Love – Page 6 – Media 4 Life Ministries

Meditate on these words…

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer 29:11.

Meditate on these wonderful words of the Lord. The world lives in fear of the future. People are weight down with heaviness. Don’t let the world beat you down with it’s anxieties and fears. Be blessed not stressed. The world will be struck with complexities, no way out and no hope. The Lord watches out for His children. He will comfort us and cover us with His perfect love and peace. If He is for us, who can be against us? He loves His children and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Rest in His finished work. Find the peace that only the Lord can give you.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phl 4:6,7.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.” Phl 4:8.

Good without God?

Atheist or Anti-theist are pushing their agenda with the ultimate goal to remove God from the government, schools and public life. Atheist believe that without religion, society would be better off and the world would be more peaceful.

Religion in their view is outdated and obsolete. They argue that we have made many advances in science, the medical field and we possess a higher knowledge than our forefathers did. They believe that all the answers can be found in science and human wisdom. They believe that with human reasoning and science they can fix most of the problems facing modern society and the world today.

One of their arguments is, “if we could just get rid of these religious people the world would be a better place.” They have billboards and signs on buses that read: “There is probably no God” and “you can be good without God.” Atheist and Anti-theist have become increasingly outspoken over the last few decades and the liberal media outlets have given them a platform to do so. Although Atheist are a minority in this country and the world , people like Atheist Bill Maher have their own shows on cable TV.

Just recently, Bill Maher ridiculed Tim Tebow again and again because of Tim’s faith in Jesus Christ. He mocked him because he prays on the field and speaks openly about Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I have not heard Maher and others attacking Muslims, Buddhist and Hindus in the media as they attack Christians and Christianity. Are they afraid to speak out about Islam? Are we dealing with hypocrites that attack one faith only, Christianity? Political correctness has taken over this country and made it almost impossible to say anything in the media or in public about other faith groups like the Muslim faith for example. The liberal media is very quick to report on people who speak out against Islam and the Islamic Sharia law.

People that voice their concerns about radical Islam and it’s teachings are called by the media, Islamophobic. The liberal media seems to have no problem with Christian bashing on TV. Shows like Maher’s mock Jesus Christ and His followers, ridiculing them because of their faith. Would this country be better off without God? I don’t think so. We are already witnessing a vast moral decline in society. If we remove the God of the Bible completely from public life, this country and the world would be in chaos. The moral values that we once had would be forgotten and everybody would do what’s right in their own eyes. The US constitution is based on biblical principles, the ethic and moral law that we all enjoy can be found in the pages of the Bible.

The founding fathers, although not all of them were believers wrote the constitution with the ten commandments and the laws of the Torah as a guide. Many want to deny this today, trying to change the history of this country by adding things that are not true. Go to Washington DC and look at the US Supreme Court House. On the Western facade, you find the words “Equal Justice Under Law” and on Eastern facade, “Justice the Guardian of Liberty.” The Eastern facade has Moses holding the two tablets with the 10 commandments as the law giver. Our moral and ethical values come from the 10 commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.

The judiciary laws are based on biblical principles. If we take God and the Bible out of the equation, how would this world look? Who would set the moral standards, who would decide what is right and what is wrong? What is right for somebody may not be right for somebody else.

If we solely base morality on human reason alone instead of God, how would this world look? There are already plenty of people in society today that think there is nothing wrong with killing or raping someone. Nothing wrong with stealing from others. If we build a society based on human reasoning and human understanding without God or the ten commandments, society as we know would cease to exist.

The reason that we are still live in a somewhat civil society is because of believing Christians that stand for conservative principles. I’m not saying that every non believer or liberal person is bad, but in general a liberal mindset has no boundaries. It’s a view of compromise, tolerance towards those with the same mind, but the most intolerant people against those in opposition. Atheist and liberals look at issues as grey, rather than black or white. That is a dangerous view to have because it is clouded and uncertain. Jesus said, “Let you yes be yes and your no be no, everything else is of the evil one.” Religions have been around since the beginning, all religions have one thing in common, a set of moral and ethic rules to live by. These different religions have much in common when it comes to moral and ethical values. Who gave mankind moral values? People intrinsically know when they did something wrong. They know that certain behaviors are wrong. How do they know?

Is it because God has given mankind moral standards that are instilled in every human being? I heard a story of missionaries that went into the deepest jungle in South America and reached a people who were totally isolated from the world. They had a custom of revenge killing. After month and month of ministering to the tribal people and telling them about Jesus and salvation and forgiveness through Him, the chief told them a story. A family member was killed by a rival tribe and as it was their custom, he sought out the person and killed him in return. Justice was served in their belief. The missionary spoke in length with the chief and ask him how he felt killing someone. The chief answered that he knew it was wrong, but he did it anyways and felt terrible afterwards. God gave us all a conscience. Instinctively we know what’s right or wrong. God’s law is written on our hearts, some just ignore and refuse God’s law and have hardened their hearts.

So, my fellow Atheist, you may deny God and His existence. You may want to shout from the roof tops, “I can be good without God.” The fact is His laws are written on your heart. If you want to get rid of God from society, the society will collapse sooner or later. There are some Godless societies, North Korea would be one. Maybe that would be a good model for us to learn from? Instead of worshiping God, people worship the supreme leader.

“Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants.” Patrick Henry.

“It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.” Benjamin Franklin.

“Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.” Patrick Henry.

“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas Jefferson.

“The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles, which enjoins humility, piety, and benevolence; which acknowledges in every person a brother, or a sister, and a citizen with equal rights. This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free Constitutions of Government.” Noah Webster.

The Atheist Dilemma (media4lifeministries.com)
Human Reasoning or God’s Standard’s? (media4lifeministries.com)
I Was an Atheist Like You Before I Found Jesus (fallenfromgrace.net)
Bill Maher – Anti-Tebow Tweet Not Much of a Joke (fueledbyscotch.wordpress.com)
A case of Blasphemy by Bill Maher. Why do people hate Jesus so much? What can we do? (pastormikesays.wordpress.com)

Sojourners

As I was driving on the freeway looking at all that traffic, the noise and the chaos, I thought to myself, man this is unreal. There are cars everywhere, in front of me, behind me and on both sides.

The freeways in San Diego can get pretty crazy at times, not as bad as Los Angeles but bad enough. Some people drive so fast that they zip in and out of lanes, passing cars at over 90 mph. Everybody seems to be in such a hurry all the time. Just looking at all this craziness made me think of times when things were different.

I grew up in a small town in Germany and things were pretty slow there. When I moved to San Diego in the early 80’s although San Diego was a larger city, there was still a more relaxed a more peaceful atmosphere. Things have changed quite a bit in the last 30 years. Sometimes I wonder, why? Why are people so stressed out, so unhappy? Are they still chasing the American dream or are they so stressed out and unhappy just to make ends meat?

Whatever it is, it gets me frustrated and I have to admit that sometimes I get angry about the busyness around me. It’s easy to get caught up in this world from time to time. Seeing this craziness everyday around San Diego, made me think of Father Abraham. Here is a man who lived about 4000 years ago in the land which is now known as Israel. I’m sure that in his time the world wasn’t as stressful or filled with so many distractions as we see them today, but even Abraham had to deal with many things. Like for example the pagan nations and hostile enemies that came after him and his descendants.

He lived in a world that was fallen and extremely hostile towards the people of the true and living God. It made me think of Hebrews chapter 11, the Hall of Faith. It talks about several people who were before us like Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham. They all walked by faith and believing that the were just sojourners on this earth. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Heb 11:3.

They all believed in a creator, and an eternal future by faith. “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb 11 :9, 10.

Abraham and his descendants lived as a “sojourner” in the land God had promised him, never owning any of it except the plots that he purchased for him and Sarah. He “dwelled”, the Greek word is paroikos. In today’s terms he would have been like a “Resident Alien” living in the land but without permanent residency. I need to remember that when I get frustrated about the world with its busyness, hectic and stress. I am only a sojourner passing through this temporary world. This world is full of many different things, violence, hate and wars to name a few. It is not always easy as a believer to live in this fallen world with all its problems.

But we can overcome this world, Jesus even told us that it will not be easy: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. While we sojourning here, we will face many challenges and trials in our life’s. The world around us is getting crazier by the minute and people are desperate and struck with complexities. For many there seems to be no hope, the economy, geopolitical events and no certain future for them or the children. Those of us who speak out about God and His plan of salvation are getting mocked and ridiculed because of our faith in Him. They seek peace but can’t find it. They seek satisfaction, but nothing satisfies.

Real peace and satisfaction can only come through knowing Jesus Christ. He gives the believers comfort, a hope and a future that is eternal. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. The world will always be in conflict with the believers. The world has nothing to offer, all things will fade over time. We as believers are not of this world. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19.

Jesus left us with a promise and a great hope, a hope that the world does not give: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2, 3.

In the meantime we live in this world and Satan is on our tails day and night, trying to entice us and get our focus of the Lord. Abide in Him and we are kept by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:15-17.

God’s word is the truth, Jesus is the way the truth and the life. If we abide in Him, we will see Him face to face one day and our joy will be complete. All things will be forgotten. Thank you Jesus for your finished work on the cross. Thank you for dying in my pace. Maranatha Lord Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jhn 3:16.

Jesus or Muhammad? (media4lifeministries.wordpress.com)
Jesus Christ; our Propitiation (media4lifeministries.wordpress.com)
Can man orchestrate his own salvation? (media4lifeministries.com)
Christianity; the oldest “religion” in the World. (media4lifeministries.com)

The Lord Jesus Christ; God, Creator and Savior

This is a video I made some time ago. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….

“Revival”

I hear many pastors and believers say: “Pray for a mighty revival.” I am all for revival, but the revival needs to start with the church first and foremost.

There are many issues within the body of Christ that are conveniently swept under the carpet by many of today’s churches. The divorce rate within the church is greater than outside the church. Immorality is overlooked and sin is not addressed because “we don’t want to offend anybody”. In many ways the church has compromised with the world.

A lot of churches lack good stewardship. We have so many church programs, activities and festivities, etc. Many of us are running around looking busy doing the Lord’s work… are we? Are we

really doing the Lord’s work? There are outreaches, altar calls and crusades which are good in itself and needed, but I have to ask myself the question, what are the motives?

Many times I hear about big numbers of people coming forward to receive Christ on some major outreach events. “Thousands of people accepted the Lord over the weekend and they are going to heaven.” Really, how do we know? Perhaps some just come forward because of emotions and atmosphere of the rock concert like environment. Thousands of people raising their hands to praise the Lord.

Personally I wish and pray that everyone that has come forward at any church or event, received Jesus as Lord and Savior. In reality, only God knows the heart. Many of our churches have missions and missionaries that go all over the world bringing the gospel to people. I love missions and many good things have been accomplished and many have come to know the Lord. We establish churches around the world, reaching out via the internet and radio. Awesome, love it!

What about right here at home, in our home church? Are the pastors and others reaching out to their own congregation and see the problems of many? Many people are sick with cancer and other diseases. Some are in financial problems, had their homes foreclosed, lost their jobs and are in desperate need for help. Some person that sits next to you in the seat at church, may be spending the night in their car because they are out of a job and lost their home.

I’m not downing the church, I think overall we as the church do a good job. The reason I was thinking about this in the first place, is because of a comment I received on one of my videos. This following comment made me think about all the hoopla in the church and the failure to serve our next door neighbor. I believe, this church failed horribly and was a poor witness to a person in need.

Here is the comment: “I agree there is a Heaven and Hell. I believe Jesus said it best when he spoke of The Great Commission. I actually had lost my parents to cancer just recently, and went to the church, I was told the pastor was too busy, and the associate pastor was gone. I then called up my Buddhist friend who told me, “I think Jesus wants to use in a special way.” His compassion, and understanding helped me more than any MAN has ever done in a VERY difficult time in my life.”

This is a sad situation when you have a supposed shepherd of the flock being too busy with activities instead of ministering to a person in need of help and comfort. I think we all need to step back sometimes, (that includes me). We all need to test and examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith as Paul wrote. Are we reflecting the love of Jesus with our lives and deeds to others? Like so many like to say: “What would Jesus do?” What do you think Jesus would have done with this person that came to the church seeking for comfort?

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2Cr 13:5

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1Peter 4:17.

Knowledge puffs up and there are many that claim knowledge of the scriptures, prophesies and eschatology. Some quote scriptures all day long condemning and judging others. What good does all that knowledge do, if there is no love? What good does all the knowledge of scripture do, if there is no wisdom? Paul said that the greatest gift of all is love. Love for our neighbors, just as Jesus has commanded us. Jesus would not have turned this person away saying, “I’m sorry, but I AM to busy right now, come back later”.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

You reap what you sow…

Just as any good parent, our Father in Heaven has given His children guidelines which to live by. Are these rules there to exercise power and control over His children, or are they there to prevent pain and hurt that can last a lifetime? God gave only one commandment to Adam and Eve in the garden. They were not to eat of that one tree that was in the midst of the garden. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

As responsible parents we teach our children not to cross the roadway because they could be hit by a car. We set rules, don’t touch, don’t eat that, don’t talk or go with strangers etc. The child may not fully understand why parents make those rules. The parents know from their own experiences that one can get hurt doing certain things. Although these rules of the parents are established, kids will break them. Adam and Eve did the same in the garden. They knew not to eat the fruit of that one tree, but were deceived and tricked through the lie of the Serpent/Satan.

God told Adam that the day they would eat of that fruit, they would surely die. Satan challenged the word of God and deceived Eve with a lie, “has God really said?” He went continued by saying to her, “you surely will not die”.

Eve believed the lie Satan told her and did what God had forbidden them to do, she ate of the tree. Adam also ate of that forbidden fruit. Did Adam and Eve die the moment they ate it? No. Was Satan telling them the truth? No. When God said that they would die, He meant spiritual death. Because of their disobedience and not listening to God, they reaped the consequences of their disobedience i.e. spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Just as any good parent would punish and discipline their child when they break the rules, God had to punish Adam and Eve for their disobedience.

God knew the consequences to come if they would eat of the fruit and as a loving Father He warned them. Through this one-act, sin entered the world. The result, Adam and Eve being were cast out of the garden. The consequence of this one-act of disobedience, caused a spiritual separation from God, Who once walked with Adam in the garden. Things only got worse from their. The first recorded murder, as Cain killed his brother Abel. Can you imagine how Adam and Eve must have felt when they realized the consequences their disobedience? Seeing the blood of Abel shed by his brother? Adam and Eve reaped what they sowed.

Parents have their best interest for the children. They know that when their children disobey and break the rules, that certain consequences will follow. Ever action has a reaction. We reap what we sow. Parents should teach children not to experiment with drugs and alcohol and everything else society i.e the world offers them. Today’s the world is driven by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Many have fallen into that trap and have bought into the lie. I’m sure that many of us who read this know that to be true. Early in my life I drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes, did drugs, had sexual relations before marriage etc. We are taught by society that it is all in good fun, seeking pleasure and self – fulfillment.

Looking back at my life today, I have to admit that some of the things were pleasurable, but with these pleasures also came consequences later on in my life, I was addicted to alcohol and drugs and because of sexual behaviors outside of marriage went from one relationship to another. Nothing ever really satisfied. There were always the next days, hangovers, another break up you name it. None of these pleasures that the world has to offer ever satisfy. People are searching for the next best high, but will never really find it. God our heavenly Father knows the consequences sin can bring into our lives and warned us just as He warned Adam and Eve.

But many do not listen, ignoring God, even denying God. They have gone the way of Cain, seeking what the world has to offer. The world follows the deceiver and his lies. Today we see the devastation from disobedience in our society and many other places around the world. I think Paul puts it best when he wrote in Romans: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:28-32

That sounds just like today’s society. This is the direct result of not heeding God’s word and trying to remove God and His wisdom from everyday life. We see the consequences thereof, “You reap what you sow.”
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7, 8

God has given all of us a free will to choose, but certain choices that one makes in life will bring also consequences that may last a lifetime. It is never to late to turn from a life of the flesh and turn to God our heavenly Father. You may say, I am too far gone and God is so far from me. How far is God the Father from you? All it takes is to turn around and He is right there, with open arms and willing to forgive and love you. How can you know that God loves you? Just look at the cross and see how great God’s love is, He gave His only Son, that through Him all of us may have forgiveness and eternal life. All it takes is to believe by faith in Jesus and His perfect sacrifice on the cross. He died and He rose for us, defeating Satan and his lies. Those who believe are forgiven of their sins, past present and future.

We are all sinners, but by the grace of God and His free gift we can all be forgiven no matter how great the sin. We all have missed the mark and come short of the Glory of God. Faith in Jesus reconciles the believers with God. It is the righteousness of Jesus that is imputed onto those who believe. Thank you Lord Jesus for loving us enough. Thank you for humbling Yourself to become one of us. Thank you for willingly giving your life for us so that we may live with You for eternity.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Law Breakers

I see many people texting and talking on their phones while driving. Although there is a law in California against texting while driving and talking on the phone without a hands free device, many choose not to obey that law.

Doing so is distracting people and many accidents have occurred, some of them fatal. There is also a law against drinking and driving, but many choose not to obey that law. Many innocent people have been hurt or killed because of the disobedience of some. People are breaking the law of the land everyday. I am not excluded, not always keeping the speed limit of 65 mph on the freeways for example. There is a law against using the car pool lanes for single drivers, yet some choose not to obey that law.

People that break the law are called law breakers. There are consequences for breaking the law, a fine and in some case jail time. The governing authorities will persecute law breakers and a just judge will not let a person go unpunished for breaking the law. It make me wonder, if people cannot obey laws set by men, how can they possibly obey the laws given by God? People are breaking God’s laws every single day. Just as we have laws given by the governing authorities, so has God given us laws to live by. The Ten Commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. They set the standard of God’s law by which men will be judged.

Many today argue that the Ten Commandments are outdated and do not apply to today’s modern society. I tend to disagree with that and I believe that God’s laws are perfect. The Ten Commandments can be grouped in two categories. The first four, man’s relationship to God. The remaining six, man’s relationship to the community. By these Ten Commandments, true theology and true worship, the name of God and the Sabbath, family, honor, life, marriage and property, truth and virtue are well protected. Many people when asked if they are a good person would answer, “Yes I am a good person”. Just as the self-righteous religious leadership of Jesus’ day thought that they were good and obeyed the law of God.

Jesus proved them wrong, they boasted about keeping the law perfectly. Jesus showed them how God looks at the law versus how man looks at the law. Jesus actually put a much higher standard on the law. Pointing to man’s heart rather than the outward appearance of keeping the law. Jesus said:“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Mat 5:17, 18.

Jesus fulfilled the law and kept it perfectly, He was without sin and He showed the Pharisees of His day what the law really meant. The Pharisees thought themselves to be righteous and perfect before God, but their supposed righteousness was nothing more than self-righteousness and pride. “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mat 5:20

The religious leadership thought they obeyed the law and thus were ok with God. Jesus pointed them to the last six commandments. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” The religious leadership answered Jesus by saying that they never murdered anybody. Jesus went on to say: “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” Mat 5:22.

Jesus was saying that if someone hates another person, that they have already committed murder in their heart. The Jews of the time hated for example the Gentiles. The Samaratian or any others that were not of Jewish descend were hated. The idea was that God created the Gentiles for heating up Hell fire. Jesus went on to say: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.” Mat 5:27.

Again, the leadership answered, “we never slept with another women, we have not committed adultery.” Jesus: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Mat 5:28. Again, Jesus points to the heart of man. They may not had any adulterous relations but they by just lusting after a woman, committed adultery in their hearts. Jesus went on with some other examples, showing them that it is a heart issue and that they all had broken the law. So even today many call themselves good from an outward perspective, not considering that God looks at the heart. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Mat 15:19.
If people cannot obey simple laws like not texting and talking on the phone while driving, how can they think that they are ok with God when their day of judgment will come? None of us can keep the law perfectly. Christ has set the believers free from the law that was a tutor to bring us to Christ. He did what we could not do for ourselves. As believers we are forgiven of all transgressions by the shedding of His blood on the cross. He died for the sin of the world. By receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith, keeps the believers from the wrath of God that will come upon all law breakers. If you are not a believer and you either think that God does not exist or that you can defend yourself on the day of judgment, please think again.

A just judge must judge just and fair and cannot allow lawbreakers to go free. A price/fine needs to be rendered. Jesus paid that fine. He took the punishment of our transgressions. By believing and asking for forgiveness, a person is declared justified before God. Not only that, God also imputed the righteousness of Christ on every true believer. Think of what will happen when the day of judgment comes and God declares you guilty and the punishment is eternal separation from God. “Why did I refuse to believe”? God loves every person, but He cannot allow sin in His kingdom. Jesus cleanses a person from all sin and unrighteousness. God does not want anybody to perish but have eternal life and come to the knowledge of the truth. It is a choice that every single person has to make. God does not force Himself on anybody. He has given every man a free will to choose.

Those who choose to reject Him will be eternally separated from the presence and blessings of God. Some teach that one day everybody will be saved. If that were true, why did Jesus have to suffer on the cross? Jesus Himself spoke more about Hell than anybody else in the Bible. Hell is a reality. Hell is eternal. The Apostle Paul wrote about what will happen to those who reject Jesus: “These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” 2Th 1:9, 10. It can’t get any clearer. Today, if you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, think about it. Learn about Jesus and who He is. He loves you and He wants to have a meaningful relationship with you. Seek Him and you shall find Him. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Jesus Christ; The Man Who Changed The World And Divided Time.

Christians around the world believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Who was this Man that Christians 2000 years later regard and worship as the Son of God?

Was He just a mere man who was born over 2000 years ago in a little town named Bethlehem and was nothing more than a historical figure? What does set Jesus apart from so many that came before Him that claimed to be the Messiah? Maybe He was just another one of those delusional people with a Messiah complex.

Is He the Savior of the world as God had promised long ago and prophesied through His prophets? Jesus did not just come on to the scene out of nowhere. He came to the exact appointed time that God had determined before the foundation of the world. Jesus was the only One that ever qualified to be the true Messiah. There are over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of the Messiah. They were all fulfilled in Christ Jesus . Here are just some of OT prophesies and the NT fulfillment of them:

The Son of God, Ps 2:7 Luk 1:32, 35.

The seed of the woman: Gen 3:15 Gal 4:4.

Seed of Abraham, Gen 17:7, 22:18 Gal 3:16.

Seed of Isaac: Gen 21:12 Heb 11:17-19.

Seed of David, Ps 132:11 Jer 23:5 Acts 13:23 Rom 1:3.

Coming at the appointed time: Gen 49:10 Dan 9:24, 25 Lk 2:1.

Born of a virgin: Is 7:14 Mat 1:22, 23 Lk 2:7.

Called Immanuel (God with us): Is 7:14 Mat 1:22, 23.

Born in Bethlehem of Judea: Mic 5:2 Mat 2:1 Lk 2:4-6.

Great persons coming to adore Him: Ps 72:10 Mat 2:1-11.

The slaying of the children of Bethlehem: Jer 31:15 Mat 2:16-18.

Called out of Egypt: Hos 11:1 Mat 2:15.

Preceded by John the Baptist: Mal 3:1 Mat 3:1, 3 Lk 1:17.

Anointed with the Spirit: Ps 45:7 Is 11:2, 61:1 Mat 3:16 Jh 3:34 Acts 10:38.

Prophet like to Moses: Deut 18:15-18 Acts 3:20-22.

Priest after the order of Melchizedek: Ps110:4 Heb 5:5, 6.

Entering public ministry: Is 61:1, 2 Lk 4:16-21, 43.

Ministry in Galilee: Is 9:1, 2 Mat 4:12-16, 23.

Entering publicly into Jerusalem: Zec 9:9 Mat 21:1-5.

His coming into the temple: Hag 2:7, 9 Mal 3:1 Mt 21:12 Lu 2:27-32 Joh 2:13-16.

His poverty: Is 53:2 Mk 6:3 Lk 9:58.

His meekness: Is 42:2 Mat 12:15, 16, 19.

Tenderness and compassion: Is 40:11 42:3 Mat 12:15, 20 Heb 4:15.

Without guile: Is 53:9 1Pe 2:22.

His zeal: Ps 69:9 Jh 2:17.

Preaching in parables: Ps 78:2 Mat 13:34, 35. Working miracles, Is 35:5, 6 Mat 11:4-6 Jh 11:47

His bearing reproach: Ps 22:6 69:7,9, 20 Rom 15:3.

Rejected by his brethren: Ps 69:8 Is 63:3 Jh 1:11 7:3.

Stone of stumbling to the Jews: Is 8:14 Rom 9:32 1Pe 2:8.

Hated by the Jews: Ps 69:4 Is 49:7 Jh 15:24, 25.

Rejected by the Jewish rulers: Ps 118:22 Mat 21:42 Jhn 7:48.

Jews and Gentiles combine against Him: Ps 2:1, 2 Lk 23:12 Acts 4:27.

Betrayed by a friend: Ps 41:9 55:12-14 Jhn 13:18, 21

Disciples forsake Him: Zec 13:7 Mat 26:31, 56.

Sold for thirty pieces silver: Zec 11:12 Mat 26:15.

His price being given for the potter’s field: Zec 11:13 Mat 27:7.

Agony of his sufferings: Ps 22:14, 15 Lk 22:42, 44.

Sufferings for others: Is 53:4-6, 12 Dan 9:26 Mat 20:28.

Patience and silence under suffering: Is 53:7 Mat 26:63 27:12-14.

Smitten on the cheek: Mic 5:1 Mat 27:30.

Visage being marred: Is 52:14 53:3 Jhn 19:5.

Spit on and scourged: Is 50:6 Mk 14:65 Jhn 19:1.

Hands and feet being nailed to the cross: Ps 22:16 Jhn 19:18 20:25.

Forsaken by God: Ps 22:1 Mat 27:46.

Being mocked: Ps 22:7, 8 Mat 27:39-44.

Gall and vinegar being given Him to drink: Ps 69:21 Mat 27:34.

Garments being parted, and lots cast for His clothing: Ps 22:18 Mat 27:35.

Numbered with the transgressors: Is 53:12 Mk 15:28.

Intercession for His murderers: Is 53:12 Lk 23:34.

His Death: Is 53:12 Mat 27:50.

No bones would be broken: Ex12:46 Ps 34:20 Jhn 19:33, 36.

Pierced: Zec 12:10 Jhn 19:34, 37.

Buried with the rich: Is 53:9 Mat 27:57-60.

Flesh not seeing corruption: Ps 16:10 Acts 2:31.

His resurrection: Ps 16:10 Is 26:19 Lk 24:6, 31, 34.

His ascension: Ps 68:18 Lk 24:51 Acts 1:9.

Sitting on the right hand of God: Ps 110:1 Heb 1:3.

Exercising the priestly office in heaven: Zec 6:13 Rom 8:34.

The chief cornerstone: Is 28:16 1Pe 2:6, 7.

King in Zion: Ps 2:6 Lk 1:32 Jhn 18:33-37.

Conversion of the Gentiles to Him: Is11:10 42:1 Mat 1:17, 21 Jhn 10:16 Acts 10:45, 47.

His righteous government: Ps 45:6, 7 Jhn 5:30 Rev 19:11.

Universal dominion: Ps 72:8 Dan 7:14 Phl 2:9, 11.

Perpetuity of His kingdom: Is 9:7 Dan 7:14 Lk 1:32, 33.

Jesus was and is more than just a mere man. He is truly the Son of God who took away the sin of the world and nailed them to the cross. He rose from the dead, thus He overcame death and defeated Satan. He is the light of the world and He gives eternal life to those who by faith believe and trust in Him as Lord and Savior. He did not just live and died, He divided time. Because of His birth the calendar changed from BC to AD. The world was never the same again after Christ came and He has transformed many lives throughout the centuries.

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, maybe you have heard about Him, maybe somebody told you about the His birth, His ministry, His crucifixion and that He rose from the dead on the third day. He offers salvation and eternal life to those who repent and believe in Him. This Christmas season, take some time and think, what Christmas is really all about and why Christians celebrate this season. It is not about Santa Claus, gifts, parties etc. It is all about Jesus and the gift of God to mankind.

Jesus came at the appointed time. He died at the appointed time and He rose at the appointed time. His birth has changed the world and it will change you if you let Him. He offers salvation to those who will believe, and they shall not perish but have everlasting life. Salvation is a free gift of God. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, no one can earn salvation or a right standing before God through their good behaviors or good deeds.

Various religions are trying to reach God on their own merit, trying to live a good enough life, and maybe God will let them into heaven. In biblical Christianity, God reaches down to man offering salvation through Jesus Christ and through Him alone. God provided as promised a sacrifice for us, all we need to do is receive Him and open our hearts to him.

I pray wherever you may be in the world regardless of your religious background, to at least take some time to think and reflect on the message that Christians have proclaimed for the last 2000 years. Jesus is truly the Son of God who died and shed His blood for our sins on the cross, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who by faith call upon Him. God loves you and He does not want you to perish, but you must come to Him by the way that God provided, through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to salvation.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Can man orchestrate his own salvation?

The Bible is very clear about that man cannot save himself. No one can reach God on his own merit or on their own goodness or righteousness. Salvation is a gift of God by His grace through faith. The context of Ezekiel 14 is that Israel had turned to idol worship and God was pronouncing judgment on them. They had become faithless, they did not trust and believe in the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but rather chose to worship man made gods.

“Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD. Eze 14:14

Even if these 3 OT heroes would earnestly pray as intercessor for the nation, even they could not stop the judgment of God against Israel.
The OT teaches that people were saved by faith which accounted to them as righteousness. Abraham was a man of faith who believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. The OT saints believed in the coming Messiah and the promises of God, they looked forward to the cross as we now look back at the finished work of Christ on the cross.

“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Gen 15:6

“For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Rom 4:3

“just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Gal 3:6

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

Religions have always tried to reach God, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhist and other religions believe that they can appease God by their works of their righteousness. No one can appease God on his own righteousness. The Bible teaches that there is none that is righteous in the eyes of God.

“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;” Rom 3:10

Mankind is separated from God because of sin, and God has given mankind only one way of being reconciled to Him through His son Jesus Christ who died for the sin of the world. Jesus by shedding His blood on the cross has paid the price for sin and everybody who believes by faith in Him and Hid finished work is forgiven and God does not remember their sins anymore. It is the righteousness of Jesus that is imputed onto the believers and thus the believer is saved, not of works or achieving righteousness before God.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph 2:8, 9

It is because of God’s grace that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace is something we do not deserve, or earned, it is a gift of God because He loves us and He sent His Son to bring us into a right standing with Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Human Reasoning or God’s Standard’s?

The “Freedom of Religion Organization” http://www.forf.org a very outspoken Anti-theist group has been lobbying for some time now to have “In God we Trust” removed from our currency. They absolutely see no problem with: “In Reason We Trust which would take away the faith in God and “religion.” They instead like to replace it with a humanistic secular world viewpoint. The believe is that “human reasoning” will set the world free from the oppression that “religion” places on today’s society. Hawkins and other Anti-theist like him i.e. Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens love to proclaim boldly that God does not exist and that He is not needed. They claim religion has suppressed the freedom of the people and is hindering the progress of a new society that is freed from God and religious zealots. They believe that with reasoning and humanist thinking the world will be a better place one day. If we can only silence the “people of faith” then we can all live together in peace and harmony just as John Lennon envisioned it in his song “Imagine”.

What has human philosophy and reason done so far for society? We are living in a world of violence, murder rape, theft, you name it. Society is on a moral decline and if we continue the way progressives are dictating us to go, the moral decline of our nation and the world will grow worse. The progressive movement is not a step forward, but a step back into paganism and heathenism. Who set’s the moral standards? Who will get to decide what is right and what is wrong? God has said: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

Do we set moral values from the viewpoint of man or from the viewpoint of God? God has given mankind moral values that cannot be denied and every human has those values written on their hearts, we intuitively know when we are doing something wrong. Our conscience bears witness to the fact. God has given us the 10 commandments, you shall not murder steal, lie, commit adultery, coveting your neighbors goods and so on. These are all good moral values and I believe that not many would disagree with them. However many do not want to obey them, or are trying to get around them with some human philosophy. In their moral world God’s views are obsolete, they agree that murdering somebody is wrong and needs to be punished, they would also agree that stealing and lying is wrong. Humanistic thinkers look on the outside of man, God however looks inside at the heart of man, and it was Jesus that demonstrated to us how God looks at His perfect and moral standards.

Jesus did not abolish the 10 commandments as many like to think, He took them and raised them up a notch. Showing that God does not look at the outside appearance of man but at the heart. Many will say, “I have never murdered anyone.” Jesus said: if you hate your brother, you have already committed murder in your heart. That person may not have murdered anybody physically, but he/she may have hated someone wishing them to be dead. In the eyes of God that is just like murdering someone. From the heart comes all evil thinking, from the heart comes murder, theft, lies and covetousness. It is a heart issue. God declares in Jeremiah: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jer. 17:9.

God declares every human being guilty of sin. The word sin is not very much liked these days, but what the word sin really means is “missed the mark, or “fallen short.” God declares in His word that we have all missed the mark and have fallen short of His glory. Therefore man will make all kinds of excuses for their actions, society is to blame, religion is to blame, politicians are to blame. “If we would just have more tolerance towards one another”. “If we would not be so narrow-minded about things, the world would be a much better place to live in”. Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Mat 7:13, 14.

In my opinion, I rather go the narrow way. I believe that if we let go of God and His perfect standards and rather put our trust in humanity and human reasoning, today’s society will face dire consequences in the future. Every Kingdom or Empire that let go of their moral values in the past has perished. Humanist today want to replace God’s wisdom with a humanistic atheistic philosophy. They simply deny the existence of God and do not acknowledge Him. One day the ultimate Judge will have the last word and no human excuses will ever hold up before the throne of God. Man’s wisdom is foolishness before God. It is never too late to turn and embrace God. Today is the day of salvation. God is waiting patiently and He is longsuffering towards mankind, wanting nobody to perish.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer 29:11

P.S. True Biblical Christianity is not a “religion, but a meaningful loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.