Of Flowers and God

 Of Flowers and God

“Flowers may beckon towards us, 

but they speak toward heaven and God.”

 Henry Ward Beecher

     Shown here are on the right a Rose as we normally see it. On the left the Rose under magnification.
What we see under magnification is no less beautiful than what we see normally.
However under magnification we can see how wonderfully it is made. Everything in the rose has a purpose and is in perfect order.
It’s the same with the entire universe. From the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxies all have purpose and order.  When I look at this I see a divine creator in it all.

The Psalmist tells us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.

I know there are people out there who say there is no God. The excuse I hear most often is “I can’t see or touch him. Therefore he doesn’t exist.”
That’s where faith comes in.
The way I see it you can either have faith there is no God. At which time you are placing your eternal resting place on the assumption you know all things and have been everywhere. Because unless you know all things and have been everywhere the thing you don’t know about just might be God. And the place you have never been might be the place God is.
And as far as I know no one living today has been beyond the grave.
On the other hand you can have faith in God and believe the words of 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         

You can believe the word of the apostle Paul who 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.
You can 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.
The choice is yours. If Christians are wrong then you have nothing to fear and Christians have lived a good life.
If on the other hand Christians are right in their beliefs as I believe we are. Then you have a lot to at the very least think about.
       Please think about it. 

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder
Sometimes you can read volumes of material and not get the point of what is being said. Other times a person just needs to see a few short points to get the message. To that end I hope these few points will inspire you to look for God.
      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.

Question

Do you believe in God?

The Psalmist states,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

 Psalm 14:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

 the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.

      Note,
      Look around the perfection of the Universe shows the hand of God.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Question,

How strong is your faith in what you believe?

Are you willing to risk your eternal destiny on what you believe?

The book of Ecclesiastes notes,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 

Fear God and keep his commandments, 

for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, 

including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 

Ecclesiastes12:13,14

Question,

When you stand before God what will you say?

What will God say to you?

     Please think about it.

A Wise Wager

A Wise Wager
Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal
The above quote is referred to as Pascal’s Wager. Simply put Pascal argues that all people bet with their lives and their eternal resting place that either God exists or he does not.
He argues that the rational person should live as though God exists and to seek to believe in God.
He notes that if God dose actually exist, the believer in God will have lost little in this world. However the reward for believing in God is infinite, eternity in Heaven and everything that entails.
At the same time belief in God means avoiding infinite loss by an eternity in Hell.
However what you believe is up to you. It takes faith to believe in God, even if as Pascal says it is a wise wager.

Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews is,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

The writer going on to note,

“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

Thus the choice is yours, do you believe in God or not? Are you willing to wager your eternal resting place on what you believe?
Please think about it.

Freedom

Freedom
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14
Question: Do we take our freedoms and Rights too much for granted? Do we demand our freedoms and Rights without thought for the freedoms and rights of others.
I found the following in my archives it was written in 2014. I put it here for you to think about.
Today as I write this it is June 6th 2014 the 70th anniversary of D Day. Here in Canada the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is putting on an all day special, commemorating the day a hundred and fifty thousand men rush ashore in Normandy France.
These men risked their life that we might have freedom.
My Father while not at Normandy fought in the British Army in North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany. He spoke little of his actual time in Battle he tended to dwell on the good times he had with his friends between the fighting.
One day however when I went to visit him at home. By this time he was in his eighties. He’d been watching television.
Someone who was denying the holocaust ever happened was being sentenced for hate crimes was in the news.
He suddenly started an angry tirade aimed largely at the television. He was very upset saying that he knew the death camps were real. That he was there.
His tirade lasted a few seconds then he settled down. Then he told me for the first time his experience at the Bergen Belsen death camp. He’d been among the liberator of the camp. He’d seen the horror and it had left wounds that he’d never spoken about for decades.
He said that’s why they had fought the war, to end tyranny. That we should always remember those who fought and died to end it.
For me I believe the fear of God was forgotten in Germany during the 1930's and 1940's.
Historians tell us that the late twenties and thirties was a low point for the German people. They were looking for someone to pull them out of the depression that gripped the country. Someone who would also restore national pride.
Hitler appeared to many to be that man. As a result he was allowed to come to power. The result would be by the end of 1945, more than 56,000,000, would die.
    Death camps would claim the lives of 6,000,000 jews alone and five to eight million non-Jews.
The scripture I quoted above says a lot,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14
If we believe in God. If we truly walk in the precepts of God. If we love God and we ensure our leadership both political and religious, loves God then the horrors of world war two will not be repeated.
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.”
It is only when mankind turns its back on God’s truths of Love for God, our neighbour and even our enemy, that such a thing as world war two can happen.
The men that started world war two were far from God. Their hearts were filled with hate.
We can never let this happen again. We must stand up to hate, prejudges and intolerance wherever it may be.
We must insist that our political and religious leaders exercise tolerance and show love to all irrespective of their race, colour creed, or their lifestyle.
Martin Luther King Jr. once 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.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more
than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace; help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom  of our LORD and of our God, we pray. Amen.”
Nelson Mandela said,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”Nelson Mandela
I as a Christian believe in Love. Love for God, my neighbour, and my fellow man.
Jesus said
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
These words are a universal truth all people can understand. That if put into practice can and will make the world a better place for all.
Think about it.

God, Faith, You

God, Faith, You
C. S. Lewis writes,
“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.
Over the years I’ve heard many Atheist say there is no God. It is also a fact that no matter what you say to some who claim to be atheist they will not believe what you have to say. Their mind is made up.
To them I say that is your God given choice. God when He created man did not make robots. He gave each person the freedom to believe what they want. That includes the right not to believe in God.
Peter John Kreeft writes,
“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.
That being said I have met people who call themselves atheist but simply have not bothered to look at the Bible. People who have not even read the New Testament. They say there is no God simply because others have told them so, or they have never bothered to look for God.
Believing in God is an act of Faith. The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

You cannot find God if you are not seeking Him. You will not find God if your mind is made up that he does not exist. You must be looking for God.
Thus my Question: Are you looking for God?
If you are, may I suggest you start by reading the New Testament and find out what the early believers in God and Jesus believed.
Then why not visit a Church. I recommend Baptist Churches around the world. Talk to their pastor ask him what they believe and why. Then make up your mind whether God exist or not.
Please think about it.

Christian Belief

Christian Belief
Here for the non-Christian is what I as a Christian believe.
The apostles Creed while not written by any of Christ’s apostles gives a brief overview of basic Christian belief it reads,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
The Gospel of John records this,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30.
Jesus makes it clear he and God are one. Jesus is the Son of God.
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.
Note the writer states that God in the past spoke through the Jewish prophets. But now he speaks through the Son (Jesus) who is the exact representation of God.
Note that Jesus provided purification for sins. The sins of each individual.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He 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.
What I have said I know is hard for non-Christians to believe in but it is what we Christians believe in.
If you have never done so. Why not take some time to read at the very least the New Testament.
Perhaps even visit a Church and talk to the pastor about what he believes.
As this blog is read around the world it’s hard to recommend a specific church. However I recommend Baptist churches as they tend to be secure in what they believe.
You don’t necessarily have to go to a Church service at first. You can go anytime and ask to speak to the pastor about what he believes and why. Any dedicated pastor will take time to speak to you.
Please think about it.

A World without God

A world without God
Rabbi Benjamin Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991).
Rabbi Blech is right. Men will always find ways to justify their actions. Especially if they have no fear of judgement.
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.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
If people truly believe these verses from Ecclesiastes they will do what is right. If on the other hand they do not believe in God then they will behave any way they feel. Hitler and the Nazis proved that.
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.
God is the only true bedrock on which our society can correctly stand. The further society and individuals move away from the absolute moral standards of God the worse society becomes.
Our prison system is full of men and women who do not fear God. The world is full of Terrorist who do not fear the wrath of God.
It has been said the twentieth century was the bloodiest in all of history and it seems with what is going on in the world today that the twenty-first century is turning out as bad.
The world needs God.
It is my belief that if the world does not turn back to God it is heading for an apocalyptic ending the likes of which has never been seen.
There is however hope. 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 teachings of Jesus of love of God, ones neighbour and even ones enemy is perhaps more important today than at any other time in history.
Question: do you want rest for your soul?
You can have rest for your soul. It comes by entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus said,
“...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6 
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.” John 3:16,17.
Are you willing to accept the saving grace Jesus has for you today? Are you willing to let Jesus into your life today?
The option is always open. God is always there waiting for you to ask Him into your life.
As a Christian I believe the following in a nutshell is the way to heaven.
Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”

 Romans 3:23

That “all” means every individual who has ever lived. Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. God’s ideal for our life. Sin separates us from God.
There is however hope for each individual.
 The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

 Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

Faith defined as,

“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.

All one has to do to get to heaven is believe what I said and acknowledge what you believe to God in prayer. A prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe in you. I believe that Jesus is your One and Only Son who came to earth to pay the price for my sins. Please forgive my sins this day and enter my heart and life.
Please direct me and lead me from this day forward.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer in all sincerity I would suggest you start to read the New Testament at first and learn what believers in Christ taught. Read about their beliefs. Then I would suggest you find a Church to attend. I recommend Baptist Churches around the world.    Talk to the Pastor ask him any questions you have. A good Pastor will take time to explain what he believes to you.
Please think about it.

The Way to Heaven

The Way to Heaven
The apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.
The writer of Hebrews speaking of Jesus said,
“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. 
I as a Christian believe Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh. Who died for my sins. But not only that, I believe He rose again from the grave, walked again briefly on this earth, and ascended to heaven to be with God, form where He will one day judge each person.
As a Christian believe the following in brief is the way to heaven.  It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for. I present this for you to think about.
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.” 

John 3:16,17.

Speaking to the apostle Thomas Jesus said,

...“I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”  

John 14:6b

   Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”

 Romans 3:23

That all means every individual who has ever lived. Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. God’s ideal for our life. Sin separates us from God.
There is however hope for each individual.
 The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

 Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Hebrews 11:6.

The fact is God cares for each person. At the same time God realizes that man cannot live a life good enough to stand before him. God realizes that man is flawed and does things God does not want him to do.
That’s why in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ he entered the world to show man how much He loved him. To in human terms go as far as He could to reconcile each individual to himself.
C. S. Lewis the Christian writer noted this of Christian belief,

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, 

but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  

C.S. Lewis.

As the Apostle Paul states. Entering heaven is an act of faith on the part of the individual. God out of love for His creation, in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ reached down to man and said I love you.
All God asks of the individual is to have faith that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins.
If you believe what I have written why not take a moment and from your heart say this prayer. A prayer in which you are simply acknowledging Jesus is the Son of God and are accepting Him as your Lord and saviour. The one who died for your sins.
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe in you. I believe that Jesus is your one and Only Son. Who paid the price for my sins.
     I admit that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. Please forgive me of my sins.
I accept your Saving Grace that comes through Jesus Christ.
I give you permission to come into my heart and life today. Guide me and show me your will for my life.
In Jesus name I pray Amen.
If you do not believe what I have said. All I can do is ask you to read the New Testament and see what believers in Christ teach. Then decide for yourself if what I have said is true.
To quote C. S. Lewis,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance,

 and if true, of infinite importance. 

The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” 

C. S. Lewis

Please think about it.

God Exists

God Exists
Do you believe there is a God?
The Bible dose not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers in God. Thus there was no need to defend God. Nor does God need defending.
The apostle Paul speaking to the Stoics, Epicureans and others at the Areopagus in Athens said,
“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 17:24-31.
 The one who rose from the dead was Jesus.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh. We believe the apostle John who states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
As Christians we believe what is referred to as “The Word” is Jesus. He is God.  The God who created the heavens and the earth. God who loved each individual so much He entered His creation in the form of Jesus to point mankind to himself.
The writer of Hebrews explains,
“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.
  All of what I said is true. However I know many would not believe it. It comes down to an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews telling 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.

Thus the choice is simple you either believe in God and that Jesus is his one and Only Son, the Saviour of mankind or you do not.
Before you answer the question however I would ask that you at least take some time to read the New Testament for your self. Then make your decision.
Please think about it

Three Quotes and an Explanation

Three Quotes and an Explanation
The Quotes
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
The writer of Ecclesiastes,
“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.
C. S. Lewis states,
“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.
The Explanation
I have no doubt God exists and as a Christian I believe that He in the form of His one and only Son entered His creation to point mankind to himself.
You can say God does not exist. But unless you’ve at the least been everywhere then the possibility exists that God exists where you have not been. And as far as I know, no one living today has been beyond the grave.
Thus if you don’t believe in God, I would ask are you so completely confident in what you believe?
As a Christian I believe in God. I also believe we cannot live a life good enough to stand before a holy God. As C. S. Lewis puts it,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
That is why Jesus came into the world.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.
Paul also 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.
It is through the love and grace of God that we get to heaven. We cannot work for it.
God will one day judge every person that has ever lived. However as Christians we believe that the wrongs we have done are forgiven when we confess them to Jesus and accept His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
The apostle Paul does admit
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
God does not do things the way man would do things. God requires faith. The writer of Hebrews telling 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.

God does exist. God will one day judge each person who has ever lived this is a fact whether you believe it or not.
So the question is do you believe in God and have you accepted the saving Grace of God, by accepting Jesus God’s one and only Son as your Saviour.
Please think about it.

I have heard "The Song"

I have heard "The Song"
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
This is a nice little narrative I can relate to. Just outside my office window all summer I have had a Robin singing.  For some time I would slip out onto the patio and couldn’t see it. I knew it was there. I could here it. It wasn’t until some weeks had passed that I seen it in its nest tucked up inside a corner of my gazebo.
Thus it is with God. If we are honest we will admit God exists because we can see him in all creation. The psalmist writes,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.

The perfection of the universe from the smallest sub atomic particle to the largest galaxy and everything in the middle tells us there is a divine creator.
We may not see Him at first but if we are truly looking for God, God will reveal himself to us.
The book of Acts gives us this sermon spoken by the apostle Paul in Athens to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers,
“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 17:22-34.
As the book of acts states some people believed Paul some rejected what he said and some wanted to hear more. In which group are you?
I admit it takes faith to believe in God. To believe what Christians in particular believe. The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

God knows people who have faith in anything are the strongest of all believers. That is why he requires people to have faith in Him.
Please think about it.  

The Way

The Way
Thomas Aquinas said,
“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.” Thomas Aquinas.
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 as a Christian can testify that the words of Jesus are true.
I have gone through many things in my life. I have experienced many hard times as well as good times. Still through it all God has been there for me.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said of the Christian life,

“The Christian life is not a constant high. 

I have my moments of deep discouragement. 

I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 

'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” 

Billy Graham.

The key to a Christian life is the Christians always knows God is there for them no matter what the circumstances. Jesus is our hope.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“And hope does not disappoint us, 

because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, 

whom he has given us. 

You see, at just the right time, 

when we were still powerless, 

Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, 

though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:5-8.

  To quote Billy Graham again,
“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.
I know to the non-Christian this seems foolish the apostle Paul even said,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Put simply we Christians believe getting to heaven is a matter of faith. The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6.

Faith is the key to what Christians believe. God knows those who have faith in something are the strongest of believers.
God also knows it can be very difficult to believe in something or someone you cannot see or touch. That I believe is why God asks for faith. Not because it is easy but because it is hard.
Please think about it.