The discovery of an ancient door

If you were being chased by a vicious dog and you saw an open door, what would you do? I am sure that you would, like me, take the route to safety through the open door.

If you were lost in a long dark tunnel and finally you saw the light of an open door, what would you do? The answer is obvious. Entering through the door into the sunlight would be a huge relief. On an ordinary day, when life is routine, we take doors for granted. 

In the past couple of years a remarkable door was discovered, despite the fact that no one was looking for it. In Switzerland work was underway to construct a large car parking near the Zurich Opera House. Excavations dug-up and uncovered an incredible find – an ancient door. They say it was incredibly well preserved. Archaeologists believe it to be one of the oldest doors ever to be found in Europe. The ancient door is about 1.5 metres high, the planks are made of poplar wood and held together by a ‘remarkable system’.  The door is ‘solid and elegant’ – a clever design which even looks good. Even the wooden handles are preserved. Based on counting tree rings to determine its age, the door was constructed in 3,063BC. 

Are you going up?

Good Tidings from Heaven

GOING UP?

I was going to visit two Christians who were in hospital. It was a high rise building and the people I wanted to see were on different levels. I went to the area on the ground floor, from which the elevators could be accessed and was soon on my way up. After spending a little while with the first person I made my way back to the area where a number of people were waiting for an elevator. Soon it arrived and we were asked, "Are you going up?" This immediately divided the people because some said, "No we’re going down". I got in and was in the company of people, all of whom were going up; the others we left behind and they were going down.

Money could keep you out of heaven!

Money could keep you out of heaven!

Short Reading – Mark 10:17-27             

Longer Reading – Mark 10:1-27

Key Verse – Mark 10:21

Life is busy, time is money and there are many questions on my mind. Meet the man who thought money could buy everything!

His question was – ‘What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ The key to the man’s question are the words ‘do’ and ‘inherit’. He was a self made man; everything he had achieved was as a result of what he had done. He probably had worked hard for everything he had. He thought of eternal life as something he could inherit. An inheritance is wealth that someone has worked hard to accumulate and the people who inherit it have a right to it. He wants eternal life but he doesn’t understand that you don’t get it the way you get wealth and possessions.

Troubling Times!

Some people say in anticipation of trouble “the sparks will fly,“ perhaps they are unaware that they are quoting the Bible. Job said in Job 5:7 “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward" and in  Job 14:1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble”.

Nothing lasts for ever!

We often say things like 'nothing lasts for ever' or 'all good things will come to an end one day'. 

Did you know that Jesus Christ said that 'heaven and earth will pass away' He predicted the end of this universe as we know it. 

Saying Goodbye - Acts 1

Acts 1.11 ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven’?

 Sometimes it’s hard to say good-bye to someone. But it’s

especially hard when we really love them. Jesus’ disciples had

seen Him every day for about three years. They had become very

attached to Him.

Have you ever done enough to qualify for heaven?

Mark 12. 28-44

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?

36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The main lesson

Basically you never will be able to do enough to qualify for heaven. Here are some reasons:

1. Religion does not make the grade. 

2. Good living doesn't improve your prospects. 

3. Doing your best isn't good enough. 

This isn't because God is difficult and awkward like an old teacher, boss or parent. There are some people who you will never please no matter how hard you try but God's not like that!

The truth of the matter is that we as flawed humans we are not capable of living like God or in a way that pleases Him. He is perfect and has no capacity to sin: we are sinful and struggle to live life well. 

So what!

Do we have a problem without a solution!

No quite. That's why the Father (God) sent the Son (Jesus) to be the Saviour of the world. 

God is holy but not hateful. 

He cannot live with us as sinners but he has provided forgiveness and salvation through the death of his Son. 

All that is required is the following:

1. Our confession and admission that God is correct. The purpose of this confession is to be bring us to the reality of our true condition before God. 

2. Our repentance towards God. This is a change of mind where we see God for who he is and ourselves for who we are. It is more than regret. It is the correct reaction of turning and placing God in control, dethroning ourselves and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. 

3. Resting on Jesus Christ for salvation.  This is called faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. It comes as a result of admitting our failure to change or save ourselves and our recognition and reliance on Jesus Christ to save us.  

A simple bible statement to summarise all of these stages would be 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,' Acts 16:31. 

To get to this stage we must understand that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead three days later. 

May God bless you though His word and His Son. 

Stephen 

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Changing Values

It is amazing how prices change. Many U.K. readers will remember the old currency of pounds, shillings and pence, when there were 12 pence to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound. Half a crown (12.5p) would have gone a long way and a big white five-pound note was a king’s ransom! Decimalisation dispensed with that and many would argue, led to a great price increase.

Also the cost of houses, cars and even normal, every day commodities, seems to soar. Trying to keep up with this has engendered in people a great desire for riches and this keeps the gambling industry going. Why the big interest in riches? We are told all our worries would be over. People swallow all this despite the evidence showing the opposite. Many movie and sports stars with their millions of money seem to be unhappy people. With all their riches they leave behind a trail of broken marriages, deserted children and some have a suicidal end. Supposing you won the lottery! What then? A big car, a mansion with a swimming pool, a villa in the sun, a yacht and so on. But what then? Some day it must all be left behind and what then?

There is only one thing that does not change in value and that is the human soul. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8. 36. Your soul, the real person, is of more value than the entire world. The reason is simple yet most solemn, it will never cease to exist and is your most precious possession. Dear reader, you have a one-way ticket to eternity and you are not coming back. The big question is, "What is after death?"

There are but two places, heaven and hell and you have the choice. I think every sane person would say, "I don’t want to be in hell, I want to be in heaven." But how can I get there and how can I be sure? If my soul is so precious then it will take a tremendous price to buy a place in heaven for all eternity.

There is no possibility of materialistic wealth on earth buying a ‘heavenly plot’. The cost of our redemption is extremely valuable, so much so that it is recorded, "the redemption of their soul is precious" and because of this "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him," Psalm 49. 7,8. There is only one thing that can equate to the value of the soul and purchase its redemption. Here is what the apostle Peter wrote, "ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold … But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," 1 Pet. 1. 18,19. Peter is highlighting an illustration that may be found in Exodus chapter 12. The Lamb is identified in John chapter 1 verse 29, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." He, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, went to the cross of Calvary where He was crucified and He shed His precious blood and died so that we may be saved. The apostle John wrote, "...the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," 1 John 1. 7.

When those who are saved reach heaven they shall sing one great song. They will not be singing of church, chapel, mission hall, gospel hall; nor will they be boasting of their religion, their good works or their ordinances. What is their song? "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation," Rev. 5. 9.

It is His blood alone that can redeem us and give us the assurance of a place in heaven. This alone is the vast, mighty, incalculable, price that will atone for our sins. The moment you trust Him with your soul, the value of His precious blood will be put to your account and you can be sure of heaven for all eternity. How rich are you for eternity?

Reproduced by permission of Assembly Testimony publications.





For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Heavenly ID

In the last book of the Bible we read at least four descriptions of those who will be in heaven. My dear reader, are these true of you?

The first of several songs of praise to be found in this same book commences with the words, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood” Revelation 1.5. It is evident that those who will populate heaven, have been cleansed from the defilement of sin. The unsullied purity and holiness of that celestial abode can never be contaminated by the loathsome defilement of sin; “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie …” Revelation 21.27. If you compare yourself with others, you may never be persuaded about your unclean state but when you stand in the fullest, purest, clearest light of the holiness of God Who “is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” 1John 1.5, you will understand your unfitness to be where God dwells. God’s verdict is final and non-negotiable, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3.23.

Have you been cleansed? If not, then why not avail yourself of the cleansing power of the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, which cleanseth from all sin, 1John 1.7.

Another great song, described as “a new song” is heard in heaven in Revelation chapter 5. Among the words of praise ascribed to the Lamb are these, “For Thou wast slain, And hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood …” Revelation 5.9. Another characteristic of those who will be in heaven is that they have been redeemed from the bondage of sin. Redemption suggests deliverance because of a price that has been paid. One of the greatest causes of joy in the heart of a believer is the knowledge that we have been delivered from the power of sin presently and from its penalty forever. The Son of God willingly took our place upon the cross and sustained the full punishment that was due to our sins. “Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free; For God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.” Dear Reader, have you that assurance that you will never be in hell because you have trusted Him Who “…bare our sins in His own body on the tree” 1Peter 2.24. If not, then hell is inescapable!

Revelation 21.24 further describes the inhabitants of heaven as “them which are saved”. They have been rescued from the very real consequences of their sins. They were not able to accomplish this by their own efforts; they could not purchase this salvation at any price; it could never be merited but it can be received. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6.23. It is the product of the atoning sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ and can only be obtained by faith in Him, Acts 4.12.

Finally, the closing words of Revelation chapter 21 emphasise that those who will be in heaven, “…are written in the Lamb’s book of life”. By wondrous grace their names are in God’s great register, inscribed there the moment they trusted Christ and never to be obliterated from those pages. Is your name there, my friend? That is all important for “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” Revelation 20.15.

Do you fit the picture? God has graphically described those who will share His home forever. If these descriptions are not true of you, why not, just now, trust Christ, the only Saviour of sinners and start for heaven, assured that you will be there eternally.

Written by  a Guest Blogger (Assembly Testimony 2010) for FTMP

For more information or to get in contact visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Twenty five life changing words

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

To most Christians these are familiar words. When I was young old preachers described this verse as 'the gospel in a nutshell'. They meant that this one verse sums up the good news of what Christianity is all about in 25 words.

If you count 12 words from the start of the verse the next word is SON

If you could 12 words from the end the next word is SON

Do you think it is significant that the central word of the verse is SON, I do? Jesus Christ, the SON of God is central to the Christian message.

He was born of a virgin girl as predicted in the Bible.

He is the perfect Son of God but he lived for 33 years in an imperfect world and contrary to all the norms of life he was perfect and faultless - the Bible calls it, sinless.

He lived a life to display what God is like. The Bible describes Him as God revealed in flesh.

He died for our sins. The Bible says this in numerous places i.e. 'Christ died for the ungodly' (Romans.5.6), 'while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans.5.8).

He is the only way of salvation. The Bible says 'neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved'

Finally one of the ways of reading the verse that was explained to me was to insert your name into the text. It makes the verse keenly personal to you. Why not try it but best of all believe it.

For God so loved Stephen Baker that he gave his only begotten Son that if Stephen Baker believes in him Stephen Baker should not perish but have everlasting life.

By the way the verse is written to apply to all. If it had my name in it it would exclude you. If your name was there it would exclude me but it says WHOSOEVER which means it includes everyone.

Home Sweet Home

I have just arrived home after a week of work in Northern Ireland. It was a busy week with lots of activity and I really enjoyed the time away. Despite meeting new and interesting people, seeing new places and having the opportunity to gain a little insight into how other people think it is always good to come home. Home for most of us has a special attraction.

It's where we feel most comfortable, we don't need to be on our best behaviour and we are loved unconditionally. At home you don't feel the urge to explain yourself or to watch what you say. Home is a wonderful place. I am aware that for many home can be a difficult place but God intended it to be a safe and secure environment where all of the above and much more is true.

While I was in Ireland I attended the funeral of an elderly gentleman. He was in his mid to late eighties. He was a Christian gentleman and was well known in the community. The funeral was a large affair with over 250 attending. One of the things that was said about the passing away of this man was that though he had died he was now 'at home with the Lord'. The truth is that he had only died physically but his soul is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven - the verse from the bible that was quoted was "absent from the body but present with the Lord'. A statement that is only true of those who have accepted the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

This is the ultimate homecoming! It is great to come home on earth but the homecoming of the believer in Jesus Christ when the individual leaves earth and arrives in heaven is indescribable.

I wonder what your departure from earth will be like. Will it be an abundant entrance into the presence of the Lord Jesus or a fearful waiting in Hell for the judgment of God. It is possible to be saved and safe. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Listen to my latest podcast about the influence of Mothers and Grandparents in our lives on my podcast seekthetruth.org.uk.

God bless you this week, Stephen.