The Christian and God
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
Romans 5:6-11
Christians believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That God reached down to man and offers him salvation.
The apostle Paul makes it clear,
“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
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote of Christ,
“Not hero worship, but intimacy with Christ.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Jesus is unlike any other person we are called to come into a personal relationship with him.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
The apostle John writes,
“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.
This is what Christianity is all about becoming children of God. As far as I know no other religion in the world makes this offer.
Think about it.
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Friday, 19 September 2014
Not all are Christians
Not all are Christians
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
An admission from a Christian of forty-one years. Not everyone who claims to be Christian is a Christian. Mahatma Gandhi got it right.
There are many who go to church all their life and live in Christian circles that are not Christian.
There are very many in the media that are not Christian and claim to be. Some are simply in it for the money, some misguided, others simply not well educated.
Even Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23.
To the Christian and non-Christian reading this I would say be cautious of those who claim to be Christian and are not. Many want to lead people down the garden path. Some trying to get peoples money.
I think especially in our wired world it is at times hard to see who the true Christians are in the media.
At the click of a mouse we can watch and listen to hundreds if not thousands of evangelist and pastors from all over the world.
What we can’t see however, at least until they make a major slip or someone discloses who they are is what they are doing in their personal lives.
Are they truly living a moral life. Are they spending the majority of the money they are raising to reach people for Christ? Or, are they lining their own pockets.
Even if you meet some pastors and evangelist it can be hard to tell.
A pastor or evangelist who is very charismatic or flamboyant can steer people wrong. So can one who is not. You cannot know what is in the mind of someone.
I remember back in I think it was the late seventies a man named Jim Jones who talked a large number of people into going with him to South America where they all committed mass suicide.
There are however I believe thankfully, far more legitimate Christians out there. Men and women who truly love God, and are doing what they feel he wants them to do.
You will find them in church congregations around the world. These are the people who welcome you in the name of Christ and show genuine love for you.
Jesus said to his disciples the following, and without a doubt it defines what a Christian is.
1/ Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
2/ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
3/ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35
Christianity is first and foremost a faith of love. It is God reaching down to mankind in love.
To quote Jesus again,
“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
For a Christian to no show love even if he or she dose not agree with the person I would doubt if he was a Christian. If they are, they have not studied and put into practice the teachings of Christ.
God through Jesus offers eternal life to everyone who will accept him into their heart and life.
And Christianity is if nothing else is diverse. It ranges everything from the formal service loaded with symbolism that mean a great deal to many followers of Christ.
At the other end of the spectrum is the contemporary in which the services are modern and with contemporary music and in some cases even dance.
Christ’s call for everyone is to come to him and at least listen with an open mind to what he has to say.
Will you?
Think about it.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
An admission from a Christian of forty-one years. Not everyone who claims to be Christian is a Christian. Mahatma Gandhi got it right.
There are many who go to church all their life and live in Christian circles that are not Christian.
There are very many in the media that are not Christian and claim to be. Some are simply in it for the money, some misguided, others simply not well educated.
Even Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23.
To the Christian and non-Christian reading this I would say be cautious of those who claim to be Christian and are not. Many want to lead people down the garden path. Some trying to get peoples money.
I think especially in our wired world it is at times hard to see who the true Christians are in the media.
At the click of a mouse we can watch and listen to hundreds if not thousands of evangelist and pastors from all over the world.
What we can’t see however, at least until they make a major slip or someone discloses who they are is what they are doing in their personal lives.
Are they truly living a moral life. Are they spending the majority of the money they are raising to reach people for Christ? Or, are they lining their own pockets.
Even if you meet some pastors and evangelist it can be hard to tell.
A pastor or evangelist who is very charismatic or flamboyant can steer people wrong. So can one who is not. You cannot know what is in the mind of someone.
I remember back in I think it was the late seventies a man named Jim Jones who talked a large number of people into going with him to South America where they all committed mass suicide.
There are however I believe thankfully, far more legitimate Christians out there. Men and women who truly love God, and are doing what they feel he wants them to do.
You will find them in church congregations around the world. These are the people who welcome you in the name of Christ and show genuine love for you.
Jesus said to his disciples the following, and without a doubt it defines what a Christian is.
1/ Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
2/ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
3/ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35
Christianity is first and foremost a faith of love. It is God reaching down to mankind in love.
To quote Jesus again,
“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
For a Christian to no show love even if he or she dose not agree with the person I would doubt if he was a Christian. If they are, they have not studied and put into practice the teachings of Christ.
God through Jesus offers eternal life to everyone who will accept him into their heart and life.
And Christianity is if nothing else is diverse. It ranges everything from the formal service loaded with symbolism that mean a great deal to many followers of Christ.
At the other end of the spectrum is the contemporary in which the services are modern and with contemporary music and in some cases even dance.
Christ’s call for everyone is to come to him and at least listen with an open mind to what he has to say.
Will you?
Think about it.
Thursday, 18 September 2014
A Promise A Warning
A promise A Warning.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18.
Jesus tells us how to get to heaven and warns us of the consequences of unbelief. He makes it very simple. Believe and you have eternal life. Don’t and you stand condemned.
This is a promise and a warning to everyone who can understand what Jesus is saying.
Paul writing to the Ephesians 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.
The simple belief of the Christian is that God offers us eternal life for free. Christians note that you cannot be good enough to get to heaven so all we must do is accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
If we do not the waring is
“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.”
God gives all men everywhere the opportunity to accept or reject Christ. There is no middle ground.
At the same time he offers eternal life he warns that those who fail to do so are condemned because of their unbelief.
Jesus does not try to soft soap the consequences of unbelief. He makes it clear the choice is ours.
If what the Bible says about Jesus and how we get to heaven is wrong. Then the unbeliever has no fears. If however they are correct as I believe they are. The unbeliever has a lot to worry about.
Think about it.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18.
Jesus tells us how to get to heaven and warns us of the consequences of unbelief. He makes it very simple. Believe and you have eternal life. Don’t and you stand condemned.
This is a promise and a warning to everyone who can understand what Jesus is saying.
Paul writing to the Ephesians 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.
The simple belief of the Christian is that God offers us eternal life for free. Christians note that you cannot be good enough to get to heaven so all we must do is accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
If we do not the waring is
“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.”
God gives all men everywhere the opportunity to accept or reject Christ. There is no middle ground.
At the same time he offers eternal life he warns that those who fail to do so are condemned because of their unbelief.
Jesus does not try to soft soap the consequences of unbelief. He makes it clear the choice is ours.
If what the Bible says about Jesus and how we get to heaven is wrong. Then the unbeliever has no fears. If however they are correct as I believe they are. The unbeliever has a lot to worry about.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Atheist and God
Atheist and God
“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
I once got into a debate with an atheist. He in all seriousness said he couldn’t see God therefore God didn’t exist.
To which I said he couldn’t see love therefor by his reasoning Love didn’t exist. He argued that it wasn’t the same, but it is. Just because you can’t see anything doesn’t mean it nonexistent.
This man pointed out to me that the Genesis account of creation was wrong. That the world couldn’t have been made in six days.
It threw him for a loop when I told him it didn’t matter to me if the world was made in six day or six billion years. The only thing I believed was important was that it was made by God and that God truly exists.
In the end however belief in God is a faith thing.
Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The writer of Hebrews going on to point out
“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.
For me I think it is important for the individual to decide for themselves whether God exists or not, and if the teachings of Christ are true.
As C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
The Choice is up to you.
Think about it.
“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
I once got into a debate with an atheist. He in all seriousness said he couldn’t see God therefore God didn’t exist.
To which I said he couldn’t see love therefor by his reasoning Love didn’t exist. He argued that it wasn’t the same, but it is. Just because you can’t see anything doesn’t mean it nonexistent.
This man pointed out to me that the Genesis account of creation was wrong. That the world couldn’t have been made in six days.
It threw him for a loop when I told him it didn’t matter to me if the world was made in six day or six billion years. The only thing I believed was important was that it was made by God and that God truly exists.
In the end however belief in God is a faith thing.
Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The writer of Hebrews going on to point out
“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.
For me I think it is important for the individual to decide for themselves whether God exists or not, and if the teachings of Christ are true.
As C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
The Choice is up to you.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
An Option
Options
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.
Everyone in this life has a decision to make. We can accept the love and salvation God has to offer or we can reject it.
There is no middle ground. God does not play favourites. He says to everyone everywhere I have sent my One and Only Son to the earth to you in Love.
If you believe in Him you have the guarantee of eternal life.
If you reject him you are condemned already because of your unbelief.
It may seem like harsh words but God is being entirely truthful. Jesus makes no secret when he says,
... “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
We don’t have to work for our salvation. We cannot work our way to heaven by doing good works. We are human and constantly fall short of God’s ideal for our lives. That’s why the apostle Paul writes reminds us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Are you willing to accept the salvation Jesus offers or not. The choice is always yours.
Think about it.
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.
Everyone in this life has a decision to make. We can accept the love and salvation God has to offer or we can reject it.
There is no middle ground. God does not play favourites. He says to everyone everywhere I have sent my One and Only Son to the earth to you in Love.
If you believe in Him you have the guarantee of eternal life.
If you reject him you are condemned already because of your unbelief.
It may seem like harsh words but God is being entirely truthful. Jesus makes no secret when he says,
... “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
We don’t have to work for our salvation. We cannot work our way to heaven by doing good works. We are human and constantly fall short of God’s ideal for our lives. That’s why the apostle Paul writes reminds us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Are you willing to accept the salvation Jesus offers or not. The choice is always yours.
Think about it.
Monday, 15 September 2014
Weary and Burdened
Weary and burdened
As I write this the comedian Robin Williams has just died. He struggled for many years with mental illness. Sadly it got to him.
I understand what Mr. Williams was going through it is very hard. You see I live with Bipolar affective disorder (manic depression).
Bipolar disorder sends the person between high, highs and low lows with a period of stability in the middle. For me most of my time I do spend down. Although now twenty plus years after I was diagnosed it is relatively under control.
I liken having Bipolar as being in a high powered sports car. You are driving along the road at a high speed the wind is whipping your hair the adrenalin is pumping there’s no feeling like it.
However that all ends as the car suddenly stops and you jump into a pit of mud wallowing up to your neck in mud and despair. Then just when you think you can’t take it any more you’re back in that sports car racing down the road again the cycle repeating.
The other illustration I usually use is imagine you’re in a snow globe. Simultaneously your inside the globe and you’re holding it.
You start shaking the globe you know intellectually you’re doing it, that you’re causing the storm to rage all around you in the globe but you’re powerless to stop it so the anguish continues.
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When your high it is better than any drug. You feel invincible. You can do anything. I use to do two, three, five, six jobs all at the same time and not get anything finished.
It’s a case of get out of my way I can do it better and faster. Let me do it.
As a professional clown I’ve performed when my moods were high and it works out great. Your mind is sharp, going a mile a minute it made me I think a better clown. The comedy just kept coming.
On the other end however is the dark side. Whey you enter that pit of despair that you can’t seem to get out 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.
That could have been a statement I would make when I am on the down side of my illness.
One in five people will suffer from some form of mental illness in their life time it is the same inside the church as outside.
For me several things have made a difference in my life.
My family doctor and psychiatrist both of whom know their stuff and have helped me get on the right medications.
Then there’s group therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
My wife and family who have supported me through some of the darkest days of my life when suicide was heavy on my mind.
Many families and marriages break up because of the illness.
Also there was my faith. My belief in God and Christ who are a major part of my life and lifestyle.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
In my darkest hours I have gone to God in prayer and I have been comforted. I have been pulled back from the brink. And I have drawn closer in my relationship with Jesus.
Sadly hundreds of people circum to suicide as the result of a mental illness every year.
Many people do not want to admit they have a mental health problem for fear of being ostracised. They are afraid of the stigma that goes with mental illness.
We would never say to a person with diabetes or a broken leg that it is not real or ostracise them, so why would we do it to someone with mental illness. Yet people think nothing about doing so.
Someone with mental illness needs all the help and love we can give them. We need to be there for them.
Think about it.
Post Script
If you or someone you know is behaving oddly. If they tend to be depressed for long periods of time or are doing things that are out of character for them. Talk to them. Have them visit a doctor
Mental illnesses do go undiagnosed for long periods of time. I know for me looking back I probably had signs showing as early as twenty years prior to my diagnosis. But people simply put it down to me being me.
People who suspect they may have clinical depression, Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or any other mental illness need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
In Canada the Canadian Mental Health Association can help.
Psychiatrists are covered under the various provincial health programs and your family doctor will know where to direct you for help.
Remember Mental illness is real and can lead to suicide and death. Please do not take it lightly. Get help.
As I write this the comedian Robin Williams has just died. He struggled for many years with mental illness. Sadly it got to him.I understand what Mr. Williams was going through it is very hard. You see I live with Bipolar affective disorder (manic depression).
Bipolar disorder sends the person between high, highs and low lows with a period of stability in the middle. For me most of my time I do spend down. Although now twenty plus years after I was diagnosed it is relatively under control.
I liken having Bipolar as being in a high powered sports car. You are driving along the road at a high speed the wind is whipping your hair the adrenalin is pumping there’s no feeling like it.
However that all ends as the car suddenly stops and you jump into a pit of mud wallowing up to your neck in mud and despair. Then just when you think you can’t take it any more you’re back in that sports car racing down the road again the cycle repeating.
The other illustration I usually use is imagine you’re in a snow globe. Simultaneously your inside the globe and you’re holding it.
You start shaking the globe you know intellectually you’re doing it, that you’re causing the storm to rage all around you in the globe but you’re powerless to stop it so the anguish continues.
When your high it is better than any drug. You feel invincible. You can do anything. I use to do two, three, five, six jobs all at the same time and not get anything finished.It’s a case of get out of my way I can do it better and faster. Let me do it.
As a professional clown I’ve performed when my moods were high and it works out great. Your mind is sharp, going a mile a minute it made me I think a better clown. The comedy just kept coming.
On the other end however is the dark side. Whey you enter that pit of despair that you can’t seem to get out 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.
That could have been a statement I would make when I am on the down side of my illness.
One in five people will suffer from some form of mental illness in their life time it is the same inside the church as outside.
For me several things have made a difference in my life.
My family doctor and psychiatrist both of whom know their stuff and have helped me get on the right medications.
Then there’s group therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
My wife and family who have supported me through some of the darkest days of my life when suicide was heavy on my mind.
Many families and marriages break up because of the illness.
Also there was my faith. My belief in God and Christ who are a major part of my life and lifestyle.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
In my darkest hours I have gone to God in prayer and I have been comforted. I have been pulled back from the brink. And I have drawn closer in my relationship with Jesus.
Sadly hundreds of people circum to suicide as the result of a mental illness every year.
Many people do not want to admit they have a mental health problem for fear of being ostracised. They are afraid of the stigma that goes with mental illness.
We would never say to a person with diabetes or a broken leg that it is not real or ostracise them, so why would we do it to someone with mental illness. Yet people think nothing about doing so.
Someone with mental illness needs all the help and love we can give them. We need to be there for them.
Think about it.
Post Script
If you or someone you know is behaving oddly. If they tend to be depressed for long periods of time or are doing things that are out of character for them. Talk to them. Have them visit a doctor
Mental illnesses do go undiagnosed for long periods of time. I know for me looking back I probably had signs showing as early as twenty years prior to my diagnosis. But people simply put it down to me being me.
People who suspect they may have clinical depression, Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or any other mental illness need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
In Canada the Canadian Mental Health Association can help.
Psychiatrists are covered under the various provincial health programs and your family doctor will know where to direct you for help.
Remember Mental illness is real and can lead to suicide and death. Please do not take it lightly. Get help.
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Words from Ecclesiastes
Words from Ecclesiastes
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun...
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9,14
Looking at the above verses from Ecclesiastes he seems to sum up the plight of man at least from the prospective of some atheists I’ve spoken to.
They have a simple outlook on life, you’re born, you live your life, you die. All that matters is what is done in this life. Whether you live it to the full or simply exist is it up to you. After death there is only oblivion.
I can’t buy into that. The writer of Ecclesiastes ends his book by saying,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
We do have a choice in this world as to what we do. We can put our faith in God and in the redeeming grace of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ or we can choose to reject his offer and turn from God.
I as a Christian have nothing to fear from living a life for Christ at it’s best it is an honourable, moral lifestyle that can be lived to the full. At the end of which I enter into an eternity with God.
For someone who does not believe however they are rolling the dice with regards to how they will spend eternity.
Are you willing to roll that dice?
Think about it.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun...
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9,14
Looking at the above verses from Ecclesiastes he seems to sum up the plight of man at least from the prospective of some atheists I’ve spoken to.
They have a simple outlook on life, you’re born, you live your life, you die. All that matters is what is done in this life. Whether you live it to the full or simply exist is it up to you. After death there is only oblivion.
I can’t buy into that. The writer of Ecclesiastes ends his book by saying,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
We do have a choice in this world as to what we do. We can put our faith in God and in the redeeming grace of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ or we can choose to reject his offer and turn from God.
I as a Christian have nothing to fear from living a life for Christ at it’s best it is an honourable, moral lifestyle that can be lived to the full. At the end of which I enter into an eternity with God.
For someone who does not believe however they are rolling the dice with regards to how they will spend eternity.
Are you willing to roll that dice?
Think about it.
Saturday, 13 September 2014
His Importance
His Importance
I believe it was Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society who wrote about Jesus saying,
“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.”
Many have tried to dismiss Jesus. Some have said he is nothing more than a myth, but myths don’t effect history appreciably.
All the mythical Roman and Greek god’s were superheros of a kind, and they had little effect on civilization. They certainly don’t effect society in the twenty-first century.
Even the emperors of Rome did not have the same effect on history as this humble carpenter from a back water village in a back water province of the Roman emperor.
More evidence exists today from ancient writings about Jesus than about all the Roman emperors.
Historians and archeologist tell us that little of anything survives from the time of Jesus. Yet much survives about this humble man.
Jesus unlike the caesars of Rome, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and others who conquered the world by force, never drew a sword in anger.
He never lead triumphant armies or conquered any lands.
Instead Jesus a man of peace today leads a following estimated at two point two billion.
A man once approached Jesus and asked,
“”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus was a man of peace. This Jesus rather than calling his followers to destroy their enemies said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? “
Matthew 5:43-46.
In instilling in his followers the need to show unconditional love to all mankind the teachings of Jesus have reached around the world.
The caesars of Rome, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and others are dead in their grave, for the most part forgotten. Few even knowing what they ever said.
Yet this man who never led a conquering army or ruled a nation today is the head of a following that exceeds two billion people.
A following that is showing love to the world.
His call to all mankind,
“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
Think about it.
I believe it was Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society who wrote about Jesus saying,
“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.”
Many have tried to dismiss Jesus. Some have said he is nothing more than a myth, but myths don’t effect history appreciably.
All the mythical Roman and Greek god’s were superheros of a kind, and they had little effect on civilization. They certainly don’t effect society in the twenty-first century.
Even the emperors of Rome did not have the same effect on history as this humble carpenter from a back water village in a back water province of the Roman emperor.
More evidence exists today from ancient writings about Jesus than about all the Roman emperors.
Historians and archeologist tell us that little of anything survives from the time of Jesus. Yet much survives about this humble man.
Jesus unlike the caesars of Rome, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and others who conquered the world by force, never drew a sword in anger.
He never lead triumphant armies or conquered any lands.
Instead Jesus a man of peace today leads a following estimated at two point two billion.
A man once approached Jesus and asked,
“”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus was a man of peace. This Jesus rather than calling his followers to destroy their enemies said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? “
Matthew 5:43-46.
In instilling in his followers the need to show unconditional love to all mankind the teachings of Jesus have reached around the world.
The caesars of Rome, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and others are dead in their grave, for the most part forgotten. Few even knowing what they ever said.
Yet this man who never led a conquering army or ruled a nation today is the head of a following that exceeds two billion people.
A following that is showing love to the world.
His call to all mankind,
“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
Think about it.
Friday, 12 September 2014
The Ride
The Ride“Where am I?
What, am...
I doing here?”
“You are here.”
Says the Conductor.
“Your ticket please.”
“I bought no ticket.
I took no ride.
Where am I?”
“Your ride is over.”
Says the Conductor,
“Your ride is over, You are here. All take the ride.
Your ticket’s paid for, Says the Conductor You are here.
Your ticket please, Please your ticket. Your ticket.
please.”
“I took no ride!
Where am I?
I demand to know!”
“I took no...
ride...
Am I...”
“You are here.
All take the ride.
The ride to eternity.”
Say’s the Conductor.
The ticket paid for,
With My blood.
“I
am
here...
I have no ticket...
And
you
are?”
“Jesus.”
One thing Atheist and Christians agree on is that we will not get out of this life alive. That we, if you will, are riding on a train to eternity.
Where the believer or non believer will spend eternity will be determined by a free ticket offered to you and paid for by Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Do you have your ticket?
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Think about it.
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Actors
Actors
“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
William Shakespeare
You know I think Will Shakespeare was right. The whole world is a stage and we humans are merely players who play different parts in our life time.
In the end however our performance will be judged by a just and holy God. Are you ready to meet God.
Answer this, if you were to die today are you certain you would inherit eternal life?
Here is how I believe you can be certain you get to heaven.
The Way to Heaven
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Dear reader, if I am wrong with what I have written then you have nothing to worry about. On the other hand if I am right your have a lot to worry about.
What do you believe?
Think about it.
“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
William Shakespeare
You know I think Will Shakespeare was right. The whole world is a stage and we humans are merely players who play different parts in our life time.
In the end however our performance will be judged by a just and holy God. Are you ready to meet God.
Answer this, if you were to die today are you certain you would inherit eternal life?
Here is how I believe you can be certain you get to heaven.
The Way to Heaven
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Dear reader, if I am wrong with what I have written then you have nothing to worry about. On the other hand if I am right your have a lot to worry about.
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Because
Because
Here is what I think a Christian should be able to say
Because
Because... “...He (God first loved us.)”
1 John 4:19
I will... love God
Because... “...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
I will... love God
Because... Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all know that you are My disciples. If you have love for one another. John 13:34,35
I will... love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because... Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27,28
I will... love my enemies.
Because... The Bible says, “Love suffers long and is kind: love does not envy; loves does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7
I will... I will love.
Because... The Bible says, “Now abides faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
I will... Have faith in God..
For according to Ephesians 2:8,9:
“...by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works; lest anyone should boast.”
Have hope in Christ...
For according to Romans 5:1,2: “...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God.”
Have love... For Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:
“...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Because of this and much more
I will love.
Here is what I think a Christian should be able to say
Because
Because... “...He (God first loved us.)”
1 John 4:19
I will... love God
Because... “...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
I will... love God
Because... Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all know that you are My disciples. If you have love for one another. John 13:34,35
I will... love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because... Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27,28
I will... love my enemies.
Because... The Bible says, “Love suffers long and is kind: love does not envy; loves does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7
I will... I will love.
Because... The Bible says, “Now abides faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
I will... Have faith in God..
For according to Ephesians 2:8,9:
“...by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works; lest anyone should boast.”
Have hope in Christ...
For according to Romans 5:1,2: “...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God.”
Have love... For Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:
“...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Because of this and much more
I will love.
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Grave Yards
Grave Yards
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6b
I went through a cemetery the other day. A small one. By Canadian standards its old. From the few headstones I believe it was just one family buried there.
I noticed that all the headstones gave the date of birth and death. Some even gave the age of the person in years months weeks and days. Nothing more.
I assumed that these people were average although one name stood out to me. If I’m right he’s at least related to a prominent man in Canadian history. But still a man few Canadians even know.
Grave yards are cold quiet places. Places our relatives will place our bodies when we shed them.
When you come into our town from a certain direction you pass through two large grave yards.
It’s interesting that as you walk through them you can hear the traffic. Every now and then you hear a high powered car or motorcycle with their deep throated mufflers rumbling through. It’s almost as though they’re trying to get away. A sort of acknowledgment that one day they will end there.
Sadly several in those high powered cars and motorcycles have ended their days at a bend mid way through.
Their bodies making only a slight detour through a funeral home or church before resting in the quiet yard.
The prophet Isaiah wrote,
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6b-8
As I looked through the small grave yard and the two big ones not one name did I recognize as doing anything great.
The walk reminded me of when I was younger. We lived in a house that was a thousand years old.
Near by was the ruins of an old Abbey of which our house had been a part centuries before. On the grounds of the Abby was an old grave yard.
It’s occupants starting to take up residency around 1000 AD. The Abbey at one point being one of the richest in England. Some famous historical people were buried there although I can’t seem to remember them now.
I guess that’s what it’s like for all of us. Some day the body our soul calls home will end it’s days in a the quiet yard. To be eventually forgotten by men.
I believe it’s the grave of the unknown soldier that has the inscription “known only to God” on it.
Eventually that’s how it will be for all of us. We will be known only to God.
Ultimately I think that’s all that is important. That we are known only to God.
Sadly both non-Christians and some who call themselves Christians will here the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew,
“Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:23
Which begs the question dear reader do you know God?
Do you know where you will spend eternity?
For me this is how you know you will enter heaven.
Jesus said,
1/ “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.
2 “....I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
3/ Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
4/ Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
5/ John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
6/ Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
7/ Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6b
I went through a cemetery the other day. A small one. By Canadian standards its old. From the few headstones I believe it was just one family buried there.
I noticed that all the headstones gave the date of birth and death. Some even gave the age of the person in years months weeks and days. Nothing more.
I assumed that these people were average although one name stood out to me. If I’m right he’s at least related to a prominent man in Canadian history. But still a man few Canadians even know.
Grave yards are cold quiet places. Places our relatives will place our bodies when we shed them.
When you come into our town from a certain direction you pass through two large grave yards.
It’s interesting that as you walk through them you can hear the traffic. Every now and then you hear a high powered car or motorcycle with their deep throated mufflers rumbling through. It’s almost as though they’re trying to get away. A sort of acknowledgment that one day they will end there.
Sadly several in those high powered cars and motorcycles have ended their days at a bend mid way through.
Their bodies making only a slight detour through a funeral home or church before resting in the quiet yard.
The prophet Isaiah wrote,
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6b-8
As I looked through the small grave yard and the two big ones not one name did I recognize as doing anything great.
The walk reminded me of when I was younger. We lived in a house that was a thousand years old.
Near by was the ruins of an old Abbey of which our house had been a part centuries before. On the grounds of the Abby was an old grave yard.
It’s occupants starting to take up residency around 1000 AD. The Abbey at one point being one of the richest in England. Some famous historical people were buried there although I can’t seem to remember them now.
I guess that’s what it’s like for all of us. Some day the body our soul calls home will end it’s days in a the quiet yard. To be eventually forgotten by men.
I believe it’s the grave of the unknown soldier that has the inscription “known only to God” on it.
Eventually that’s how it will be for all of us. We will be known only to God.
Ultimately I think that’s all that is important. That we are known only to God.
Sadly both non-Christians and some who call themselves Christians will here the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew,
“Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:23
Which begs the question dear reader do you know God?
Do you know where you will spend eternity?
For me this is how you know you will enter heaven.
Jesus said,
1/ “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.
2 “....I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
3/ Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
4/ Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
5/ John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
6/ Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
7/ Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
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