Life is a Football match
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10.
Many non-Christians think Christianity is a lot of do’s and don’t’s. Rules and regulations you must follow, that make it impossible to have fun. Nothing could be further from the fact.
Christianity practised correctly dose not restrict the persons ability to have a happy and enjoyable life.
It is if you will, like a Football match. In order for the players to enjoy the game and perform to their best, there are rules to follow.
The rules give the players their boundaries. This makes for an enjoyable fair game for all.
That is what Christianity is all about. It sets rules that make it possible to live life to the fullest.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10.
As a Christian for over forty years now I do not feel my faith puts any unnecessary burdens or restrictions on my life. Quite the contrary it shows me how to live a good purpose filled life. A life of hope and joy.
That is why I want to tell the world about my faith.
My life has been far from uneventful I have seen my share of tragedy and pain. Never-the-less I can attest that the word of Jesus are true 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.
My prayer is that all people everywhere would find the peace and rest for their souls that only Jesus can offer.
That’s why I would ask anyone Christian or not, to read the New Testament and in all honesty ask God to show you His Love and Peace that is there for you.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 4 October 2015
Saturday, 3 October 2015
A precious thing
A precious thing
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.
If we Christians seem a little over zealous at times at wanting to tell you about Christ it’s because we honestly believe we have found the most important thing in life. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
True Christians will not try to impose their faith on someone. They will however try to at least tell you about the most important thing in their life.
To the person who finds that personal relationship with Jesus Christ it is if you will like finding a gold mine. Like finding the most valuable jewel in the world.
When a person enters into a true relationship with Christ it is a life changing event. Christ really does change lives. The process may be slow or fast depending on the person but the individual does change.
Paul talks about that change when he notes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22,23.
This is what a true Christian will exhibit to all around them.
Paul goes on to note,
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:24
That’s not to say we are perfect. Christians from time to time may stumble and make mistakes, sometimes big ones. Still they do their best to live a good life following the words of the apostle Peter who said,
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’”
1 Peter 2:12.
I personally would like people everywhere to at least read the New Testament asking God to show them the truth that is in it. Truths that are life changing.
I however leave the choice to you.
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.
If we Christians seem a little over zealous at times at wanting to tell you about Christ it’s because we honestly believe we have found the most important thing in life. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
True Christians will not try to impose their faith on someone. They will however try to at least tell you about the most important thing in their life.
To the person who finds that personal relationship with Jesus Christ it is if you will like finding a gold mine. Like finding the most valuable jewel in the world.
When a person enters into a true relationship with Christ it is a life changing event. Christ really does change lives. The process may be slow or fast depending on the person but the individual does change.
Paul talks about that change when he notes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22,23.
This is what a true Christian will exhibit to all around them.
Paul goes on to note,
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:24
That’s not to say we are perfect. Christians from time to time may stumble and make mistakes, sometimes big ones. Still they do their best to live a good life following the words of the apostle Peter who said,
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’”
1 Peter 2:12.
I personally would like people everywhere to at least read the New Testament asking God to show them the truth that is in it. Truths that are life changing.
I however leave the choice to you.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Sow Love
Sow love,
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where these is hatred, let me sow love.”
Francis of Assisi.
This is a concept we can all understand whether we are Christian or not. The world needs more love and understanding.
One young girl who understood what it was to live in a world full of hate was Anne Frank. Anne was hidden from the Nazis in the Netherlands for a number of years until she was captured sent to a death camp where she eventually died.
Anne with all the hate swirling around her was able to write,
“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.
We need more love in the world. All around the world there are terrorist groups spewing hate murdering and killing seemingly at will.
Even here in the western nations while we live in relative peace our society seems to be lacking in many ways in kindness.
A man buys an essential drug needed to keep people healthy and jacks the price of it up by thousands of dollars. For his own greedy gain. And it’s not only him drug manufacturers are pricing drugs so high the people that need them can’t afford them.
On our city streets young people and old are killing one another over trivial things. Our politicians while saying they are helping the poor are quick to give the wealthy tax cuts, and little to the poor.
For me I believe this is happening because our society is losing it’s fear of God. They truly don’t believe there will be any consequences for their actions. When people feel they wont be held accountable for their actions they will do almost anything.
I truly believe the words of Ecclesiastes who 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 judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
If I am wrong no one needs to worry. However if I am right and I believe I am, many people have a lot to fear when they pass from this life.
Please think about it.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where these is hatred, let me sow love.”
Francis of Assisi.
This is a concept we can all understand whether we are Christian or not. The world needs more love and understanding.
One young girl who understood what it was to live in a world full of hate was Anne Frank. Anne was hidden from the Nazis in the Netherlands for a number of years until she was captured sent to a death camp where she eventually died.
Anne with all the hate swirling around her was able to write,
“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.
We need more love in the world. All around the world there are terrorist groups spewing hate murdering and killing seemingly at will.
Even here in the western nations while we live in relative peace our society seems to be lacking in many ways in kindness.
A man buys an essential drug needed to keep people healthy and jacks the price of it up by thousands of dollars. For his own greedy gain. And it’s not only him drug manufacturers are pricing drugs so high the people that need them can’t afford them.
On our city streets young people and old are killing one another over trivial things. Our politicians while saying they are helping the poor are quick to give the wealthy tax cuts, and little to the poor.
For me I believe this is happening because our society is losing it’s fear of God. They truly don’t believe there will be any consequences for their actions. When people feel they wont be held accountable for their actions they will do almost anything.
I truly believe the words of Ecclesiastes who 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 judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
If I am wrong no one needs to worry. However if I am right and I believe I am, many people have a lot to fear when they pass from this life.
Please think about it.
What will they say of you
What will they say of you
When I was in my teens I went to see the musical Goodby Mr. Chips. The theme to that musical was called in the morning of my life. It has stayed with me all these years it says,
From the Musical Good by Mr chips.
Love is by far the greatest thing one person can show to another. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Francis of Assisi prayed,
The apostle Paul wrote,
When you pass from this world will people say that you filled the world with love?
What will God say?
Please think about it.
When I was in my teens I went to see the musical Goodby Mr. Chips. The theme to that musical was called in the morning of my life. It has stayed with me all these years it says,
In the Morning of My Life
In the morning of my life
I will look to the Sunrise
At a moment in my life
When the world is new.
And the Question
I shall ask only God can answer.
Will I be brave and strong and true,
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
In the evening of my life
I will look to the sunset
At a moment in my life
When my life is through.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer
Was I brave and strong and true.
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Love is by far the greatest thing one person can show to another. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Francis of Assisi prayed,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of AssisiThe 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,13When you pass from this world will people say that you filled the world with love?
What will God say?
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
?
?
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received--only what you have given.”
Francis of Assisi.
The other day it came to light about a man in the United States that bought the patent on an important drug and jacked the price up astronomically. It reportedly made him the most hated person in America if not the world.
He’s an example of how greed can possess men.
There are many people out there that as they say “like their toys.” They love money and possessions. They spend all their lives accumulating wealth but to what end.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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
Later on in the same chapter he writes,
“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 2:26.
That man who’s greed jacked up the price of an essential drug obviously had no fear of God. He and others who do not recognize or fear God. Men and women who think this life is all there is, will one day be surprised. When they find themselves before God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes saying.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
Please think about it.
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received--only what you have given.”
Francis of Assisi.
The other day it came to light about a man in the United States that bought the patent on an important drug and jacked the price up astronomically. It reportedly made him the most hated person in America if not the world.
He’s an example of how greed can possess men.
There are many people out there that as they say “like their toys.” They love money and possessions. They spend all their lives accumulating wealth but to what end.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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
Later on in the same chapter he writes,
“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 2:26.
That man who’s greed jacked up the price of an essential drug obviously had no fear of God. He and others who do not recognize or fear God. Men and women who think this life is all there is, will one day be surprised. When they find themselves before God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes saying.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
To Non-Christians
To Non-Christians
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
This is a note to non-Christians from a Christian. Above I quoted Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi saw a lot of people who claimed to be Christian but are not.
Just because someone goes to church, can quote scripture from memory or has a fancy television program, doesn’t mean they are Christian.
Christians are not born Christians it is a choice one makes when you are old enough to understand what you are doing.
Sadly what also happens is some pick up the bible and start preaching what it says wrongly. Yes they may have years of Bible school and seminary but that does not make them Christian. They have an agenda and pick verses and chapters from the bible out of context to back what they say.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy this warning,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
This has happened all through church history and with the rise of the internet and other social media is exploding today.
Some who are preaching the Bible wrongly are I am certain are simply mislead. Others are deliberately misleading people for personal gain.
Jesus warned that on judgement day,
“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.
The thing is it’s often hard for someone outside, or for that matter someone, in the church to tell who a real Christian is and who is simply one in name only.
The advice I usually give to people who ask how to tell the difference is money. Every ministry needs money to continue. The good ministries will generally simply ask a person who can to give without promises made on God’s behalf. The request is usually made with a few simple well chosen words.
On the other hand ministries that are not preaching sound Christian teachings are usually preaching give to get. So called seed faith.
Give God ten, or a hundred, or a thousand and He’ll give you it back ten, a hundred or a thousand fold back. As if God is some kind of sugar daddy or banker that gives you outrageous interest.
Another key thing a true Christian will show is love kindness and understanding to all people irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
The writer of Hebrews saying
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
This is what Mahatma Gandhi didn’t see in those who called themselves Christians.
A true Christian will obey the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
A true Christian will not judge those outside of the church. That is God’s place because only He knows what is on the hearts of men.
Thus I ask you to give God and Christ a chance. Please take time to read the Bible particularly the New Testament.
Pray and ask God to show you the truths there in and take time to find a church to your liking where you can learn more about God.
Please think about it.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
This is a note to non-Christians from a Christian. Above I quoted Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi saw a lot of people who claimed to be Christian but are not.
Just because someone goes to church, can quote scripture from memory or has a fancy television program, doesn’t mean they are Christian.
Christians are not born Christians it is a choice one makes when you are old enough to understand what you are doing.
Sadly what also happens is some pick up the bible and start preaching what it says wrongly. Yes they may have years of Bible school and seminary but that does not make them Christian. They have an agenda and pick verses and chapters from the bible out of context to back what they say.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy this warning,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
This has happened all through church history and with the rise of the internet and other social media is exploding today.
Some who are preaching the Bible wrongly are I am certain are simply mislead. Others are deliberately misleading people for personal gain.
Jesus warned that on judgement day,
“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.
The thing is it’s often hard for someone outside, or for that matter someone, in the church to tell who a real Christian is and who is simply one in name only.
The advice I usually give to people who ask how to tell the difference is money. Every ministry needs money to continue. The good ministries will generally simply ask a person who can to give without promises made on God’s behalf. The request is usually made with a few simple well chosen words.
On the other hand ministries that are not preaching sound Christian teachings are usually preaching give to get. So called seed faith.
Give God ten, or a hundred, or a thousand and He’ll give you it back ten, a hundred or a thousand fold back. As if God is some kind of sugar daddy or banker that gives you outrageous interest.
Another key thing a true Christian will show is love kindness and understanding to all people irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
The writer of Hebrews saying
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
This is what Mahatma Gandhi didn’t see in those who called themselves Christians.
A true Christian will obey the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
A true Christian will not judge those outside of the church. That is God’s place because only He knows what is on the hearts of men.
Thus I ask you to give God and Christ a chance. Please take time to read the Bible particularly the New Testament.
Pray and ask God to show you the truths there in and take time to find a church to your liking where you can learn more about God.
Please think about it.
Monday, 28 September 2015
He has set eternity in the hearts of men
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men
“What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.....
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13,16,17.
I believe the above scripture. God I know has put “eternity in the hearts of men”. The majority of people in the world do believe there is a life after this one. That there is a God who will one day judge mankind.
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
It is only when people lose their fear of God or completely reject His existence that society starts to decay. Hitler is a good example of this. He and his henchmen refused to believe in God and his moral standards. The result was world war two and tens of millions of innocent lives being taken.
Isis is another example. While they claim to follow God they have perverted the ways of God and live according to their own twisted code of conduct.
Such things also happen on the individual level. Mass murderers or for that matter anyone who murders, have lost their fear of God.
Those who steal, commit adultery, or any number of crimes have all lost their fear of God. Thus they feel they can do anything they wish.
Man needs moral absolutes in order for a society to function correctly.
It speaks to the fact that there must be a God, a creator, in that societies around the world all have basically the same moral code that they live by. I cannot believe this is by chance.
That being said I firmly believe that all people will one day have to stand in front of God and give an account for their deeds in this life.
What will you say?
Please think about it.
“What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.....
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13,16,17.
I believe the above scripture. God I know has put “eternity in the hearts of men”. The majority of people in the world do believe there is a life after this one. That there is a God who will one day judge mankind.
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
It is only when people lose their fear of God or completely reject His existence that society starts to decay. Hitler is a good example of this. He and his henchmen refused to believe in God and his moral standards. The result was world war two and tens of millions of innocent lives being taken.
Isis is another example. While they claim to follow God they have perverted the ways of God and live according to their own twisted code of conduct.
Such things also happen on the individual level. Mass murderers or for that matter anyone who murders, have lost their fear of God.
Those who steal, commit adultery, or any number of crimes have all lost their fear of God. Thus they feel they can do anything they wish.
Man needs moral absolutes in order for a society to function correctly.
It speaks to the fact that there must be a God, a creator, in that societies around the world all have basically the same moral code that they live by. I cannot believe this is by chance.
That being said I firmly believe that all people will one day have to stand in front of God and give an account for their deeds in this life.
What will you say?
Please think about it.
Sunday, 27 September 2015
A Statement of Fact
A statement of fact
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13.
The apostle Paul make it very clear how we get to heaven, how we are saved from hell. By believing in Jesus, and confessing that He is Lord before men.
Paul makes it clear there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all.
That “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
In order to believe such a thing you need faith because 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
Do you believe Jesus is Lord and God. The saviour of the world?
Please think about it.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13.
The apostle Paul make it very clear how we get to heaven, how we are saved from hell. By believing in Jesus, and confessing that He is Lord before men.
Paul makes it clear there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all.
That “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
In order to believe such a thing you need faith because 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
Do you believe Jesus is Lord and God. The saviour of the world?
Please think about it.
Saturday, 26 September 2015
The Only
The Only
Napoleon Bonaparte 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 is unique in history. He’s unique because he is God incarnate, God in the flesh. The God who created the universe and everything in it chose to come into this world to reconcile man to himself.
The apostle John wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14
Jesus made several statements about himself he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
John’s Gospel also records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10: 24-30.
I believe Jesus had to come into this world to prove to mankind how far God would go to reconcile man to Himself.
He had to do it to experience all that it was to be a man. Everything from the mundane things such as rain against his face to the smell of a dusty road. Jesus also knew what it was like to have enemies that disliked what he said. He knew what it was like to be falsely accused and put to death in a most hideous way for a crime he didn’t commit.
Thus we cannot stand before him on judgement day and say you didn’t understand because all you know is absolute power.
When Jesus came to this earth he acted as nothing more than a normal man. Thus he knows what it is like to human. Thus he has the right to judge us fairly.
Jesus has given each and every person on this earth a choice when he 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
Please think about it.
Napoleon Bonaparte 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 is unique in history. He’s unique because he is God incarnate, God in the flesh. The God who created the universe and everything in it chose to come into this world to reconcile man to himself.
The apostle John wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14
Jesus made several statements about himself he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
John’s Gospel also records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10: 24-30.
I believe Jesus had to come into this world to prove to mankind how far God would go to reconcile man to Himself.
He had to do it to experience all that it was to be a man. Everything from the mundane things such as rain against his face to the smell of a dusty road. Jesus also knew what it was like to have enemies that disliked what he said. He knew what it was like to be falsely accused and put to death in a most hideous way for a crime he didn’t commit.
Thus we cannot stand before him on judgement day and say you didn’t understand because all you know is absolute power.
When Jesus came to this earth he acted as nothing more than a normal man. Thus he knows what it is like to human. Thus he has the right to judge us fairly.
Jesus has given each and every person on this earth a choice when he 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
Please think about it.
Friday, 25 September 2015
Seeing God
Seeing God.
“He (God) shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”
C.S. Lewis.
Over the years I’ve met many Atheist and frankly most are closed minded. Most simply dismiss God out of hand. They say you can believe in Him that’s your choice, but I’m not.
If you have already made up your mind about God all the words in the world will not change most peoples minds.
God is always their waiting patiently for the individual to seek Him out, to acknowledge Him. Yet so many people miss out on what to me is the most important thing in my life. They miss out because they fail to acknowledge there is a God who loves them.
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 fact that the majority of people do believe there is an afterlife and God is to me evidence that God exists.
God gave man a freewill. This meant that he can believe what he wants. That still doesn’t change the fact that there is a God. That’s the definition of freewill, to believe what you want irrespective of the facts.
Each person must decide for themselves if there is a God.
Not only that but from a Christian perspective the individual must decide in his or her own mind just who Jesus is.
Jesus made it clear we have two clear cut choices when he 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.
The choice is yours. To quote C. S. Lewis one more time,
“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 about it
“He (God) shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”
C.S. Lewis.
Over the years I’ve met many Atheist and frankly most are closed minded. Most simply dismiss God out of hand. They say you can believe in Him that’s your choice, but I’m not.
If you have already made up your mind about God all the words in the world will not change most peoples minds.
God is always their waiting patiently for the individual to seek Him out, to acknowledge Him. Yet so many people miss out on what to me is the most important thing in my life. They miss out because they fail to acknowledge there is a God who loves them.
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 fact that the majority of people do believe there is an afterlife and God is to me evidence that God exists.
God gave man a freewill. This meant that he can believe what he wants. That still doesn’t change the fact that there is a God. That’s the definition of freewill, to believe what you want irrespective of the facts.
Each person must decide for themselves if there is a God.
Not only that but from a Christian perspective the individual must decide in his or her own mind just who Jesus is.
Jesus made it clear we have two clear cut choices when he 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.
The choice is yours. To quote C. S. Lewis one more time,
“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 about it
Thursday, 24 September 2015
The choice
The Choice
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 gospel of John records,
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?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,
John 11:25,26.
God gives every person everywhere a choice. You can accept Jesus is who he claimed to be the Son of God, the saviour of mankind, the resurrection and the life, or you can reject his claim.
The choice is yours. God will not impose His will on you.
From the dawn of creation God has given man a choice believe in Him or reject Him. There is no in between.
Believing God exists and Jesus is God incarnate is an act of faith. 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.
The choice dear reader is yours.
Please think about it.
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 gospel of John records,
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?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,
John 11:25,26.
God gives every person everywhere a choice. You can accept Jesus is who he claimed to be the Son of God, the saviour of mankind, the resurrection and the life, or you can reject his claim.
The choice is yours. God will not impose His will on you.
From the dawn of creation God has given man a choice believe in Him or reject Him. There is no in between.
Believing God exists and Jesus is God incarnate is an act of faith. 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.
The choice dear reader is yours.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
The way to heaven
The Way to Heaven
Every now and then I like to tell readers of my blogs how I and other Christians believe you get to heaven and inherit eternal life with God.
The following is what I is what I believe.
I present it here you the reader to at least think about it.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for.
First of all it is an act of faith. Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The writer going on to say,
“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
The Apostle Paul make it clear salvation and the eternal life it brings 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
Salvation come from God to man. It is God in love reaching down to mankind. The apostle John writing,
“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.
When asked the way to heaven,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
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.
Simply put salvation and eternal life with God comes through accepting Jesus as God’s one and only Son. Believing that he came to die for our sins. Confessing in prayer our sins directly to God accepting that forgiveness. And letting Christ into our hearts and mind.
The prayer for forgiveness is as simple as talking to God as though he were standing in front of you. You can simply say,
Dear Heavenly Father.
I recognize that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. I accept that Jesus Christ is your one and only Son. That he died for my sins. Please forgive me.
Dear Jesus
I accept you this day as my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my life and this day and make my life. Help me to live each day for you.
Amen.
If you truly accepted Jesus into your life then I would suggest you start reading the Bible. Start in the new Testament praying and asking God to show you the truths there in.
The next thing I would advise is to find a bible believing Church. But be careful when it comes to Churches there are some that do not follow the bible correctly.
What I advise is again pray and ask God to direct you to a Church. I recommend Baptist Churches most places in the world. They have their roots deep in the Bible. In North America where I live I also recommend the Assemblies of God in the United States, and The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in Canada. These are good solid Bible believing churches.
Also remember that each church congregation has its own personality. So if the one you go to initially is not to your liking try others until you feel comfortable.
Remember also that it fine to be nervous when entering a church for the first time but most good churches will have someone to greet you and say a few kind words.
It is also permissible to ask questions of the pastor if you don’t understand things. In larger churches you may have to arrange an appointment but in most smaller churches the pastors will usually take time to speak with you at the alter or privately.
If they don’t have time for you even after making an appointment or they don’t answer your questions perhaps that is not the place for you. You may need to find another church.
Either way I would ask that you have patients and look around until you’ve found one that is to your liking.
Think about it.
Every now and then I like to tell readers of my blogs how I and other Christians believe you get to heaven and inherit eternal life with God.
The following is what I is what I believe.
I present it here you the reader to at least think about it.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for.
First of all it is an act of faith. Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The writer going on to say,
“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
The Apostle Paul make it clear salvation and the eternal life it brings 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
Salvation come from God to man. It is God in love reaching down to mankind. The apostle John writing,
“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.
When asked the way to heaven,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
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.
Simply put salvation and eternal life with God comes through accepting Jesus as God’s one and only Son. Believing that he came to die for our sins. Confessing in prayer our sins directly to God accepting that forgiveness. And letting Christ into our hearts and mind.
The prayer for forgiveness is as simple as talking to God as though he were standing in front of you. You can simply say,
Dear Heavenly Father.
I recognize that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. I accept that Jesus Christ is your one and only Son. That he died for my sins. Please forgive me.
Dear Jesus
I accept you this day as my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my life and this day and make my life. Help me to live each day for you.
Amen.
If you truly accepted Jesus into your life then I would suggest you start reading the Bible. Start in the new Testament praying and asking God to show you the truths there in.
The next thing I would advise is to find a bible believing Church. But be careful when it comes to Churches there are some that do not follow the bible correctly.
What I advise is again pray and ask God to direct you to a Church. I recommend Baptist Churches most places in the world. They have their roots deep in the Bible. In North America where I live I also recommend the Assemblies of God in the United States, and The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in Canada. These are good solid Bible believing churches.
Also remember that each church congregation has its own personality. So if the one you go to initially is not to your liking try others until you feel comfortable.
Remember also that it fine to be nervous when entering a church for the first time but most good churches will have someone to greet you and say a few kind words.
It is also permissible to ask questions of the pastor if you don’t understand things. In larger churches you may have to arrange an appointment but in most smaller churches the pastors will usually take time to speak with you at the alter or privately.
If they don’t have time for you even after making an appointment or they don’t answer your questions perhaps that is not the place for you. You may need to find another church.
Either way I would ask that you have patients and look around until you’ve found one that is to your liking.
Think about it.
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