Foolishness or Truth
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Paul writing to the Corinthians in the above passage hits the nail on the head. If you are not a Christian the message of a suffering saviour is foolishness.
To those who deem themselves wise to have one man die for the sins of all men is at first glance a convoluted way of thinking.
For God himself in the form of Jesus Christ to come to the earth he crated and enter into society as a low born person does not make sense at all to non-Christians.
Yet Christians realize this was the only way it could happen.
Think about it, religions around the world agree that God will one day judge the world. Will one day judge each person individually But how could he judge the world fairly if he didn’t understand what it was to be a man?
The reason earthly judges can judge is that they know the law and they understand what it is to be human with all the temptations that lie around us.
For us to stand before an almighty, all knowing omnipresent God who has never experienced what it is to be human and be judged would be simply wrong from a moral point of view.
We could even make the statement to God that he didn’t understand what it was to be human and we’d be right in saying it.
The thing is with Jesus coming to this earth God can say I understand. He can say I understand what it’s like to as an infant to run for my life to Egypt to avoid being killed. He can say I understand what it’s like to feel the sun on my face. To stand in the rain to be loved.
At the same time he can say I understand what it’s like to be flogged and put to death for a crime he didn’t commit.
Jesus calls all mankind to himself saying,
“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
Christians believe that we cannot live a life good enough to be judged fit to enter heaven. That’s why Christ died for us.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans saying,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
God can also say Jesus made things clear saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
That Jesus also 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.
So ultimately the big question is.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That he came to this earth to offer the free gift of salvation to all who would believe in him?
Think about it.
Monday, 17 November 2014
What is life
What is life?
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
The other day while going through some boxes my son left when he moved out I found a corduroy winter coat that had been my fathers.
My father died ten years ago. My son had liked the coat so he kept it. I called him up and asked him about it. He said he and his new wife didn’t have a lot of room so he had left it and thought I might want it. Something to remember my father by.
It got me to thinking and looking around my house. There were quite a few things lying around that had been my fathers, a couple of over stuffed, very comfortable arm chairs as well as a large hutch or cabinet.
When dad had died my siblings and I had got together and divided his things between us. Dad had particularly said he wanted me to have the hutch.
It’s large to say the least seven feet high, six feet long and three or so wide. It dominates my livingroom. At the same time it holds what is important to my wife and I, pictures of our children and parents. Things brought back by our younger son from his travels around the world. A few things from my older son who’s just got married, as well as a family Bible that was once my mother in laws, two shofar’s, a big one and a small one. A nativity scene given to us by my wife’s late sister. Our graduation diploma’s from Bible school and numerous assorted letters of thanks from people who have enjoyed my clown act over the years.
None of these things are worth more than a few dollars but to us they are priceless. Still I got to thinking. What is life.
I look at the things my parents left behind take away the furniture and everything they left could fit in a large trunk.
Is that all life is? Some furniture, perhaps a house and a trunk of odds and ends.
I think not. We are much more than the things we collect in this life.
While the writer of Ecclesiastes says these words.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
He comes to the right conclusion 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.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
There is a poignant piece written by Ben Zion Bosker called the Rose talked back it goes like this,
The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment. He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’ He said too himself. Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding an hour before. Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound. One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service? My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted. And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people. They live in deeds, not in time. My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye. I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness. So don’t grieve for me. My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent. The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work.
Ben Zion Bokser
We each have I believe a purpose in life. We are not the sum total of the shiny metal, precious stones and a few odds and ends. We are much more than that.
God has more for us than just acquiring things or simply existing doing nothing with our lives.
God first and foremost wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. 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.
We, every day of our lives, whether we realize it or not stand on the precipice that overlooks eternity. One day whether we want to or not we will make that final step into and eternity that will place us before the thrown of God.
At that point he will not ask do you believe in me for you will not be able to deny it. He will however I believe look at what Christians call the lambs book of life and see if your name is written in it.
Will yours be written in that book?
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo
Think about it...
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
The other day while going through some boxes my son left when he moved out I found a corduroy winter coat that had been my fathers.
My father died ten years ago. My son had liked the coat so he kept it. I called him up and asked him about it. He said he and his new wife didn’t have a lot of room so he had left it and thought I might want it. Something to remember my father by.
It got me to thinking and looking around my house. There were quite a few things lying around that had been my fathers, a couple of over stuffed, very comfortable arm chairs as well as a large hutch or cabinet.
When dad had died my siblings and I had got together and divided his things between us. Dad had particularly said he wanted me to have the hutch.
It’s large to say the least seven feet high, six feet long and three or so wide. It dominates my livingroom. At the same time it holds what is important to my wife and I, pictures of our children and parents. Things brought back by our younger son from his travels around the world. A few things from my older son who’s just got married, as well as a family Bible that was once my mother in laws, two shofar’s, a big one and a small one. A nativity scene given to us by my wife’s late sister. Our graduation diploma’s from Bible school and numerous assorted letters of thanks from people who have enjoyed my clown act over the years.
None of these things are worth more than a few dollars but to us they are priceless. Still I got to thinking. What is life.
I look at the things my parents left behind take away the furniture and everything they left could fit in a large trunk.
Is that all life is? Some furniture, perhaps a house and a trunk of odds and ends.
I think not. We are much more than the things we collect in this life.
While the writer of Ecclesiastes says these words.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
He comes to the right conclusion 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.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
There is a poignant piece written by Ben Zion Bosker called the Rose talked back it goes like this,
The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment. He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’ He said too himself. Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding an hour before. Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound. One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service? My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted. And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people. They live in deeds, not in time. My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye. I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness. So don’t grieve for me. My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent. The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work.
Ben Zion Bokser
We each have I believe a purpose in life. We are not the sum total of the shiny metal, precious stones and a few odds and ends. We are much more than that.
God has more for us than just acquiring things or simply existing doing nothing with our lives.
God first and foremost wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. 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.
We, every day of our lives, whether we realize it or not stand on the precipice that overlooks eternity. One day whether we want to or not we will make that final step into and eternity that will place us before the thrown of God.
At that point he will not ask do you believe in me for you will not be able to deny it. He will however I believe look at what Christians call the lambs book of life and see if your name is written in it.
Will yours be written in that book?
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo
Think about it...
Sunday, 16 November 2014
A Difference
A difference
I’m hope in writing this I don’t hit on too many nerves because I write it to make people think.
Some time ago I was going to speak to two groups about what it’s like to live with Bi-polar disorder. One group was Christians from an evangelical church that knew me. The other was at a secular meeting that had never heard me speak before.
During my talk to church group I mentioned that I had, had cancer surgery, that it had been successful, but that thirty days after the surgery I’d been rushed to hospital with what doctors told me were two very large blood clots in my lungs and one in my groin. I almost died.
I do believe that thanks to prayer, to God and some very good doctors I lived.
I mentioned to the group however that the experience with the cancer as extremely bad as that was, was not quite as bad as living with Bi-polar disorder.
I noted that when you are a Christian with cancer you have two possible outcomes. Either you live and enjoy life or you die and go to heaven where there is no pain and suffering.
The one thing Bi-polar disorder gives you is it draws you closer to God each day because there is no cure. Quite often I find I have to rely on God to just get me through the day.
Sadly Bi-polar at times can be like living with the worst pain known to man times ten. At times especially if you are depressed, even with medication you must force yourself go on one day, one hour, one minute at a time. It can be mentally and physically exhausting.
It is something that never seems to end. At least cancer can be beaten or like I said if you are a Christian you pass on to meet your Lord and saviour.
The Christians I spoke to understood this.
Still my friend noticing my notes for the secular audience were the same notes I’d used for the church audience drew me to one side and said,
“you can’t say cancer is better than Bi-polar, because secular audiences unlike Christians who see death as a doorway to heaven, secular people see it as finality an end.”
I’d never though of it that way before so I did change my script and left out the comparison.
I still do believe that death is not an end for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Death is a beginning of a life with God.
The Bible gives me this hope.
The apostle John said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:26-28
Paul writing to the Ephesians reminds us that Salvation is a gift from God for all who will receive it. He writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast".
Ephesians 2:8,9
The writer of Hebrews explaining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Then in chapter ten the writer of Hebrews explains our hope saying,
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:19-23
I do believe in Jesus Christ. That He is my Lord and Saviour. That when I die I will meet Him.
I cannot see death as an end. It is simply a door way to eternity an eternity with God or without Him. The choice is up to the individual.
So the question is, where will you spend eternity.
Think about it.
I’m hope in writing this I don’t hit on too many nerves because I write it to make people think.
Some time ago I was going to speak to two groups about what it’s like to live with Bi-polar disorder. One group was Christians from an evangelical church that knew me. The other was at a secular meeting that had never heard me speak before.
During my talk to church group I mentioned that I had, had cancer surgery, that it had been successful, but that thirty days after the surgery I’d been rushed to hospital with what doctors told me were two very large blood clots in my lungs and one in my groin. I almost died.
I do believe that thanks to prayer, to God and some very good doctors I lived.
I mentioned to the group however that the experience with the cancer as extremely bad as that was, was not quite as bad as living with Bi-polar disorder.
I noted that when you are a Christian with cancer you have two possible outcomes. Either you live and enjoy life or you die and go to heaven where there is no pain and suffering.
The one thing Bi-polar disorder gives you is it draws you closer to God each day because there is no cure. Quite often I find I have to rely on God to just get me through the day.
Sadly Bi-polar at times can be like living with the worst pain known to man times ten. At times especially if you are depressed, even with medication you must force yourself go on one day, one hour, one minute at a time. It can be mentally and physically exhausting.
It is something that never seems to end. At least cancer can be beaten or like I said if you are a Christian you pass on to meet your Lord and saviour.
The Christians I spoke to understood this.
Still my friend noticing my notes for the secular audience were the same notes I’d used for the church audience drew me to one side and said,
“you can’t say cancer is better than Bi-polar, because secular audiences unlike Christians who see death as a doorway to heaven, secular people see it as finality an end.”
I’d never though of it that way before so I did change my script and left out the comparison.
I still do believe that death is not an end for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Death is a beginning of a life with God.
The Bible gives me this hope.
The apostle John said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:26-28
Paul writing to the Ephesians reminds us that Salvation is a gift from God for all who will receive it. He writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast".
Ephesians 2:8,9
The writer of Hebrews explaining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Then in chapter ten the writer of Hebrews explains our hope saying,
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:19-23
I do believe in Jesus Christ. That He is my Lord and Saviour. That when I die I will meet Him.
I cannot see death as an end. It is simply a door way to eternity an eternity with God or without Him. The choice is up to the individual.
So the question is, where will you spend eternity.
Think about it.
Saturday, 15 November 2014
True Christians
True Christians
Some one once asked me a simple thing the other day describe a Canadian coin as he presented it to me. I said it had the queens head on it with the words, Elizabeth II D. G. Regina.
He then turned to my friend and asked him to describe the coin as he presented it. He said it has a beaver in the center, with the words 5 cents with maple leave on each side of it. Below the Beaver is the word Canada and below that the date.
To someone who didn’t know any better we were describing different coins. The thing was I described the front and my friend the back of the same coin.
Mahatma Gandhi was a great thinker. A good man who said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Unfortunately Mahatma Gandhi probably didn’t know what a true Christian is. He had only met those who called themselves Christians.
He like many may have though people from the west, particularly the United Kingdom, and the United States are by default Christians. It is not so. You are not born a Christian simply because your parents were or you live in a particular country.
Jesus told this parable.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:34-40
Gandhi did not see this first group. He see the second of whom Jesus said,
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-46
Many people call themselves Christians and the outside world generally believes them. That goes especially for preachers in the media.
Non-Christians generally don’t know how to tell a “real Christian” from one who is a fake.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
What Campolo is saying is correct. We Christians are called to not only go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, but feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, cloth the needy, look after the sick, visit the prisoner and invite the stranger in.
The Apostle James wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18
The bottom line here is that Christians are to show love to all whom they come in contact with.
Jesus when asked what the greatest commandment was said,
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.
Earlier in Matthew Jesus is recorded as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour 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
The Apostle Paul writing,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
This is what makes up a true Christian
Think about it.
Some one once asked me a simple thing the other day describe a Canadian coin as he presented it to me. I said it had the queens head on it with the words, Elizabeth II D. G. Regina.
He then turned to my friend and asked him to describe the coin as he presented it. He said it has a beaver in the center, with the words 5 cents with maple leave on each side of it. Below the Beaver is the word Canada and below that the date.
To someone who didn’t know any better we were describing different coins. The thing was I described the front and my friend the back of the same coin.
Mahatma Gandhi was a great thinker. A good man who said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Unfortunately Mahatma Gandhi probably didn’t know what a true Christian is. He had only met those who called themselves Christians.
He like many may have though people from the west, particularly the United Kingdom, and the United States are by default Christians. It is not so. You are not born a Christian simply because your parents were or you live in a particular country.
Jesus told this parable.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:34-40
Gandhi did not see this first group. He see the second of whom Jesus said,
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-46
Many people call themselves Christians and the outside world generally believes them. That goes especially for preachers in the media.
Non-Christians generally don’t know how to tell a “real Christian” from one who is a fake.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
What Campolo is saying is correct. We Christians are called to not only go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, but feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, cloth the needy, look after the sick, visit the prisoner and invite the stranger in.
The Apostle James wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18
The bottom line here is that Christians are to show love to all whom they come in contact with.
Jesus when asked what the greatest commandment was said,
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.
Earlier in Matthew Jesus is recorded as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour 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
The Apostle Paul writing,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
This is what makes up a true Christian
Think about it.
Friday, 14 November 2014
Not All
Not all
“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
As a Christian of over forty years now I must admit I am a sceptic especially when it comes to preachers who say they’ve driven out demons or performed miracles.
I won’t say it doesn’t happen but I’m certain it doesn’t happen as often as some of these televangelist say they do.
There is a lot of fakes out there and it is these people that have given Christians a bad name.
Obviously from the statement quoted above Jesus thought that way also.
Jesus knows the heart of men. Psalm 139 states,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
When these frauds stand before God they will not be allowed into heaven. The reason they were fakes, bamboozling people.
Fakes be they Christians or in the secular arena are no good to anyone. What is sad is that Christian fakes turn people away from God.
What I would say to non-Christians is that like con men in the secular world con men in the Christian world cannot all be stopped especially it seems those with high profile in the media, and there are many.
What I would suggest is if you want to know more about Jesus and God. I would suggest visiting a local church. Baptist churches around the world in particular are good as are assemblies of God churches in the United States, and Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Canada are equally as good and honest.
You don’t have to go to a church service as such although I would suggest that’s a good thing.
You can however contact the church in your area and ask to talk to the pastor. All the good pastors I know will meet with you and tell you what they believe and why.
While it is true the Bible asks us to walk by faith. I think it’s important that it is if you will, informed faith, that we walk by.
The other thing I would say is never send money to an evangelist or preacher of any kind in the media without asking for an accounting of where the money goes. If they are not open don’t sent a penny.
This is why I always suggest that you attend a local church because they must, at least here in Canada give an accounting to their church congregations at least once a year.
The key in all of this however is that you at least, for lack of a better term sample several churches. Not all are alike. They range from congregations steeped in deep tradition and ritual to the charismatic and very contemporary.
So look around ask questions of the pastor and at least listen to what he has to say with an open mind.
Think about it.
“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
As a Christian of over forty years now I must admit I am a sceptic especially when it comes to preachers who say they’ve driven out demons or performed miracles.
I won’t say it doesn’t happen but I’m certain it doesn’t happen as often as some of these televangelist say they do.
There is a lot of fakes out there and it is these people that have given Christians a bad name.
Obviously from the statement quoted above Jesus thought that way also.
Jesus knows the heart of men. Psalm 139 states,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
When these frauds stand before God they will not be allowed into heaven. The reason they were fakes, bamboozling people.
Fakes be they Christians or in the secular arena are no good to anyone. What is sad is that Christian fakes turn people away from God.
What I would say to non-Christians is that like con men in the secular world con men in the Christian world cannot all be stopped especially it seems those with high profile in the media, and there are many.
What I would suggest is if you want to know more about Jesus and God. I would suggest visiting a local church. Baptist churches around the world in particular are good as are assemblies of God churches in the United States, and Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Canada are equally as good and honest.
You don’t have to go to a church service as such although I would suggest that’s a good thing.
You can however contact the church in your area and ask to talk to the pastor. All the good pastors I know will meet with you and tell you what they believe and why.
While it is true the Bible asks us to walk by faith. I think it’s important that it is if you will, informed faith, that we walk by.
The other thing I would say is never send money to an evangelist or preacher of any kind in the media without asking for an accounting of where the money goes. If they are not open don’t sent a penny.
This is why I always suggest that you attend a local church because they must, at least here in Canada give an accounting to their church congregations at least once a year.
The key in all of this however is that you at least, for lack of a better term sample several churches. Not all are alike. They range from congregations steeped in deep tradition and ritual to the charismatic and very contemporary.
So look around ask questions of the pastor and at least listen to what he has to say with an open mind.
Think about it.
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Something I don't understand
Something I don’t understand.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Matthew14:24-36.
For the record I understand the scripture written above. It’s an example of the faith of Peter and the miraculous. Jesus and Peter walking on water, and of people just touching Jesus who were healed.
What I don’t understand is what Atheist say about Jesus. Some say Jesus is a myth, some at least give the benefit of the doubt and say he was a good man. No atheist believe he was God or that there is a God.
Christians obviously do. But think of the logic.
If Jesus did exist and the Bible was written within living memory of him as most reputable historians and archeologist, both Christian and none Christian say it was. Then why would the writers of the New Testament lie about the miracles?
To lie about such things would be counter productive to the cause of Christianity. And most certainly hurt the early church at a time when it needed credibility to grow.
The fact of the matter is these miracles did happen and Jesus is all the Bible says he is.
Over the years historians and archeologist have doubted certain places and people mentioned in the bible didn’t exist. But the more research that is done the more the Bible is proved right.
I believe that if science, and historical research is conducted in the proper and correct way all of the Bible will one day be proved correct.
Think about it.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Matthew14:24-36.
For the record I understand the scripture written above. It’s an example of the faith of Peter and the miraculous. Jesus and Peter walking on water, and of people just touching Jesus who were healed.
What I don’t understand is what Atheist say about Jesus. Some say Jesus is a myth, some at least give the benefit of the doubt and say he was a good man. No atheist believe he was God or that there is a God.
Christians obviously do. But think of the logic.
If Jesus did exist and the Bible was written within living memory of him as most reputable historians and archeologist, both Christian and none Christian say it was. Then why would the writers of the New Testament lie about the miracles?
To lie about such things would be counter productive to the cause of Christianity. And most certainly hurt the early church at a time when it needed credibility to grow.
The fact of the matter is these miracles did happen and Jesus is all the Bible says he is.
Over the years historians and archeologist have doubted certain places and people mentioned in the bible didn’t exist. But the more research that is done the more the Bible is proved right.
I believe that if science, and historical research is conducted in the proper and correct way all of the Bible will one day be proved correct.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
The way to heaven
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.
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.
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
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