The Way to Heaven
I said in an earlier post that there are many people turned off my judgmental preachers both in the media and out.
I firmly believe that I as a Christian needs to treat people as I would like to be treated. 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.
For me coming to know Christ was the most important thing in my life. It was at the time the most important thing I didn’t know I needed in my life.
Since however I’ve come into a personal relationship with Christ I can think of no better thing I would want others to know about.
I believe it is my duty as a Christian to tell people about Jesus and how to bring Him into their life.
Accepting or rejecting Christ is a deeply personal thing. I cannot force Christ or my faith in Him on you the reader I do however leave with you what I believe are the most important words ever spoken over my life.
I leave them for you to think about.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
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
Next 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 and everyone no matter who they are sins,
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 however like I said, 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
Will you accept Christ into your life today. If you are willing you can pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe in You. I believe that Jesus is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
In Jesus name I pray amen.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
The Cost of Freedom
The cost of Freedom
Today is remembrance day November 11th 2014 a day we who live in Canada remember those who fought and died for this country that we may be free.
The numbers are staggering. An estimated twenty million dead in “the war to end all wars” 1914-1981.
Another fifty-five million estimated dead soldiers and civilian, including an estimated six million Jews and five million other men, women and children killed in the death camps, through forced labour and death marches in the second world war.
All of this before the second half of the twentieth century, a century that one report says has seen more death through war and armed insurrection than any previous century.
Someone has said to ring a bell once a second for each person killed in just the two world wars would take two point three years.
I don’t think anyone can comprehend the death of twenty million, or fifty-five million. The numbers are staggering.
Even fifty-nine thousand five hundred forty-four or forty-five thousand four hundred, the number of Canadian soldiers killed in the first and second world wars is virtually impossible to comprehend.
What we can comprehend however is the death of a single man, or in Canada’s case two men.
One Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, age 53, going about his business in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal and the other Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, a reservist based out of Hamilton, Ontario, on duty at the National war memorial in Ottawa.
Two men, one with a young son, not threatening a soul murdered by evil cowards brainwashed by despots that were no better than Hitler and his henchmen.
Patrice Vincent and Nathan Cirillo did not I’m sure sign up because being a soldier was an easy or safe job. They signed up to serve their country and if necessary give their life for their country. Which sadly they did.
These men however are more. In killing them, the terrorist have brought Canada together.
These men are the symbol of all those who have gone before them. Men who day and night stand on guard for this great nation of Canada willing to give their lives that we may live in peace.
I am not a Canadian but I am proud to live in Canada, a country that values freedom above all things.
A place where differences are celebrated. Where people are encouraged to engage in open dialogue with one’s neighbours.
A country that welcomes the world.
Such a place would not exist if it were not for men and women like Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and those who came before them.
Men and women who put themselves in harms way that Canadians and indeed all of us who live in Canada can have the freedoms we enjoy.
May God bless Canada and the men and women who stand on guard for her.
Today is remembrance day November 11th 2014 a day we who live in Canada remember those who fought and died for this country that we may be free.
The numbers are staggering. An estimated twenty million dead in “the war to end all wars” 1914-1981.
Another fifty-five million estimated dead soldiers and civilian, including an estimated six million Jews and five million other men, women and children killed in the death camps, through forced labour and death marches in the second world war.
All of this before the second half of the twentieth century, a century that one report says has seen more death through war and armed insurrection than any previous century.
Someone has said to ring a bell once a second for each person killed in just the two world wars would take two point three years.
I don’t think anyone can comprehend the death of twenty million, or fifty-five million. The numbers are staggering.
Even fifty-nine thousand five hundred forty-four or forty-five thousand four hundred, the number of Canadian soldiers killed in the first and second world wars is virtually impossible to comprehend.
What we can comprehend however is the death of a single man, or in Canada’s case two men.
One Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, age 53, going about his business in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal and the other Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, a reservist based out of Hamilton, Ontario, on duty at the National war memorial in Ottawa.
Two men, one with a young son, not threatening a soul murdered by evil cowards brainwashed by despots that were no better than Hitler and his henchmen.
Patrice Vincent and Nathan Cirillo did not I’m sure sign up because being a soldier was an easy or safe job. They signed up to serve their country and if necessary give their life for their country. Which sadly they did.
These men however are more. In killing them, the terrorist have brought Canada together.
These men are the symbol of all those who have gone before them. Men who day and night stand on guard for this great nation of Canada willing to give their lives that we may live in peace.
I am not a Canadian but I am proud to live in Canada, a country that values freedom above all things.
A place where differences are celebrated. Where people are encouraged to engage in open dialogue with one’s neighbours.
A country that welcomes the world.
Such a place would not exist if it were not for men and women like Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and those who came before them.
Men and women who put themselves in harms way that Canadians and indeed all of us who live in Canada can have the freedoms we enjoy.
May God bless Canada and the men and women who stand on guard for her.
Monday, 10 November 2014
Turned Away
Turned away
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
Question, have you been turned off Christ? Have you looked at an evangelist, pastor or any other person claiming to be a Christian either in the media or out of it and seen hypocrisy and a judgmental spirit?
I have, and I am a Christian. I can understand why people miss out on what Christ has to offer for their lives.
I think particularly of the Gay community. High profile evangelist in the media it seems have pounded the Gay community mercilessly.
In the United States they have opposed various rights the government wanted to give to Gays. I think such a thing is fundamentally wrong and contrary to Christian teaching.
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.
Jesus never said we had to agree with everyone. He just said we had to treat people in the same manner as we would like to be treated.
Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“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.
Only God can justly judge people, because only God truly knows what is on a man’s or a woman’s heart and why he or she is like they are.
I think what has happened particularly in the so called Bible belt of the United States, is that many pastors have moved away from the basics. The basics that tell us not to judge others, to love your neighbour and your enemy.
In doing so they have made themselves if you will, “the keeper of the moral compass of society” judge and jury with respect to heavenly things.
Tony Campolo an American evangelist I think makes a good point when he says,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo.
I am of the firm belief that some pastors and evangelist in the media are not Christian. They may sound Christian but they are not. If they are, they are by the slimmest of margins.
Jesus said,
“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.
Many so called influential evangelist and pastors as well as many who claim to be Christian will hear those words on judgement day.
Sadly by then the damage may have been done, with many people condemned to hell because of those who were not Christians at all.
My message is to anyone who has been turned off by what they’ve seen in the media or in a church they’ve visited, or what individual “Christians” have said.
I know this sounds trite but God does indeed love you for what you are. He wants to have a personal relationship with you.
In order to have that personal relationship with God a person any person regardless of who they are, their life style or station in life needs to admit there is a God.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
We must admit that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and the words recorded in John are true, John recoding,
“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
We must admit like every one else on earth we are sinners. That we fall short of what God wants for our life, Paul writing to the Romans saying,
“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.
The apostle John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
And we must pray and ask Christ into our hearts and lives.
These are things all people everywhere must do.
Think about it.
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
Question, have you been turned off Christ? Have you looked at an evangelist, pastor or any other person claiming to be a Christian either in the media or out of it and seen hypocrisy and a judgmental spirit?
I have, and I am a Christian. I can understand why people miss out on what Christ has to offer for their lives.
I think particularly of the Gay community. High profile evangelist in the media it seems have pounded the Gay community mercilessly.
In the United States they have opposed various rights the government wanted to give to Gays. I think such a thing is fundamentally wrong and contrary to Christian teaching.
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.
Jesus never said we had to agree with everyone. He just said we had to treat people in the same manner as we would like to be treated.
Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“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.
Only God can justly judge people, because only God truly knows what is on a man’s or a woman’s heart and why he or she is like they are.
I think what has happened particularly in the so called Bible belt of the United States, is that many pastors have moved away from the basics. The basics that tell us not to judge others, to love your neighbour and your enemy.
In doing so they have made themselves if you will, “the keeper of the moral compass of society” judge and jury with respect to heavenly things.
Tony Campolo an American evangelist I think makes a good point when he says,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo.
I am of the firm belief that some pastors and evangelist in the media are not Christian. They may sound Christian but they are not. If they are, they are by the slimmest of margins.
Jesus said,
“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.
Many so called influential evangelist and pastors as well as many who claim to be Christian will hear those words on judgement day.
Sadly by then the damage may have been done, with many people condemned to hell because of those who were not Christians at all.
My message is to anyone who has been turned off by what they’ve seen in the media or in a church they’ve visited, or what individual “Christians” have said.
I know this sounds trite but God does indeed love you for what you are. He wants to have a personal relationship with you.
In order to have that personal relationship with God a person any person regardless of who they are, their life style or station in life needs to admit there is a God.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
We must admit that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and the words recorded in John are true, John recoding,
“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
We must admit like every one else on earth we are sinners. That we fall short of what God wants for our life, Paul writing to the Romans saying,
“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.
The apostle John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
And we must pray and ask Christ into our hearts and lives.
These are things all people everywhere must do.
Think about it.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
A Testimony
A Testimony
She stood for a long moment, looking at him, snow blowing around her in swirls, glistening in the bright light.
A few short hours ago, she’d thought him an inmate at the institution, they’d been visiting. Now, he was offering her a chance to find a job in the city.
Questions, dozens of questions went through her head. Was it God’s will? Did she want to take the chance, the risk? Could she move from the small town she’d known all her life? Was she ready to move?
For uncounted years, as a child she’d been abused by the hands of her stepfather. Had it not been for the love of Christian friends, she’d surely have gone mad. Now, she’d have to leave those friends. To go with a stranger.
Was this the door opening, allowing her to escape the stigma of her traumatic past?
Standing amid the arc lights of the prison parking lot, she would have to make a decision.
He stood there, watching her. The snow on the ground, reflecting the intense artificial lighting, making the midnight black as bright as day.
God had make it clear, she was the one. Yet, he couldn’t tell her. God made that clear. All he could do was invite her to come and look for a job.
In a few hours, a hundred miles would separate them. A seemingly, insurmountable obstacle. Yet, he knew she was the one and God would find a way.
He had no idea the LORD had opened a prison door that night, setting a captive free, and although the hallway to freedom would take some years to transverse, the journey had begun. A love story beginning with a single word, “yes.”
The above story I know is true. It is testimony to what the apostle Paul writes,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28.
You see that is the beginning of a love story that has lasted from that moment until now. A love story that is still continuing.
It is how my wife and I met. I was with a gospel group invited to perform at a coffee shop in a small town in Northern Ontario and then at some minimum security prisons.
My now wife was with the organizers.
I know non-Christians might think our meeting was by chance. But I’m convinced it wasn’t. My wife and I were truly made for each other.
We are not as one would say ‘normal’ we are when it come down to it a little odd which in many ways has served us well.
In the thirty-seven years since our meeting have served the Lord in various capacities and never once in all that time has he let us down.
In another few days we will have been married thirty-five years.
True we have had our ups and downs we have seen our eight year old son hit by a car almost killing him and putting him into a coma. The doctors telling us he would have brain damage.
They didn’t take into account the power of prayer. Today some twenty-six or so years later there is no sign of brain injury.
While living in a rural area we watched our uninsured house burn down before the fire department could do anything taking with it all our belongings.
At the same time we seen God’s provision. In less than two days we had a house full of furniture, clothing and all we could ever need to start over. God has been very good to us.
More recently we received a call from Africa where our twenty-six year old youngest son had fallen from a roof and badly broken his leg. A break that would need special surgery.
Miraculously they were near one of the best hospitals in Kenya where there was an excellent bone specialist from England available to perform the surgery. God had once again provided.
We have never doubted what our Lord and Saviour can and does do for us.
We are not rich in a materialistic sense but we are rich in many other ways.
We have been blessed with wonderful children, all of whom are serving the Lord today.
We have been blessed with good friends and church family.
And we can sing with David,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...”
1 Chronicles 16:8-12
Can you?
Think about it.
She stood for a long moment, looking at him, snow blowing around her in swirls, glistening in the bright light.
A few short hours ago, she’d thought him an inmate at the institution, they’d been visiting. Now, he was offering her a chance to find a job in the city.
Questions, dozens of questions went through her head. Was it God’s will? Did she want to take the chance, the risk? Could she move from the small town she’d known all her life? Was she ready to move?
For uncounted years, as a child she’d been abused by the hands of her stepfather. Had it not been for the love of Christian friends, she’d surely have gone mad. Now, she’d have to leave those friends. To go with a stranger.
Was this the door opening, allowing her to escape the stigma of her traumatic past?
Standing amid the arc lights of the prison parking lot, she would have to make a decision.
He stood there, watching her. The snow on the ground, reflecting the intense artificial lighting, making the midnight black as bright as day.
God had make it clear, she was the one. Yet, he couldn’t tell her. God made that clear. All he could do was invite her to come and look for a job.
In a few hours, a hundred miles would separate them. A seemingly, insurmountable obstacle. Yet, he knew she was the one and God would find a way.
He had no idea the LORD had opened a prison door that night, setting a captive free, and although the hallway to freedom would take some years to transverse, the journey had begun. A love story beginning with a single word, “yes.”
The above story I know is true. It is testimony to what the apostle Paul writes,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28.
You see that is the beginning of a love story that has lasted from that moment until now. A love story that is still continuing.
It is how my wife and I met. I was with a gospel group invited to perform at a coffee shop in a small town in Northern Ontario and then at some minimum security prisons.
My now wife was with the organizers.
I know non-Christians might think our meeting was by chance. But I’m convinced it wasn’t. My wife and I were truly made for each other.
We are not as one would say ‘normal’ we are when it come down to it a little odd which in many ways has served us well.
In the thirty-seven years since our meeting have served the Lord in various capacities and never once in all that time has he let us down.
In another few days we will have been married thirty-five years.
True we have had our ups and downs we have seen our eight year old son hit by a car almost killing him and putting him into a coma. The doctors telling us he would have brain damage.
They didn’t take into account the power of prayer. Today some twenty-six or so years later there is no sign of brain injury.
While living in a rural area we watched our uninsured house burn down before the fire department could do anything taking with it all our belongings.
At the same time we seen God’s provision. In less than two days we had a house full of furniture, clothing and all we could ever need to start over. God has been very good to us.
More recently we received a call from Africa where our twenty-six year old youngest son had fallen from a roof and badly broken his leg. A break that would need special surgery.
Miraculously they were near one of the best hospitals in Kenya where there was an excellent bone specialist from England available to perform the surgery. God had once again provided.
We have never doubted what our Lord and Saviour can and does do for us.
We are not rich in a materialistic sense but we are rich in many other ways.
We have been blessed with wonderful children, all of whom are serving the Lord today.
We have been blessed with good friends and church family.
And we can sing with David,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...”
1 Chronicles 16:8-12
Can you?
Think about it.
Saturday, 8 November 2014
Because
Because
The following is what I believe each individual Christian should be able to say and people able to see in their lives. It’s simply called Because and I present it hear for you to think about.
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 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."
I will...
love God and my neighbours whoever they may be.
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 enemy.
Because...
Jesus said,“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
I will...
love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because...
The apostle Paul said,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,
I will...
I will show this kind of love to those around me.
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 hope and love in God
and for my fellow man.
Because...
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.”
I will...
Have hope in Christ and present this hope to my fellow man.
Because
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.”
I have...
I have peace with God and rejoice in the glory of God
Because of this and much more
I will love both God, and my neighbour
who ever they may be.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Ideals to consider
God’s Welfare Plan
Ideals to consider
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,
but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
Exodus 23:10,11.
“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.
You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD'S time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”
Deuteronomy 15:1,2.
Can you imagine modern financial institutions, governments or even individuals doing the above.
When it comes to money in particular instead of cancelling a debt when someone can’t pay financial institutions put up the interest rate making it even harder for the individual to pay.
Somehow I can’t imagine the big credit card companies or banks cancelling debts every seven years. Our economy isn’t ready for it.
Perhaps, just perhaps if they were forced to do so from the start we would today be living in a better society. Perhaps our economy would have a firmer foundation than the credit economy with have today.
And what of the poor. Millions here in Canada and the United States with all our wealth are living under the poverty line. Millions having to choose between food and a roof over their head or food and medicines.
Even people who qualify for social assistance are struggling to make end’s meet. We need a change in mind set.
The Bible quite rightly states,
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11
Sadly too many people look down on the poor this should no be so. People are poor for a myriad of good reasons. Still it shouldn’t be so. We as a society need to be helping the poor to the best of our ability.
The Jews have something they call Tzedakah.
One source explains Tzedackah this way
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply an act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and the Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:
Think about.it
Ideals to consider
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,
but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
Exodus 23:10,11.
“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.
You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD'S time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”
Deuteronomy 15:1,2.
Can you imagine modern financial institutions, governments or even individuals doing the above.
When it comes to money in particular instead of cancelling a debt when someone can’t pay financial institutions put up the interest rate making it even harder for the individual to pay.
Somehow I can’t imagine the big credit card companies or banks cancelling debts every seven years. Our economy isn’t ready for it.
Perhaps, just perhaps if they were forced to do so from the start we would today be living in a better society. Perhaps our economy would have a firmer foundation than the credit economy with have today.
And what of the poor. Millions here in Canada and the United States with all our wealth are living under the poverty line. Millions having to choose between food and a roof over their head or food and medicines.
Even people who qualify for social assistance are struggling to make end’s meet. We need a change in mind set.
The Bible quite rightly states,
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11
Sadly too many people look down on the poor this should no be so. People are poor for a myriad of good reasons. Still it shouldn’t be so. We as a society need to be helping the poor to the best of our ability.
The Jews have something they call Tzedakah.
One source explains Tzedackah this way
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply an act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and the Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:
Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.
Think about.it
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Of Christians and Gay's
Of Christians and Gay's
Over the years I have been asked by many people can Gay people get to heaven.
Over those same years I have sadly witnessed many pastors and evangelist in the media say emphatically no. I disagree.
At the risk of alienating the Christians that read my blogs I say anyone can get to heaven to say otherwise or to judge any other group because they are not like us is wrong.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Simply put keep our own house clean and let God take care of those outside the church.
Jesus said,
“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.
What Jesus said is true. If we judge someone, especially someone outside the church they are going to judge us also.
James makes it clear,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it....
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:8-10,12, 13.
American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That’s what I as a Christian do and I truly believe all Christians should be doing.
When it comes to who gets to heaven I believe the following applies to all people.
First of all the Apostle Paul make it clear is a free gift. Writing to the Ephesians 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
God sent His one and only Son to point mankind to the path that leads to Him. John recoding,
“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.
There are many within our church walls today who are sinners, but know how to act like Christians. So they go unnoticed.
I would go as far as saying some of these people are even pastors and evangelist.
All who have not already need to admit they are sinners and accept Christ into their life.
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.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,
“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
John recoding,
“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
No one has the right to tell someone whether or not they are saved. That is a personal decision between the individual and God.
Only God knows the heart of men. Only God knows why we are the way we are.
So ultimately, in the end, it come down to what do you believe?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus made it very clear, saying,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Do you believe this?
Think about it.
Over the years I have been asked by many people can Gay people get to heaven.
Over those same years I have sadly witnessed many pastors and evangelist in the media say emphatically no. I disagree.
At the risk of alienating the Christians that read my blogs I say anyone can get to heaven to say otherwise or to judge any other group because they are not like us is wrong.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Simply put keep our own house clean and let God take care of those outside the church.
Jesus said,
“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.
What Jesus said is true. If we judge someone, especially someone outside the church they are going to judge us also.
James makes it clear,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it....
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:8-10,12, 13.
American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That’s what I as a Christian do and I truly believe all Christians should be doing.
When it comes to who gets to heaven I believe the following applies to all people.
First of all the Apostle Paul make it clear is a free gift. Writing to the Ephesians 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
God sent His one and only Son to point mankind to the path that leads to Him. John recoding,
“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.
There are many within our church walls today who are sinners, but know how to act like Christians. So they go unnoticed.
I would go as far as saying some of these people are even pastors and evangelist.
All who have not already need to admit they are sinners and accept Christ into their life.
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.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,
“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
John recoding,
“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
No one has the right to tell someone whether or not they are saved. That is a personal decision between the individual and God.
Only God knows the heart of men. Only God knows why we are the way we are.
So ultimately, in the end, it come down to what do you believe?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus made it very clear, saying,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Do you believe this?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Where
Where
Where are the people?
Where?
Are they but shadows in the mall?
Shadows wandering, looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles or beads.
Are they?
Are they but shadows in time,
What is life?
Yours or mine?
What?
Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?
A wisp in the eternal aether
Are people wisps of smoke?
What of man’s or woman’s! accomplishments?
What of them?
Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?
Is that life?
Is life simply a cacophony of molecules and atoms,
Sound and energy travelling through endless time?
Is it?
Or
Is a life.
Yours and mine,... more?
Is it a divine opera?
An opera played out on a high mesa
A stage suspended between heaven and hell.
Are we as Shakespear said, simply actors?
Are we but actors in a play?
Actors awaiting the final curtain call,
Sending us to eternity?
Are you ready for the final curtain call?
Are you?
What is the sum total of your life?
What?
What will “they” say about you when you pass on?
What will God say?
The Psalmist wrote
“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
Psalms 39:4,5
Jesus said,
‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’
Revelations 3:20
The Apostle Paul wrote,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 2:8
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see...
And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:1,6
Jesus 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
Life is more than a wisp of smoke in the eternal aether.
Shadows wandering, looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads.
Shadows in time.
Life is a divine opera.
An opera played out on a high mesa.
A stage suspended between heaven and hell.
An opera with a twist.
A play who’s final ending is determined by you and me.
A play deciding where we will spend eternity.
Where will you spend eternity?
Will you accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life today?
Will you pray.Dear Heavenly Father,
I recognize that Jesus is your one and only Son.
That he came to earth to die for my sins.
I confess I am a sinner and that I fall short of what you want for my life.
Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life.
That I may spend eternity with you
In Jesus name I pray
Amen.
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
On Salvation
On Salvation
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
Lorenz Eifert said,
“The dying Jesus is the evidence of God's anger toward sin; but the living Jesus is the proof of God's love and forgiveness.”
Lorenz Eifert
Jesus died for us. It is that simple. Not because we were good but to make us good. That’s what Paul is saying in the above quote from Romans, saying,
“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.”
Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”
1 Corinthians 15:3.
This is the core of what we Christians believe. That Christ died not for his own sins but for our sins and short comings.
I know it can be a hard concept to grasp because to the human mind at least the question is, why would anyone want to die for someone else? Especially if that person was a sinner.
We Christians recognize we have and all knowing and just God who realized that we could not be good enough to stand before him. Therefore he showed us the lengths He would go in man’s terms to reconcile man to Himself. Giving us eternal life free of charge.
A free gift that cost Christ his life. The apostle Paul saying
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Have you ever considered accepting that free gift?
Think about it
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
Lorenz Eifert said,
“The dying Jesus is the evidence of God's anger toward sin; but the living Jesus is the proof of God's love and forgiveness.”
Lorenz Eifert
Jesus died for us. It is that simple. Not because we were good but to make us good. That’s what Paul is saying in the above quote from Romans, saying,
“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.”
Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”
1 Corinthians 15:3.
This is the core of what we Christians believe. That Christ died not for his own sins but for our sins and short comings.
I know it can be a hard concept to grasp because to the human mind at least the question is, why would anyone want to die for someone else? Especially if that person was a sinner.
We Christians recognize we have and all knowing and just God who realized that we could not be good enough to stand before him. Therefore he showed us the lengths He would go in man’s terms to reconcile man to Himself. Giving us eternal life free of charge.
A free gift that cost Christ his life. The apostle Paul saying
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Have you ever considered accepting that free gift?
Think about it
Monday, 3 November 2014
Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites
Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. 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.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
The apostle Paul said,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“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
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. 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.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
The apostle Paul said,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“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
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
A manger, Carpenter's bench, a crown of thorns
A manger, carpenter’s bench and a crown of thorns
“They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career.”
W.E. Orchard
Let’s face it Christians are an odd bunch. We worship a carpenter from Nazareth, a back water town in a back water province of the mighty Roman empire. A man that preached for only three years and died a hideous death on a cross without raising a fist in anger.
This is not what man would consider great. Yet today Jesus Christ is considered by many to be the greatest man that ever lived.
It defies human logic.
General George S. Patton defined greatness this way
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Gen. George C. Patton.
Patton’s definition doesn’t take into account Jesus. He was nothing like Patton described. He was not a great general and his glory is not fleeting.
Earthly glory is indeed fleeting but then Jesus never claimed to be an earthly hero.
Another General who knew what he was talking about was Napoleon he said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
I do not believe Jesus to be a man. True while he walked this earth he acted as nothing more than a man. Because I believe that in order to be fair with man upon judgement day he had to know what it was to truly be human. Never the less I believe Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.
I believe what the apostle John said,
“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....
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 1:1-4, 12-14.
For me Jesus was and is the Son of God, God incarnate who came to earth not only to show how far in earthly terms he would go to reconcile man to God, but I believe he came to experience all it was to be a man.
No one can stand before God today and say you do not know what it is to be a man because he does. He walked this earth and truly know what it is to be human.
The question is to you the reader, Do you believe Jesus is who He said he is or not?
Think about it.
“They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career.”
W.E. Orchard
Let’s face it Christians are an odd bunch. We worship a carpenter from Nazareth, a back water town in a back water province of the mighty Roman empire. A man that preached for only three years and died a hideous death on a cross without raising a fist in anger.
This is not what man would consider great. Yet today Jesus Christ is considered by many to be the greatest man that ever lived.
It defies human logic.
General George S. Patton defined greatness this way
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Gen. George C. Patton.
Patton’s definition doesn’t take into account Jesus. He was nothing like Patton described. He was not a great general and his glory is not fleeting.
Earthly glory is indeed fleeting but then Jesus never claimed to be an earthly hero.
Another General who knew what he was talking about was Napoleon he said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
I do not believe Jesus to be a man. True while he walked this earth he acted as nothing more than a man. Because I believe that in order to be fair with man upon judgement day he had to know what it was to truly be human. Never the less I believe Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.
I believe what the apostle John said,
“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....
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 1:1-4, 12-14.
For me Jesus was and is the Son of God, God incarnate who came to earth not only to show how far in earthly terms he would go to reconcile man to God, but I believe he came to experience all it was to be a man.
No one can stand before God today and say you do not know what it is to be a man because he does. He walked this earth and truly know what it is to be human.
The question is to you the reader, Do you believe Jesus is who He said he is or not?
Think about it.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
A thought for the 21st Century
A thought for the 21st Century
We live in a world that is becoming a violent place. The rise of terrorist groups in the world is just the tip of the iceberg.
Violent crime is everywhere in the world. Here in North America alone thousands die due to violence of all types every year.
Morality it seems is slipping away. People have no fear of the consequences. I listened to a news report about the trial of a man who had killed three RCMP officers. The man said it seems rather matter o factly that he simply wanted to kill police. From what I heard there was no real emotion from the man. He just did what he did.
I’ve heard other similar stories over the years of people who have simply killed because they simply wanted to do so.
Young people are picking up guns and killing other youth simply because the person said the wrong thing, was in the wrong gang, or even something as simple as accidentally bumping into them.
The world in general is becoming a harsher place to live.
Here in North America, Canada and the United States where I live I see the influence of Christianity waning and with it the morals of our society.
I came up through the “do your own thing” days of the sixties and seventies. A time when the values of society were being questioned.
Supposedly in the psychedelic sixties my generation was disillusioned the society of our parents. Yet what we have put in it’s place is no better and if anything worse.
Secular humanism mixed with materialism in all its forms has slowly taken over morality as we use to know it is slowly disappearing if it has not gone already.
I do know there is an alternative to our modern society however and that is following Jesus.
Christianity offers moral absolutes that are relevant and right for today.
Jesus had rightly been called the prince of peace. He has said when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus however goes one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45
Whether you believe in God or not. No matter what you think of Jesus the words he spoke are truth. They are words that are relevant for today.
Words and ideas we should be teaching to our children and practising ourselves.
Think about it.
We live in a world that is becoming a violent place. The rise of terrorist groups in the world is just the tip of the iceberg.
Violent crime is everywhere in the world. Here in North America alone thousands die due to violence of all types every year.
Morality it seems is slipping away. People have no fear of the consequences. I listened to a news report about the trial of a man who had killed three RCMP officers. The man said it seems rather matter o factly that he simply wanted to kill police. From what I heard there was no real emotion from the man. He just did what he did.
I’ve heard other similar stories over the years of people who have simply killed because they simply wanted to do so.
Young people are picking up guns and killing other youth simply because the person said the wrong thing, was in the wrong gang, or even something as simple as accidentally bumping into them.
The world in general is becoming a harsher place to live.
Here in North America, Canada and the United States where I live I see the influence of Christianity waning and with it the morals of our society.
I came up through the “do your own thing” days of the sixties and seventies. A time when the values of society were being questioned.
Supposedly in the psychedelic sixties my generation was disillusioned the society of our parents. Yet what we have put in it’s place is no better and if anything worse.
Secular humanism mixed with materialism in all its forms has slowly taken over morality as we use to know it is slowly disappearing if it has not gone already.
I do know there is an alternative to our modern society however and that is following Jesus.
Christianity offers moral absolutes that are relevant and right for today.
Jesus had rightly been called the prince of peace. He has said when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus however goes one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45
Whether you believe in God or not. No matter what you think of Jesus the words he spoke are truth. They are words that are relevant for today.
Words and ideas we should be teaching to our children and practising ourselves.
Think about it.
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