About Jesus
Historian William Durant said of Jesus,
“Nations have used his words as the bedrock of their governments....The triumph of Christ was the beginning of democracy.”
“His Sermon on the Mount established a new paradigm in ethics and morals.”
William Durant
Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan writes of him,
“Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western culture for almost twenty centuries… It is from his birth that most of the human race dates its calendars, it is by his name that millions curse and in his name that millions pray.”
Jaroslav Pelikan
Jesus is indeed a controversial person. He has been since the time he walked the earth.
The religious leaders of his day denounced him as a heretic while his followers called him the Christ, the Messiah.
C. S. Lewis said of him,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The apostle Paul wrote of Jesus,
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
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 5:5-8.
Paul also wrote,
“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
If Christians are foolish in what we believe then we have lost nothing for in following the teachings of Christ we have lived good honest and moral lives.
If however we are right in our beliefs then the rest of the world has a lot to think about.
What do you think?
Friday, 5 June 2015
Thursday, 4 June 2015
It's about Jesus
It’s about Jesus
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,(Jesus) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”
Colossians 1:19-22
It is all about Jesus and the cross.
In order to become a Christian you must answer in your own mind one important question.
Who is Jesus.
Matthew records this conversation between Jesus and his disciples,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 16:13-17.
Jesus himself said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
He also said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 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.
Every man and woman on this planet has to decide for themselves who Jesus is. If he is not who he claims to be then there is nothing to fear. If he is all he claimed to be there is a lot to consider.
The choice is yours. Like C. S. Lewis states,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Please think carefully about it
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,(Jesus) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”
Colossians 1:19-22
It is all about Jesus and the cross.
In order to become a Christian you must answer in your own mind one important question.
Who is Jesus.
Matthew records this conversation between Jesus and his disciples,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 16:13-17.
Jesus himself said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
He also said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 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.
Every man and woman on this planet has to decide for themselves who Jesus is. If he is not who he claims to be then there is nothing to fear. If he is all he claimed to be there is a lot to consider.
The choice is yours. Like C. S. Lewis states,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Please think carefully about it
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
Love not Hate
Love not Hate
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.”
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon, quoted in Therefore Choose Life: Selected Sermons, Addresses and Writings of Abba Hillel Silver, Volume One, edited by Herbert Wiesner (1997)
Rabbi Silver was right on with what he said. Love is the key to all meaningful human relationships. Hate can never be a refuge. All those who have ever tried to rule the world by hate have eventually fallen.
Rabbi Silver wrote the words above when world war two was at it height. When millions of Jews and others were being murdered by the Nazis, men full of hate.
Today we have terrorist groups around the world who are trying to use hate and force to conquer lands in the middle east. They are doomed to failure because of the hate they sow.
The one true God is not a God of hate. He is a God of Love.
Napoleon Bonaparte a man who knew more than a little about trying to conquer the world 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.
Jesus set the standard for conquering the world. Today 2.2 billion people worship Jesus. His word of the love of God has reached every corner of the world.
Jesus has more people believing in him and his ways than all the terrorist groups in the world today could ever hope to have following them and Jesus did it with love.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
As people of the world be we Christians, or of other faiths we need to be showing more love to those around us.
Love in it’s simplest form is giving of one’s self.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl who hid most of world war two from the Nazis and later died in a concentration camp wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
This is what we all should be doing be we Christians or not.
Please think about it.
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.”
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon, quoted in Therefore Choose Life: Selected Sermons, Addresses and Writings of Abba Hillel Silver, Volume One, edited by Herbert Wiesner (1997)
Rabbi Silver was right on with what he said. Love is the key to all meaningful human relationships. Hate can never be a refuge. All those who have ever tried to rule the world by hate have eventually fallen.
Rabbi Silver wrote the words above when world war two was at it height. When millions of Jews and others were being murdered by the Nazis, men full of hate.
Today we have terrorist groups around the world who are trying to use hate and force to conquer lands in the middle east. They are doomed to failure because of the hate they sow.
The one true God is not a God of hate. He is a God of Love.
Napoleon Bonaparte a man who knew more than a little about trying to conquer the world 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.
Jesus set the standard for conquering the world. Today 2.2 billion people worship Jesus. His word of the love of God has reached every corner of the world.
Jesus has more people believing in him and his ways than all the terrorist groups in the world today could ever hope to have following them and Jesus did it with love.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
As people of the world be we Christians, or of other faiths we need to be showing more love to those around us.
Love in it’s simplest form is giving of one’s self.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl who hid most of world war two from the Nazis and later died in a concentration camp wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
This is what we all should be doing be we Christians or not.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
It's about Life
It’s about life
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
I’ve heard a lot of people over the years say they live far better lives than some Christians they know. That may be true because Christians like everyone else in this world are far from perfect. As someone has said “Christians are not perfect they are with God’s help, simply progressing.”
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis.
When we accept Christ as our Saviour God begins a work in our lives. He if we let Him works to make us better each day.
That however is only half the story. By accepting Christ into our life we receive Eternal Life with God.
I as all Christians do, and the majority of people in the world today, I believe, life does not end with the grave.
If I am right which I believe I am, then the question becomes where will you spend eternity.
I have heard many people say “well if my good out weighs my bad then I’ll get to heaven.”
Christians don’t see it that way. We believe the words of Jesus, who 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
We believe the words of Paul to the Ephesians who said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation, eternal life with God is a free gift to all who will receive it.
Christians believe that God reached down to mankind by sending his one and only son Jesus Christ to this world to show how much he loved us.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
I know it sounds odd, even foolish that God would sent His one and only son to die for us but it is what we Christians believe.
Again to quote the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian church. Paul writes,
“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.
God does not always work in ways man would consider logical. God does things his way and asks man to have faith in Him.
That’s why I think some believe that Christians preaching Christ crucified dying and ascending to sit at the right hand of God is foolishness.
For the Christian this however is the pillar of our faith and God wants us to walk by faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,
‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
Eternal life with God is as simple as believing in Jesus. Believing that He is God’s One and Only Son. That He came into this world to die for your sins. Then asking Him into your heart and life.
A prayer as simple as this,
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 and come into my heart and life today.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen
Please think about it.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
I’ve heard a lot of people over the years say they live far better lives than some Christians they know. That may be true because Christians like everyone else in this world are far from perfect. As someone has said “Christians are not perfect they are with God’s help, simply progressing.”
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis.
When we accept Christ as our Saviour God begins a work in our lives. He if we let Him works to make us better each day.
That however is only half the story. By accepting Christ into our life we receive Eternal Life with God.
I as all Christians do, and the majority of people in the world today, I believe, life does not end with the grave.
If I am right which I believe I am, then the question becomes where will you spend eternity.
I have heard many people say “well if my good out weighs my bad then I’ll get to heaven.”
Christians don’t see it that way. We believe the words of Jesus, who 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
We believe the words of Paul to the Ephesians who said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation, eternal life with God is a free gift to all who will receive it.
Christians believe that God reached down to mankind by sending his one and only son Jesus Christ to this world to show how much he loved us.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
I know it sounds odd, even foolish that God would sent His one and only son to die for us but it is what we Christians believe.
Again to quote the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian church. Paul writes,
“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.
God does not always work in ways man would consider logical. God does things his way and asks man to have faith in Him.
That’s why I think some believe that Christians preaching Christ crucified dying and ascending to sit at the right hand of God is foolishness.
For the Christian this however is the pillar of our faith and God wants us to walk by faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,
‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
Eternal life with God is as simple as believing in Jesus. Believing that He is God’s One and Only Son. That He came into this world to die for your sins. Then asking Him into your heart and life.
A prayer as simple as this,
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 and come into my heart and life today.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen
Please think about it.
Monday, 1 June 2015
No Life
No life
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”
Buddha.
Buddha got it right man cannot live a full life without a spiritual life. I have met many men and women who have been successful in their fields of endeavour only to find their life still very empty.
Many people especially it seems in the entertainment industry that have reached the height of their profession only to turn to drugs and alcohol because they are empty in side.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labour.
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
What the writer is saying here is the material things of this earth are ultimately meaningless.
While there is nothing wrong with being rich and successful all our riches and success is ultimately meaningless in the light of eternity.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining all things finally said,
“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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
The gospel of Matthew records a man asking Jesus this question,
“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 neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Speaking personally I have gone through it all in my sixty plus years on this earth. I have experienced extreme happiness and deep sorrow.
I have had some bleak dark days that have led me down paths I never wanted to go. Yet through it all, God through his Son Jesus Christ, has been with me holding my hand giving me hope.
Jesus can do it for you also.
Please consider accepting Jesus into your life today.
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”
Buddha.
Buddha got it right man cannot live a full life without a spiritual life. I have met many men and women who have been successful in their fields of endeavour only to find their life still very empty.
Many people especially it seems in the entertainment industry that have reached the height of their profession only to turn to drugs and alcohol because they are empty in side.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labour.
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
What the writer is saying here is the material things of this earth are ultimately meaningless.
While there is nothing wrong with being rich and successful all our riches and success is ultimately meaningless in the light of eternity.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining all things finally said,
“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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
The gospel of Matthew records a man asking Jesus this question,
“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 neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Speaking personally I have gone through it all in my sixty plus years on this earth. I have experienced extreme happiness and deep sorrow.
I have had some bleak dark days that have led me down paths I never wanted to go. Yet through it all, God through his Son Jesus Christ, has been with me holding my hand giving me hope.
Jesus can do it for you also.
Please consider accepting Jesus into your life today.
Sunday, 31 May 2015
A message for the world
A message for the world
I have over several years done my best to express my faith. To express what I believe. Perhaps however the best sermon ever spoken by a Christian is recorded in the book of Acts to a gathering of Greek philosophers by the apostle Paul.
I present it here as recorded in the book of acts for you to think about.
“So he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 17:17-34.
Do you believe what Paul said?
I have over several years done my best to express my faith. To express what I believe. Perhaps however the best sermon ever spoken by a Christian is recorded in the book of Acts to a gathering of Greek philosophers by the apostle Paul.
I present it here as recorded in the book of acts for you to think about.
“So he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 17:17-34.
Do you believe what Paul said?
Saturday, 30 May 2015
I have not seen God
I have not seen God
Ben Zion Bokser wrote
I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God. But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.
Ben Zion Bokser
The Psalmist declairs,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1
Billy Graham stated,
I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.
Billy Graham.
It’s true we may not be able to prove God scientifically but that does not preclude his existence.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
I know there are people who say God does not exist. That is their right. However I believe they are wrong.
I look around me and see a perfectly ordered universe from the biggest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particle. To my mind such a universe cannot come together by chance.
There has to be a creator behind it all. I know that takes faith and having faith in someone you cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing a person can do.
The writer of Hebrews states,
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
Hebrews 11:6
God asks us to have faith in him. He however does not expect blind faith. He gives us clues of his existence that are all around us.
Like the Psalmist I quoted before,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
He has given us the Bible and if we read it objectively with out any preconceived ideas we can see God within its pages. Along with his love for mankind.
The problem is however I believe is those who do not believe in God are bias in their thoughts. They have said in their minds God does not exist and no matter what the evidence or who presents it I will not believe.
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946)
“When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
H. G. Wells
Wells an admitted none believer put Jesus as the most important person in all of history. If so then the teachings of Jesus must be correct because over the past two thousand years they have changed the world.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The bottom line here is you either believe there is a God who sent His One and Only Son to the earth to point people to heaven or you do not believe.
The decision is yours.
Please think about it.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote
I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God. But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.
Ben Zion Bokser
The Psalmist declairs,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1
Billy Graham stated,
I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.
Billy Graham.
It’s true we may not be able to prove God scientifically but that does not preclude his existence.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
I know there are people who say God does not exist. That is their right. However I believe they are wrong.
I look around me and see a perfectly ordered universe from the biggest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particle. To my mind such a universe cannot come together by chance.
There has to be a creator behind it all. I know that takes faith and having faith in someone you cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing a person can do.
The writer of Hebrews states,
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
Hebrews 11:6
God asks us to have faith in him. He however does not expect blind faith. He gives us clues of his existence that are all around us.
Like the Psalmist I quoted before,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
He has given us the Bible and if we read it objectively with out any preconceived ideas we can see God within its pages. Along with his love for mankind.
The problem is however I believe is those who do not believe in God are bias in their thoughts. They have said in their minds God does not exist and no matter what the evidence or who presents it I will not believe.
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946)
“When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
H. G. Wells
Wells an admitted none believer put Jesus as the most important person in all of history. If so then the teachings of Jesus must be correct because over the past two thousand years they have changed the world.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The bottom line here is you either believe there is a God who sent His One and Only Son to the earth to point people to heaven or you do not believe.
The decision is yours.
Please think about it.
Friday, 29 May 2015
Hidden treasure for you
Hidden treasure for you
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46.
To those who are not Christians it’s hard to understand why we do what we do. Why do we tell people about Jesus. What is the motivating force behind us.
It’s simple. We Christians believe we have the most important thing a person can have in life. A certainty of going to heaven to be with God.
As Jesus said in the parable. We have found the treasure hidden in a field. The pearl of great price. The love of God.
That is why we want to tell the world.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16,17.
He also issued a warning,
“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 3:18
So to the unbeliever if a Christian becomes a little over zealous please forgive them. We only want to present to you what we feel is of prime importance to all people.
The choice of whether you believe us or not is always yours.
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46.
To those who are not Christians it’s hard to understand why we do what we do. Why do we tell people about Jesus. What is the motivating force behind us.
It’s simple. We Christians believe we have the most important thing a person can have in life. A certainty of going to heaven to be with God.
As Jesus said in the parable. We have found the treasure hidden in a field. The pearl of great price. The love of God.
That is why we want to tell the world.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16,17.
He also issued a warning,
“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 3:18
So to the unbeliever if a Christian becomes a little over zealous please forgive them. We only want to present to you what we feel is of prime importance to all people.
The choice of whether you believe us or not is always yours.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Christians
Christians
I intended to write this just to Christians but I thought it relevant to share with none Christians as this is what I feel a true Christian should be doing.
What I am writing I hope will make Christians and non-Christians alike think.
Jesus Said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.
We Christians preach a gospel of mercy and reconciliation to God. Yet there are many out there who are calling us bigots and I think from what I see and here coming out of the mouths of some Christian pastors and evangelist both in and out of the media they seem to be right.
I hear from many Christians the hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s been my experience however that non-Christians don’t see it that way.
They look at it that the Christian hates them not just the sin.
I believe it is not up to us as believers to say what is sin and what is not. 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.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Only God knows the heart of men. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, not us. Our job is made clear,
“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.
Sadly I hear of men and women claiming to be Christians here in North America calling out to restrict the rights of others particularly those in the homosexual community. And more recently such people have begun to attack the Muslim faith and the Qur’an.
I hear of countries in Africa making homosexuality a crime punishable by time in prison.
To make matters worse I have heard of church’s and so called Christian pastors in those countries applauding such laws.
There are even churches and pastors in North America applauding what is happening in Africa. How sad.
In my mind, to restrict the rights of even one person is an abomination against humanity. Something I believe God opposes.
Jesus made it clear when he 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.
Whether we like it or not God has given to mankind a free will. We have the right to choose the way our life is to go. We have the right to choose our lifestyle.
I firmly believe we have no right to interfere in the making of laws as long as those laws do not interfere with our rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of others.
Further more we should be upholding freedom of choice especially when it comes to the right to freedom of speech and to choose our lifestyle and religious preferences.
I believe that to restrict one persons freedom even if we disagreed with them is to potentially restrict the freedom of all people even our own.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“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 is what we all should do.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric who knew about judging and oppression.
Niemoller was initially a national conservative and supporter of Adolf Hitler, became a man who vehemently appose Hitler. Who became along with Dietrich Bonhoffer a founder of the Confessional Churches in Germany.
For his opposition to Hitler and the Nazis oppression of not only Jews but others, Niemomller was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camp and narrowly escaped execution.
Later in his life he expressed the fact he did not do more for the victims of the Nazis. He wrote the following.
Tony Campolo also made one other statement he 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.
The Talmud a Jewish book of thought states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
Have you?
Please think about it.
I intended to write this just to Christians but I thought it relevant to share with none Christians as this is what I feel a true Christian should be doing.
What I am writing I hope will make Christians and non-Christians alike think.
Jesus Said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.
We Christians preach a gospel of mercy and reconciliation to God. Yet there are many out there who are calling us bigots and I think from what I see and here coming out of the mouths of some Christian pastors and evangelist both in and out of the media they seem to be right.
I hear from many Christians the hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s been my experience however that non-Christians don’t see it that way.
They look at it that the Christian hates them not just the sin.
I believe it is not up to us as believers to say what is sin and what is not. 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.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Only God knows the heart of men. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, not us. Our job is made clear,
“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.
Sadly I hear of men and women claiming to be Christians here in North America calling out to restrict the rights of others particularly those in the homosexual community. And more recently such people have begun to attack the Muslim faith and the Qur’an.
I hear of countries in Africa making homosexuality a crime punishable by time in prison.
To make matters worse I have heard of church’s and so called Christian pastors in those countries applauding such laws.
There are even churches and pastors in North America applauding what is happening in Africa. How sad.
In my mind, to restrict the rights of even one person is an abomination against humanity. Something I believe God opposes.
Jesus made it clear when he 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.
Whether we like it or not God has given to mankind a free will. We have the right to choose the way our life is to go. We have the right to choose our lifestyle.
I firmly believe we have no right to interfere in the making of laws as long as those laws do not interfere with our rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of others.
Further more we should be upholding freedom of choice especially when it comes to the right to freedom of speech and to choose our lifestyle and religious preferences.
I believe that to restrict one persons freedom even if we disagreed with them is to potentially restrict the freedom of all people even our own.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“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 is what we all should do.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric who knew about judging and oppression.
Niemoller was initially a national conservative and supporter of Adolf Hitler, became a man who vehemently appose Hitler. Who became along with Dietrich Bonhoffer a founder of the Confessional Churches in Germany.
For his opposition to Hitler and the Nazis oppression of not only Jews but others, Niemomller was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camp and narrowly escaped execution.
Later in his life he expressed the fact he did not do more for the victims of the Nazis. He wrote the following.
“When they came for the Communists,
I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist.
When they came for the Jews,
I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish.
When they came for the Catholics,
I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin NiemollerTony Campolo also made one other statement he 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.
The Talmud a Jewish book of thought states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
Have you?
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Fear God
Fear God
Here is something I firmly believe everyone everywhere needs to know.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
What I see the writer as saying here is, we need to have a healthy respect for God and what he expects of us as individuals.
I don’t believe in a God that has a big stick ready to whack us when we do wrong quite the contrary I believe in a God that loves and gives to his people. A God who forgives them when they make mistakes.
The best proof of this is in the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Sadly too many people today do not fear God. The Islamic State terrorist have a perverted idea of God. As a result they don’t fear God and the consequences of their actions.
In the western democracies we have men and women who do not fear God. Who do not believe in his existence or that they will be judged at the end of this life.
As a result we have those who commit crimes of every kind. And these people are not just from poverty stricken neighbourhoods but from every strata of society.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
I am a firm believer that the further a society moves away from God the worse that society becomes. With no absolute values and no one to fear with respect to the final judgment our society will eventually destroy itself.
Please think about it.
Here is something I firmly believe everyone everywhere needs to know.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
What I see the writer as saying here is, we need to have a healthy respect for God and what he expects of us as individuals.
I don’t believe in a God that has a big stick ready to whack us when we do wrong quite the contrary I believe in a God that loves and gives to his people. A God who forgives them when they make mistakes.
The best proof of this is in the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Sadly too many people today do not fear God. The Islamic State terrorist have a perverted idea of God. As a result they don’t fear God and the consequences of their actions.
In the western democracies we have men and women who do not fear God. Who do not believe in his existence or that they will be judged at the end of this life.
As a result we have those who commit crimes of every kind. And these people are not just from poverty stricken neighbourhoods but from every strata of society.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
I am a firm believer that the further a society moves away from God the worse that society becomes. With no absolute values and no one to fear with respect to the final judgment our society will eventually destroy itself.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
The Way to Heaven
The way to heaven
Every so often in these blogs I like to present what I believe is the way to heaven. This is one of those times.
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,”
Romans 3:23,
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.
I admit I am a sinner in need of your saving grace.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
In Jesus name I pray amen.
If you prayed this prayer and truly believe what you said then the next step is to start reading your bible. Start in the New Testament and take your time reading it. Pray and ask God to show you the truths it has to offer you.
Next, find a good church. I recommend Baptist churches around the world. They have a consistent teaching and believe what I have just written.
In the United States I also recommend the Assemblies of God for the same reasons.
In Canada there is the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. These churches also believe as I do when it comes to salvation.
Remember also that churches tend to if you will have their own flavour. Some are very lively others are very conservative. Look around until you find a church you feel comfortable in.
Don’t be afraid to ask to talk to the pastor. All good and honest pastors will take time to talk with you.
Even if you didn’t pray the prayer above I would ask that you please consider learning more about Jesus, God and Christianity and attending church occasionally.
Please think about it.
Every so often in these blogs I like to present what I believe is the way to heaven. This is one of those times.
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,”
Romans 3:23,
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.
I admit I am a sinner in need of your saving grace.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
In Jesus name I pray amen.
If you prayed this prayer and truly believe what you said then the next step is to start reading your bible. Start in the New Testament and take your time reading it. Pray and ask God to show you the truths it has to offer you.
Next, find a good church. I recommend Baptist churches around the world. They have a consistent teaching and believe what I have just written.
In the United States I also recommend the Assemblies of God for the same reasons.
In Canada there is the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. These churches also believe as I do when it comes to salvation.
Remember also that churches tend to if you will have their own flavour. Some are very lively others are very conservative. Look around until you find a church you feel comfortable in.
Don’t be afraid to ask to talk to the pastor. All good and honest pastors will take time to talk with you.
Even if you didn’t pray the prayer above I would ask that you please consider learning more about Jesus, God and Christianity and attending church occasionally.
Please think about it.
Monday, 25 May 2015
Uncomfortable faith
Uncomfortable faith
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”
C.S. Lewis
Christianity first and foremost is a faith that asks each person to accept Christ as their personal saviour. It is also a religion that proselytizes.
It asks those who become disciples of Christ to admit they have fallen short of what God wants for their lives. That they sin and need to confess those sins directly to Christ.
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
It tells us that eternal life is a gift from God accepted through our faith in Jesus Christ, not because of our works. The Apostle Paul writing,
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.
It tells the believer in Christ to Love God, their neighbour, their enemy and to pray for those who persecute them.
It then asks the convert to go into all the world and present the gospel to everyone who will listen.
Jesus saying,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on martyr 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.
Christ’s call to his disciples to go into all the world, has always been to go into a world that at times has been very hostile to them.
From the days Christ walked the earth to modern day Christianity has been under persecution. Christ was Crucified. His disciples martyred.
Nero and other emperors of Rome were brutal in persecuting Christians. He threw them into arenas to be torn apart by wild beasts. He used them as human torches.
To day in parts of the world it is as dangerous to be a Christian,
Just a quick glance at the situation of Christians in the world tells you that being a Christian in this world can be hazardous to your health. Statistics from human rights organisations show that about every 7minutes somewhere in the world a Christian dies for their faith.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year,(2013) while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
Writing in the World Post Kelly James Clark states,
“In early November,(2013) German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." Although met with predictable criticism, Rupert Short's recent research report for Civitas UK confirms Merkel's claim -- we may not want to hear it, but Christianity is in peril, like no other religion. While this is a contest no one wants to win, Short shows that "Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers."
So why become a Christian? For me it’s because we win.
I as a Christian believe the Bible. I believe all the teaching of Christ. That
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
I believe Jesus when he 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.
I know it sounds strange to some that being under attacked for one’s beliefs is an easy burden. But that’s how it is with Christians.
No one told us our walk with Christ would be easy. We only have to look in the New Testament book of Acts to see how the early followers of Christ were attacked and put to death. That seems to be an, if you will, occupational hazard of becoming a Christian in parts of the world.
The benefits of becoming a Christian however for me is having that peace that passes all understanding. The assurance that no matter what happens in this world I know God is there for me.
That when I pass on from this world I have an eternal resting place with God. It is a resting place you the reader can have also. All you have to do is ask Christ into your life.
Please think about it.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”
C.S. Lewis
Christianity first and foremost is a faith that asks each person to accept Christ as their personal saviour. It is also a religion that proselytizes.
It asks those who become disciples of Christ to admit they have fallen short of what God wants for their lives. That they sin and need to confess those sins directly to Christ.
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
It tells us that eternal life is a gift from God accepted through our faith in Jesus Christ, not because of our works. The Apostle Paul writing,
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.
It tells the believer in Christ to Love God, their neighbour, their enemy and to pray for those who persecute them.
It then asks the convert to go into all the world and present the gospel to everyone who will listen.
Jesus saying,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on martyr 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.
Christ’s call to his disciples to go into all the world, has always been to go into a world that at times has been very hostile to them.
From the days Christ walked the earth to modern day Christianity has been under persecution. Christ was Crucified. His disciples martyred.
Nero and other emperors of Rome were brutal in persecuting Christians. He threw them into arenas to be torn apart by wild beasts. He used them as human torches.
To day in parts of the world it is as dangerous to be a Christian,
Just a quick glance at the situation of Christians in the world tells you that being a Christian in this world can be hazardous to your health. Statistics from human rights organisations show that about every 7minutes somewhere in the world a Christian dies for their faith.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year,(2013) while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
Writing in the World Post Kelly James Clark states,
“In early November,(2013) German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." Although met with predictable criticism, Rupert Short's recent research report for Civitas UK confirms Merkel's claim -- we may not want to hear it, but Christianity is in peril, like no other religion. While this is a contest no one wants to win, Short shows that "Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers."
So why become a Christian? For me it’s because we win.
I as a Christian believe the Bible. I believe all the teaching of Christ. That
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
I believe Jesus when he 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.
I know it sounds strange to some that being under attacked for one’s beliefs is an easy burden. But that’s how it is with Christians.
No one told us our walk with Christ would be easy. We only have to look in the New Testament book of Acts to see how the early followers of Christ were attacked and put to death. That seems to be an, if you will, occupational hazard of becoming a Christian in parts of the world.
The benefits of becoming a Christian however for me is having that peace that passes all understanding. The assurance that no matter what happens in this world I know God is there for me.
That when I pass on from this world I have an eternal resting place with God. It is a resting place you the reader can have also. All you have to do is ask Christ into your life.
Please think about it.
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