Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus

The apostle Paul states,
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” 
                                                                                           Colossians 2:9
A lot of debate as to who Jesus really is has happened over the centuries the Bible however makes things very clear. As quoted above the apostle Paul says,
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” 
                                                                                            Colossians 2:9
The gospel of John records.
“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  
The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
                                  John 10:22-30 
In Chapter eleven of John he records this conversation between Martha and Jesus,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” 
John 11:25,26
Martha had to decide just who Jesus is. This is what people must decide today. Is Jesus the Son of God. The Christ who came into the world. OR is he a charlatan who pulled off the greatest lie in history?
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
         Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think about it.

Of "some Christians" and storm troopers

Of “Some Christians” and Storm Troopers
“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.
Note in the above quote from Jesus never said go and protest against the government of Rome or overthrow the religious leaders of the day. He said,
“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.”
Jesus in a nutshell taught his disciples to Love God, their neighbour and even their enemy. He made it clear that He was the way to heaven.
Over and over again in the teachings of Jesus and the apostle we read,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  
                                                                                                      Romans 12:18
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” 
                         Titus 3:1,2
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  
                                                                                  Galatians 5:22,23.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 
                                                                                           1 Peter 2:12.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
                                                                                                    Matthew 5:9.
Sadly I have heard those calling themselves Christians who were protesting outside of an abortion clinic and protesting against same sex marriage, storm troopers.
These people have not learned from history. Hitler tried to change the world by force. To impose his view on people. To no avail. Sadly however to stop his madness cost in excess of fifty-six million lives.
In the 1920's in the United States, “holier than thou” people passed the prohibition laws yet if some reports are to be believed more alcohol was consumed during prohibition than before it and not only that the money went into the hands of criminals.
Prior to legalizing of abortions, abortions were carried out sometimes with tragic consequences not only to the child but to the mother.
When it comes to same sex marriages it’s a moot point whether to call them marriages or civil unions it’s the same thing. Christians don’t own the word marriage.
Not only that those who oppose same sex marriage and abortion are not considering God in all of this. God knows what is right and wrong. It is God and God alone that must judge every individual and that includes those protesting.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist got it right when he said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
                               Tony Campolo.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                             1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Sadly those calling themselves Christians and wishing to impose Christian values on people are committing a sin. They are judging others when they themselves certainly have sin in their lives.
You cannot legislate morality it must come from within the person. You cannot impose by force your values on anyone. They will not listen. That’s why the Apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?”
We can however judge those inside the church the apostle Paul saying,
“Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
In demonstrating against anyone or protesting to restrict the rights of those who are not hurting anyone is simply wrong.
The time, money and effort used to protest could be better spent on evangelism. On providing well publicized alternatives positive alternatives to abortion.
On reaching out and building bridges to the LGBT community.
Christianity is first and foremost a faith of Love. Love for God, one’s neighbour and even one’s enemy. We should be living our lives in such a way that non-Christians want to at the very least emulate us.
The Writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
          Hebrews 12:14
Unfortunately many calling themselves Christians fail to read and understand Hebrews 12:14.
If they don’t change I believe many of those who are protesting will be judged by God and hear the words Jesus who said,
“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                           Matthew 7:22,23.
Please think about it.

Your Life

Your Life
Ben Zion Bokser
"The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment.  He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’  He said too himself.  Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding aan hour before.  Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound.  One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service?  My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted.  And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people.  They live in deeds, not in time.  My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye.  I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness.  So don’t grieve for me.  My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent.  The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work."
                                                                                                              Ben Zion Bokser
Does your life have meaning? What will your deeds tell about you?
Not so long ago I was at the funeral of a young man who’d died before his thirtieth birthday. To my wife and I this young man was respectful and pleasant to be around. He had an eight year old daughter and girlfriend that loved him.
By all accounts sadly he was an alcoholic who couldn’t give up the bottle. He was also I’m told a mean drunk frequently getting into fights.
It was a fight that ultimately killed him. He died as the result of a series of punches or kicks to the head that caused him to bleed into his brain.
In the end his father told me he was expecting a call telling him his son had died a violent death. That it was easy to see how his end would come.
Sadly along with being remembered as a good father he will be remembered as a person who when drunk used his fits.
There are many in the Christian community that will be remembered in a similar way to that young man.
O they won’t be remembered as an alcoholic or someone who used their fist in a physical way.
They will however be remembered as a good parent and spouse. Sadly they will also be remembered as someone who’s actions turned people away from Christ saving grace.
You don’t have to throw a punch to hurt people. Standing with a placard in front of an abortion clinic or court room to oppose same sex marriage is in many ways similar.
When we as Christians protest any legal activity in a secular democracy, even if we consider it morally wrong it is in itself wrong. It can and dose turn people away from Christ.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,  or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  
          For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.  Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 
   1 Peter 2:13-16.
The apostle Paul confirms this saying,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” 
                                                                                         Romans 13:1,2.
The early church lived within Roman laws. They respected even though they may not have agreed with the laws Rome passed.
Those same early Christians presented the Gospel of Christ so effectively that in short order the word of God had reached every part of the Roman empire.
Those early Christians were remembered for their courage under persecution. They were remembered for their faithfulness to Christ.
My question is what will those claiming to be Christians here in North America, that are demonstrating against the rights of others be remembered for?
Christians should not be demonstrating against abortion clinics. They should be providing an alternative well publicized alternatives to abortions.
They should not be protesting against law the secular government passes that does not restrict the rights of Christians or others.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
Hebrews 12:14 
Christians should be remembered for living at peace and living holy lives. For it is only by doing this that we can reach people for Christ.
Please think about it.

A Libertine

A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” 
Deuteronomy 15:15.

In St. Mary Woolnoth  an Anglican church in the City of London, there is a plaque with the words,
 “John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
  “As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported. 
   But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy 
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” 
        Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Savior.”
                                                                                          R. J. Morgan
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience. To a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non-Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. Not everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as pastors and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                          Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves, “Am I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“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.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
          1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Please think about it.

If I have not Love

If I have not love.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

but have not love,

I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal,

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,

and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,

but have not love,

I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,

and though I give my body to be burned,

but have not love,

it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind:

love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely,

does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil,

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth,

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

But whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part and we

prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.  When I was a child, I spoke as a child.  I understood as a child, I

thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.  

Now I know in part,

but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; 

but the greatest of these

is love.

                                                                         1 Corinthians Chapter 13
I once had a boss who was perhaps one of the most disliked men I’ve ever met. When he died I believe in his late fifties early sixties, no one he worked with attended his funeral, he was that disliked.
For me I didn’t mind the man. He was rough around the edges. Still he did his job the way he thought was best and I can honestly say he treated me fairly. If he didn’t like my work he told me so in no uncertain terms.
Still many who worked with him considered him a man who lacked in love and compassion. Thus they shunned him.
Above I quoted from the apostle Paul. What Paul is saying in a nutshell is, we can be the best educated, the most eloquent of speech, most faithful, even the most generous person, but if we don’t have Love we are nothing.
We are remembered for our actions in life and love and hate are the two most remembered actions. Hitler is remembered for his hate. Jesus by contrast is remembered for his love and because of that Love his followers continue to grow daily around the world.
Jesus accomplished with Love what all the emperors of the world failed to do, have a following that reaches into every part of the world.
Napoleon said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
                                                                                                                            Napoleon  
Jesus showed all people everywhere how we are to live. When asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                   Matthew 22:36-40.
He also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”  
                                                                            Matthew 5:43,44.
Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
                                                                                            Martin Luther King, Jr.
He was correct.
So the question I have for you is: Do you show love to all people?
Do people see the love in you?
Please think about it.

The Way

The way

  “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” 
                                                                                                                                                     Psalm 1
Here is a truism people of faith can agree with. A man is blessed who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.
A man is blessed if he delights in the law of the Lord.
Men and women of faith who love God and follow his precepts do the right things. They demonstrate the love of God to all around them.
I firmly believe that such people will be rewarded by God.
The wicked by contrast will eventually be judged by God even if they get away with things in this life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
   Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Jesus backs this up in this parable.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” 
                                                   Luke 16:19-31.
I know there are many out there who do not believe in God and an after life. What I would ask is, “are you really sure?”
Do you believe Jesus is all He said He was because Jesus did rise from the dead and Jesus gives you a choice. 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.
Please think about it.

My Shepherd

My Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters, 

He restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for You are with me; 

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

                                                                                                            Psalm 23.
Psalm twenty-three. All I can say about this is that I have found what it says to be true. In my life I have gone through many good times and many bad times.
I have found that God has been for me in both the good and the bad.
It is something I want everyone to know about.
I know God is real. I know that Jesus is Gods one and only Son. That he came to die for my sins and short comings.
I know that in the darkest days of my life I have been able to rely on Him.
I have never regretted choosing to follow Jesus.
I have heard the call of Jesus,
“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.
And through my life I have proven it to be true.
I hope anyone reading this will at least start to look at and read the New Testament at the very least and see the truth about Jesus and how he can make your life richer.
Please think about it.

Submit yourselves

Submit yourselves

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,  or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  
“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.  
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 
1 Peter 2:13-17
Here’s something to think about. It’s a very simple admonition that the apostle Peter is saying here.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,  or to governors,...
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”
We are to submit to government authorities and show proper respect to everyone.
Paul writing to Titus and the Romans backs up what Peter is saying. Paul states,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,” 
             Titus 3:1
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
                                                                                                                           Romans 13:1.
They don’t say that the authorities will always pass laws that Christians like. In fact in the case of Peter and Paul they lived under the emperor Nero who executed Christians.  Yet they could still say submit to the governing authorities.
Sadly those claiming to be Christians today do speak out against laws the secular governments pass.
Here in North America governments have passed same sex marriage laws, have allowed abortions and other things Christians dislike. And what do Christians do? They demonstrate. And what do non-Christians see? They see Christians trying to restrict their rights. People who are intolerant.
Thus they turn away from anything Christian.
This can have eternal consequences for non-believers, caused by those claiming to be Christians.
We as Christians need to be submitted to the governing authorities. “Show proper respect to everyone...”
If the secular government that both Peter and Paul say is permitted to govern by God allows things Christians dislike then we should not be protesting them.
God will one day judge the world with righteousness we do not need to do so.
Christians have two clear jobs in this world. To point people to Jesus Christ.
The first and most important one is to point people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
The second to teach and build up believers in Christ.
We cannot do that if we are speaking out against the government or perceived as intolerant lacking in respect and love.
Please think about it.   

Wonderfully made

Wonderfully made
Speaking about God the Psalmist wrote,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 
                                                                                     Psalm 139:13-16.
I believe in God. I believe as the psalmist states God created us. That he knows all about us. And God is the only one who truly knows all about us.
God knows what makes us, us. He knows why we are the way we are. That is why I believe Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
           Matthew 7:1,2.
We do not know what is in the hearts of other people.
Sometime ago I was driving a person through the down town of our city. We were stopped at a traffic light. A man who was dressed poorly walked passed our car he was mumbling to himself and he seemed to be a little wobbly on his feet.
The person with me commented “Drunk already and its not even noon.”  The person couldn’t have been more wrong.
The man had a mental illness coupled with a physical disability that made him the way he was. The person I was with didn’t know that and had judged him unfairly. This man was actually a nice guy once you got to know him.
The incident illustrated to me why we should not judge.
It’s easy to look at someone and see what is on the outside and make a judgement call that is not right.
Christians do this all the time and it should not be so.
Many Christians judge those who’s lifestyle is not in keeping with the way they think a person should live.
A few days ago I was sitting down with some people who’d been “Evangelical Christians” for a lot longer than I have.
They remembered times when Christian ministers smashed rock and roll records. When men wearing long hair in church were looked down on. Women had to wear skirts or dresses to church. Pants were forbidden.
Going to church in blue jeans was not permitted in some congregations.
Going to see a movie was taboo or even live theater was frowned upon.
The list of do not’s went on and on forever it seemed. Was it any wonder that many young people and for that matter people in general didn’t want to go to church?
Those calling themselves Christians were turning people off church. Something that potentially has eternal consequences.
It’s happening today. When was the last time members of, as some Christians put it “the homosexual” community felt welcome in some evangelical churches.
Why would a woman who’d had to walk through a wall of placards waving people to get into an abortion clinic want to attend any church. And I’m certain the doctors and nurses in those clinics and hospitals would not feel welcome in many churches.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
                                              Tony Campolo
That’s what we all should do. Our churches should be open to all. We should not be judging anyone or showing favoritism.
James writes,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 
                           James 2:12,13.
Interestingly enough there is a time when the Bible states we can judge. The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                      1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to judge the actions and words of those who are within “The Church”. Those who claim to be Christians. And if we find them doing wrong we are to expel them.
Other than that we are to be welcoming and showing unconditional love to those around us.
Please think about it.

Christianity's claims

Christianity’s claims
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made....  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 
                                                                                                John 1:1-3, 11-14.
The scripture I quoted above is a unique claim Christian make.
1/We believe Jesus was there at the creation of the world.
2/We believe that,
“... to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become                       children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s                 will, but born of God.” 
3/ That God who made heaven and earth
               “... became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” 
Not only that but we believe what the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans saying,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8.
We believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins.
The apostle Paul saying,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
            1Timothy 1:15,16
We believe that you cannot work your way to heaven. That entering heaven is a free gift available to all who would believe in Jesus. The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
We believe the apostle John who wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
                  John 1:12,13.
It is these beliefs we Christians place before individuals and ask them to decide for themselves.
These are the things I a Christian would have you to,
please think about.

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus,
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. 
You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 
  C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Since the birth of Jesus people have had to decide who he is. The Luke’s gospel records what happened when Jesus’ parents took him to the temple to dedicate him. Luke notes,
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 
                                                                                                  Luke 2:25-32
At the crucifixion of Jesus Luke records one of the criminals deciding who Jesus is. Luke records the criminal as saying,
“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 23:41-43.
Notice here Jesus states, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” in saying this Jesus is saying He has the authority to tell where this criminal will spend eternity. Something only God could do. So Jesus even as he is dying on the cross is saying He is God.
Ultimately the decision on who Jesus is comes down to the individual. You must decide who Jesus is.
John records this conversation with Martha just before he raises her brother Lazarus from the dead. John records,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world, 
John 11:25,26.
This is the question we must all answer.
I would ask anyone reading this to don’t rely just on what you’ve heard others say about Jesus. Instead get a Bible or at least a copy of the New Testament and read carefully especially the New Testament.
Then make your own decision on who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Sin

Sin
James writes,
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;  but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” 
         James 1:13-15.
All of us from time to time are confronted by temptation. Temptation however does not come from God. All too often we put ourselves in the place of temptation.
My late sister in law was a recovering alcoholic. She, every day of her life she had to over come the desire to drink alcohol. It was a fight she managed to win with the help of God for the last twenty or so years of her life.
She had a two fold strategy first she drew near to God. Everyday she met with God in prayer and asked for strength to go through the day ahead.
The other half of her strategy was to avoid temptation as much as possible. As best as she could she avoided any place where alcohol was being served.
She realized how easy it was for her to fall. She knew any kind of alcohol could cause her to relapse thus she avoided it completely.
We all have our areas that can cause us to sin to fall short of what God would have for our lives. Areas we must avoid.
Sin all too often is a pleasant thing. If it wasn’t why would we bother even trying it. Unfortunately for many slipping into a sinful way is a slow, very pleasant process.
As James says,
“...each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
The best examples of people dragged into sin are those of drug addicts, alcoholics and those into pornography.
It starts with the desire to see what it’s like. But fails to stop there. Instead as my late sister in law would say “one sip leads to an other and before you know it you’ve drunk the whole bottle and want more”.
Sin is not just durgs, alcohol, and porn. It can be anything that pulls us away from God. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 
                                                                                       1 Timothy 6:10.
Note Paul does not say money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is “the love of money” that causes the problem.
Even something as seemingly inconsequential entertaining and wholesome as a sporting event, the theatre, or a movie, can cause us to stray from God. It all depends on whether or not they cause us to take away from our time with God.
We as Christians need to know where our weaknesses are. We need to do our best with God’s help to avoid what would turn us away from God.
The way I see it we as Christians need to start the day with God. We need to pray and ask God’s direction for our day.
If you’re unsure what to say the Lord’s Prayer  is a good example of what to pray. Jesus said,

“Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name,

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us day by day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins,

For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation 

But deliver us from the evil one.” 

                                                                                            Luke 11:2-4 (New King James version)
Jesus through the Lords Prayer shows the disciples and through them us how to pray.
The prayer is a pray that glorifies God. Shows our dependence on God by asking him to supply our daily needs.
It asks God to forgive our sins and reminds us to forgive those who have sinned against us.
It is a prayer for strength asking God to keep us from temptation and the evil one.
We should pray this prayer or one similar in faith. Not simply because we it “feels right”, but because we recognize that we need God in our life every day of our lives.
No Christian is perfect. We all go through temptations and trials big and small.
James states,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
            James 1:2-4.
Temptations and trials may not be to our liking but they can, if we trust in God make us stronger and draw us nearer to God. They can with God’s help make us a better person and strengthen our faith.
Please think about it.

God and you

God and you
“Faith in God is looking at the Universe around you, seeing how perfect it is and coming to the conclusion that behind it all there is a creator. A God that made it all.”                                                                                                                                            Author Unknown.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. From the very beginning it states,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 
                                                                                          Genesis 1:1
It leaves it up to the reader to believe it or not.
Dotted throughout the bible however are sayings that point man to truths that show God exists.
  The Psalmist writes,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                                              Psalm 19:1-3.

The Psalmist make it clear that creation points us to God.
Just look around you from the largest galaxy to the smallest sub atomic particle everything lines up to make it possible for us to exist on this blue green dot in space.
I’m sure an atheist would look at the same evidence and say that it is the work of evolution. That is their right.
Some Christians even go as far as trying to reconcile the two theories saying God could have used evolution to create life as we know it. Something that is a possibility after all, God is all powerful and can do things the way he wishes.
In my mind it takes as much faith to believe in the theory of evolution as it does to believe in God creating everything be it in six day or billions of years.
For me however the creation debate is an inconsequential point. How we were created means little. What is important is where we are going to spend eternity.
I believe that people are eternal being living beyond the hear and now.
For me to only exist for a handful of years is a waste of a life. Poor use if you will of an intelligent being.
I believe in God. I believe He wants the best for us. That God knows we fall short every day of His expectations of us. That I believe is why He came to earth in the form of Jesus.
Through Jesus Moses and the prophets He asks mankind to have faith in Him, knowing that having faith in something we can’t see or touch is a very difficult thing to have.
He also knows that those who have such faith are true believers.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                         Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’”
                                                                                                      Hebrews 11:6.
It all ultimately comes down to what you as an individual believe. Do you believe that there is a God and that Jesus is His one and only Son or not.
To my mind this is the most important decision anyone can make in their life. If God does not exist then you have nothing to fear. If however He does exist then there is at the very least a great deal to think about.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
                                                                                                                    Tony Campolo
In other words are you sure where you will spend eternity?
Please think about it.

What is it to be Christian

What it is to be Christian.

If we look at the teachings of Jesus and the apostles We can see how Christians are suppose to live.
Here in a rather large nutshell are what I think are key teachings with respect to how Christians are suppose to live.

Love

Christians are to love. We are to follow the example of God and the teachings of Jesus.
The apostle John wrote,
“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.
The apostle Matthew records these words of Jesus,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                         Matthew 22:36-40
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
 Matthew 5:43-47.

Dealing with others

Christians are to deal honourably and justly with those around us.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 
           Matthew 7:12.

Humility

Christians must be a servant. We must live genuine humble lives.

“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  
and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 
       Mark 10:42-45.
If Christians are following the teachings of Jesus they should be willing to be servants first not wishing to be waited on. Not always wanting to be exalted above everyone.
Taking a Stand
Jesus calls all who truly believe in Him to take a stand and confess him before men.
Jesus said,
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  
Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 
                                                                                                                              Mark 8:34-38

Christ’s Kingdom not of this world

One of the misconceptions some Christians particularly in the United States and Canada is that they are living in “a Christian nation”. Until Christ returns there is no such thing as a Christian nation. Jesus made it clear His kingdom is not of this world.
John records this conversation during the trial of Jesus before Pilate.
“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 
                                     John 18:33-37.

Peacemakers

Christians are to be peacemakers. Christianity has no room for militancy. Protesting against anything except when the rights of Christians or others are being taken away should not happen.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” 
                                                                                                   Matthew 5:1
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Peter writing,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 
                                                                                        1 Peter 2:11,12.
Please think about it.