About God
“It is incomprehensible that God should exist, and it is incomprehensible that he should not exist.”
Blaise Pascal.
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 wrote,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
I am a Christian it goes without saying I believe in God. Not only that but I’m in the majority in the world. The majority of people in the world believe in God and a life beyond the grave.
All I have to do is look around me to see the hand of God.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
I believe that. As I see the perfection of the natural world I can’t believe it all just came to be by chance. The perfection of it all tells me behind it all is the creators hand.
If life simply evolved as evolutionist say, with the survival of the fittest then man would have become extinct long ago. Simply because a universal moral code would not exist.
In order for man to survive as a species it is essential that all men subscribe to a universal moral code, especially do not kill.
Man even in our so called enlightened age, has a horrible track record when it comes to not killing our fellow man. Not counting wars in the United States alone so far this year over eleven thousand people have died due to gun violence alone. And this with laws that say you should not kill.
That aside, I believe man has written on his heart the fact that he should not kill. This I believe was implanted in mans heart by God.
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 man recognizes there ultimately is a God that he will one day be held accountable to that society flourishes.
It’s when men loose their fear of God or twist His words for their own evil devices that things go wrong.
The proof is in world war two when the Nazi’s came to power men who did not fear God causing the deaths of over eleven million people, six million of them Jews alone in death camps. In a war that caused close to sixty million military and civilian casualties.
It’s happening today as terrorist kill and destroy anything they disagree with.
It happens on the streets of our towns and cities where everything from white collar crime to robberies to violent crime take place. Done by men and women who don’t give God a second thought. Who do not believe they will ultimately be called to judgement if not by earthly judges, most certainly by God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“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.
I believe in God it’s that simple. I believe we all one day will be judged by him.
I also believe in God because without His existence life would have no meaning.
Please think about it.
Friday, 11 December 2015
Thursday, 10 December 2015
The answer is not forty-two
The answer is not forty-two
In his sifi spoof The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams tells of a super computer built for some mice, determines the answer to life, the universe and everything is “forty-two”
Adams in his book spoofs everything in society. It’s an interesting book to read just for fun, there was even a movie made of it as well as a BBC television program.
That being said the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy assumption that the meaning of life is forty-two as we know is not true.
A individual is far more than that whatever it means.
Philosophers through the ages have argued over what the meaning of life is. Today people are drawn to various religious, philosophies and ways of life in the hope of finding true meaning and purpose in their life. Some are even turning to terrorist organisations to find purpose in life.
The Greeks in the days of the Apostles and Jesus were looking for meaning. They built temples to various Gods. They talked endlessly trying to find true meaning and were constantly on the lookout for new ideas.
One of those new ideas, at least to the ancient Greeks in Athens, was the belief the apostle Paul was talking about. Belief in Jesus. His speech to the Athenians then is as relevant today as it was then. The book of Acts records,
“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
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.
“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.
As someone who has know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour for over forty years now I know that all the Bible says about Him is true.
My life as a Christian has meaning and purpose. In Christ I have lived a full and rich life. What more can I ask?
I would ask you dear reader to consider accepting Jesus into your life today.
Please think about it.
In his sifi spoof The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams tells of a super computer built for some mice, determines the answer to life, the universe and everything is “forty-two”
Adams in his book spoofs everything in society. It’s an interesting book to read just for fun, there was even a movie made of it as well as a BBC television program.
That being said the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy assumption that the meaning of life is forty-two as we know is not true.
A individual is far more than that whatever it means.
Philosophers through the ages have argued over what the meaning of life is. Today people are drawn to various religious, philosophies and ways of life in the hope of finding true meaning and purpose in their life. Some are even turning to terrorist organisations to find purpose in life.
The Greeks in the days of the Apostles and Jesus were looking for meaning. They built temples to various Gods. They talked endlessly trying to find true meaning and were constantly on the lookout for new ideas.
One of those new ideas, at least to the ancient Greeks in Athens, was the belief the apostle Paul was talking about. Belief in Jesus. His speech to the Athenians then is as relevant today as it was then. The book of Acts records,
“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
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.
“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.
As someone who has know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour for over forty years now I know that all the Bible says about Him is true.
My life as a Christian has meaning and purpose. In Christ I have lived a full and rich life. What more can I ask?
I would ask you dear reader to consider accepting Jesus into your life today.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
About Refugees
About the refugees
As I write this in the United States presidential candidate Donald Trump has made another outrageous statement against Muslims. Saying they should be banned from entering the United States. I wonder if he would also extend it to the Muslims he’s partnering with in his businesses in the middle east?
Trump is showing himself to be a hypocrite and a bigot. The sad thing is people agree with him.
In contrast to the seeming paranoia in the United States the Canadian government is bringing in at least 25,000 refugees. Over the next few months. It’s making them permanent residence which offers them all the opportunities Canada has to offer.
Perhaps it’s time for the Republican party to dissociate with Trump.
Sadly I as a Christian looking from my perch here in Canada a noticeable silence from the Church community particularly the evangelical Church community.
This is a community that says they follow the teachings of Christ to Love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
The other day I was reading in the Gospel of Luke and came across this parable of Jesus I thought it appropriate,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16: 19-31.
For me you could look upon this parable this way. The rich man is Trump and those who agree with him. The poor man Lazarus, represents the refugees who are begging for our help.
The Talmud says something I think may just well happen when we stand before God. It says,
"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
What will you say to God?
What will He say about you?
Please think about it.
As I write this in the United States presidential candidate Donald Trump has made another outrageous statement against Muslims. Saying they should be banned from entering the United States. I wonder if he would also extend it to the Muslims he’s partnering with in his businesses in the middle east?
Trump is showing himself to be a hypocrite and a bigot. The sad thing is people agree with him.
In contrast to the seeming paranoia in the United States the Canadian government is bringing in at least 25,000 refugees. Over the next few months. It’s making them permanent residence which offers them all the opportunities Canada has to offer.
Perhaps it’s time for the Republican party to dissociate with Trump.
Sadly I as a Christian looking from my perch here in Canada a noticeable silence from the Church community particularly the evangelical Church community.
This is a community that says they follow the teachings of Christ to Love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
The other day I was reading in the Gospel of Luke and came across this parable of Jesus I thought it appropriate,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16: 19-31.
For me you could look upon this parable this way. The rich man is Trump and those who agree with him. The poor man Lazarus, represents the refugees who are begging for our help.
The Talmud says something I think may just well happen when we stand before God. It says,
"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
What will you say to God?
What will He say about you?
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Jesus is
Jesus is
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
John 14:5-11.
Here is a statement by Jesus if not true it would mean that Christians are believing a lie and Jesus is deluded or worse.
Jesus makes it clear to Thomas the He is the only way to heaven. He states that
“I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
The New Testament gives another account of what Jesus says about himself. John’s gospel 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.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32.
Jesus makes it clear He and God are one.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“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.
So the question becomes, Who do you think Christ is?
Please think about it.
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
John 14:5-11.
Here is a statement by Jesus if not true it would mean that Christians are believing a lie and Jesus is deluded or worse.
Jesus makes it clear to Thomas the He is the only way to heaven. He states that
“I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
The New Testament gives another account of what Jesus says about himself. John’s gospel 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.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32.
Jesus makes it clear He and God are one.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“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.
So the question becomes, Who do you think Christ is?
Please think about it.
Who can get to heaven?
Who can get to heaven?
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
Someone trying to put me on the spot in front of my pastor and others, asked me, “Can a Gay man get to heaven.”
I quoted the above verses from Psalm 139. It says,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
I informed the man that God knows us intimately that according to the Psalmist God created our inmost being. The He knitted us together in our mothers womb. To me that means God knows our very genetic code and what makes us, us.
God does not discriminate against anyone be they gay or strait, from Canada or from anywhere else in the world. God Loves all people equally and knows why they are like they are.
When 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.”
John 3:16.
He did not put limits on God’s love. He did not discriminate between races or sexual orientation. He simply said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
So yes anyone can get to heaven. They simply have to listen to the words of Jesus who gives all people everywhere 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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation is a free gift from God open to all who will believe in Jesus Christ no matter who they are.
Please think about it.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
Someone trying to put me on the spot in front of my pastor and others, asked me, “Can a Gay man get to heaven.”
I quoted the above verses from Psalm 139. It says,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
I informed the man that God knows us intimately that according to the Psalmist God created our inmost being. The He knitted us together in our mothers womb. To me that means God knows our very genetic code and what makes us, us.
God does not discriminate against anyone be they gay or strait, from Canada or from anywhere else in the world. God Loves all people equally and knows why they are like they are.
When 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.”
John 3:16.
He did not put limits on God’s love. He did not discriminate between races or sexual orientation. He simply said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
So yes anyone can get to heaven. They simply have to listen to the words of Jesus who gives all people everywhere 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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation is a free gift from God open to all who will believe in Jesus Christ no matter who they are.
Please think about it.
Monday, 7 December 2015
Death of a young man
Death of a young man.
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo.
I am writing this by way of a warning of sorts to all who would read this. The question I ask is, Where will you spend eternity?
As I write this a young man I know named Johnny has just died he was a month short of his thirtieth birthday.
I’ve known this young man all his life. When younger he attended Sunday School and church he had a family that cared for him, but as he grew to manhood he left the church and went his own way.
For most of his life he struggled with alcoholism and drugs. He’d get drunk and start using his fists and action that seen him put in jail several times.
His death came as a result of a fight in which he was hit over the head with a pipe killing him.
Many people over the years tried to reach Johnny. He’d stop by our house on numerous occasions to talk. He always knew that our door was open to him at any time day or night if he needed help.
My late sister in law a recovering alcoholic herself did her best while alive to try and get Johnny into various programs to get him sober, but to no avail.
Johnny sadly followed his own path that led to his ultimate demise.
I as a Christian believe God tries to reach us and give us a chance to accept Him as Lord of our lives up to the very moment of our death. Such a decision is between the individual and God.
Where Johnny stood I do not know. It is between Him and God. Certainly Johnny knew the way to heaven all he had to do was reach out to the hand of Jesus. Something he could have done with his last breath.
Question, Dear reader do you know where you will spend eternity?
The apostle John writing about Jesus said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
The Gift of Salvation, eternal life with God is free to all. The Apostle Paul 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
Accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour is as simple as a sincere prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. That He came to this world to bring Salvation to each and every person who would believe in Him.
Please dear Lord forgive my sins and come into my heart and soul today. Be Lord of my life and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, I would suggest that you start reading the Bible for it is in reading the Bible that we can determine what God expects of us.
Start by reading the New Testament. Here in North America you can get a bible at any book store. You can even go on line and get the “you bible” app. A free App.
I suggest you read a modern translation, the New International Version, the New King James Version, American Standard Version are all easy to read and understand.
In my bible study at the church we use all of those versions.
I would also suggest you find a good church. As these blogs are read around the world it’s hard for me her in Canada to suggest a specific church. I do however suggest the Baptist Churches as they are consistent in their beliefs around the world.
In the United States Southern Baptist convention churches are good as is the Assemblies of God.
Additionally here in Canada I suggest a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church.
Remember not all church congregations are the same in character some are more lively than others, others are very conservative in the way they conduct their service while others are more contemporary with modern music and worship styles.
The key is to find a church that fits your liking while at the same time holds the Bible as the sacred inspired word of God.
Pray and ask God to lead you to the right church you’ll be surprised how he will lead you.
The key in all of this is knowing Jesus as your Lord and saviour. It is the only way you can be assured of going to heaven.
Please think about it.
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo.
I am writing this by way of a warning of sorts to all who would read this. The question I ask is, Where will you spend eternity?
As I write this a young man I know named Johnny has just died he was a month short of his thirtieth birthday.
I’ve known this young man all his life. When younger he attended Sunday School and church he had a family that cared for him, but as he grew to manhood he left the church and went his own way.
For most of his life he struggled with alcoholism and drugs. He’d get drunk and start using his fists and action that seen him put in jail several times.
His death came as a result of a fight in which he was hit over the head with a pipe killing him.
Many people over the years tried to reach Johnny. He’d stop by our house on numerous occasions to talk. He always knew that our door was open to him at any time day or night if he needed help.
My late sister in law a recovering alcoholic herself did her best while alive to try and get Johnny into various programs to get him sober, but to no avail.
Johnny sadly followed his own path that led to his ultimate demise.
I as a Christian believe God tries to reach us and give us a chance to accept Him as Lord of our lives up to the very moment of our death. Such a decision is between the individual and God.
Where Johnny stood I do not know. It is between Him and God. Certainly Johnny knew the way to heaven all he had to do was reach out to the hand of Jesus. Something he could have done with his last breath.
Question, Dear reader do you know where you will spend eternity?
The apostle John writing about Jesus said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
The Gift of Salvation, eternal life with God is free to all. The Apostle Paul 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
Accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour is as simple as a sincere prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus is your one and only Son. That He came to this world to bring Salvation to each and every person who would believe in Him.
Please dear Lord forgive my sins and come into my heart and soul today. Be Lord of my life and guide me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, I would suggest that you start reading the Bible for it is in reading the Bible that we can determine what God expects of us.
Start by reading the New Testament. Here in North America you can get a bible at any book store. You can even go on line and get the “you bible” app. A free App.
I suggest you read a modern translation, the New International Version, the New King James Version, American Standard Version are all easy to read and understand.
In my bible study at the church we use all of those versions.
I would also suggest you find a good church. As these blogs are read around the world it’s hard for me her in Canada to suggest a specific church. I do however suggest the Baptist Churches as they are consistent in their beliefs around the world.
In the United States Southern Baptist convention churches are good as is the Assemblies of God.
Additionally here in Canada I suggest a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church.
Remember not all church congregations are the same in character some are more lively than others, others are very conservative in the way they conduct their service while others are more contemporary with modern music and worship styles.
The key is to find a church that fits your liking while at the same time holds the Bible as the sacred inspired word of God.
Pray and ask God to lead you to the right church you’ll be surprised how he will lead you.
The key in all of this is knowing Jesus as your Lord and saviour. It is the only way you can be assured of going to heaven.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 6 December 2015
Please excuse the Christian
Please Excuse the Christian
Jesus told this parable,
“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.
Please excuse the Christian if he or she wants to tell you about Jesus. If they seem over eager or overly exuberant at wanting to tell you about Jesus.
You must remember that for we Christians the most important thing in our life is finding Jesus. Is realizing that Jesus is as he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Christians believe 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. 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.
Christians believe that in accepting Christ they know here and now in this life that they are going to heaven.
That eternal life with God is an act of Love on God’s part.
That it is a gift from God. The apostle Paul explaining,
“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.
As Jesus explained in the parable at the beginning of this article
“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.
So I can hope you understand that because knowing Jesus in a personal way is so important to us as Christians it is only logical that we would want to share that experience with all people whoever they may be.
Please think about it.
Jesus told this parable,
“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.
Please excuse the Christian if he or she wants to tell you about Jesus. If they seem over eager or overly exuberant at wanting to tell you about Jesus.
You must remember that for we Christians the most important thing in our life is finding Jesus. Is realizing that Jesus is as he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Christians believe 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. 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.
Christians believe that in accepting Christ they know here and now in this life that they are going to heaven.
That eternal life with God is an act of Love on God’s part.
That it is a gift from God. The apostle Paul explaining,
“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.
As Jesus explained in the parable at the beginning of this article
“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.
So I can hope you understand that because knowing Jesus in a personal way is so important to us as Christians it is only logical that we would want to share that experience with all people whoever they may be.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 5 December 2015
Your Choice
Your choice
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“He 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.
God exists I believe it. I also believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. That He is God incarnate and that He is the Saviour of mankind. These are basic beliefs of Christians.
In order to believe what I do I had to be open to the possibility that God did exist and that he is all powerful able if he wished to do anything. That includes to take a small part of his infiniteness and send that part we know as Jesus into the world He created.
The decision I made was based on what I read in the bible. After reading it, I, while unable to see God I made a leap of faith based on the facts I’d read.
The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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
This is a decision each individual must make.
In creating man God gave him a freewill. In order for man to have true freewill God allowed man to decide for himself whether God is real or not.
So the choice is yours.
Do you believe in God and that Jesus Christ is His one and Only Son?
Please think about it.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“He 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.
God exists I believe it. I also believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. That He is God incarnate and that He is the Saviour of mankind. These are basic beliefs of Christians.
In order to believe what I do I had to be open to the possibility that God did exist and that he is all powerful able if he wished to do anything. That includes to take a small part of his infiniteness and send that part we know as Jesus into the world He created.
The decision I made was based on what I read in the bible. After reading it, I, while unable to see God I made a leap of faith based on the facts I’d read.
The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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
This is a decision each individual must make.
In creating man God gave him a freewill. In order for man to have true freewill God allowed man to decide for himself whether God is real or not.
So the choice is yours.
Do you believe in God and that Jesus Christ is His one and Only Son?
Please think about it.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Lesson from a Blacksmith
Lesson from a blacksmiths
For centuries there have been people who have said Christianity, will disappear. It has not. From the days of it’s inception people have come against Christ.
They crucified Christ yet he arose from the grave walked the earth briefly and ascended to heaven.
The followers of Christ have taken the gospel to the ends of the world.
As you read this Christianity is still welcoming converts even in parts of the world where being a Christian can lead to jail or death.
Christianity is of God.
The book of Acts records an incident where two of Jesus’ apostles were preaching in his name after the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
The book states,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:28-39
Gamaliel was right. Christianity is of God and the message we Christians bring is true. The choice is however up to you.
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate, God in the flesh, the Saviour of mankind or not.
Please think about it.
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and bater all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.
Anonymous.For centuries there have been people who have said Christianity, will disappear. It has not. From the days of it’s inception people have come against Christ.
They crucified Christ yet he arose from the grave walked the earth briefly and ascended to heaven.
The followers of Christ have taken the gospel to the ends of the world.
As you read this Christianity is still welcoming converts even in parts of the world where being a Christian can lead to jail or death.
Christianity is of God.
The book of Acts records an incident where two of Jesus’ apostles were preaching in his name after the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
The book states,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:28-39
Gamaliel was right. Christianity is of God and the message we Christians bring is true. The choice is however up to you.
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate, God in the flesh, the Saviour of mankind or not.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
You and God
You and God
“No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.… No man can deny the fact that Jesus existed, nor that his sayings are beautiful.”
Albert Einstein
There are many people out there who would deny Christ existed. I disagree and frankly feel they are misguided. The overwhelming evidence is that Jesus existed.
The eternal question people have to ask themselves is who is Jesus.
The gospel of John records this conversation between Jesus and Martha
“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 that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27.
While Martha believed Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, many today as then did not believe.
Jesus made many 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 14:6b.
He made the following statement about himself saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
These are important statements that you must believe or reject there is no middle ground. C. S. Lewis noted,
“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 choice is up to you.
Most people think they know who Jesus is and have never read the New Testament for themselves. I would ask you the reader to read the New Testament for yourself. For it is only reading it for yourself that you can make a truly informed decision as to who Jesus is.
Please think about it.
“No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.… No man can deny the fact that Jesus existed, nor that his sayings are beautiful.”
Albert Einstein
There are many people out there who would deny Christ existed. I disagree and frankly feel they are misguided. The overwhelming evidence is that Jesus existed.
The eternal question people have to ask themselves is who is Jesus.
The gospel of John records this conversation between Jesus and Martha
“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 that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27.
While Martha believed Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, many today as then did not believe.
Jesus made many 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 14:6b.
He made the following statement about himself saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
These are important statements that you must believe or reject there is no middle ground. C. S. Lewis noted,
“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 choice is up to you.
Most people think they know who Jesus is and have never read the New Testament for themselves. I would ask you the reader to read the New Testament for yourself. For it is only reading it for yourself that you can make a truly informed decision as to who Jesus is.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
A Warning
A Warning
“As for cancer or any potentially life threatening situation. You can look at it two ways. One as a thief.
A thief comes and steals what is most precious, your faith.
The other a Messenger.
A messenger that reminds you of your mortality and draws you closer to God.”
Author Unknown.
Cancer is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. Most people regard it as a thief as they would any terminal illness.
But the author above makes a good point when he says you can regard it as “a messenger that reminds you of your mortality and the need to draw closer to God.”
That’s of course if you believe in God. If you don’t and you see nothing beyond the grave any terminal illness can make you worry. After all you are being robbed of the one thing everyone values most, their life.
As a believer in Christ, believer in God I have no fear of death. Death is simply a transition from this life to the next with God. I know where I will spend eternity.
My Pastor showed me how faith in God can give you peace.
I have a great deal of respect for my pastor. He is a man of great faith. He gives praise to God every day of his life in the good times and in the bad.
Five years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer and told he wouldn’t live more than two years even with surgery and chemotherapy and radiation.
In fact the doctor who did the surgery on him said he would not have gone in had he realized it was so bad. Still he cut away what he could and my pastor underwent Chemotherapy.
My pastor admitted he was down when he first got the news but he said he realized that he served a great and loving God and that His will would prevail.
He took comfort in the fact that God had been there for him in the good times and would now be with him in the bad. And he would be content with God’s will being done in his life.
His trust was well founded. Today five years later they cannot find the cancer and he gives the praise to God.
Talking privately with him he told me that as a Christian he was in a win, win situation. That with Christ as his Saviour he knew where his eternal resting place was. That he would go to heaven. Where there was no more suffering and pain.
At the same time if God had more for him to do here on earth God would heal him and let him continue in his ministry and be with his family.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
I myself have proven the words of Jesus to be true. I too had cancer shortly after my operation I developed large blood clots on my lungs and in my groin. They almost killed me. I admit it bothered me. But, and I know this seems odd to the conventional mind, I had peace that God would make things right.
I remembered the twenty-third psalm
The Psalmist wrote,
I made Christ Lord of my life over forty years ago and I can honestly say he has been with me through all that time.
I today am cancer free but still live with Bi-polar disorder (manic depression) an incurable illness that at times causes me a great deal of grief. Never-the-less I know God is with me.
With Christ in my life I am able to do all things. As the apostle Paul wrote,
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13.
For me knowing God is there for me in good times and bad, makes life worthwhile. Gives life meaning and enriches my very being.
Do you believe in God? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Where will you spend eternity?
Please think about it.
“As for cancer or any potentially life threatening situation. You can look at it two ways. One as a thief.
A thief comes and steals what is most precious, your faith.
The other a Messenger.
A messenger that reminds you of your mortality and draws you closer to God.”
Author Unknown.
Cancer is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. Most people regard it as a thief as they would any terminal illness.
But the author above makes a good point when he says you can regard it as “a messenger that reminds you of your mortality and the need to draw closer to God.”
That’s of course if you believe in God. If you don’t and you see nothing beyond the grave any terminal illness can make you worry. After all you are being robbed of the one thing everyone values most, their life.
As a believer in Christ, believer in God I have no fear of death. Death is simply a transition from this life to the next with God. I know where I will spend eternity.
My Pastor showed me how faith in God can give you peace.
I have a great deal of respect for my pastor. He is a man of great faith. He gives praise to God every day of his life in the good times and in the bad.
Five years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer and told he wouldn’t live more than two years even with surgery and chemotherapy and radiation.
In fact the doctor who did the surgery on him said he would not have gone in had he realized it was so bad. Still he cut away what he could and my pastor underwent Chemotherapy.
My pastor admitted he was down when he first got the news but he said he realized that he served a great and loving God and that His will would prevail.
He took comfort in the fact that God had been there for him in the good times and would now be with him in the bad. And he would be content with God’s will being done in his life.
His trust was well founded. Today five years later they cannot find the cancer and he gives the praise to God.
Talking privately with him he told me that as a Christian he was in a win, win situation. That with Christ as his Saviour he knew where his eternal resting place was. That he would go to heaven. Where there was no more suffering and pain.
At the same time if God had more for him to do here on earth God would heal him and let him continue in his ministry and be with his family.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
I myself have proven the words of Jesus to be true. I too had cancer shortly after my operation I developed large blood clots on my lungs and in my groin. They almost killed me. I admit it bothered me. But, and I know this seems odd to the conventional mind, I had peace that God would make things right.
I remembered the twenty-third psalm
The Psalmist wrote,
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23I made Christ Lord of my life over forty years ago and I can honestly say he has been with me through all that time.
I today am cancer free but still live with Bi-polar disorder (manic depression) an incurable illness that at times causes me a great deal of grief. Never-the-less I know God is with me.
With Christ in my life I am able to do all things. As the apostle Paul wrote,
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13.
For me knowing God is there for me in good times and bad, makes life worthwhile. Gives life meaning and enriches my very being.
Do you believe in God? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Where will you spend eternity?
Please think about it.
Kindness & Love
Kindness & Love
Anne Frank 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
Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in the Netherlands during world war two. She was eventually captured by the Nazis and died in a concentration camp.
Anne knew what it was to be hated simple because of who she was. She also understood kindness and love. The kindness and love of those who at their risk of their own life, hid her from the Nazis.
Our world is becoming a very harsh place. I listen to the leading Republican candidates saying they’ll get rid of all the illegal immigrants in the country. I hear various U.S. states saying they will not take in Syrian refugees.
I see nightly it seems on the news of police killing black men and others. People demonstrating against the legitimate rights of other people simply because of their sexual orientation.
Through all of this I ask where is the love?
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein.
As I see it our society is becoming more and more secular. As it does it is becoming a much harsher place to live. Love seems to be absent or at least lost in the cacophony of sounds that make up our society.
The apostle Paul wrote what to me is the best definition of love ever written. He wrote,
Our society will not change until people, individuals, see the need to love. We as individuals can change the world around us if we just show love to our neighbour.
While people may disagree with who Jesus is there is one truth that I would say that all people can agree with. 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 22:36-40
Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please think about it.
Anne Frank 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
Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in the Netherlands during world war two. She was eventually captured by the Nazis and died in a concentration camp.
Anne knew what it was to be hated simple because of who she was. She also understood kindness and love. The kindness and love of those who at their risk of their own life, hid her from the Nazis.
Our world is becoming a very harsh place. I listen to the leading Republican candidates saying they’ll get rid of all the illegal immigrants in the country. I hear various U.S. states saying they will not take in Syrian refugees.
I see nightly it seems on the news of police killing black men and others. People demonstrating against the legitimate rights of other people simply because of their sexual orientation.
Through all of this I ask where is the love?
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein.
As I see it our society is becoming more and more secular. As it does it is becoming a much harsher place to live. Love seems to be absent or at least lost in the cacophony of sounds that make up our society.
The apostle Paul wrote what to me is the best definition of love ever written. He 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.Our society will not change until people, individuals, see the need to love. We as individuals can change the world around us if we just show love to our neighbour.
While people may disagree with who Jesus is there is one truth that I would say that all people can agree with. 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 22:36-40
Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please think about it.
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