Paul states,
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,”
Colossians 2:9 .
Jesus is the embodiment of God. All the attributes of God’s love and affection for mankind are displayed in Jesus.
I believe if we truly study the Bible and especially the New Testament we will have something to base our faith on. All it takes is the desire to search out the truths that are presented in the whole Bible and the individual will find God.
Think about it.
“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
Faith in God is a very difficult thing to have. You can’t see Him or touch Him which in itself makes it hard for people to believe in Him. That’s why I believe Jesus came.
John in his gospel records this conversation,
“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 14:8-11.
Jesus came into this world I believe for several reasons. One I believe is to experience what it was to be a man, so that he could better judge people.
Noone can stand before Him on Judgement day and say you don’t know what it was like to be a man. To be tempted to go through all the trials and tribulations of man, because he doses.
Jesus walked this earth, and experienced all it was to be a man.
The other reason Jesus came to this earth was to show people God exists.
Jesus performed miracles and wonders witnessed by many and recorded for the ages both inside and outside the bible.
Jesus is God. Paul states,
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,”
Colossians 2:9 .
Jesus is the embodiment of God. All the attributes of God’s love and affection for mankind are displayed in Jesus.
I believe if we truly study the Bible and especially the New Testament we will have something to base our faith on. All it takes is the desire to search out the truths that are presented in the whole Bible and the individual will find God.
Think about it.
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Do to Others
Do to Others
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Someone once called me a liberal evangelical. I think that’s a good description of me, at least with respect to the so called evangelical movement in North America.
I am a member of the Evangelical wing of the Christian Church as would be defined here in North America.
Some North American evangelical preachers claim they are keepers of true Christianity yet are far from it.
Within what passes for evangelical Christianity today are men and women that claim to interpret the Bible in it’s purest sense.
They don’t. They interpret it with their own biases and prejudges. Just as others have done over the centuries.
In the United States, Canada and other countries over the centuries the Bible has been used to condone such barbaric practices as slavery. While others have used it to point out the equality of man and fought against slavery.
Today many preachers claiming to be evangelicals are preaching against homosexuality among other things.
So called evangelical preachers especially those in the media seem to be against everything.
When I tell them homosexuals can get to heaven I get a barrage of criticism. Worse when I tell them it is important that we accept members of the Lesbian, bisexual, gay, and trangendered into our church congregations they go ballistic.
I know by writing this I will get some rockets heading my way, but such is life.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
I am eternally grateful to the pastor and friends that led me to accept Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
They believed in practising Matthew 7:12, as well as Matthew 7:1,2.
They accepted this very rough around the edges nineteen year old into their church and showed him friendship and love.
In so doing I became a Christian.
Now while I’m not gay. Still these people accepted me for what I was, very rough edges, and at times very fowl language.
They showed me what it was to be a Christian forming the foundation of what I am today, a firm believer in Jesus Christ.
A person who wants to reach as many people as I can for my Lord.
Jesus didn’t care who you were. He sat down and ate with tax collectors and sinners, and we are all sinners.
Jesus also told us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Jesus told he disciples and through them we who are believers of the twenty-first century.
“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.
All of us are sinners from the pope to prime ministers of this world, to the presidents of nations, to the man and woman on the street.
We are all the same, sinners in need of salvation. A salvation the apostle Paul tells us is free when he 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.
Jesus made it very clear when he 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.
He also 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 apostle John wrote,
“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.
These were scriptures shared with me when I became a Christian.
In them Jesus did not discriminate, he made it clear all who receive him. All who take that step of faith and accept him into their hearts “to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
Think about it.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Someone once called me a liberal evangelical. I think that’s a good description of me, at least with respect to the so called evangelical movement in North America.
I am a member of the Evangelical wing of the Christian Church as would be defined here in North America.
Some North American evangelical preachers claim they are keepers of true Christianity yet are far from it.
Within what passes for evangelical Christianity today are men and women that claim to interpret the Bible in it’s purest sense.
They don’t. They interpret it with their own biases and prejudges. Just as others have done over the centuries.
In the United States, Canada and other countries over the centuries the Bible has been used to condone such barbaric practices as slavery. While others have used it to point out the equality of man and fought against slavery.
Today many preachers claiming to be evangelicals are preaching against homosexuality among other things.
So called evangelical preachers especially those in the media seem to be against everything.
When I tell them homosexuals can get to heaven I get a barrage of criticism. Worse when I tell them it is important that we accept members of the Lesbian, bisexual, gay, and trangendered into our church congregations they go ballistic.
I know by writing this I will get some rockets heading my way, but such is life.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
I am eternally grateful to the pastor and friends that led me to accept Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
They believed in practising Matthew 7:12, as well as Matthew 7:1,2.
They accepted this very rough around the edges nineteen year old into their church and showed him friendship and love.
In so doing I became a Christian.
Now while I’m not gay. Still these people accepted me for what I was, very rough edges, and at times very fowl language.
They showed me what it was to be a Christian forming the foundation of what I am today, a firm believer in Jesus Christ.
A person who wants to reach as many people as I can for my Lord.
Jesus didn’t care who you were. He sat down and ate with tax collectors and sinners, and we are all sinners.
Jesus also told us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Jesus told he disciples and through them we who are believers of the twenty-first century.
“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.
All of us are sinners from the pope to prime ministers of this world, to the presidents of nations, to the man and woman on the street.
We are all the same, sinners in need of salvation. A salvation the apostle Paul tells us is free when he 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.
Jesus made it very clear when he 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.
He also 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 apostle John wrote,
“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.
These were scriptures shared with me when I became a Christian.
In them Jesus did not discriminate, he made it clear all who receive him. All who take that step of faith and accept him into their hearts “to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
Think about it.
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
A Look at Jesus from outside the Bible
A look at Jesus from outside the Bible
I and most Christians who are talking about Jesus tend to quote a lot from the Bible. Here written below are the worlds of men from outside the bible ,who wrote what they believed about Jesus.
Even though early secular reports on Jesus may have been rare, there are still a few surviving references to Him. Not too surprisingly, the earliest non-Christian reports were made by the Jews. Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. and one of the most gifted ancient adversaries to Christianity. In his work against Christianity wrote,
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
But at the end of his life was forced to say:
“Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946) wrote.
When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
C.S. Lewis, writing in Mere Christianity states,
“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.”
Finally the words of Jesus and some of the other apostles said of him,
“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.”
John 1:1-4
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
“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.
The decision is yours do you believe C. S. Lewis said it best when he wrote,
“He (Jesus ) 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,”
Think about it.
I and most Christians who are talking about Jesus tend to quote a lot from the Bible. Here written below are the worlds of men from outside the bible ,who wrote what they believed about Jesus.
Even though early secular reports on Jesus may have been rare, there are still a few surviving references to Him. Not too surprisingly, the earliest non-Christian reports were made by the Jews. Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. and one of the most gifted ancient adversaries to Christianity. In his work against Christianity wrote,
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
But at the end of his life was forced to say:
“Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946) wrote.
When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
C.S. Lewis, writing in Mere Christianity states,
“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.”
Finally the words of Jesus and some of the other apostles said of him,
“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.”
John 1:1-4
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
“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.
The decision is yours do you believe C. S. Lewis said it best when he wrote,
“He (Jesus ) 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,”
Think about it.
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
You must be born again
You must be born again
“He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
John 3:2-6.
Here Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus came from God and that he had and Jesus makes it clear to him how he can get to heaven. He must be born again. It was a concept Nicodemus didn’t understand. It was salvation through faith.
We can intellectually know all about Jesus. We can read the history about him. We can read his words recorded in the Bible but this will not get us to heaven. It is faith that does this.
It’s for many a difficult leap to go from intellectually knowing about Christ to having faith in him and recognizing that he is the Son of God the saviour of the world.
Still we must come to that point in our lives. We must believe.
Paul says of Christians,
“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7.
This is what Jesus was asking Nicodemus to do. We must listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to show us how to live by faith and to live our life in the spirit.
Once we’ve made that leap of faith then everything Christ spoke of and the writers of the Bible wrote about comes completely into focus.
This will not happen unless you the individual will put aside any preconceived ideas you may have, read the Bible with an open mind and ask God to show you the way that leads to Salvation.
Think about it.
“He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
John 3:2-6.
Here Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus came from God and that he had and Jesus makes it clear to him how he can get to heaven. He must be born again. It was a concept Nicodemus didn’t understand. It was salvation through faith.
We can intellectually know all about Jesus. We can read the history about him. We can read his words recorded in the Bible but this will not get us to heaven. It is faith that does this.
It’s for many a difficult leap to go from intellectually knowing about Christ to having faith in him and recognizing that he is the Son of God the saviour of the world.
Still we must come to that point in our lives. We must believe.
Paul says of Christians,
“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7.
This is what Jesus was asking Nicodemus to do. We must listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to show us how to live by faith and to live our life in the spirit.
Once we’ve made that leap of faith then everything Christ spoke of and the writers of the Bible wrote about comes completely into focus.
This will not happen unless you the individual will put aside any preconceived ideas you may have, read the Bible with an open mind and ask God to show you the way that leads to Salvation.
Think about it.
Monday, 19 May 2014
A Prediction of His Death
A Predication of his death.
“Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
Matthew 20: 17-19.
Here Jesus predicts his death, by being turned over to the gentiles, flogged and crucified.
Jesus was not killed by the Jews.
Had that happened he would have been stoned to death. Which was the method of capital punishment used by the Jews.
Jesus was killed by the Romans.
Over the years many ignorant people have accused the Jews of crucifying Christ. This is far from the truth.
It’s interesting to note that Jesus the saviour of all mankind was persecuted by representatives of all mankind.
The Jews who rejected him as their Messiah. The Romans, representative of the gentile world, who mocked him and did he actual persecution.
The political leadership. The Jewish leadership who seen him as a threat to their authority.
The Roman leadership. Who found no wrong deserving of death in him yet out of political expediency ordered his crucifixion.
Even his disciples, those who did believe him deserted him.
All can be said to have a part in the persecution and death of Jesus.
It was death that had to be.
It showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile man to himself.
The important thing to remember in all of this is that Jesus rose from the dead and not only do the Christian scriptures say this but so do external records out of the control of Christians,
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
"About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders." [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Think about it.
“Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
Matthew 20: 17-19.
Here Jesus predicts his death, by being turned over to the gentiles, flogged and crucified.
Jesus was not killed by the Jews.
Had that happened he would have been stoned to death. Which was the method of capital punishment used by the Jews.
Jesus was killed by the Romans.
Over the years many ignorant people have accused the Jews of crucifying Christ. This is far from the truth.
It’s interesting to note that Jesus the saviour of all mankind was persecuted by representatives of all mankind.
The Jews who rejected him as their Messiah. The Romans, representative of the gentile world, who mocked him and did he actual persecution.
The political leadership. The Jewish leadership who seen him as a threat to their authority.
The Roman leadership. Who found no wrong deserving of death in him yet out of political expediency ordered his crucifixion.
Even his disciples, those who did believe him deserted him.
All can be said to have a part in the persecution and death of Jesus.
It was death that had to be.
It showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile man to himself.
The important thing to remember in all of this is that Jesus rose from the dead and not only do the Christian scriptures say this but so do external records out of the control of Christians,
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
"About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders." [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Think about it.
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Of God's Love
Of God’s love,
“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.
Here is perhaps one of he best known quotes from the bible. It expresses God’s love and a warning to mankind.
The choice is yours. It is an act of faith.
I’ve heard it said that salvation is like a free meal. It’s there for the taking. All you have to do to receive it’s nourishment is eat it. Take it in.
Paul makes this very clear when he states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Still many cannot accept this gift, Paul stating,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The way I look at it if what I believe as a Christian is foolish then I have lost nothing.
But if I am right those who don’t believe in Jesus have a lot to worry about.
Think about it.
“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.
Here is perhaps one of he best known quotes from the bible. It expresses God’s love and a warning to mankind.
The choice is yours. It is an act of faith.
I’ve heard it said that salvation is like a free meal. It’s there for the taking. All you have to do to receive it’s nourishment is eat it. Take it in.
Paul makes this very clear when he states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Still many cannot accept this gift, Paul stating,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The way I look at it if what I believe as a Christian is foolish then I have lost nothing.
But if I am right those who don’t believe in Jesus have a lot to worry about.
Think about it.
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