An Important Day

An important day.
         The Book of Exodus records,
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
On the 6th to 7th day of the Jewish month of Sivan Jews all over the world celebrate the giving of the law. In the Jewish year 5778 which is this year 2017 that falls at sunset on May 30th .
God if you will on the 7th of Sivan put into writing what I believe He has written on the hearts and minds of all men. Laws that make for a civilized society.
In acknowledging the law we are also acknowledging the sovereignty of God, for I do not believe man on his own could have come up with such a comprehensive set of rules to govern society as a whole.
Abba Hillel Silver speaking during the dark days of world war two said,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver
History shows us that when man turns away from God’s moral absolutes, when man refuses to accept the existence of God our society as a whole suffers.
Hitler and his henchmen are the best examples of this. They did not fear God. They followed their own sinister code of ethics. A code of ethics that led to the deaths of six million Jewish men women and children and an equal number of others in the death camps alone. In a war they started that claimed the lives of in excess of fifty-six million people.
Terrorist around the world today are doing the same. They have no fear of God or His laws. Thus tens of thousands are dying at their hands.
We as a society no matter who we are Jew, Christian, Muslim or those of other faiths. Need to take time this day to acknowledge the giving of God’s law to not only the Jews but to all mankind.
We need to acknowledge God for the writer of Ecclesiastes stated,
“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
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  
This is what the ancients were commended for. 
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  
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. 
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”Hebrews 1:1-16.
I have heard Hebrews chapter one called the roll of the faithful. It defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” then notes, “This is what the ancients were commended for.”
     Men and women who had faith in God even though they did not see in their lifetime the fruition of the promise God had given them.
Today in the twenty-first century faith in anything is hard to have. We live in a very if you will tactile world. We need to see and feel things otherwise we do not believe in it.
God however asks us to have faith in Him. The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
In writing to the Galatians he states of himself,
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
Faith in the twenty-first century is all around us. People believe in politicians, in philosophers, even in fad diets, herbal remedies and much more. All are promising a better way of life. Yet few offering any concrete proof they will do what they say. All with potential negative consequences of making life worse if their claims prove false.
When it comes to God however many people refuse to have faith in Him. Yet faith in God costs us nothing and is devoid of risk especially in this life.
Blaise Pascal said,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.

A Simple, Complicated, Statement.

A simple, complicated, statement.
Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, 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.

Put this way in the year of Our Lord 2017 this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
Matthew 22:36-40.
Earlier in the gospel of Matthew Jesus is recorded as saying,

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 

But I tell you: Love your enemies 

and pray for those who persecute you, 

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. 

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

 and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:43-45.

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defines love as,

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, 

it does not boast, it is not proud. 

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

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

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

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.” 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

The apostle Paul telling us,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:18

The Writer of Hebrews telling 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

Please especially if you consider yourself a Christian...

       think carefully about it.

Not by Works

Not by works
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
Writing to Titus he said,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:4,5.
We are saved by the grace of God. We get to heaven because of God’s mercy.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans says,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.
Christians do not believe we can be good enough to stand before a Holy God, simply because we are human and flawed falling short of God’s ideal.
C. S Lewis points out 
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis
As Christians we do not believe we have to wait for judgement day to know whether or not we will enter heaven. We can know here and now by sincerely accepting the sacrifice of Jesus.
I know to some who are not Christians reading this, this may seem odd event the apostle Paul said,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
I suppose if man had his way God would simply come down and say “here I am worship me.” But I believe Gd realized that, that would not produce true followers. Many would simply worship because they feared what he could do to them.
I believe God in His wisdom knew that those who believed in Him through faith are true followers who would follow Him no matter the cost.
Thus it is a faith thing. Either you believe or you do not. What I would ask you the reader to do however is to take time to read the New Testament. To see what the believers in the time of Christ believed . Then make an informed decision for yourself. After all you have nothing to loose and I believe you have eternity to gain.
Please think about it. 

We Believe

We Believe
John’s gospel states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
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 1:1-5, 10-14.
Christians believe this emphatically. You cannot be a Christian and not believe it. We believe Jesus is divine. That he entered the world to show mankind the way to heaven.
The apostle’s creed while not written by an apostle of Jesus states in brief what all Christians believe it states,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s one and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.
12. I believe in life everlasting.
These are core Christian beliefs, beliefs all Christians want the world to believe. For in doing so there is a blessing for the individual. The apostle John telling us,
“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.
Thus the choice in your dear reader. Please take some time and at least read the New Testament. Read what Christians who knew Jesus, Christians of the first century church believed about Jesus. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it. 

The Sign

The sign
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.
I was once shocked to see a man carrying a sign stating. “All homosexuals are going to Hell.”
It shocked me because I asked myself has this man no love, no compassion. Would he have stood outside the house where Jesus was sitting with tax collectors in (Matthew 9:10-13) saying, “Tax Collectors are going to Hell?” Would he have agreed with the Pharisees who criticized the actions of Jesus?
I do not believe that man holding the sign was doing the work of God. In fact he was doing just the opposite. I think that man unless he changes his attitude may one day hear the worlds of Jesus who said,
“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
Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
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.
In making these two statements, Jesus made it clear we are to love everyone. And just to make it perfectly clear to all who believe in His teachings 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.
I wonder if that man holding the sign would want anyone protesting against his way of life? I think not.
That man was certainly not showing love by holding up that sign. He was however most definitely turning that people away from Christ.
When I seen that man with the sign I thought of the words of James. James the half brother of Jesus said,
“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.
That man was not showing mercy. He was, if you think about it, possibly sending someone to a Christless eternity.
Are your actions doing the same?
Please think about it.

Fix your eyes

Fix our eyes
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, 

the author and perfecter of our faith, 

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, 

scorning its shame, 

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” 

Hebrews 12:2

The writer here is calling on Christians to fix their eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith”.
As Christians we should not be looking to follow the teachings of any man, doing so can cause division. This happened in the Corinthian church. 1 Corinthians chapter one tells that there were quarrels with in the church some saying they followed Paul, others saying they followed Apollos, still others Cephas (1Corinthians 1:1-17).
Paul noted that it was not him who was crucified for their sins nor were any of the others. It was Christ. And it is Christ we must keep our eyes on.
Over the years I’ve seen many Christian leaders fall from grace. Men and women both in the media and out that have sinned and been unrepentant.
I’ve seen those who follow such men turn away from God because of their actions. That is why it is so important to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We should not be saying I believe this because such, and such a preacher said it.
We should be looking to the scriptures and saying I believe what Jesus and the apostles taught us.
We as Christians need to be studying the Bible for ourselves as well as getting into a good Church that encourages us to follow the teachings of Christ and the apostles. One who encourages us to read the Bible.
It is only in seeing for ourselves what the bible says that we can truly stay on the strait and narrow road that leads us to heaven.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
This is what we as individual Christians need to be doing. Studying scriptures and handling it correctly that we may not be ashamed for our actions on the day we stand before Christ.
Please think about it.

God is There

God is there
C. S. Lewis speaking of God said,
“He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”  C. S. Lewis.
The way I interpret this is we have to at the very least have an open mind as to whether God exists. If we close our mind to the existence of God then we will never see Him.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It opens with the words,

“In the beginning 

God created the heavens and the earth.” 

Genesis 1:1.

Believing in God is an act of faith. Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,
“I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.” Billy Graham.
God asks the individual accept by faith He exists, but not blind faith. He shows himself to all those who cares to look.
The psalmist states,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.

The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Ultimately what you the individual believe about God comes down to an act of faith as to whether He exists or not, for that is what God asks of each individual. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him must believe 

that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Thus dear reader the choice is yours. Do you believe in God?
Please think about it. 

Because

Because

Because...

“...He (God) first loved us.”

       1 John 4:19

I will...love God

Because...

“...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, t

hat whoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life.”  

John 3:16

I will...have faith in Christ, faith in God

Because...

Jesus when asked, 

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

   Jesus replied: 

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

                This is the first and greatest commandment.  

             And the second is like it: 

        ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

      All the Law and the Prophets 

hang on these two commandments.” 

       Matthew 22:36-40

I will...love my God and my neighbour.

Because...

Jesus 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

I will...love my enemies and pray for my persecutors.

Because...

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

It is not rude, 

it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

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

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

   Love never fails....

     And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest  of these is love.”  

1Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

I will...I will love unconditionally.

Will you do the same?

Please think about it.

Hidden Souls

Hidden Souls
                                        The Fourth Man
It’s five thirty-nine, dawn has not yet broken on this cold winter’s morning.  All around the suburban landscape lies covered, within a blanket of new fallen snow.
On the roads, the morning commute is slowly beginning.  As of yet, however, there are few cars.  All around, there is a peace.  Almost, like the calm before the storm.
Two cars, pull off the street and into the empty church parking lot.  Their tires making the snow squeak, as they move over it.  Coming to a halt, the occupants, three middle-aged men climb out, greet each other, and enter the church.
Before the altar, in the silence of the sanctuary, each man kneels.
Within this holy place, the presence of God is so very real.  His Holy power can be felt as it fills the temple.
I who have attended this church for over thirty years have never felt God’s presence so strongly.
From my vantage point in the balcony I watch as all three are raptured leaving me....   Alone.
If you claim to be Christian do you think that something like what is described in the above story can’t happen? Then think again.
Jesus said,
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36-42.
As Christians we must remain true to God. True to Christ.
There are many within our churches that have gone to church all their lives yet lack faith in God. They believe in God intellectually and they will tell you they believe but they have never truly turned their life over to God. To them church is where their family and friends are. It is essentially a social club.
Such people know what the bible says. They know how to act in church they know what to say. They know all the Hymns and songs sung at church. Sadly however they have never made true commitment to God.
These are what I have heard someone say are the hidden lost souls within church congregations.
They are perhaps the hardest people to reach. Yet they like anyone outside the walls of our church congregations need to make a commitment to God, a commitment to Jesus that goes beyond intellectual acknowledgement.
As Christians we need to be praying for such people. We need to be praying that God will show us who these people are and how we can reach them for Christ.
One other thing I would ask anyone who believes themselves to Christian and reading this is are you truly committed to Christ? Is your faith rooted in God?
Please think about it.

Nothing is Hidden

Nothing is Hidden
The writer of Hebrews states,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12,13.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” C. S. Lewis
Whether you believe in God or not you as an individual will be held accountable by God’s standards.
I believe God has placed in the heart and minds of all men the basic standards to which He expects the individual to live by.
I also believe the more you know about God the more your will be held accountable for.
Thus those who studies the scriptures will be held to a higher level of accountability than those who do not.
This should serve as a warning to all those who believe themselves to be Christians. Men and women who read the Bible.
If we are studying the Bible then we will learn what God expects of us and must obey. Additionally we must be carful to correctly interpret what the bible says. We must not manipulate scriptures to say what we want them to say.
In reading the Bible we may read many things we do not like. As a result we may be quick to dismiss them and not obey. This must not be so. We cannot cherry pick what we wish to believe.
St. Augustine said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
Ultimately I believe we all will stand in front of God. The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“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.
This I firmly believe applies to all people everywhere. Especially those who call themselves Christians.
Please think about it.

A Pointy Stick

A Pointy Stick
Scripture tells us,
 “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3 
I am told by friends that at times I like to poke people, particularly those in the Christian community, figuratively with a pointy stick this is one of those time.
In my previous blog I told the story of my nice who had sexual realignment surgery to become a male. Something that some Christians would disagree with.
 In this post I take it a step further. With the intent of making you the reader truly search your heart and mind as to what you would do and why.
The story is called Images of a woman.

Images of a Woman

That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studded earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and passed the time of day. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
How would you vote? Why?
Please think about it.

Christian Duty

Christian Duty
The Psalmist writes,

“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

A few months ago I met Sean for the first time at his mothers funeral. I’d known Sean however for over thirty-eight years. You see Sean at one time was Anne my wife’s nice. She underwent Sexual reassignment surgery sometime ago transitioning to Sean.
As Anne, Sean had always had problems regarding who she was. As a result she’d dabbled in drugs, had been part of a lesbian relationship, all to no avail.
Finally one day she realized what was wrong and started the long process of psychological evaluation and eventually surgery to become Sean.
We were able to spend sometime with Sean and I asked him, “are you happy?” to which he replied, “Very happy and very content.”
I could see in his eyes he was being honest. Even though we were at the funeral of his mother a sad time, I could see that the very confused young woman I’d known for so long was in deed not only happy but content for the first time in his life.
I know many calling themselves Christians would not agree with what Sean did. That is between them and God.
What Sean did, did not change who he was on the inside. The transition did not change Sean as a person. Sean is still Sean an individual loved by God. And that is how we must look on anyone as and individual loved by God.
The scripture I quoted at the beginning of this blog post tells me God knows the individual on if you will a genetic level. He knows what makes us what we are.
God does not see just what is on the outside of a person but what is on the inside. That is why God and God alone can judge the individual not man.
We as Christians must accept people for who they are, an individual loved by God, unconditionally. We must accept all people without judgement.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said it best,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                                                                      Billy Graham
       If you claim to be a Christian do you?
Please think about it.

Stewards for Christ

Stewards for Christ
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

                                                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2.

  As Christians we are stewards of Christ. While a servant had no unique position within his masters household, a steward did.
A steward was a slave who administered all the affairs of his masters household. He owned nothing himself, but was entrusted by his master to handle all of the what the master owned. Joseph in the Old Testament was Potiphar’s steward (Genesis 39:2-19).
Just as Joseph was faithful to Potiphar and did his best to administer Potiphar’s estate so must we as Christians be good stewards of Christ’s estate.
As Christians we are called to administer the word correctly. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth....” 2 Timothy 2:15.
We must remember that everything we do, is done for Christ, not for our personal gain or glory.
We as Christians must study the scriptures carefully and present them carefully and correctly to those around us, Christian and non-Christian alike.
That is what it is to be a follower of Christ.
Please think about it.

Interesting Observations

Interesting Observations
The Psalmist wrote,

“The fool says in his heart, 

“There is no God.” 

                                                          Psalm 14:1.

Billy Graham the great American Evangelist said,
“I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.”
                                                                                        Billy Graham.
I’m with Billy Graham on this. We may not be able to sit down and make a scientific formula that proves the existence of God. That however doesn’t preclude his existence.
We can however see God’s handiwork. The Psalmist telling us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

 the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                                                  Psalm 19:1.

I do not believe that the universe came into existence randomly that takes more faith than I have. I can however see the hand of God the creator in the universe.
Just take a look around from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle every thing is perfectly harmonized to create life as we know it. This to me suggests there is a creator.
I’m not hung up on whether God created the world in billions of years or in six days. Such a thing is immaterial to my faith.
The fact of the matter is I believe God exists and the more I see and observe the world around me the more I see His hand.
Furthermore I believe the God that created the heavens and the earth entered this world in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ. He did this in order to point mankind to heaven.
Yes I know this sounds at the very least foolishness but I believe it is true. The Apostle Paul wrote.

“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.
I think all too often man want’s God to operate the way he thinks. God however does not do this. God works in his own ways.
It would be very easy for God to show himself and force everyone to worship Him but God does not want that. In creating mankind he made each individual unique, with a freewill to do as they wished even if it meant not believing in Him.
God requires the individual to have faith in him. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe 

that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

 Hebrews 11:6.

God I believe has shown Himself to mankind in various ways, the creation of the universe being just one way, the Hebrew prophets was another, the Bible yet another, and even by entering the Universe he created in the form of his one and only Son Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3  
This is what I and all Christians believe. The choice however is entirely up to you the reader.
Please think about it.

Of Faith and Deeds

Of Faith and Deeds
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”                                                                                                         James 2:14-20.
I have found over the years some who claim to be believers in Christ quote the words of Paul who said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
They say something to the effect, “I believe it so I’m saved I have nothing more to do.”. nothing could be further from the fact.
James in the scripture I quoted above tells us “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
As Christians we cannot do things lightly. It is a command of Jesus to reach out to the world around us. To help those who poor and needy both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense.
Martin Luther King jr. once prayed,
“We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.” Martin Luther King jr.
This is what we, if we claim to be believers in Christ should be doing. Our faith should spur us on to help those in need.
Francis of Assisi said,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” Francis of Assisi.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ is this what you are doing?
Please think about it.

Christian Actions

Christian Actions
The Apostle Paul writes,
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
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.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 
                                                                                    Galatians 5:18-25.
Do you exhibit the fruits of the Spirit?
A friend told me of a woman who was a member of the Salvation army. This was decades ago in Europe. She would wander into bars in her uniform take off her cap and go around the patrons asking for donations. She never condemned them for their drinking or being in a bar. She never preached a sermon. She never verbally asked for money. She simply took off her cap and moved from patron to patron.
Everyone in that bar however knew what the uniform, and she stood for and they respected her.
One day apparently there was a big burley sailor who entered the bar. Someone not familiar with her. He stood in front of her and said a few choice and very vulgar words to her, trying to intimidate her. Still she stood her ground.
The bar according to my friend became very quiet. The man looked around and could see every eye was on him. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a large bill, put it into her hat and left. To the shouts of delight of the other patrons.
The woman paused, waited for the noise to die down and said something to the effect. “That man is loved by God. As are you all. I shall pray for him as I do for you all each day. That you may accept Christ as your saviour.”
My friend although not a Christian remembered that encounter as if it were yesterday.
When he told me the story I thought of how she showed the love of Jesus. I remembered the words of Paul who said,
“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”
In doing what she did she exhibited these attributes of the spirit as should we all who claim to be believers in Christ.
That woman planted a seed in my friends heart. I had the good fortune of being able to water that seed when he told me about her. To tell him about the Love of God, the Love of Jesus.
All because of this nameless woman who years before had exhibited the fruits of the spirit in front of my friend.
I’m sure that woman never consciously realized my friend was watching, but he was. The fact is if you claim to be a believer in Christ those around you are watching.
Francis of Assisi once wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Christian qualities

 Christian Qualities
 Jesus said,

“Blessed       

are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled. 

Blessed 

are the merciful, 

for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed 

are the pure in heart,

for they will see God. 

Blessed 

are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God. 

                                                                                       Matthew 5:6-9.

If you claim to be a Christian are the above qualities part of your life?
Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness?
Are you merciful to those around you, even your enemy?
Is your heart pure before God?
Are you truly a peacemaker or do you stir up discontent?
James the half brother of Christ said,
“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.
As Christians we must be all that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5:6-9.
The only way we can be all of this is if we truly love. The apostle Paul defines true love this way,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

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

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....” 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

True love is the purest of emotions that is why I believe Jesus told us to love God, Love our neighbour and even our enemy.
If we truly love we will long for righteousness. We will show mercy. We will be peacemakers and we will be pure of heart.
The apostle Paul tells us,

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,

 but have not love,

 I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, 

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, 

but have not love, 

I am nothing.  

If I give all I possess to the poor 

and surrender my body to the flames,

 but have not love, 

I gain nothing.” 

                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

That is why Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”                                                                                                       Matthew 22:36-40.
As Christians we must always remember that it is only through loving those around us unconditionally that we can truly win souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

Not to believe in Him is Absurd

Not to believe in Him is Absurd
The Psalmist writes,

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God.

 It is he who made us,

 and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

                                                                                              Psalm 100:1-5

As I said in my previous blog God is real. I believe in Him. Whether you the reader believe in him or not is entirely up to you. I know that one day I will be able to sing the above Psalm in person in front of God.
Voltaire once said,

“To believe in God is impossible 

not to believe in Him is absurd.”

                                                        Voltaire.

Today in the twenty-first century the debate whether or not God exists still rages on.
Atheist I believe arrogantly say there is no God. I say arrogantly, because for anyone to say there is no God is to say in effect they are God, and that they know everything and have been everywhere. Something we know is not true for no one living has gone beyond the grave and come back to tell of it.
Throughout history man has believed in an afterlife and God in one form or another. The ancient Egyptians built magnificent pyramids to place their kings in the hopes it would help them enter the afterlife.
Throughout Europe the ancient peoples buried their people with care putting into the deceased graves items they thought would be needed in the next life.
Even today people of faith around the world perform elaborate rituals in the hopes of going to heaven.
To say that these people are mistaken or worse stupid, is wrong. The people that build the pyramids were not dumb or stupid. Nor are people today.
I believe people know instinctively there is an afterlife. That there is a God. Belief in God gives life meaning and people today just as people throughout time are looking for meaning to life.
The call of Jesus is,
“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 offers peace for one’s soul.
Christians believe there is a God who loves us and offers us eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus speaking of himself said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but to save the world through him.” 

                                                         John 3:16,17.

The Christian God reached down through Jesus Christ to mankind to show him the way to heaven. That it is by the grace of God we get to heaven. The apostle Paul 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.

That being said the choice is always up to you.
Do you believe in God?
Please think about it.