Cancer or Dementia - which is worse?

Cancer and Dementia – Which is the Worst?

Cancer and dementia are two terrible diseases, but which is the worst? Stephen Baker considers this question, and discusses our mortality.

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Is it Better to get Cancer Rather than Dementia?

Someone said to me recently that it would be better to get cancer than dementia_ Now I wouldn’t like to make the choice but I know where they are coming from. 

The prospect of beating cancer is higher than it ever was compared to the limited availability of treatment for people suffering from dementia. But having seen what friends have had to handle before they _beat_ cancer I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. 

Access Denied - when your computer locks you out!

A friend of mine recently bought a new computer. He, like me, was not very computer literate. Having set up the various programs and their passwords he sought to type his first message. Diligently following the on-screen instructions he was asked for the password, which he carefully typed in. Disaster! A message flashed across the screen "Access Denied". He tried again with the same result. He contacted me for advice. All I could do was ask him if he was sure that he used the correct password. He was adamant that he had. He had done nothing wrong, was sure that all was correct but something was wrong.

How many days are left until Christmas 2016

As I write there are 68 days left until Christmas 2016 - Oh no!!!

It could be the onset of years but Christmas seems to come around quicker every year. It is probably the early appearance of adverts and the Christmas commercial juggernaut appearing on the horizon which gives the impression that Christmas is coming.

For a Christian, the event which is celebrated at Christmas is not confined to December or even November. It is not even restricted to being about the Saviour’s infancy; it is actually about more about His deity and that is a truth which bears consideration all year round.

I don’t suppose anyone can ever fathom what it means for God to be born in a manger. How does one explain the Almighty stooping to become a tiny infant? It was the greatest condescension the world has ever known or will ever know. Our minds cannot begin to understand what was involved in God becoming a man. We will never comprehend why He who was infinitely rich would become poor, assume a human nature, and enter into a world He knew would reject Him and kill Him.

Nor can anyone explain how God could become a baby. Yet He did. Without forsaking His divine nature or diminishing His deity in any sense, He was born into our world as a tiny infant. How can both things be true?

Humanity and Deity

For nearly two thousand years, debate has been raging about who Jesus really is. Some say He is one of many gods, a created being, a high angel, a good teacher, a prophet, and so on. The common thread of all such theories is that they make Jesus less than God.

But let the Bible speak for itself. John’s gospel begins with a clear statement that Jesus is God: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Who is “the Word” spoken of in these verses? John 1:14 removes any doubt: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”.

The biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God. For one thing, He was omniscient (knew all things). John 2:24-25 says that, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” Nathanael was shocked to discover that Jesus knew all about him before they ever met. It was enough to persuade him that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:48-50). John 4 describes Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He knew everything about her (John 4:17-19, 29).

Jesus also did the works of God, saying, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14:11). Jesus’ works are convincing proof that He is God. He began His miraculous ministry with a simple act—He created wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). Only God can create. Moreover, He healed people who were hopelessly ill. He gave a blind man eyes. He opened ears that had never heard. He restored withered limbs. He created enough fish and bread to feed thousands. He raised the dead simply by a command.

This child was God

Why would God become a man and be born in such a lowly manner and let men treat Him the way they did?

“It was the Father’s good pleasure . . . through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

He did it to make peace between God and humanity. All of us have sinned, and we sin repeatedly: “There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 2:23). God hates sin and must respond with His wrath. He is a righteous judge who “is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). Humanity reacts with more hatred, rebellion, or indifference toward God: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18). The only possible response of a holy God to our sin is more than we can bear, for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Only Jesus, because He alone is both God and man, could ever resolve the conflict.

He takes the hand of a repentant, yielding sinner and the outstretched hand of a holy yet loving God, and He joins the two. He can forgive our sins, reconcile us to God, and thus make “peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). And God is not reluctant for that to occur; rather it is the very reason He sent Christ into the world.

God is justifiably angry with our sin. Yet He loves us enough that He gave His own Son to live on earth, die on a cross, suffering the full weight of God’s wrath, which should have been our lot. He paid the penalty for sin and can bring peace between us and God. It could not have been done any other way.

Will you hear the voice of God in His word, the Bible and trust His Son, Jesus, for salvation. Our prayer is that you will.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Written for STT by a guest blogger

What Britons believe about God!

What Britons believe about God!

A recent survey concluded that Britons are more likely to believe in ghosts and karma than a Creator. It’s probably important to note, however, that ‘Christian’ is a cultural identification for many. Last year, YouGov found that only 55 per cent of self-identified Christians believe a God exists.

In fact it would seem that in British society a trend of ‘christianaphobia’ is rising. Christianity is accused of some amazing things. A couple of years ago, in a large circulation Regional Newspaper in England, Christianity was accused of being the source of the 'tide of disrespect engulfing us'. Is this really an honest assessment?

The impact of Christianity on the world is indisputable! Following the principles Jesus taught produced social reform, improved education, the development of science and medicine and influenced literature and philosophy!

The consequences of failing to follow the teachings of Jesus will be catastrophic both for society and the individual! The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to earth one day to judge the world righteously, Acts 17:31. All wrong will be judged; sadly unbelief in God, and his Son Jesus, is one of those wrongs that will qualify. 

This may seem harsh but essentially unbelief is the worst crime of all because of what it leads to. 

God is light therefore unbelief leaves you in moral darkness. 

God is truth therefore unbelief leaves you with all that is false. 

God is life therefore unbelief leaves you with death. 

God is holy therefore unbelief leaves you with sins unforgiven.

Ultimately unbelief leads to all the depravity that we readily accept is wrong and harmful. Thankfully today we all have the opportunity to 'believe in the Lord Jesus Christ'. In that day it will be too late.

In closing I want to pass on a ‘Global Warning,’ (excuse the pun)! This is not about the effect of the mismanagement of our planet and its resources, important though that is, but about an issue which has a longer lasting effect. This planet will come to the end of it's life cycle one day, see 2 Peter 3. However our souls will never die! The warning is that if we do not actively get back to God then we will find that we are, on death, forever at a distance from God and all that God is i.e. love, justice, peace etc. 

How can we come to God? The answer is in seeking the Lord while he may be found, repenting of our sin (turning away from it) and placing our personal trust in Jesus Christ.

The scripture teaches - 'Christ died for our sins....and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day,' 1 Corinthians 15.3,4.

The solution is to 'repent and believe the gospel,' Mark 1.15.

May you come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as a result of considering these thoughts from the Bible. 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

How to deal with the fear the unknown!

The fear of the unknown!

Most of us are frightened of the unknown. Maybe you wouldn't used the word frightened but most of us prefer to be sure about what is going on, what is coming next or what to expect in any given situation. 

A friend of mine was asked to come to a clinic in a local hospital to have his eyes checked. His doctor was a bit unsure about his pheriferal vision and wanted it be to be checked out. This referral generated anxiety and stress. I understand exactly how my friend felt as my mother has macular degeneration and finds it very debilitating. 

Fear is a very real emotion. Sometimes our fears are imagined nevertheless the feeling of fear is very real. Other times our fears are justified and we take precautions or prepare ourselves mentally for the worst. There are also times when we are not aware of danger, we have no idea what is going on and so we are blissfully ignorant of what we are facing. It's this last type of fear I want to talk to you about. 

The danger we are unaware of!!

Most people in the 21st century live for the moment. They ignore the bigger issues of life after death, our responsibility for our life choices and day to day decisions and the existence of an almighty God to whom we are answerable. 

Are you aware that we are accountable for every action, every thought, every word, every motive, and every belief we hold? Our maker, God, is the ultimate judge. The Bible describes Him as the Judge of all the earth. Please be assured of this; He will be absolutely fair and just in all the assessments and decisions He makes. Genesis 18:25 states 'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just'. 

The standard that God judges us against is written in black and white in the Bible. One day God called Moses up Mount Sinai. Over a period of forty days He wrote His law so that Moses could teach his people the standards by which God operates. Until then humanity only had their conscience to judge right and wrong. From that date it was written down! No excuses! When Moses came down from his meeting with the Almighty God he presented the people with a book, the Book of the Law. Since that day the human race has been aware of God's law.

The problem is that we all struggle to live by God's law. We know that it is good. I mean most of us would agree that the principles of loving your neighbour as yourself, not stealing, not lying, no swearing, no sexual sin are all very good for us as individuals and as a society. But if we are honest we all struggle to live up to these standards.

You see God didn't give us His law to make us feel good about ourselves but to prove us guilty. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Compared to God's law the whole world stands guilty. This is what I mean when I say that we are in danger but we are unaware of it!

I am not writing this blog post just to make you aware that you are a sinner and come short of God's standard. My real purpose is to make you are aware of the danger and then to point you to the solution, the salvation that God has provided in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

As I close here a couple of verses from the Bible that should help. If you are really interested in avoiding the danger of God's judgment then please read and think about these verses (and have a read of some of my previous blog posts as well).

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish it have everlasting life - John 3:16

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved - Romans 10:9. 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Jesus' Parting Words - Acts 1

Jesus' Parting Words

The Lord Jesus said two things to his disciples before he went back to heaven. The first was a statement to reconfirm the promise that the Holy Spirit would be sent to earth from heaven. The second was to teach the disciples that they were to go out into the world and to preach the gospel in every region, country and continent until they reach the outer extremes of this planet. 

These are two of the wonderful privileges of being a Christian. When you get 'saved', God comes to dwell in your heart. This is only possible because you receive the Holy Spirit the moment you became a believer and then you were then able to share the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

We really should take advantage of the privileges that come with believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 1Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:3 to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men andbrethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,22 beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

For more information text the word INFO to 07747 101352 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

You can be sure of heaven - 1 John 5:13-21

1 John 5:13-21

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Explanation

John is writing to Christians, verse 13 makes that very clear. He is writing, however, so that the believers instead of doubting their faith in Christ might know  that they have eternal life. That means it is possible to have eternal life but live a life of doubt where you are lacking assurance. That need not be the case. The Lord wants believers to live lives in full assurance of faith, enjoying and appreciating their faith in the Lord Jesus. When John wrote his gospel he ended it by saying 'these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name'.

Here is a disciple who is confident that if he asks God for anything that is in keeping with His will that it will be granted, v14,15. The question and challenge then is to seek out and find out what the will of God is! Searching the scriptures is the only realistic way to do this. The first and biggest aspect of God's will for any person to discover is that he 'will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,' 1 Timothy 5:4. 

In verses 16-18 we are confronted with the fact that there are some sins which can be forgiven and some that cannot. You might have thought that all sins could be forgiven. This is basically right but there are a couple of exceptions! The only sin that I can think of that cannot be forgiven is the sin of unbelief. That is if you refuse to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and you reject God's offer of forgiveness then you are excluding yourself from forgiveness. All the other examples are closely linked to this. There might be a sense in which this verse has a very special meaning that was unique to Bible times. For instance the sin of attributing the power behind the miracles of Jesus to the devil would be relevant in the days of Christ and similar to refusing to believe the gospel.  Again turning your back on Jesus as the Messiah, Lord and Saviour and going back to Jewish beliefs and sacrifices was described as the sin of apostasy; this again is a form of unbelief. 

Verse 17 confirms a fact that is often spoken about in the Bible - 'all unrighteousness is sin'. That is a definition of sin. Sin is everything that does not come up to God's impeccable standard. Romans 3:23 states 'for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'.

The next three verses (18-20) show that there is a marked difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and an unbeliever. This is seen in their behaviour. A Christian is not expected to constantly sin. It is also seen in the fact that a believer is careful about how they live and what they allow into their lives. The Christian is also preserved from the wicked one (the devil) getting a firm grip in their life. The world is under the devil's control but the believer's source of life comes from God.

In summary - 'We know that the Son of God is come and has given us an understanding'. The reason is that 'we might know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life'. 

A warning - Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.