John 14:6 - Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
The Gospel of John records Jesus as referring Himself as being the 'Truth'. What does this mean for us?
John 1 describes the 'Word' being with God in the beginning. This passage clearly is referring to Jesus, meaning Jesus was there at creation. The existence of a God is the only way absolute truth can be rationalised and since everything on this earth is created by God, it is sensible to suggest that truth was also created by God. Jesus is the truth because He created the truth.
There are many voices calling out to us in today's world and it probably wasn't too much different in Jesus' time or at any other time. Adverts call on us to buy this and buy that and imply it will make us happy. Richard Dawkins and his Militant Atheist cult tell us there 'probably isn't a God' despite no evidence to suggest that and plenty of evidence to suggest the Universe was created. Peers tell us if only we wear this, or do this or live like this then we will be acceptable and right with the world. Actually, there is only one truth and that truth is Jesus Christ.
Jesus existed (37 records excl. the Gospels, some critical but show He existed!), Jesus died for us, Jesus paid for our sins and through Him we will have life to the full (John 10:10).
Jesus is the true key to peace, contentment, fulfillment and happiness. People who meet Jesus and get to know this rarely, if ever, go back, because it is true!
Don't believe the lies, believe Jesus. But don't take my word for it, take His. Don't trust me, Trust Him!
You can thank me in Paradise.
Showing posts with label How to live life to the full. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How to live life to the full. Show all posts
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Misconceptions - 5. Christianity is just a bunch of rules
Hello strangers, sorry I haven't posted for sometimes. With my exams life is very busy and the blog is taking a bit more of a back seat but I promise I haven't given up! If you have any more misconception ideas please let me know :-)
Anyhow, this is another moot issue for many people. I have seen people very attracted to Christianity over the years but put off by the idea that Christianity is just a load of rules that will stop them having fun in their lives.
Christianity isn't about people not having fun, Jesus states in John 10:10 that He came to give us life in all of its fullness.
It isn't about just obeying rules to please God. In Amos 5:21 God stated that He despised the religious feasts & assemblies of the Israelites because of their hypocrisy and attitude towards them. Jesus came and fulfilled this Old Testament law by living a perfect life and setting us free from it. Forgiveness and righteousness before God comes from accepting His Grace through Christ not through achieving a standard. Paul describes it best in Ephesians 2:8-9...
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
It is very sad to me that other faiths such as Islam try to achieve grace by works and don't even know whether they have done enough or not until they die. As Christians, we can know our eternity right now.
Christianity is about relationship with the Father, God wants to know us and that is why He sent Jesus...to remove the barrier between us, sin.
Anyhow, this is another moot issue for many people. I have seen people very attracted to Christianity over the years but put off by the idea that Christianity is just a load of rules that will stop them having fun in their lives.
Christianity isn't about people not having fun, Jesus states in John 10:10 that He came to give us life in all of its fullness.
It isn't about just obeying rules to please God. In Amos 5:21 God stated that He despised the religious feasts & assemblies of the Israelites because of their hypocrisy and attitude towards them. Jesus came and fulfilled this Old Testament law by living a perfect life and setting us free from it. Forgiveness and righteousness before God comes from accepting His Grace through Christ not through achieving a standard. Paul describes it best in Ephesians 2:8-9...
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
It is very sad to me that other faiths such as Islam try to achieve grace by works and don't even know whether they have done enough or not until they die. As Christians, we can know our eternity right now.
Christianity is about relationship with the Father, God wants to know us and that is why He sent Jesus...to remove the barrier between us, sin.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Psalm 46
I love my life, I sometimes think it cannot be any better. I believe that some might read that and think 'What? But how you can you enjoy your life? You are not having sex, you don't go out getting drunk every weekend, you are not cool!'
I have realised that the times when we as human beings enjoy our lives most are times of dependence.
I, Michael Woodington, cannot fulfill myself by myself. Buying a flashy car will give me a bit extra short term happiness but not JOY. Having a girlfriend might give me extra happiness for a few months but not JOY. Success in my exams might feel good, but it won't give me JOY.
I was having a hard time the other night. With all of my revision and other responsibilities plus really missing friends of mine...I was a bit down in the dumps.
I get complacent in my faith at times, when God gets me on top of things I'm like 'Thanks God, I can take the wheel from here', and funnily enough every time I end up needing Him again, sometimes even more than before.
I think this was such an occasion so I prayed and God said something to me, He said that He was with me in this, all the way.
I know what life is all about. I know where true happiness (aka JOY) comes from. It comes from surrendering all of my dreams, ideas, hopes and troubles and giving them straight to God and living life hand in hand with Him. When Jesus said He came to give us life to the full (John 10:10)..He meant it! Instead of worrying and trying to make our own way. Let God sort out our problems, trust His guiding Hand over our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) and let God instill in us His Spirit, His Joy, His Peace so that we can fully appreciate the wonderful life He has mapped out for us. God never lets us down.
The next morning my daily devotion book led me to this verse...it met me so much where I was (definitely a GOD-incidence!) and I felt God urging me to send it to a friend, who also said the same thing...so maybe it will really bless you as well today.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Thank you Lord that you don't stop caring about us. That you love us so much. That you have promised to never let go of us.
"Take my life, let it be, everything, all of me. Here I am, Use me for your Glory."
I have realised that the times when we as human beings enjoy our lives most are times of dependence.
I, Michael Woodington, cannot fulfill myself by myself. Buying a flashy car will give me a bit extra short term happiness but not JOY. Having a girlfriend might give me extra happiness for a few months but not JOY. Success in my exams might feel good, but it won't give me JOY.
I was having a hard time the other night. With all of my revision and other responsibilities plus really missing friends of mine...I was a bit down in the dumps.
I get complacent in my faith at times, when God gets me on top of things I'm like 'Thanks God, I can take the wheel from here', and funnily enough every time I end up needing Him again, sometimes even more than before.
I think this was such an occasion so I prayed and God said something to me, He said that He was with me in this, all the way.
I know what life is all about. I know where true happiness (aka JOY) comes from. It comes from surrendering all of my dreams, ideas, hopes and troubles and giving them straight to God and living life hand in hand with Him. When Jesus said He came to give us life to the full (John 10:10)..He meant it! Instead of worrying and trying to make our own way. Let God sort out our problems, trust His guiding Hand over our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) and let God instill in us His Spirit, His Joy, His Peace so that we can fully appreciate the wonderful life He has mapped out for us. God never lets us down.
The next morning my daily devotion book led me to this verse...it met me so much where I was (definitely a GOD-incidence!) and I felt God urging me to send it to a friend, who also said the same thing...so maybe it will really bless you as well today.
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Thank you Lord that you don't stop caring about us. That you love us so much. That you have promised to never let go of us.
"Take my life, let it be, everything, all of me. Here I am, Use me for your Glory."
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