The Way

The Way
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.
Here is a clear statement by the apostle Paul of what Christians believe. He said,
“...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.”
It I know is a hard decision to make for some people. To believe that Jesus is all he said he is, Lord and God. God incarnate.
The apostle Paul even notes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Still this is a decision all who hear the message of Jesus must decide. Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“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 11:25,26,27.
Martha had seen Jesus in person. She’d heard him speak and seen miracles. She knew beyond a doubt that Jesus was the son of God. Do you?
You can know all about Jesus by reading the New Testament and seeing for yourself what his disciples and others thought of him and why.
If you don’t know Jesus as your Saviour take some time to read the New Testament and make your own mind up.
Please at least think about it.

A Talk

A talk

“For the word of God is living and active. 

Sharper than any double-edged sword, 

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; 

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. 

Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him 

to whom we must give account.” 

Hebrews 4:12,13

C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
Lewis is right, you can say there is no God, but that dose not change the fact there is a God and that he one day will judge everyone. Someone once wrote,

A Conversation

A man:

”you can’t be!”

God: 

“but I am”

A Man: 

“You don’t exist!”

God, 

“I do.”

A Man: 

“But I couldn’t see you.”

God: 

“I know I asked you to have faith. Through Hebrews I told you,

 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope

 for and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

A Man: 

“if only I could have seen you.”

God: 

“You could have seen all I did. The Psalmist told you 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the  skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19:1. 

Didn’t you look?

A Man:

 “Of course I looked. 

I seen evolution!”

God,

 “So you seen an orderly universe and thought 

it just dropped perfectly into place

 randomly? 

You didn’t think I could do it be it that way or any other way 

I felt like doing it?”

A man: 

“But I didn’t believe you existed.”

God: 

“so you never had faith in me?”

A Man: 

“I didn’t.... 

I don’t...

 I must be delusional.”

God: 

“No I am really here and through the words of Hebrews I warned you saying, 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Man:

“So what will happen to me?”

God:

“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 

Did you accept my free gift of Grace?

Dear reader
Please think about it.

The Heart of Existence

The heart of existence
“Love is the heart of existence.”  Author unknown.
A natural disaster strikes a world away and people unaffected do everything they can to send aid. Someone is murdered or killed and not only family but strangers come to console the relatives of the victim.
Fire destroys a neighbours home or a child or loved one is hurt and those around go out of their way to help the family even if they don’t know them.
Why because deep inside everyone there is love. Love planted there by God.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“...love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.” -Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940 sermon.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

 But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

The Gospel of John tells us,
“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.
Love is something atheist cannot explain. Why would someone feel love for someone thousands of kilometers away who have undergone hardship and wish to help? After all they are not affected?
The answer is love. Love is fundamental to human existence. Without love the human race would have become extinct long ago.
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 22:36-40.
Jesus took love one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
Love is selfless.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;

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 Assisi.
Are you showing Love?
Please think about it.

Without Love Without God

Without Love Without God,
“The world is trying to get by without God and is doing a miserable job without Him.” Author unknown.
Abba Hillel Silver said,
“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.
As I look around society today. I see especially in the United States a society in crisis. In the America the spectre of racism has raised its head it seems higher than ever. Police harassing and killing innocent black men. Misguided individuals killing police. It all resembles the early years of the 1960's and the civil rights movement.
I don’t remember much about the civil rights movement in the United States. I wasn’t even a teenager and I didn’t live in America at the time. All I remember was my father praising Dr. Martin Luther King jr. for his non-violent stance in the face of such injustice.
Dr. King was a Christian who believed in Love.
Dr. King said two things that are as important today as they were then. He said,

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; 

only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate; 

only love can do that.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr King made it clear,

“Love is the only force capable 

of transforming an enemy into friend.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The early civil rights movement attained what it did because they refused to let hate rule. To quote King again he prayed,

“We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.

We are in nature but we live above nature.

Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.

Give us strength to love our enemies 

and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.” 

Martin Luther King jr.

Leaders like Dr. King realized that hate begets hate. He realized the words of Jesus who 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.
Who also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45.
I admit I am a white man living in Canada and cannot fully understand what most people of colour in the United States have to put up with. Still I can understand what injustice is.
I also realize that unless people turn back to God society is in trouble.
I believe it is time for all churches. All who claim to be Christian to stand against injustice everywhere.
If ever there was a need for God in society it is now and not just in the United States but around the world.
Hate is everywhere in the world today and it is only through the love of God that we can truly overcome it.
Please think about it.

You, God and Faith

You, God, and Faith
Raphael Simon said,
“To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.” Raphael Simon.
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.
The book of Deuteronomy states,

Love the LORD your God

 with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children.

 Talk about them when you sit at home

 and when you walk along the road, 

when you lie down and when you get up.  

Tie them as symbols on your hands

 and bind them on your foreheads.  

Write them on the doorframes of your houses 

and on your gates. 

                                                                              Deuteronomy 6:5-9
To know Jesus as one’s personal Saviour. To allow Christ into one’s life and fall in love with God is indeed the most incredible thing an individual can do.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
God indeed loves us. The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
God loved us so much that He in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus entered the world to point us to Himself.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
God exists and God loves all people.
Most people in the world today believe there is a God. However they do not have faith in Him. Something God asks of all people.
In my previous Blog post I quoted the writer of Hebrews as telling us,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Faith is something that has been exercised by all of God’s prophets in the Bible. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”Hebrews 11:8,9

Abraham believed God existed, but he didn’t stop there he exercised his faith in God by doing what God told him to do even though he couldn’t see what his actions would bring about. 
The writer of Hebrews defines faith, saying,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1.

This what Abraham did. He was sure of what he hoped for and certain that God would bring about what he could not see. Abrahams faith was not simply intellectual.  He truly believed.
Do you simply believe intellectually that God exists or do you have actually have faith in him as the writer of Hebrews defines faith? I ask this question because it is by faith that we get to heaven.
The apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

Getting to heaven is a free gift of God. It is by His grace we get there. Still it is only through faith that we can receive that grace.
Jesus speaking of himself 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.
Speaking to Martha Jesus gave us all a question we must answer saying,
“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 11:25,26,27.
So my question is do you simply believe intellectually there is a God and leave things at that. OR do you truly have faith in God and that Jesus is His one and only Son who died for your sins.
Please think about it. 

Chasing after the Wind?

Chasing after the wind?

The writer of Ecclesiastes states.

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; 

all of them are meaningless, 

a chasing after the wind.” 

Ecclesiastes 1:14.

I have met many people who agree with Ecclesiastes. They have in some cases reached the height of fame. And there is nothing wrong with being successful in any field of endeavour. But many have become very successful in industry, commerce, sports or entertainment only to find that they are still empty inside.
United States General George S. Patton wrote,
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting." Gen. George C. Patton.
Patton is right all fame is fleeting. Just because we achieve fame and fortune in this world doesn’t mean we will be satisfied.
Many who seek to be successful are looking for fulfilment in life few truly find it. Many move on from one project to the next only to find they are still empty inside.
People search to find fulfilment in various ways. Some like I said try to find peace through being the best they can be in sports, business, and other pursuits. Others look to alcohol and drugs. All to no avail.
C. S. Lewis said,
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” C.S. Lewis.
Blaise Pascal said,
“There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart.”Blaise Pascal.
Pascal is right and we try to fill that vacuum with every material thing this world has to offer yet we can’t seem to fill it. We can’t fill it because only God can do that.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Unfortunately too many choose to ignore God. They may believe He exists but refuse to have faith in him. And faith is the one thing God asks of us.
Faith is defined by the writer of Hebrews who said,

“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

Do you believe in God? If so, do you have faith in God?
There is a big difference between believing God exists and putting your faith in God.
Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”Martin Luther King, Jr.
Do you believe in God?
Do you truly have faith in God?
Please think about it.

Your Treasure

Your Treasure
“Then he (Jesus) said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21.
I know many men who work long and hard for the so called “American dream” and there is nothing wrong with having riches in their place. However when those riches begin to take first place in your life there can be problems. the apostle Paul points out,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
If we concentrate so much on becoming wealthy in this world and neglect our spiritual life with God we will enter heaven, if we enter heaven at all, spiritually broke.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
Wealth in this world is meaningless. It is only what we do for Christ that will last.
Look around at some of the wealthiest men that have ever lived. Their riches are still in this world in the hands of others. Their names even lost to eternity. After all how many people remember the who the richest men of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were. They are gone known only to God, judged by Him.
Yet millions remember the apostles Peter, Paul, and  John, the prophets Isaiah, and Jeremiah as well as Moses. People even remember a poor old woman who gave two small coins to the service of God, centuries, millenniums, after their death. All of these people were faithful servants of God.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  
But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”Matthew 6:19-24.
As I said there is nothing wrong with material wealth in its place. There are many faithful servants of God who are wealthy and do His work.
However material wealth should never have first place in your life. In a choice between material wealth and serving God. God must always come first.
Jesus said,
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Matthew 8:36.
To the Christian I would ask where is your treasure?
I also know there are some who are reading this that say there is no God. Therefore I can do what I like in this world. After all I can’t take it with me. That’s their choice. However I would ask them to consider this statement by Peter John Kreeft who said,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value” Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
For me personally knowing  God, knowing that there is a place in heaven waiting for me gives me hope. Serving God enriches my life and gives me peace no matter what I am going through.
I have found the words of Jesus to be 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.
Someone said,
“No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.” Author Unknown.
This I have found is a true statement.
Please take some time to at least read the New Testament for yourself and see what God offers you.
Please think about it.

God's Grace and you

God's Grace and you
The apostle John records this conversation Jesus had with 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 you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
Matthew’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and Peter,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Matthew 16:13-16
The early church and all true Christians today believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Christians believe that Jesus provided purification for our sins. That because of Him we can if we believe in Him enter heaven.
The apostle Paul notes,
“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.
Christians believe it is an act of grace on the behalf of God that we can enter heaven. That each individual must accept that saving grace by having faith in God.
Thus the choice is up to you dear reader.
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of Mankind? Are you willing to accept the saving grace God offers you?
Please think about it.  

God shows Himself

God shows Himself
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.

“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.

Over the years I have met many people who do not believe in God. Who simply dismiss Him without a thought.
Most I find who don’t acknowledge God’s existence have made up their mind and nothing anyone says can change that belief.
God is always there waiting for us to seek Him. If we search for Him, God will show himself to us. However all too many people are not willing to seek him out.
It does, I admit, take a lot of faith to believe in God. Still God does not demand blind faith. All we have to do is look at the world around us. From the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy everything is in order. Something to my mind at least tells me there is a creator behind it all.
We can go further and look at our moral code. There is a basic moral code that all humans follow. Don’t kill, don’t steal, and so on.
I for one can’t believe prehistoric man simply convened a global conference and agreed that it was in the best interest of mankind that we have a law against killing. So to my mind God must have laid into mans heart and mind a basic moral law.
If there were not basic morals to live by it would be the survival of the fittest. With the most violent surviving. That’s if they survived at all.
I believe God has put into the very being of each and every person a basic set of morals.
I also believe that God has set in the heart of man the knowledge that He exists. However at the same time God gave man a freewill to believe in God or not.
I as a Christian believe that God went as far as He could by telling us he existed through the prophets and others mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. Then as told in the New Testament God entered the world He created in the form of Jesus. Through Jesus He calls all people to himself.
The writer of Hebrews tells us.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 
Each individual must decide for themselves if they believe in God. It is an act of faith on their behalf. Not something anyone can force upon them.
Thus I ask you. Do you truly believe in God?
Please think about it.

Faith, God, Jesus, & you

Faith, God, Jesus, & you

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.” Billy Graham
C. S. Lewis reminds us,
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis
The apostle Paul writes,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  

1 Corinthians 1:18.

To some non-Christians the fact that God entered the world He created in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus is strange.
That belief is made even stranger when Christians tell them Jesus died for the sins of each individual. That he rose again, walked the earth for a brief time and arose into heaven were He will one day judge all mankind.
I admit as a Christian these beliefs can seem strange. After all wouldn’t it be better to simply come and show himself in person and have people believe that way?
I don’t think God coming in power would ensure God got true believers. Some upon seeing God may simply believe because they fear his power.
Having to have faith in someone, especially someone you cannot see and must believe in by faith produces more devout followers.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“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.

People who believe by faith in something are far more loyal than someone who believes by sight.
Scientists believe by faith all the time. Einstein for example had faith in his theories all his lifetime even though many were not proven until long after he died.
This is what God wants of people. God wants them to believe in Him all their lives. Then upon their death they will see that they are right and receive their reward.
On this earth we are given a choice to believe in God by His rules or not. The choice is yours. Jesus speaking of himself 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.

God and us

God and us

“God doesn't owe us anything-

yet in His grace, He still gives us good things.”

                                                                                                       Billy Graham.
God does exist. I firmly believe that. He created the universe and everything in it. That includes mankind. Since God created us and gave us a freewill to do as we wish, He owes us nothing. After all what more can anyone ask for than complete freedom?
However God thought it only right to offer each individual one more important thing, eternal life with Him.
The book of Acts records this, the apostle Paul’s speech to the Athenians it states,
“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.” Acts 17:22-31.
I know the message Christians present to the world can seem strange by human standards, the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians even notes that saying,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18.
Still the message the Christian presents to the world is what we believe to be true and of paramount importance for each individual to understand,
Ultimately however whether you believe in God and the salvation message of Jesus Christ, is entirely up to you. No one can force you to believe in God.
Like I said God gives us all a freewill which includes the right to believe in him or not. Thus the choice is yours.
Do you believe in God? Moreover do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it. 

Know Peace

Know Peace
“Peace is not the absence of affliction, but the presence of God.”Author Unknown.
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.

Knowing Jesus as one’s Saviour does indeed give us peace, as anyone who has undergone persecution or health issues can tell you.
Someone once said,
“No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.” Author Unknown.
This is true. I have found it in my life and Christians the world over will tell you they too have found it to be true.
In my life I have undergone many tragedies but through it all God has been there for me. He has indeed been a Rock in times of trouble.
The writer of proverbs writes,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him,

 and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5,6.

The Psalmist writes

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 23

Never was there a truer statement. With Christ in your life you can go through anything.  You can know peace in the most stressful and disturbing circumstance.
All I can ask of those who do not believe this is to read the Bible in particular the New Testament and let God prove to you that He is real. Pray and ask Him to reveal himself to you.
Don’t rely on others to tell you about God, read for yourself.
Please think about it.