I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John10:9,10
I think we need to ‘KISS’ these verses. Let’s Keep It So Simple! And look at the content and context. Jesus came to this earth, and into the Christian’s heart to give him/her life, but not just any life, it’s abundant life. Some translations describe it as overflowing life, and that’s extraordinary living. Who would not want that? Or to put it another way, why would anyone want to pour cold water on this promise?
The phrase “The thief comes only to steal” is a clue to who would want to spoil the Christian’s full and abundant life, and it is a thief. Someone who would steal your joy. The trouble is that our abundant life can be most in jeopardy and stolen by other christians who will decide (for you) that you are not living your life correctly. Perhaps you are watching the wrong Christian TV programs and movies, or reading the wrong inspirational books, enjoying the wrong Christian music, or even listening to the wrong Christian pastors and leaders. This is being done on an industrial internet scale by those who would want to mould you into their image of who God is to them, and by extension, should be to you too. However, I hope you can hold on to the fact that as Christians we have abundant life, and as the following verses confirm it is full of joy and gladness. I for one need to hold on to my future reward which is great in heaven. Amen, and thank you Lord for the positive message of the Gospel which grows in joy, rejoicing, and abundant life.
And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah8:10
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew5:11,12
The aim is to provide a stimulating mix of personal opinions (from a mainstream Christian worldview), and associated comments, which will be accepted and published if they comply with the usual courtesy and decency.
Showing posts with label secure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label secure. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 November 2018
Thursday, 6 September 2018
Perfection
The Lord’s teachings are perfect. The Lord’s rules can be trusted. Psalm 19:7
There’s not a lot of things in this life that we think of as perfect, and few rules that we can fully trust to keep us out of trouble. That’s in spite of the laws of our land being based on the commandments and principles of God’s Word.
The Psalmist in chapter 33:12 says: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. These verses of the Psalmist automatically take our mind to the state of our nation. Our laws were indeed initially formed from the basis of God’s Word, but do you still see that intent today as laws and amendments are made to accommodate the sin sick society we now live in? Changes to reflect our view of sexual sins in particular come to mind which the Bible is so clear about. Now we also make it so easy to terminate life in the womb, and also by ending life by euthanasia of the old, and the not so elderly? Beware the ‘good’ we think we do!
The Bible is clear that any nation will be blessed when they honour God. Can we truthfully say that our once great nation still honours God? Is it possible, or perhaps even certain, that our nation’s fall from grace is directly linked and due to the clear fact that we no longer honour God, not only as our Law Giver, but also as our Lord and Saviour at both a personal and national level? May God forgive us and have mercy on our nation!
There’s not a lot of things in this life that we think of as perfect, and few rules that we can fully trust to keep us out of trouble. That’s in spite of the laws of our land being based on the commandments and principles of God’s Word.
The Psalmist in chapter 33:12 says: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. These verses of the Psalmist automatically take our mind to the state of our nation. Our laws were indeed initially formed from the basis of God’s Word, but do you still see that intent today as laws and amendments are made to accommodate the sin sick society we now live in? Changes to reflect our view of sexual sins in particular come to mind which the Bible is so clear about. Now we also make it so easy to terminate life in the womb, and also by ending life by euthanasia of the old, and the not so elderly? Beware the ‘good’ we think we do!
The Bible is clear that any nation will be blessed when they honour God. Can we truthfully say that our once great nation still honours God? Is it possible, or perhaps even certain, that our nation’s fall from grace is directly linked and due to the clear fact that we no longer honour God, not only as our Law Giver, but also as our Lord and Saviour at both a personal and national level? May God forgive us and have mercy on our nation!
Wednesday, 1 August 2018
Happysad
My daughter coined the word ‘happysad’ recently which fits in so many ways and places. You will know that as a Christian, I spend a lot of time at church and in the company of other Christians, although I have to say, not exclusively. I enjoy the company of all sorts of people, whether believers or not! So, where does this word ‘happysad’ come in?
The kind of church service I enjoy best involves and includes: reverence without gimmicks, a group of friendly people from all parts of society who make the stranger welcome, hearty congregational singing that lifts the roof, the sound of people whispering an ‘amen’ or even speaking it out loud, a tear wiped away when an eternal truth makes someone emotional by word or song, a tear wiped, a clear Gospel message which leaves the listener challenged to the point of making a life changing decision to follow Jesus more closely, the right hand of fellowship and the occasional hug. I was at such a church service today.
The occasion was made better in the fact that it was not my usual church or group of believers, but the sense of fellowship was acute and unmistakably a good, clear, Christian, Gospel witness. An hour well spent. I left encouraged in my faith, and challenged to be a better person while I live and enjoy the little time I have left on this earth. This kind of church service doesn’t happen every week, or in every church.
Oh, didn’t I say? I was at a celebration of a life well lived, a lady who is literally a saint in the courts of heaven. Her eternal destiny was, and is, known, confirmed, and secure. A church where pastors can speak freely without compromise, hesitation or choosing their words carefully in case they offend someone. They presented the Gospel of the saving Power of the Lord Jesus Christ and they were respected for their candour without exception.
Yes, I was at a funeral. My only question is this: Why should I attend a funeral service, to hear the Gospel where it is not taken as an offence to the listeners? And as for that word ‘happysad’? Does it make more sense now?
The kind of church service I enjoy best involves and includes: reverence without gimmicks, a group of friendly people from all parts of society who make the stranger welcome, hearty congregational singing that lifts the roof, the sound of people whispering an ‘amen’ or even speaking it out loud, a tear wiped away when an eternal truth makes someone emotional by word or song, a tear wiped, a clear Gospel message which leaves the listener challenged to the point of making a life changing decision to follow Jesus more closely, the right hand of fellowship and the occasional hug. I was at such a church service today.
The occasion was made better in the fact that it was not my usual church or group of believers, but the sense of fellowship was acute and unmistakably a good, clear, Christian, Gospel witness. An hour well spent. I left encouraged in my faith, and challenged to be a better person while I live and enjoy the little time I have left on this earth. This kind of church service doesn’t happen every week, or in every church.
Oh, didn’t I say? I was at a celebration of a life well lived, a lady who is literally a saint in the courts of heaven. Her eternal destiny was, and is, known, confirmed, and secure. A church where pastors can speak freely without compromise, hesitation or choosing their words carefully in case they offend someone. They presented the Gospel of the saving Power of the Lord Jesus Christ and they were respected for their candour without exception.
Yes, I was at a funeral. My only question is this: Why should I attend a funeral service, to hear the Gospel where it is not taken as an offence to the listeners? And as for that word ‘happysad’? Does it make more sense now?
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