Take your pick!

 

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

Typically we associate the words ‘Take your pick’ with shopping: we might see it written on a confectionery counter, or hear it spoken by a shopkeeper as he or she encourages us to select items from a pile of fresh fruit. This short three-word statement reminds us that we are continually making choices: in the supermarket, in the clothes shop, deciding which holiday destination to go to, which make and model of car to purchase. On many levels, we make selections throughout our lives. Sometimes we make the wrong decision or are advised incorrectly to take a certain course of action but often we can change our mind and in many cases, the consequences are not serious anyway. There are, however, occasions when the wrong choice can be fatal or at least life-changing and irreversible and so great caution is essential and detailed knowledge of what is at stake.

Post Holiday Stress Syndrome

I'm just back from a week away and trying to get into routine again. Why is it when you come back from a break you often feel more tired than when you left to go? I don't know the answer to this conundrum but I do know the reality of it. Life is a busy business and at times we don't know how tired we really are until we take a break. 

I remember a Doctor saying, many years ago, that you can't really relax unless you take a three week break! Wow, that would be great, wouldn't it! The logic was that you unwound during the first week and then you refuelled for the next two! I can see the sense in it and am feeling that it is really true at the moment. If this is the case then having had one week off I am now ready to relax but have come back to work too early! 

So, see you folks, I'm off for the rest of my holiday!

So let's get down to business; what is today's posting about? 

It's about how to get strength when you are feeling at your weakest. If you are not following me please read on. It might be that you are still a sinner. It's not that you are any different to anyone else - 'for everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard,' the Bible, Romans 3:23. We were all born this way and need a change from an external source to make any difference to our character or behaviour. Thankfully the solution is readily available, the premium has been paid and it's offered free of charge to everyone who has the problem. Remember the bible states that we all are born sinners and therefore imperfect and incapable of this vital change without external help. 

Let me explain the universal solution to the human condition of sin that is freely available to every person who is currently alive on this planet. 

Why do we need someone to save us?

You might be asking why I said that we need someone outside of ourselves to save us? Very simply it's because we all have the same problem of sin. None of us have the moral strength or power to change what we are by nature. So into time stepped the Son of God, Jesus. The scripture says in Romans 5:6 'When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners'. The Lord Jesus Christ was the only person who ever lived who never sinned, nor could he because he was the Son of God. This is why the Bible describes him as the Saviour, the Substitute, the Redeemer and the Prince of Peace. These names describe his character and his achievements on behalf of all who believe.

This act of salvation (Jesus' death, burial and resurrection) was predicted, planned and organised down to the last detail from before the foundation of the world. The Bible is full of predictions (Christians call them prophecies) that can be checked out. Their legitimacy is self evident. One of the key statements in scripture to explain what was going on in the death of Jesus Christ is this. It's found in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 - 'Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day'.

What you do with this information is the key to your future! Here a few words to the wise!

Time limits 

Let me give you a very sharp reality check. You don't get forever to make a choice about Jesus Christ. The only place where you can choose is here upon this earth. Again scripture states in Mark 2:10 'the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins” and Hebrews 9:27,28 states that 'And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Choice limits 

Secondly I want you to be aware that there are only two choices. Jesus spoke about coming 'from above' or coming 'down from heaven'. He also spoke about a man who opened his eyes in hell. Please be aware that this topic is not one to be taken lightly and the choice once made, if sealed by death, is permanent.

The moment of truth. 

Finally please remember that there will ultimately be a moment of truth. When you pass the threshold of death and leave this world behind you, you will know for ever whether the Bible is true or false. I believe that you can know the truth before then. Jesus said 'I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly'. He also said as it is possible to know the truth and 'the truth will set you free'.

My prayer is that you will come to know God and his great salvation through faith in his Son Jesus Christ. For this to be the case it will involve a choice on your part, turning from your old life and sin and depending on Jesus Christ for eternal salvation.

If I can help you further please get in touch via the blog.

Stephen

Please bear in mind that all of these statements and beliefs are based on the Bible. If you want more information as to why I believe the Bible is trustworthy and the word of the creator, the living God, then you would need to watch one of my videos is it crazy to trust the bible? 

"Here is the weather forecast"

Few of us will soon forget the meteorological blunder committed in 2009 when weather forecasters predicted a ‘barbecue summer’. With what excited expectation we waited for the heat and the balmy sunshine but our hopes were soon dashed as day after day we woke to grey skies and heavier than usual rainfall. Have men forgotten that God is in full control of His universe and every aspect of it? How easily He can confound the pronouncements ofpuny men and bring to nought their boasted wisdom.

Hope and anticipation were replaced by disappointment and the lesson must be learned that we cannot rely upon the predictions and promises of men. Many felt they had been deceived and some were angry since they had made their holiday plans on the strength of men’s vain words, choosing to stay at home instead of jetting off to sunnier climes.

How often has this scenario been repeated! Politicians and their spin-doctors appear upbeat and aim to convince the electorate that they have the solutions to all the problems. Vote for them and the economy will improve, your living standard will be raised and everything will, in time, be better. Religious leaders and spiritual advisers calm the fears of their congregations, assuring them that they need not worry: continue living a good life; keep performing charitable acts; be regular in church attendance and there is a good chance that you will get to heaven.

My friend, in these vitally important and eternal matters you cannot afford the slightest uncertainty. One moment after death is too late to discover that, like Eve, you have allowed yourself to be duped by lies and your eternal fate is sealed. In fact, in chapter 20 of the last book in the Bible, Revelation, the devil is described in verse 10 as the one "that deceived them". How thankful we should be that God will never deceive or disappoint us. His Word is infallible and what God promises He can perform.

Can we be sure, here and now, that we will be in heaven forever? Is there a way that definitely leads to heaven? Is it possible to know that our sins have been forgiven and that we will never have to face the consequences of our sins in hell?

Absolutely! God’s Word assures us that salvation can be obtained in a moment of time and can never be taken from us. Consider 1 John 5. 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 …". Romans 8. 1 states emphatically, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus …". The Lord Jesus Himself said in John 10. 28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand."

The gospel presents the good news that simply by trusting Christ alone, you will be saved without a doubt. Let God’s Word speak: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." The Saviour stated categorically in John 6. 47, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." Two former preachers, Paul and Silas said in Acts 16. 31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved …".

My friend, there is no other Saviour; no other means of salvation; no other way to heaven. Do not let anyone deceive you: a wet summer passes, we get over the disappointment, but hell is forever.

Written by Assembly Testimony Magazine and reproduced on FTMP by permission

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

Location:From Liverpool

Nothing can change me - that's the way I am! True or False?

TRUTH U CAN TRUST - DIRECT BIBLE QUOTATIONS - TITUS 1:4-16

Please read the bible quote and the comments at the end - thanks.

4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

⁵ For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

⁶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

¹⁰ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

¹¹ Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

¹² One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

¹³ This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

¹⁴ Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

¹⁵ Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

¹⁶ They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The caricature of national characteristics does not go down well with the

members of the nation being described. 

To call the Scots mean is not only insulting but untrue. 

To call the Irish stupid is equalling insulting and any brief visit to the Emerald Isle

will reveal that in terms of making money they are far from stupid.  I could go on

but I'd rather have some friends when I have finished writing this piece! 

So what is my point?

In the chapter quoted above the residents of Crete are described as 'liars, violent and

greedy", not guaranteed to endear one to the nationals but one that seems to have been

commonly accepted in the days of the New Testament; I am sure that things have changed

drastically since then. 

The point that the writer is making is that becoming a follower of Jesus Christ (also

described as getting saved or being converted) completely changes a person and

counteracts what we are naturally. 

I whole heartedly recommend turning from your sin and accepting Christ as your Lord and

Saviour. To find out more read some of my previous blogs or visit me on

www.seekthetruth.org.uk.