Signposts to Jesus

Why are Christians are so convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Well you might ask, it's an excellent question.

Our belief is laid on a very solid foundation. First of all we believe in divine revelation not just human discovery. In fact to learn about something outside of our sphere of experience we all accept we need information from a trustworthy source. If you are serious about discovering the truth - check the Bible out. It is a trustworthy source. Read it, check it's sources, speak to those who believe it, look at it 's accuracy in every sphere it touches. There can only be one answer to the question of the origin of a book that was written over one thousand five hundred years by forty different authors, many of whom did not even know each other. The Bible is God's message to mankind.

Secondly check the facts concerning Jesus Christ. There are over three hundred signposts (biblical predictions/prophecies) which point to him. The chances of them all being fulfilled precisely in the life of one person, at the right time, in the right place are mindblowing odds apart from this fact - God planned it and implemented His plan in a person - His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible predicts the mode of his conception, the place of his birth, his exile into Egypt, the slaughtering of the innocents, the gifts from the magi and lots more.

Finally look at the prediction about the way that Jesus would die. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 52 describe the horrific death of God's Son a cross. Death by crucifixion was unknown when Psalm 22 was written about 1000 years before the death of Jesus but God knew that was the way that His Son would die.

In closing please listen again to the words of the angels who announced the birth of the Lord Jesus 'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord'. Is he your Saviour? He died 'for our sins'. He suffered 'the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God'. Will you rest by faith on what the Lord Jesus did to save your soul?

Liverpool City of Football

Maybe you were handed a leaflet today when we were having a 'Street Meeting' in Liverpool City Centre. If so, thank you for accepting one. We would like you do more than just be polite we would like you to search for 'truth' . You might say like a famous man once did - what is truth? Fair question! Jesus Christ made some massive claims - he said that he was 'the way, the truth and the life'.

I do not usually focus on one area of some people's interests but I am doing so today as I read on www.textministry.co.uk the following message. I hope it helps some of the readers of this blog

GOAL?

Football is all about goals! The referee has seconds to decide to allow or dis-allow a goal. His decision is not always the right one. Your life should have a goal too. God has a purpose for your life. You are in this world for a reason. In order to live your life as God intended, you need to become part of His family. ‘For I know the plans I have for you…plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ Jeremiah 29 v 11

FOUL!

The problem is you have a past. God warns us in His word, the Bible. ‘All the world is guilty before God.’ Romans 3 v 19. Our fore-parents Adam and Eve sinned and everyone born since has fallen foul of their disobedience. God however, wants you as part of His family. He offers a free transfer. He does not ignore your wrong beliefs or behaviour but he will and can forgive if you come to him and ask in prayer (my addition).

SUB!

Gods love for you is so great He gave His Son, the Lord Jesus to die on a cross. He took the penalty of your sin. He became the perfect substitute. God punished His Son instead of you,
‘The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.’ Galatians 2 v 20

RESULTS?

You now have a decision to make ‘now is the day of salvation’ 2 Corinthians 6 v 2. God asks you to put your trust in His Son and what He has done for you. Don’t leave Him on the bench. You will have the ultimate goal in life if you put Him first. To get saved you need to turn from your sin (Acknowledge and renounce your sin and agree with God's assessment of your life). Then accept His Son as Saviour and Lord who has paid the price in His death so that you can be forgiven and right with God (My addition).

Christmas is coming.......

How about you - too busy for Christmas, me too. Sounds a bit like Scrooge. Humbug and all that. I really do like the season but life is so busy that you feel that it's on you before you know it.

Makes me think that all of life is a bit like that. We're young, out of nappies, walking, school, working, paying bills. Children become teenagers all of a sudden and then they are off to Uni. Where does time go?

All I know is that it does fly. There are no rewind and start again options and time for all of us will run out sooner than later. So why today's blog? For this reason - make sure you take time to find God and life or you'll miss the whole reason why you were born.

God in the Bible bemoans the lack of forsight of humans. He says 'O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end (discern their future)'. we rush on, busy busy busy. We achieve lots in respect of this life but we fail to stop and consider what it is all leading to and why we exist.

Take time out this week (preferably today) to consider these issues. Jesus said 'I am come that they might have life'. He also said that he had come ' a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness'.

My question - are you forgiven by God, walking in the light of God's salvation, ready to meet God. To find out how read some of my previous blog entries.

May God bless you.

Where did that week go?

I worked on Monday and then we flew to Ireland to see our relatives and friends for a few days. It was half term and the time didn't half fly. Into Belfast International at 11 a.m. , up to Ballymena, then down to Newtonards to see my wife's sister and her family. Back to Belfast at night to visit friends. Home late.

Wednesday - a bit of a lie in, then out for the day with friends (back to Belfast) then home to spend the evening with my wife's Mum and Dad. Our daughter went out for a meal with friends she had been in the Ukraine with and our Son went off to spend the night at our friend's son's house.

Thursday - up and in to Ballymena by 9.15 a.m. , time for an Ulster Fry (good healthy living). Off to Ballymoney to visit my Brother in Law and his wife. There for the rest of the day, back to Ballymena for 7 p.m., collected cases and then off to the airport for the flight home.

Three days off - you must be joking. Three days on a flying visit without hardly drawing breath.

Seems that's how our life goes. Maybe that's how your life goes. Hardly any time to think. Little time to take in what are we doing with our lives. What is all the rush and activity about?

I thank God that I learned early in life why I am on this planet. I thank God for parents who taught me the truth. Why we die? Where we came from? What's next when life is over?

What about you! Have you stopped to think yet? Or are you rushing on and missing the point of your existence. It's not to make money, it's not for success in itself, it's not solely for personal happiness. You were created to bring God glory and when you are doing that you will be fulfilled in yourself and a blessing to others.

Our self centred lives, our sin against God is the reason why we do not know God and enjoy the real things in life (not the toys this world offers but the truth, joy, pleasure, honesty etc that comes from God).

To get to know God you need to confess your guilt before Him and admit your need of Him. He will save you and bless you. In the Bible the way back to God is summarised like this. 'Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ'. That means you turn from your sin and admit it is wrong and that God is right. Then you turn to God's Son, the Lord Jesus and trust him to forgive and save you. He came from heaven, born of the virgin, live a perfect lfie and allowed men to crucify him so that you could be forgiven. He personally paid the price God demanded for sin so that you could be forgiven. Would you trust Him today? I pray that you will.

Kind regards and God's blessing, Stephen