To the Athenians and you
The other day I was thinking about various sermons I had read over the years it brought to mind one of the oldest recorded sermons in Christendom that of Paul to the Athenians.
Paul was speaking at the Areopagus (the Hill of Aries) or Mars hill as the Romans called.
It was by the time the Apostle Paul spoke in it an important meeting place where philosophy, religion and law were discussed. It prompted me to read what Paul said there.
He was invited by the Stoics and Epicureans to speak there and he delivered a strait forward message for them and I believe you dear reader to think about, he said,
“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.
Think about it
About Me
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
A Sign
A sign
“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
He replied,“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.”
Matthew 16:1-4
Here the Pharisees and Sadducees normally enemies had got together against their perceived common enemy Jesus.
They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. They had no faith in him which is more than likely why Jesus refused to give them a sign.
He said the only sign they would have was the sign of Jonah. It was something Jesus had spoke of previously. Matthew recording,
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 12:40.
The religious leaders of his day were against him. I don’t think it would have mattered how many signs Jesus gave it would not have been enough.
The same is true today.
There are many things that point to Jesus being who he said he was, Lord and God, both inside and outside the Bible. Yet no matter how many proofs are given many will not believe.
I have found over the years that true seekers. People who are truly seeking meaning to life will see the truth about Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour of their life.
Think about it
“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
He replied,“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.”
Matthew 16:1-4
Here the Pharisees and Sadducees normally enemies had got together against their perceived common enemy Jesus.
They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. They had no faith in him which is more than likely why Jesus refused to give them a sign.
He said the only sign they would have was the sign of Jonah. It was something Jesus had spoke of previously. Matthew recording,
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 12:40.
The religious leaders of his day were against him. I don’t think it would have mattered how many signs Jesus gave it would not have been enough.
The same is true today.
There are many things that point to Jesus being who he said he was, Lord and God, both inside and outside the Bible. Yet no matter how many proofs are given many will not believe.
I have found over the years that true seekers. People who are truly seeking meaning to life will see the truth about Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour of their life.
Think about it
Monday, 28 April 2014
An interesting Thought
An interesting thought
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
Matthew 15:21-28
Here we have someone Matthew referrers to as a Canaanite woman, a none Jew.
Jesus had come to the Jewish nation first. His ministry was directly to the Jews of his day. Yet this woman come to him and wants him to heal her child of demon possession.
Jesus reminds her his message is for the Jews and in rather strong terms says,
It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
To which she replies,
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
To which “Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
I believe it is possible for people other than Christians to believe Jesus is who he says he is the One and Only Son of God.
I believe there are a lot of people around the world today within other faiths that can accept Jesus’ teachings.
The Koran mentions Jesus numerous times. And the Jews recognize Jesus as at the very least a good man and teacher.
But he is more than that. He is the risen Son of God.
Christians are the only group in the world that claim their founder died, rose again to walk the earth and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
This is a claim made in the Bible a book of faith recognized by some other faiths.
So it is possible to believe Jesus is who he said he is and still not attend a Christian group of any kind.
The important thing however is to believe that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. That he came to earth to die for our sins the apostle Paul noting,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
This is the key to believing Jesus is who he said he is. Jesus is God reaching down to man. Again the apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
No one is born a Christian. Becoming a Christian is an act of faith. It is stepping out and believing Jesus is all he said he is. Believing all that the Bible says he is.
For those who do believe Jesus is the Son of God. The ideal scenario is to find a group of other believers and join with them as this is the best way to grow as a Christian.
Still if that is not possible there is a lot of good places on the internet to get information. Sermons, and Bible studies are readily available to help one grown in Christ.
Many like Day of Discovery will even send you information and daily devotional books free of charge.
Many churches post their Sunday sermon on line for people to hear.
So if you can’t for whatever reason get to a church or Christian group look one up on the web.
But like anything else on the internet beware. Be cautious of those who would ask for money all the time. Especially those who promise a vast return on you investment.
One of the best sights I’ve found is mentioned above, Day of Discovery also known as RBC Ministries (rbc.org).
While I have never been to them I’ve read many articles from Berean Bible Church (bereanbiblefamily.org) that are good and up lifting.
I also recommend Living Truth at livingtruth.ca who also have pod casts. And of course anything by Billy Graham. Just to mention a few.
Still if it is possible I recommend attending a good church.
Think about it.
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
Matthew 15:21-28
Here we have someone Matthew referrers to as a Canaanite woman, a none Jew.
Jesus had come to the Jewish nation first. His ministry was directly to the Jews of his day. Yet this woman come to him and wants him to heal her child of demon possession.
Jesus reminds her his message is for the Jews and in rather strong terms says,
It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
To which she replies,
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
To which “Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
I believe it is possible for people other than Christians to believe Jesus is who he says he is the One and Only Son of God.
I believe there are a lot of people around the world today within other faiths that can accept Jesus’ teachings.
The Koran mentions Jesus numerous times. And the Jews recognize Jesus as at the very least a good man and teacher.
But he is more than that. He is the risen Son of God.
Christians are the only group in the world that claim their founder died, rose again to walk the earth and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
This is a claim made in the Bible a book of faith recognized by some other faiths.
So it is possible to believe Jesus is who he said he is and still not attend a Christian group of any kind.
The important thing however is to believe that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. That he came to earth to die for our sins the apostle Paul noting,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
This is the key to believing Jesus is who he said he is. Jesus is God reaching down to man. Again the apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
No one is born a Christian. Becoming a Christian is an act of faith. It is stepping out and believing Jesus is all he said he is. Believing all that the Bible says he is.
For those who do believe Jesus is the Son of God. The ideal scenario is to find a group of other believers and join with them as this is the best way to grow as a Christian.
Still if that is not possible there is a lot of good places on the internet to get information. Sermons, and Bible studies are readily available to help one grown in Christ.
Many like Day of Discovery will even send you information and daily devotional books free of charge.
Many churches post their Sunday sermon on line for people to hear.
So if you can’t for whatever reason get to a church or Christian group look one up on the web.
But like anything else on the internet beware. Be cautious of those who would ask for money all the time. Especially those who promise a vast return on you investment.
One of the best sights I’ve found is mentioned above, Day of Discovery also known as RBC Ministries (rbc.org).
While I have never been to them I’ve read many articles from Berean Bible Church (bereanbiblefamily.org) that are good and up lifting.
I also recommend Living Truth at livingtruth.ca who also have pod casts. And of course anything by Billy Graham. Just to mention a few.
Still if it is possible I recommend attending a good church.
Think about it.
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Clean and Unclean a Warning
Clean & Unclean a Warning
"Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.
What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ”
Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.
“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-20
Here Jesus points out that it’s not what we eat or take into our bodies that makes us unclean but what comes out of us.
Our words our deeds make us unclean. The fact that we eat with dirty hands is not the big deal the pharisees make it out to be.
By the time of Jesus the religious higher archy had formed tradition upon tradition. Rules around every law God had ordained to try and prevent people from breaking the law.
It had become so strict that the man made rules had become as important as the law itself. Making it very hard to be observant to the rules for the average person.
He notes that what we take in means little but what comes out of our mouth from our heart is what defiles us.
He states, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
The other point He makes is that the Pharisees were also breaking the law. Jesus noting,
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Within the church there are such people today. Pastors and evangelist who would say give to my ministry and God will give you back ten, fifty a hundred fold.
They have encouraged people to the point that especially those of meager means or the elderly have given far more than they could afford only to find the money doesn’t come back.
Don’t get me wrong I think we should give to our home church first what we can afford. A tithe of any amount. But we should not be giving so much as to make ourselves a burden on others.
There are many even in the church today that are not of God. They may look like honest preachers and evangelist but they are not of God.
These people whom God has not planted will one day be uprooted and burned in the fire.
The point here I believe is to be where of these people.
Think about it.
"Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.
What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ”
Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.
“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-20
Here Jesus points out that it’s not what we eat or take into our bodies that makes us unclean but what comes out of us.
Our words our deeds make us unclean. The fact that we eat with dirty hands is not the big deal the pharisees make it out to be.
By the time of Jesus the religious higher archy had formed tradition upon tradition. Rules around every law God had ordained to try and prevent people from breaking the law.
It had become so strict that the man made rules had become as important as the law itself. Making it very hard to be observant to the rules for the average person.
He notes that what we take in means little but what comes out of our mouth from our heart is what defiles us.
He states, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
The other point He makes is that the Pharisees were also breaking the law. Jesus noting,
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Within the church there are such people today. Pastors and evangelist who would say give to my ministry and God will give you back ten, fifty a hundred fold.
They have encouraged people to the point that especially those of meager means or the elderly have given far more than they could afford only to find the money doesn’t come back.
Don’t get me wrong I think we should give to our home church first what we can afford. A tithe of any amount. But we should not be giving so much as to make ourselves a burden on others.
There are many even in the church today that are not of God. They may look like honest preachers and evangelist but they are not of God.
These people whom God has not planted will one day be uprooted and burned in the fire.
The point here I believe is to be where of these people.
Think about it.
Saturday, 26 April 2014
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus Walks on Water
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.
Friday, 25 April 2014
The Five Thousand and You
The Five thousand and You
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus always attracted a crowd such was his teachings that people wanted to hear him.
I always think of it in modern terms as Billy Graham being followed by the crowds he had in the arenas.
It must have been incredible to see.
The crowds that followed Jesus witnessed fantastic things. They seen him preform miracles and other things such as the feeding of the five thousand men mentioned here along with women and children.
Yet in the end these people were not around when it came to the crucifixion. There the mob whipped up by those who were against Jesus politically cried crucify him.
All the good Jesus did ultimately, come the day of his trial before Pilot meant nothing.
Pilot is recorded as saying,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
Luke 23:13,14
His wife advising him saying,
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19.
Pilot was in a bind. He couldn’t afford a riot. That would look bad in Rome so in the name of political expediency he gave in to the Jewish leaders and let him die.
Would it have been any different today. Who knows.
The one thing we all have to decide on however is Who is Jesus?
Is he a good man, a prophet, a teacher, or is He the One and Only Son of God who wants to have a personal relationship with you.
You dear reader are the one who must decide.
Please think carefully about it.
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus always attracted a crowd such was his teachings that people wanted to hear him.
I always think of it in modern terms as Billy Graham being followed by the crowds he had in the arenas.
It must have been incredible to see.
The crowds that followed Jesus witnessed fantastic things. They seen him preform miracles and other things such as the feeding of the five thousand men mentioned here along with women and children.
Yet in the end these people were not around when it came to the crucifixion. There the mob whipped up by those who were against Jesus politically cried crucify him.
All the good Jesus did ultimately, come the day of his trial before Pilot meant nothing.
Pilot is recorded as saying,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
Luke 23:13,14
His wife advising him saying,
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19.
Pilot was in a bind. He couldn’t afford a riot. That would look bad in Rome so in the name of political expediency he gave in to the Jewish leaders and let him die.
Would it have been any different today. Who knows.
The one thing we all have to decide on however is Who is Jesus?
Is he a good man, a prophet, a teacher, or is He the One and Only Son of God who wants to have a personal relationship with you.
You dear reader are the one who must decide.
Please think carefully about it.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Jesus Herod and John's Beheading
Jesus Herod and John's beheading
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.”
Matthew14:1-12
A quick History lesson, Heodias, was at the time of John the Baptist beheading the wife of Herod Antipas. However she’d been the wife of his brother. Herod had convinced her to marry him. Something forbidden under Jewish law while the brother was living.
It was their relationship that John was speaking against.
His actions obviously upset Herodias enough to want to kill him.
Scripture records, “Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.”
Still he had him in prison.
It was only after the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod that he gave her what she asked for, John’s head on a platter.
What I think is important here is how Jesus reacts. Matthew records,
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”
Matthew 14:13a.
Jesus did not as they say come out swinging. He didn’t call Herod a murderer. Instead he left the area.
There were probably two reasons. One the obvious being that Jesus didn’t want to upset Herod and incur his wrath because it wasn’t time for him to go to the cross yet.
The other could have been as simple, although it is not said in scripture, Jesus forgave Herod.
Jesus knew that John’s ministry had to diminish as his increased and unfortunately this is the way it went.
This was obviously a crisis for Jesus but he handled it well. He moved away from the area and continued with his ministry.
There’s a lesson to be learned here for Christians. It concerns how we handle a crisis in our life.
Some complain and say why me. Some blame it on the devil. Others simply pick things up and continue on.
I know when our house burned down. It was a tragic event. We lost all our earthly possessions in less than an hour. Making it worse we had no insurance.
I was working night shift at the time a hundred twenty kilometres away from home.
I remember my wife calling me and leaving work in a hurry.
I also remember that for the almost two hours it took to get there I prayed like I have never prayed before.
But believe it or not today I joke and say it was the easiest move we ever made. It was as it turned out the best.
We moved over a hundred fifty kilometres that day to what is now our home.
The fire happened on Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon we were calling people to tell them to stop giving us things.
In less than thirty-six hours we had a new place to live, someone had donated a livingroom suite. Others beds and clothing as well as dishes plates and cooking utensils. Everything we needed to start our lives over. God had provided. For which I am very thankful.
At the time our children were young and really don’t remember it. Which is good.
What our kids do remember is being brought up in and excellent Church with strong Christian principles that encourage living the Christian lifestyle here in St. Catharines. It may not have happened where we lived previously.
Today not only my wife and I are serving the Lord, but our now adult Children are also. Both work diligently as volunteers in their church. Sometimes I think they live there.
Our youngest son now a carpenter uses his skills by going on a missions trip every year for a month to help various missions. He helps in the building of Schools and orphanages as well as other things.
He even helped in the rebuilding of some homes after hurricane Katriana.
Jesus I believe set the example for us.
He faced adversity yet he didn’t complain he simply did what God called him to do.
Are you?
Think about it.
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.”
Matthew14:1-12
A quick History lesson, Heodias, was at the time of John the Baptist beheading the wife of Herod Antipas. However she’d been the wife of his brother. Herod had convinced her to marry him. Something forbidden under Jewish law while the brother was living.
It was their relationship that John was speaking against.
His actions obviously upset Herodias enough to want to kill him.
Scripture records, “Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.”
Still he had him in prison.
It was only after the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod that he gave her what she asked for, John’s head on a platter.
What I think is important here is how Jesus reacts. Matthew records,
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”
Matthew 14:13a.
Jesus did not as they say come out swinging. He didn’t call Herod a murderer. Instead he left the area.
There were probably two reasons. One the obvious being that Jesus didn’t want to upset Herod and incur his wrath because it wasn’t time for him to go to the cross yet.
The other could have been as simple, although it is not said in scripture, Jesus forgave Herod.
Jesus knew that John’s ministry had to diminish as his increased and unfortunately this is the way it went.
This was obviously a crisis for Jesus but he handled it well. He moved away from the area and continued with his ministry.
There’s a lesson to be learned here for Christians. It concerns how we handle a crisis in our life.
Some complain and say why me. Some blame it on the devil. Others simply pick things up and continue on.
I know when our house burned down. It was a tragic event. We lost all our earthly possessions in less than an hour. Making it worse we had no insurance.
I was working night shift at the time a hundred twenty kilometres away from home.
I remember my wife calling me and leaving work in a hurry.
I also remember that for the almost two hours it took to get there I prayed like I have never prayed before.
But believe it or not today I joke and say it was the easiest move we ever made. It was as it turned out the best.
We moved over a hundred fifty kilometres that day to what is now our home.
The fire happened on Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon we were calling people to tell them to stop giving us things.
In less than thirty-six hours we had a new place to live, someone had donated a livingroom suite. Others beds and clothing as well as dishes plates and cooking utensils. Everything we needed to start our lives over. God had provided. For which I am very thankful.
At the time our children were young and really don’t remember it. Which is good.
What our kids do remember is being brought up in and excellent Church with strong Christian principles that encourage living the Christian lifestyle here in St. Catharines. It may not have happened where we lived previously.
Today not only my wife and I are serving the Lord, but our now adult Children are also. Both work diligently as volunteers in their church. Sometimes I think they live there.
Our youngest son now a carpenter uses his skills by going on a missions trip every year for a month to help various missions. He helps in the building of Schools and orphanages as well as other things.
He even helped in the rebuilding of some homes after hurricane Katriana.
Jesus I believe set the example for us.
He faced adversity yet he didn’t complain he simply did what God called him to do.
Are you?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Faith in Jesus
Faith in Jesus
“When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Matthew 13:53-58.
Here Jesus is in his home town teaching. He obviously did some miracles although not many vs 58 noting “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
His home town is similar to today. Miracles do happen but not as many as could happen if people had more faith.
Still Jesus did not come to be a miracle worker. He came to reconcile man to God. Jesus himself saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Like the people in Jesus home town the people in the world today have the choice to accept Him as Lord and Savior or turn away from him.
The choice is always there it is up to the individual to decide.
Think about it.
“When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Matthew 13:53-58.
Here Jesus is in his home town teaching. He obviously did some miracles although not many vs 58 noting “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
His home town is similar to today. Miracles do happen but not as many as could happen if people had more faith.
Still Jesus did not come to be a miracle worker. He came to reconcile man to God. Jesus himself saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Like the people in Jesus home town the people in the world today have the choice to accept Him as Lord and Savior or turn away from him.
The choice is always there it is up to the individual to decide.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
The Great Commission
The Great Commission
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
This is why we Christians do as we do. We are called by our Lord and Saviour to go into all the world and tell all who will listen about the Salvation that can only come through Jesus Christ.
We are to teach what Jesus taught.
Jesus said
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
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
“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
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
This is the message we have for the world. In Jesus God reached down to man. We did not have to earn our salvation. The apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
And the writer of Hebrews writing,
“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 being
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
This is why we Christians do as we do. We are called by our Lord and Saviour to go into all the world and tell all who will listen about the Salvation that can only come through Jesus Christ.
We are to teach what Jesus taught.
Jesus said
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
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
“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
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
This is the message we have for the world. In Jesus God reached down to man. We did not have to earn our salvation. The apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
And the writer of Hebrews writing,
“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 being
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
Monday, 21 April 2014
What Christians Believe
What Christians believe
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
Luke 24:50-53
What an incredible moment in history. Jesus had rose from the dead and had walked the earth. He had been seen by many people and now scripture records he was taken up to heaven.
This is an event no other religion in the world has ever claimed about their founder.
Jesus died, was buried, descended into hell, rose to walk on this earth again and ascended into heaven.
Jesus told his disciples,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John14:1-4
It is a place all believers will go in due time. Nothing can separate us from that. Not all the persecution in the world.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Romans 8:34-39
In short no matter what happens to us as Christians we win.
It is this hope of eternal life that propels Christians to this day.
We have a message for the world.
That message being one of the love of God who reached down to his creation. To mankind and said I love you.
Through Jesus God truly understands what man is going through that is why he can judge us fairly.
Jesus who is God incarnate experienced all that there was to be a man. He knew what it was like to be tempted.
Jesus knew what it was like to do the mundane things in life. To walk along a dusty road, to feel the sun and the rain.
He knew what it was like to be loved. He understood the power of his fame. What it was like to have large crowds all around him.
Jesus also understood what it was like to be falsely accused of something he didn’t do. What it was like to feel the lash of men who hated him and put him to death in a most hideous way.
Yet while on the cross in agony he still said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34a
The last recorded words of Jesus before going to heaven were,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
The way to heaven Jesus speaks about is simple,
Christians believe
Christians believe It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“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.
Christians believe the word of Paul to the Romans,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
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.
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,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
Luke 24:50-53
What an incredible moment in history. Jesus had rose from the dead and had walked the earth. He had been seen by many people and now scripture records he was taken up to heaven.
This is an event no other religion in the world has ever claimed about their founder.
Jesus died, was buried, descended into hell, rose to walk on this earth again and ascended into heaven.
Jesus told his disciples,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John14:1-4
It is a place all believers will go in due time. Nothing can separate us from that. Not all the persecution in the world.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Romans 8:34-39
In short no matter what happens to us as Christians we win.
It is this hope of eternal life that propels Christians to this day.
We have a message for the world.
That message being one of the love of God who reached down to his creation. To mankind and said I love you.
Through Jesus God truly understands what man is going through that is why he can judge us fairly.
Jesus who is God incarnate experienced all that there was to be a man. He knew what it was like to be tempted.
Jesus knew what it was like to do the mundane things in life. To walk along a dusty road, to feel the sun and the rain.
He knew what it was like to be loved. He understood the power of his fame. What it was like to have large crowds all around him.
Jesus also understood what it was like to be falsely accused of something he didn’t do. What it was like to feel the lash of men who hated him and put him to death in a most hideous way.
Yet while on the cross in agony he still said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34a
The last recorded words of Jesus before going to heaven were,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
The way to heaven Jesus speaks about is simple,
Christians believe
Christians believe It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“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.
Christians believe the word of Paul to the Romans,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
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.
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,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Sunday, 20 April 2014
The Resurrection of Christ
The Resurrection
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Luke 24:1-11
The resurrection of Jesus is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions.
It is the cornerstone of our faith. Without the resurrection our faith has no meaning.
Jesus needed to overcome death and hell to truly be the Savior of the world.
Still when told about the resurrection the disciples who’d been with Jesus, who’d sat under his teachings for three years listened to the reports of the women and as Luke records “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Their attitudes however would soon change. They would go on to see the resurrected Christ and bear witness to it throughout the world.
Still however many in the world today do not believe. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians,
“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.
While it may seem foolish it is the truth. If it were a lie it would be the biggest lie ever in the history of humanity.
The early Christians believed it.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian, NOT A CHRISTIAN.
He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders. [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Think about it.
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Luke 24:1-11
The resurrection of Jesus is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions.
It is the cornerstone of our faith. Without the resurrection our faith has no meaning.
Jesus needed to overcome death and hell to truly be the Savior of the world.
Still when told about the resurrection the disciples who’d been with Jesus, who’d sat under his teachings for three years listened to the reports of the women and as Luke records “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Their attitudes however would soon change. They would go on to see the resurrected Christ and bear witness to it throughout the world.
Still however many in the world today do not believe. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians,
“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.
While it may seem foolish it is the truth. If it were a lie it would be the biggest lie ever in the history of humanity.
The early Christians believed it.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian, NOT A CHRISTIAN.
He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders. [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Think about it.
Saturday, 19 April 2014
His Burial
His Burial
Luke records,
“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.
Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.
Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
Luke 23:50-56
Matthew records
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”
Matthew 27:57-61
I have no doubt that this was the lowest point in the lives of the believers.
They had sat under the teachings of Jesus for the better part of three years yet they still didn’t understand the full ramifications of what he had said.
They were human and at this point in time had no comprehension about the resurrection.
They were in deep mourning for the lost of a friend and a teacher.
Sometime ago a man wrote the following. I think is sums up the life of Jesus and what Joseph and Mary the mother of Christ who had been with him from the beginning might have felt.
What would she do now? Her mind vacillated, uncontrollably between joy and uncertainty. She could hide it, at least for a while. But, then tongues would wag. It was a small village. Everyone knew everyone. Word of her condition would spread along the gossip highway. She’d be disgraced!
Still she knew it was of God and deep inside she knew it would all work out.
Then she thought Joseph! ... what of her fiancé? He’d have no choice, but to let her go. He hadn’t done a thing, yet, he’d get the blame. Just for the sake of his reputation, she’d have to go. She’d have to face this alone. For a moment, her racing mind slowed, as she thought about what she’d been told. ELIZABETH! Elizabeth. The angel had said Elizabeth was with child. She would understand, she would know what to do. She’d go to Elizabeth.
Joseph
PREGNANT. What has she done! How could she have done such a thing! He loved her. He thought she loved him...
For a moment, his mind became a whirling dervish of thoughts and emotions out of control.
How could she bring such a disgrace down on both of them, like this. How was it possible...
Then as suddenly as it started, the tirade in his mind abated, allowing the love he felt for her to surface. Despite what she had apparently done, he still loved her. Yet, her condition seemed to say, she did not love him.
Perhaps, by divorcing her quietly, it would make it easier for her. Joseph lay back on his bed and fell asleep.
O what joyous night! What blessed revelation! What blessed assurance! He would make Mary, his wife! Just as the angel had commanded. Together, they would rejoice that Mary had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.
Together, they would rejoice with the shepherds, as they told of the visit from the heavenly host.
They would give praises to God with Simeon and Anna, as they gave thanks for the fulfillment of His promise to Israel!
They would make haste fleeing along the dusty roads to Egypt.
Mary, would feel the anguish of a mother watching her own son die in agony on a Gentile cross under a blackened sky.
She would also experience the elation of the empty tomb, the resurrection of her LORD and the love of her God.
Have you?
Think about it.
Luke records,
“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.
Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.
Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
Luke 23:50-56
Matthew records
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”
Matthew 27:57-61
I have no doubt that this was the lowest point in the lives of the believers.
They had sat under the teachings of Jesus for the better part of three years yet they still didn’t understand the full ramifications of what he had said.
They were human and at this point in time had no comprehension about the resurrection.
They were in deep mourning for the lost of a friend and a teacher.
Sometime ago a man wrote the following. I think is sums up the life of Jesus and what Joseph and Mary the mother of Christ who had been with him from the beginning might have felt.
Images of Love
MaryWhat would she do now? Her mind vacillated, uncontrollably between joy and uncertainty. She could hide it, at least for a while. But, then tongues would wag. It was a small village. Everyone knew everyone. Word of her condition would spread along the gossip highway. She’d be disgraced!
Still she knew it was of God and deep inside she knew it would all work out.
Then she thought Joseph! ... what of her fiancé? He’d have no choice, but to let her go. He hadn’t done a thing, yet, he’d get the blame. Just for the sake of his reputation, she’d have to go. She’d have to face this alone. For a moment, her racing mind slowed, as she thought about what she’d been told. ELIZABETH! Elizabeth. The angel had said Elizabeth was with child. She would understand, she would know what to do. She’d go to Elizabeth.
Joseph
PREGNANT. What has she done! How could she have done such a thing! He loved her. He thought she loved him...
For a moment, his mind became a whirling dervish of thoughts and emotions out of control.
How could she bring such a disgrace down on both of them, like this. How was it possible...
Then as suddenly as it started, the tirade in his mind abated, allowing the love he felt for her to surface. Despite what she had apparently done, he still loved her. Yet, her condition seemed to say, she did not love him.
Perhaps, by divorcing her quietly, it would make it easier for her. Joseph lay back on his bed and fell asleep.
O what joyous night! What blessed revelation! What blessed assurance! He would make Mary, his wife! Just as the angel had commanded. Together, they would rejoice that Mary had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.
Together, they would rejoice with the shepherds, as they told of the visit from the heavenly host.
They would give praises to God with Simeon and Anna, as they gave thanks for the fulfillment of His promise to Israel!
They would make haste fleeing along the dusty roads to Egypt.
Mary, would feel the anguish of a mother watching her own son die in agony on a Gentile cross under a blackened sky.
She would also experience the elation of the empty tomb, the resurrection of her LORD and the love of her God.
Have you?
Think about it.
Friday, 18 April 2014
The Death of Jesus
The Death of Jesus
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.”
Matthew 27:26-51
Here we have the death of Jesus. Jesus calls our “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
On that moment on the cross Jesus became the perfect sin sacrifice for all mankind. For that moment he was separated from God.
But that separation would be brief. He would descend into hell and conquer death and sin and rising again to this world going on to ascend into heaven. Allowing salvation to come to all who would believe in Him.
The crucifixion also highlights the choice for mankind.
In the two criminals that were put to death with Jesus, Luke records,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left....
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:32,33, 39-43
Each criminal on that day had a choice. The same choice we have today.
One rejected Jesus mocking him. Not believing He was the Messiah.
The other confessed his sin to Jesus even confessed his belief that Jesus was who he said he was and asked that Jesus forgive his sins. To which Jesus replied,“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus made it clear when he said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
To all mankind Jesus calls out saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
As a Christian I can honestly say that, those words are true.
No matter what I have gone through in life from my deepest valleys to the highest points of my life. God has always been with me.
I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am redeemed of God. That one day I will stand before God and he will accept me as one of His own.
My prayer for you dear reader is that you will come into that peace only Jesus can give.
Please think about letting Jesus into your heart and life this day.
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.”
Matthew 27:26-51
Here we have the death of Jesus. Jesus calls our “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
On that moment on the cross Jesus became the perfect sin sacrifice for all mankind. For that moment he was separated from God.
But that separation would be brief. He would descend into hell and conquer death and sin and rising again to this world going on to ascend into heaven. Allowing salvation to come to all who would believe in Him.
The crucifixion also highlights the choice for mankind.
In the two criminals that were put to death with Jesus, Luke records,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left....
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:32,33, 39-43
Each criminal on that day had a choice. The same choice we have today.
One rejected Jesus mocking him. Not believing He was the Messiah.
The other confessed his sin to Jesus even confessed his belief that Jesus was who he said he was and asked that Jesus forgive his sins. To which Jesus replied,“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus made it clear when he said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
To all mankind Jesus calls out saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
As a Christian I can honestly say that, those words are true.
No matter what I have gone through in life from my deepest valleys to the highest points of my life. God has always been with me.
I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am redeemed of God. That one day I will stand before God and he will accept me as one of His own.
My prayer for you dear reader is that you will come into that peace only Jesus can give.
Please think about letting Jesus into your heart and life this day.
Thursday, 17 April 2014
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion
“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.”
Mark 15:33-41
The Crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is the most holy moment of the Christian faith.
At this moment in time we Christians believe that Jesus took upon himself the sin of the entire world.
It is a seminal event in the history of the world. John the Baptist said of Jesus,
...“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29b.
Jesus showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile fallen mankind to himself.
Yet some today would deny that this happened. However there is proof outside the Bible in none other than the Jewish Talmud,
The Talmud makes note of Jesus' crucifixion. It is dated as "on the eve of the Feast of the Passover" in agreement with the Gospel (Luke 22:1; John 19:31). Similar again to the Gospel (Matt. 27:51),
Flavius Josephus in his book, The Jewish War, also confirmed these events.
Although not explicitly referred to by name, later rabbis identify the person as Jesus. These references to Jesus are neither sympathetic to Him or His Church. Also these writings were preserved through the centuries by Jews, so Christians cannot be accused of tampering with the text.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Note what Josephus states, “They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.”
Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the suffering Messiah spoken of by Isaiah in chapter 53 of his book,
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:3-6.
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.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10,11.
Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. He became the ultimate sacrifice that we may have eternal life. A life with God.
Think about it.
“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.”
Mark 15:33-41
The Crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is the most holy moment of the Christian faith.
At this moment in time we Christians believe that Jesus took upon himself the sin of the entire world.
It is a seminal event in the history of the world. John the Baptist said of Jesus,
...“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29b.
Jesus showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile fallen mankind to himself.
Yet some today would deny that this happened. However there is proof outside the Bible in none other than the Jewish Talmud,
The Talmud makes note of Jesus' crucifixion. It is dated as "on the eve of the Feast of the Passover" in agreement with the Gospel (Luke 22:1; John 19:31). Similar again to the Gospel (Matt. 27:51),
Flavius Josephus in his book, The Jewish War, also confirmed these events.
Although not explicitly referred to by name, later rabbis identify the person as Jesus. These references to Jesus are neither sympathetic to Him or His Church. Also these writings were preserved through the centuries by Jews, so Christians cannot be accused of tampering with the text.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Note what Josephus states, “They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.”
Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the suffering Messiah spoken of by Isaiah in chapter 53 of his book,
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:3-6.
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.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10,11.
Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. He became the ultimate sacrifice that we may have eternal life. A life with God.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
A Note on Christians
A Note on Christians
Easter is almost upon us and over the next few blog entries I will be writing about it. I however thought it interesting to, for just a moment to point to a quote from outside the Bible about Christians. A quote from Pilny the Younger a non-Christian.
Piliny the Younger was a Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan he wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..."
The book of Acts comments on what the early believers did, noting,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47.
The early church seems to be a together thing. They looked after each other and met together to break bread, the praised God and enjoyed favour of all the people.
Additionally as they continued in this unity the Lord added to their numbers.
People seen in those early believers something they wanted to be a part of. They seen the reality of Christ in the life of those early Christians.
It is something the world needs to see in believer today.
It is something I believe true believers still show today.
Francis of Assisi wrote, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
I believe this is what the early church did. I believe also that this is what true Christians today are still doing.
Think about it.
Easter is almost upon us and over the next few blog entries I will be writing about it. I however thought it interesting to, for just a moment to point to a quote from outside the Bible about Christians. A quote from Pilny the Younger a non-Christian.
Piliny the Younger was a Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan he wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..."
The book of Acts comments on what the early believers did, noting,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47.
The early church seems to be a together thing. They looked after each other and met together to break bread, the praised God and enjoyed favour of all the people.
Additionally as they continued in this unity the Lord added to their numbers.
People seen in those early believers something they wanted to be a part of. They seen the reality of Christ in the life of those early Christians.
It is something the world needs to see in believer today.
It is something I believe true believers still show today.
Francis of Assisi wrote, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
I believe this is what the early church did. I believe also that this is what true Christians today are still doing.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Passover
Passover
“The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbour, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs.
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts.
Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD'S Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
Exodus 12:1-14.
Yesterday as I write this our Jewish friends started to celebrate Passover. The time when the death angel passed over the children of Israel and struck the first born of Egypt.
Egypt can be looked on as the symbol of oppression for all generations.
Over the centuries the Jews have been oppressed by it seems like an endless stream of tyrants. All of these oppressors have come to a sorry end.
Hitler the worst in recent memory killing six million men women and children. Their only crime being born Jewish.
The Jewish people are a remarkable people.
Leo Tolstoy wrote,
“The Jew is the emblem of civil and religious toleration, ‘Love the stranger a sojourner,’ Moses commands, ‘because you have been strangers in the land of Egypt.’ And this was said in those remote and savage times when the principal ambition of the races and nations consisted in crushing and enslaving one another.
As concerns religious toleration, the Jewish faith is not only far from the missionary spirit of converting people of other denominations, but on the contrary the Talmud commands the Rabbis to inform and explain to everyone who willingly comes to accept the Jewish religion, all the difficulties involved in its acceptance, and to point out to the would be proselyte that the righteous of all nations have a share in immortality.
Of such a lofty and ideal religious toleration not even the moralists of our present day can boast.
The Jew is the emblem of eternity. He whom neither slaughter nor torture of thousands of years could destroy, he whom neither fire nor sword nor inquisition was able to wipe off from the face of the earth, he who was the first to produce the oracles of God, he who has been for so long, the guardian of the oracles prophecy, and who transmitted it too the rest of the world—such a nation cannot be destroyed. The law is everlasting as is eternity itself.”
I am a firm believer in blessing Israel when ever possible. In Genesis God made a promise to Abram,
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:1-3.
Today the 15 Nissan 5754 (April 15th 2014) take time to pray for Israel, the Jewish people throughout the world and the peace of Jerusalem.
“The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbour, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs.
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts.
Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD'S Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
Exodus 12:1-14.
Yesterday as I write this our Jewish friends started to celebrate Passover. The time when the death angel passed over the children of Israel and struck the first born of Egypt.
Egypt can be looked on as the symbol of oppression for all generations.
Over the centuries the Jews have been oppressed by it seems like an endless stream of tyrants. All of these oppressors have come to a sorry end.
Hitler the worst in recent memory killing six million men women and children. Their only crime being born Jewish.
The Jewish people are a remarkable people.
Leo Tolstoy wrote,
“The Jew is the emblem of civil and religious toleration, ‘Love the stranger a sojourner,’ Moses commands, ‘because you have been strangers in the land of Egypt.’ And this was said in those remote and savage times when the principal ambition of the races and nations consisted in crushing and enslaving one another.
As concerns religious toleration, the Jewish faith is not only far from the missionary spirit of converting people of other denominations, but on the contrary the Talmud commands the Rabbis to inform and explain to everyone who willingly comes to accept the Jewish religion, all the difficulties involved in its acceptance, and to point out to the would be proselyte that the righteous of all nations have a share in immortality.
Of such a lofty and ideal religious toleration not even the moralists of our present day can boast.
The Jew is the emblem of eternity. He whom neither slaughter nor torture of thousands of years could destroy, he whom neither fire nor sword nor inquisition was able to wipe off from the face of the earth, he who was the first to produce the oracles of God, he who has been for so long, the guardian of the oracles prophecy, and who transmitted it too the rest of the world—such a nation cannot be destroyed. The law is everlasting as is eternity itself.”
I am a firm believer in blessing Israel when ever possible. In Genesis God made a promise to Abram,
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:1-3.
Today the 15 Nissan 5754 (April 15th 2014) take time to pray for Israel, the Jewish people throughout the world and the peace of Jerusalem.
Monday, 14 April 2014
Giving to the Poor
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:42
Here Jesus point to people in need.
We need to have compassion on the poor. It’s easy in our society to look down on a poor person especially someone on the street that may be panhandling.
We have no idea why that person is in the position they are. But if we can afford it, it never hurts to give something.
I heard not to long ago a preacher on television condemning people on welfare calling them “lazy bums.” telling them to go out and get a job.
I know a lot of people on welfare.
Most of those I know are not in the system by choice. Some were laid off from their jobs. Others are on it because of medical reasons.
None of these people like going to the government cap in hand asking for a hand out. It frankly is demeaning. And welfare where I live at least pays far below the poverty line. Making it hard sometimes impossible to make ends meet.
True there are a some who play the system but there not as many as one would like to think.
Most people want to work and many poor people do. The minimum wage where I live is ten dollars an hour a subsistence living at best. Well below the poverty line.
The provincial government realizing it is too low is raising it much to the displeasure of some business groups.
I’ve read that in the United States the basic minimum wage is in some places below five dollars an hour.
This in a country that can’t even offer its citizens a good government health insurance as is done in all other western democracies.
The bottom line is no one in North America can live on five dollars an hour or ten dollars an hour.
Sadly many business groups complain about giving more to those on welfare or raising the minimum wage.
The same business groups that think its fine to allow multinational corporations to go to the government for grants and tax incentives to place their factories in a particular jurisdiction.
What one politician in Canada in the seventies called “corporate welfare bums”.
We as individuals, particularly we as Christian businessmen and women need to be benevolent towards the poor.
The Talmud tells a story that goes like this,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
Now I know there are many Christians out there that give a lot to the poor. Both domestically and to international aid. Christians are for the most part a giving people.
Still we as Christians need, I believe, to look at how we see those in need. We need to reach out to them and help them in any way that we can.
Christian businessmen and women need to look at what they are paying their employees and ask themselves is this enough for them to live on.
We should be lobbying our government to help the poor more.
I’m not saying here we should encourage people who are able bodied to sit around and collect a check.
What I’m saying is we should be helping the poor. If they need a few bucks fine. But if they need training to start earning a good living then companies and the government should be stepping up and offering it.
The old saying “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day teach him to fish and you feed him for life.” is very true.
We’re always going to have poor among us. But it is up to us as a society to help those we can particularly the sick, the disabled and those who cannot truly help themselves.
Keeping them on a subsistence living simply because it’s going to cost the government more money is not a good excuse.
If these persons were captured and in danger of dying at the hands of terrorist the same government that gives little to help the poor, would spend whatever it took to rescue them.
“If there is one area that identifies and unites Jews, no matter what their personal beliefs and practices, it is Tzedakah. Tzedakah is more than charity or philanthropy, noble as they are, more than man’s humanity to man, exalted as that is, more truly it is righteousness and justice. Without these qualities civilization would perish.
It is the highest ideal in Jewish teaching—for it is the highest application of Jewish ethical values. It is Judaism in action—and Judaism is inherently and deeply a religion of action, a way of life, a way of living.”
Jews are encouraged to give ten percent of their income to helping the poor. Even someone who is poor themselves is asked to give although they may give less than ten precent.
And there is an admonishing not to give so much as for you to become a burden on society yourself.
One Jewish teacher gave the levels of Tzedakah
1.Giving begrudgingly
2.Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3.Giving after being asked
4.Giving before being asked
5.Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6.Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7.Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8.Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
I think the above list is something Christians need to look at carefully. Christianity came from Judaism. We share common values. I believe the spirit of Tzedakah should be one of them.
Think about it.
Matthew 5:42
Here Jesus point to people in need.
We need to have compassion on the poor. It’s easy in our society to look down on a poor person especially someone on the street that may be panhandling.
We have no idea why that person is in the position they are. But if we can afford it, it never hurts to give something.
I heard not to long ago a preacher on television condemning people on welfare calling them “lazy bums.” telling them to go out and get a job.
I know a lot of people on welfare.
Most of those I know are not in the system by choice. Some were laid off from their jobs. Others are on it because of medical reasons.
None of these people like going to the government cap in hand asking for a hand out. It frankly is demeaning. And welfare where I live at least pays far below the poverty line. Making it hard sometimes impossible to make ends meet.
True there are a some who play the system but there not as many as one would like to think.
Most people want to work and many poor people do. The minimum wage where I live is ten dollars an hour a subsistence living at best. Well below the poverty line.
The provincial government realizing it is too low is raising it much to the displeasure of some business groups.
I’ve read that in the United States the basic minimum wage is in some places below five dollars an hour.
This in a country that can’t even offer its citizens a good government health insurance as is done in all other western democracies.
The bottom line is no one in North America can live on five dollars an hour or ten dollars an hour.
Sadly many business groups complain about giving more to those on welfare or raising the minimum wage.
The same business groups that think its fine to allow multinational corporations to go to the government for grants and tax incentives to place their factories in a particular jurisdiction.
What one politician in Canada in the seventies called “corporate welfare bums”.
We as individuals, particularly we as Christian businessmen and women need to be benevolent towards the poor.
The Talmud tells a story that goes like this,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
Now I know there are many Christians out there that give a lot to the poor. Both domestically and to international aid. Christians are for the most part a giving people.
Still we as Christians need, I believe, to look at how we see those in need. We need to reach out to them and help them in any way that we can.
Christian businessmen and women need to look at what they are paying their employees and ask themselves is this enough for them to live on.
We should be lobbying our government to help the poor more.
I’m not saying here we should encourage people who are able bodied to sit around and collect a check.
What I’m saying is we should be helping the poor. If they need a few bucks fine. But if they need training to start earning a good living then companies and the government should be stepping up and offering it.
The old saying “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day teach him to fish and you feed him for life.” is very true.
We’re always going to have poor among us. But it is up to us as a society to help those we can particularly the sick, the disabled and those who cannot truly help themselves.
Keeping them on a subsistence living simply because it’s going to cost the government more money is not a good excuse.
If these persons were captured and in danger of dying at the hands of terrorist the same government that gives little to help the poor, would spend whatever it took to rescue them.
We as Christians should be leading the way in benevolence. The Jews have a word for it its called Tzedakah
Philip Bernstein explains it this way,“If there is one area that identifies and unites Jews, no matter what their personal beliefs and practices, it is Tzedakah. Tzedakah is more than charity or philanthropy, noble as they are, more than man’s humanity to man, exalted as that is, more truly it is righteousness and justice. Without these qualities civilization would perish.
It is the highest ideal in Jewish teaching—for it is the highest application of Jewish ethical values. It is Judaism in action—and Judaism is inherently and deeply a religion of action, a way of life, a way of living.”
Jews are encouraged to give ten percent of their income to helping the poor. Even someone who is poor themselves is asked to give although they may give less than ten precent.
And there is an admonishing not to give so much as for you to become a burden on society yourself.
One Jewish teacher gave the levels of Tzedakah
1.Giving begrudgingly
2.Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3.Giving after being asked
4.Giving before being asked
5.Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6.Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7.Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8.Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
I think the above list is something Christians need to look at carefully. Christianity came from Judaism. We share common values. I believe the spirit of Tzedakah should be one of them.
Think about it.
Sunday, 13 April 2014
Treasure
Treasure
“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
Unfortunately many people in the world today particularly in North America are failing to see that the Bible and Jesus are indeed treasures of great price.
They see a material world only. Their only goal in life is to gather as many toys as they can before they die.
I once heard a very rich businessman say “the pursuit of wealth is the most noble of pursuits one can do in this life.”
He dose not believe in anything beyond this life.
My brother an atheist is fond of saying “the one who has all the toys at the end of life is the winner.”
Trouble is at the end of life the toys go to someone else. Materialism is ultimately useless as we come into this world with nothing materially and cannot take any of our material possessions with us.
Ask the Egyptian Pharaoh’s. They were buried with riches but the riches remained in this world while they are long gone to stand before God.
Take a look at particularly the rock stars over the years who have had fame and fortune only to die by their own hand in hopelessness.
A minister friend of mine many years ago sat at the bedside of a very rich man. He’d spent a lifetime accumulating wealth and little else.
He told my friend that while he admitted he liked the fun of acquiring the wealth, it meant nothing to him now as he prepared to enter eternity.
He only wished he’d got to know Christ sooner.
Materialism and for that matter atheism is in the end an empty cup.
The author 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
The book of Ecclesiastes concludes with,
“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
There is an old saying that still rings true. “Only one life will soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Where will you be at the end of your life? Will you stand before God as a pauper and here him say I never knew you, or will he welcome you as his child? The child of a king with all the rights there of.
Think about it.
“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
Unfortunately many people in the world today particularly in North America are failing to see that the Bible and Jesus are indeed treasures of great price.
They see a material world only. Their only goal in life is to gather as many toys as they can before they die.
I once heard a very rich businessman say “the pursuit of wealth is the most noble of pursuits one can do in this life.”
He dose not believe in anything beyond this life.
My brother an atheist is fond of saying “the one who has all the toys at the end of life is the winner.”
Trouble is at the end of life the toys go to someone else. Materialism is ultimately useless as we come into this world with nothing materially and cannot take any of our material possessions with us.
Ask the Egyptian Pharaoh’s. They were buried with riches but the riches remained in this world while they are long gone to stand before God.
Take a look at particularly the rock stars over the years who have had fame and fortune only to die by their own hand in hopelessness.
A minister friend of mine many years ago sat at the bedside of a very rich man. He’d spent a lifetime accumulating wealth and little else.
He told my friend that while he admitted he liked the fun of acquiring the wealth, it meant nothing to him now as he prepared to enter eternity.
He only wished he’d got to know Christ sooner.
Materialism and for that matter atheism is in the end an empty cup.
The author 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
The book of Ecclesiastes concludes with,
“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
There is an old saying that still rings true. “Only one life will soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Where will you be at the end of your life? Will you stand before God as a pauper and here him say I never knew you, or will he welcome you as his child? The child of a king with all the rights there of.
Think about it.
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