Facing Death

Today was an unusual one. I went to the funeral of a Christian gentleman. He was old and had been married. He lived a simple life, not much money but he had always seemed to be happy and content. We were told by the preacher that he had been an angry man once, it sounded like he had almost verged on abusing his wife. He had found it impossible to control his temper.

One day he met a family who seemed to be different. They were kind and considerate and had a happy lifestyle even though they were not very wealthy. They explained to him that the source of their contentment was not based on what they had nor an extra-ordinary strength of character but because they had been introduced to God and that they knew His presence and power in their lives.

That day my friend decided that he wanted what they had. They explained that God was offering to everyone the same deal. Simply put - admit your guilt and need before God, confess your inability to live to perfection on your own and accept the offer of forgiveness from God and he will keep his promise to 'save' you. They explained that the offer was genuine because God is the creator and we are answerable to Him but more than that God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth 2008 years ago. All the details of His life point a thinking mind to this fact - God appeared on earth and in person (the person of His Son) paid the price for sin by His death. The factual historical record of the resurrection of Jesus confirms the claims that He is the Son of God and dealt with sin and transgression by His death. God raised Him from the dead by the Spirit of holiness.

Our friend responded when he heard about the offer of forgiveness and the power of a saved and changed life. Will you? Please let us know if we can help you.

Stephen

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.