Do You Believe in Jesus Christ?

Do You Believe in Jesus Christ?

Almost 2,000 years ago when Caesar Augustus was ruling the vast Roman Empire , Jesus Christ was born in Palestine in very humble circumstances. Until he was 30 he was virtually unknown. However, during a brief three year public ministry, his impact was such that it changed the world. H.G. Wells, the famous historian, once said about Christ: "I am not a believer. But I must confess, as an historian, this penniless creature from Galilee is irresistibly the center of history."
.....No other person ever made the great claims that Jesus did. He claimed to be the Son of God, the promised Jewish Messiah, and the only way to God for all mankind. He claimed to have power to forgive sins and to give people eternal life. Above all, he claimed to be God, saying, "I and the Father are one."
..... Socrates once said, "Oh, that someone would arise, man or God, to show us God." Four hundred years later Christ came and claimed to be that person. But was Jesus Christ the Son of God? If not, he would have been the greatest impostor who ever lived.
..... Lew Wallace, a distinguished general and literary genius, and Robert Ingersoll, a notable skeptic, agreed to write a book that would prove Christianity to be a myth. After two years of research, however, in some of the leading libraries of Europe and America in preparation for writing this book, Mr. Wallace had a transformation of attitude. He was only up to the second chapter when he fell to his knees and prayed, "My Lord and my God."

Things God Won't Ask

..... God won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many people you drove to services who didn't have transportation.
..... God won't ask the square footage of your house; He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

..... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

..... God won't ask what your highest salary was; He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

..... God won't ask what your job title was; He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.

..... God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

..... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

..... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.

A Moments Wisdom

Scandal is what one-half the world takes pleasure in inventing, and the other half in believing.

You can't put a man down and hold him there without staying down there with him.

A man's Sunday self and his weekday self are like two halves of a round trip ticket: not good if detached.

Too many persons try to make Sunday a sponge with which to wipe out sins of the week.

Sunday… The green oasis, the little grassy meadow in the wilderness; where, after the weekday's journey, the pilgrim halts for refreshment and repose.

"Sunday is our best day for business," says somebody. Well then, so much more opportunity for you to make a greater sacrifice to prove your love to Jesus.

In taking revenge a man is but equal to his enemy, but in passing it over he is his superior.

When I did well, I heard it never; when I did ill, I heard it ever.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.

Early impressions are hard to eradicate from the mind. When once wool has been dyed purple, who can restore it to its previous whiteness?

A consistent Christian may not have rapture. He has that which is much better than rapture-- calmness.

True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. It is a great virtue; it covers folly, keeps secrets, avoids disputes, and prevents sin.

Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.

He who would be a mover of the world must not be moved by the world.

The soul that has no established aim loses itself.

When a man has not a good reason for doing a thing, he has one good reason for letting it alone.

More men fail through lack of purpose than through lack of talent.

Beware of the Preacher
By C. G. (Colly) Caldwell, III

....(The following article is reprinted from the May 1964 issue of Searching the Scriptures.) From the lips of one bound in the chains of Roman imprisonment come these words of summons to a young evangelist and to all gospel preachers from that day to this: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2Tim. 4:2). The proclamation of the gospel to a world dying in sin is a work ordained by God and expected by Christ of His faithful disciples. When one accepts the responsibility involved in preaching God's word, he obligates himself to teach and persuade men to surrender their lives in complete submission to the will of their Maker. Although he is speaking explicitly of those who spoke by direct revelation, Paul expresses the necessity of preaching Christ by asking, "How then shall they (either Jew or Greek, vs. 12) call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" And then he goes on to quote from Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace..." ( Rom. 10:14-15).
..... In another letter Paul grants that preaching Christ crucified is foolishness to unbelievers: but, at the same time, asserts its necessity to salvation. The Jews sought a miraculous sign as proof that the apostle's preaching was truth. The Gentiles, on the other had, demanded a philosophic explanation of this Jesus who claimed supernatural powers and of the salvation He offered. It seemed absurd nonsense to them to believe that the dying of a Jew on a Roman cross could bring salvation to anyone. But Paul insists that God's wisdom is not man's wisdom and that to those who accept it as God's will, the preaching of the cross of Christ is the drawing agent to salvation which God has chosen (1Cor. 1:18-25). Today we have no miraculous signs nor philosophic wisdom, but we do have the means of bringing men to salvation, the preaching of the gospel of our Lord.
..... The world is dreadfully in need of God-fearing men who are willing to devote their lives to bringing others to Christ. Often, however, those who do seek to teach God's will lose sight of their goal and instruct for reasons other than those appointed by Christ. When this occurs, more often than not, the illegal reasons for teaching lead the man into teaching illegal doctrine. This is why we beseech brethren to listen to their preachers, learn the truths they present to be sure, but beware lest they corrupt with error.
..... Peter devotes the entire second chapter of his second general epistle to warning Christians against false teachers, who, he says, shall bring in "damning heresies." The world in our day, as well as that in which Peter lived, is filled with preachers of error. Unsuspecting listeners are being led away by men who in time past sought to follow God's plan but who now deny the Lord seeking to promote their own schemes or gain for themselves some personal advantage. Our theme, "Back to the Bible," has bee replaced by these men with the appeal, "Times have changed. We don't need Bible authority!" In the words of Peter, those who bring in such "damnable heresies" shall "bring upon themselves swift destruction."
..... The Apostle describes this type preacher in two metaphors (vs. 17). He says they are "wells without water." Nothing could be more exasperating to the weary laborer than to drop his pail into an empty well. And nothing could be so discouraging to the exhausted traveler as to come to the dry bed of a promising spring. Peter's application is to false teachers. They promise to those who hear their words great springs of living water but their promises are vain. In John the fourth chapter, Jesus describes "living water" as that which He shall give us. This "water" shall be in us who drink of it "a well of water springing up into everlasting life." The "water" Christ promised is that upon which we can sustain our spiritual life and it is found only in the teachings of Christ. Outside of the instruction found in the gospel He has given to us we cannot find the spiritual sustenance which we need to live eternally. Any man who tries to pour down us any water which comes not from God's living well is denying the Lord. Any man who presents doctrine not found in God's holy Book is a "well without water." Beware of him.
..... Peter illustrates his point further by stating that they are "clouds which are carried with a tempest." To the harassed farmer nothing is so disappointing as to view the swelling of great clouds which promise to water his parched fields only to have them blow out of sight with the rise of each light breeze. False teachers arise promising spiritual moisture to revive the lives of saints parched by the burning heat of Satan's rays only to blow away in the presence of each little wind of opposition, giving no relief whatever to the weary Christian. Their promises are vain, their doctrines are lies, and their gifts are damnation to their hearers.
..... Peter's words are certainly true. Those men who teach such "damnable heresies" are those who will be most easily swayed by each little wind of doctrine. A change of teaching because of opposition is a mark of the false teacher. A turning from God's word because of popular opinion, or for a better position, or to gain a greater salary, is a sign of a servant of corruption. Peter says that the latter end of those who so turn will be worse than the beginning: "It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the more" (2Pet. 2:22 ). They have lost all sense of things sacred. They had rather sell out their own souls and the souls of their fellowmen for a mess of earthly pottage than to allow Jehovah to provide them with food for eternal life. The church today is filled with such men. We say again, Beware!
..... Paul exhorted the brethren in Galatia saying, "But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." He said, "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ?" (Gal. 1:8, 10).
..... To the preachers we admonish, remember our two-fold purpose in this life. We must first keep under our bodies lest we lose our own souls (1Cor. 9:27 ). Then we must work with all our might that others also may be saved. This is our life's work. Remember it. Do not surrender in the face of battle. Be strong. Do not back off in the presence of opposition. Stand firm. Our battles for Christ must be won. Our responsibility to God must be fulfilled. It is exactly in religion as I recently heard a noted speaker say in reference to matters political: When principles of truth are at stake our silence is not golden: It's yellow!
..... To all the brethren we again plead, listen to your preachers, learn those truths which they present, but be sure they are truth. Prove them by God's word, the only truth, before you follow them for only by adhering to this divine standard can salvation be acquired. In the words of Paul, "Continue thou in the things which thou has learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them..." (2Tim. 3:14 ). The "mists of darkness" are reserved forever for those who teach you error. Do not allow them to draw you into the darkness of hell with them. Beware!

HAVING THE PREEMINENCE
By Bobby K. Thompson

.....Jesus Christ, as God’s only begotten Son, and as the Redeemer of men, has been so honored by the Father that in all things, in all spheres, in all times, He should have preeminence. Preeminence is “quality or state of being preeminent”. Preeminent is defined: “Eminent above others; prominent; superior; esp. in excellence.” Colossians 1:15-19 suggests and reveals several principles and areas in which Christ has the preeminence. Appreciation and respect for these are important as regarding our eternal salvation. Who can ever hope to be saved without recognizing the preeminence of Christ? From Colossians 1:15-19, we observe His preeminence:

.....IN POWER “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all thing were created by him, and for him:” (vs. 16). It pleased God that “by” Him, “through” Him, “in” Him, and “for” Him, were all things brought into existence, and without Him was not anything made (John 1:3). By Him also He made the worlds. (Heb. 1:2). Think of it! This is the same Christ by whom, through whom, in whom, and for whom, God is now seeking to save sinners for the glory of His Name. “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10).

.....IN BIRTH “...firstborn of every creature:” (vs. 15). Christ could say: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 21:6). In verse 18, He is referred to as: “...the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” This has been called His second birth. Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 15:23 : “But every man is his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” The firstborn usually becomes the heir. God hath “appointed Him heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2). Now through the grace of God, we who obey the Christ are made “heirs together with Him” (Rom. 8:15 -17). His preeminence in birth brings hope and assurance to those who walk in His steps.

.....IN LIKENESS “Who is the image of the invisible God” (vs. 15). Angels are doubtlessly holy, many of His people in every age have been godly, but Christ alone in His essential character was the “express image of his person.” “Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3). He could say, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Also, “I and my Father are one.” We need to continually read the Gospels in this light.

.....IN AUTHORITY “And he is before all things, and by him all things consis:” (vs. 17). The law of gravitation as an ordinance of God has a mighty balancing effect in holding material things together. But this law has no influence over heavenly things. Concerning matters of a spiritual nature, “all power (authority) is given unto me in heaven, and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). These are the words of Christ as Matthew recorded the great commission. Christ has the right to direct. In all things concerning our soul’s welfare, we need to be concerned with what Christ authorizes. The authority is His! The cancer of so many religionists today is that they profess to submit to the authority of Christ but in actuality do only those things that are convenient for them. We need to ever recognize His preeminence in authority and continually do whatsoever He commands for us to do (Matt. 17:5). “Then cometh the end, when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1Cor. 15:24 -25). Christ now reigns and His preeminence is to be respected.

.....IN THE CHURCH “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (vs.18). Christ is the head of His body, the church. It is the head of the body, and not the hands, that does the thinking and planning. The church is to function as the head directs. In His word, we have His mind and will concerning the function/mission of the church. “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ...” (Eph. 5:24). The body is to be subjected to the head. What does the church of Christ teach regarding such and such? A quite common question! In essence, the church does not teach but is taught as it (as the body) is subject to the head and the head is Christ. What Christ has taught is that which the body is to perform. How can one say Christ is truly the head with preeminence when the church engages in those things that the head has never authorized? May we always grant Christ the preeminence that He so richly deserves. Our soul salvation depends upon it.

Controversy over Abstinence?
By Kent Heaton

.....“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23 ). With all the advancement of science and technology of man, we are reminded of how incapable the human creation of God is able to discern what truth is apart from the Word. The greatest sin of man is his own pride. He walks in his own wisdom and seeks his own knowledge. Throughout the centuries the tower of Babel has been rebuilt upon the foundation of man’s proud arrogance in his own understanding. The page turns to Thailand where “a controversy over whether abstinence or condoms are more effective at preventing AIDS has struck up a debate among delegates at a global meeting in Bangkok .” (CNN.com; July 13, 2004 )

.....The Ugandan President presented facts in the conference that his country was able to reduce the rate of AIDS from 30 percent (1990) to 6 percent (2003) following a course of abstinence. It seems incredible that anyone would argue about such matters. Liberal thinkers of our day proclaim the only way to end AIDS is with a vaccine. They have been trying for 15 years and admit that no end is in sight. A solution has been around since the beginning of time. “And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. ’ Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Gen. 2:23-25).
..... God ordained and sanctioned marriage in the creation of a man and a woman. The apostle Paul illustrated that the sexual union of the man and woman was to be found in marriage (1Cor. 7:1-5). The Hebrew writer proclaimed the law of God when he wrote, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). Those in engage in sexual activities outside of marriage defile the bed and condemn their souls before Jehovah God who created them. The solution to sexual diseases is found in the law of abstinence.
..... As long as men seek to answer the question of AIDS from the medical books of fleshly wisdom they will never be able to control or destroy the disease. The Ugandan President did not offer the solution from the word of God but his answer is based upon what God has been saying since creation. Sexual affection is found in the marriage bed and the marriage bed is defined by Him who created it as a man and a woman. How surprising is it to also hear that in the halls of government this week the debate is raging whether marriage is defined as a man and woman?
..... We need to turn back to the word of God and listen to the wisdom of the One who made the world and who will judge world. Sexual promiscuity is a transgression of the law of God and those who practice sexual relationships outside of marriage will be brought before the Creator. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God ? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God ” (1Cor. 6:9-10).
..... The answer to AIDS, premarital sex, homosexuality and sexual diseases is to return to the old paths of “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is the only answer! Purity, holiness and sanctity of the marriage bond will the only hope for man. As long as man seeks to find solutions to sin in his own way, he will never find peace nor the answer. How sad that so many destroy their lives believing the lie of the devil that life is about the here and now. Truth can only be found in Jesus Christ.

What is the Fish Symbol on Cars?

..... The letters IXOYE are upper case Greek fonts that reportedly constitute a "rough" acronym for the phrase Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior (Iesous, Jesus, Christos, Christ, Theou Yios, Son of God, Soter, Savior). The fish (or ichthous) symbol was believed to have been used to symbolize Christ. The fish symbol appears to go back to antiquity. The first literary reference to the fish as a spiritual symbol dates back to about 150 A.D. to Clement of Alexandria in Paedogogus, III, xi. It is believed that some used the fish symbol to secretly identify each other in times of severe persecution. The symbol itself may have originated  as a result of the miraculous story of the loaves and fishes (John 6:1-13) or from the meal of fish Jesus shared with His disciples at the Sea of Galilee after the Resurrection (John 21:1-13). Since we cannot read of this symbol in the scriptures, we must rely on tradition, and tradition can be unreliable.

HOW TO LOOK GOOD IN A SWIMSUIT
By Dan Richardson

..... Recently the above statement caught my eye as I was scanning through some e-mails. It got me to thinking about the premium this world puts on being physically attractive, and the dangers associated with such. No doubt, many are considering little else this time of year. If you really want to look good, please consider the following:

.... PROPERLY DEFINE WHAT'S "GOOD". The word "good" has become so generalized that it is applied to everything, even that which is evil. The prophet Isaiah spoke of those who "call evil good, and good evil" (Isa. 5:20 ). This is how many use "good" today. Therefore, caution must be exercised so as to not confuse good and evil. To do this we must acknowledge God, He who is the true and ultimate good: "O taste and see that Jehovah is good: blessed is the man that taketh refuge in Him" (Psalm 34:8). God revealed His word, the Bible, to mankind for our good. When Moses gave God's law to Israel, he told them, "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil: in that I command thee this day to love Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that thou mayest live and multiply, and that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in the land whither thou goest in to possess it" (Deut. 30:15-16). For Israel to know genuine goodness in their life, they had to obey God's word; if they didn't obey, "death and evil" would be the consequences. Likewise, they who are genuinely concerned about presenting themselves as "good" will consult God's word and obey His law in their lives (2Tim. 3:16-17).

..... BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT GOD SEES. To look good in God's sight is to be good. Pleasing God should be our first priority He is our Creator, Provider, Savior and Judge. It is by His blessings that all enjoy life and everything good associated with it (Acts 14:17 ). As Paul preached these truths in Athens , he endeavored to motivate the people to seek after and obey God in their lives (Acts 17:27 -31). Too many, however, are consumed with impressing their peers more than they are with pleasing God; because they live with no convictions, they are easily swayed to go along with the crowd. The Bible warns of "following a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). Jesus taught, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you" (Luke 6:26 ). You cannot please God and the world at the same time (Matt. 6:24 ; Gal. 1:10 ). Pleasing God requires we "abstain from every form of evil" (1Thes. 5:22 ).

..... DON’T BE NAIVE ABOUT LUST. What many actually mean when they speak of "looking good" in a swimsuit is how sexually appealing they will be to the opposite sex. "Lust" is evil desire, which can be aroused by sight. Scripture speaks of the "lust of the eye" as part of the evil world we must avoid (1John 2:15 -17). Jesus warned of he who "looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28 ). Job, a godly man, made a covenant with his eyes that he might not look with lust upon a woman (Job 31:1). Immodest clothing, whether it be swimsuits, mini-skirts, shorts, etc., are all designed to excite lust. The issue here is not about fashion nor comfort, but lust. God holds you responsible for the clothing you wear and how you present yourself before others. If you parade your half-naked body in public (a fair description of one wearing a swimsuit), you bring God's condemnation on yourself. But more than that, you become a stumbling block to others, who would look at you with lust, committing sin. It matters to God what kind of clothes you wear (1Tim. 2:9). Therefore, it should matter to you.

..... DRESS THE HEART. In Peter's instruction to wives with unbelieving husbands, they were charged to focus the emphasis on "adorning...the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1Peter 3:3-4). In other words, dress the heart and the outward appearance will follow suit. The problem of immodesty is a heart problem, and those who would become an object of lust by publicly displaying themselves in a swimsuit (or other forms of immodest apparel) need to dress up their hearts by surrendering them to Christ. The apostle Paul commanded, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make now provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14 ). Again, on a more personal note, Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20). Those who die to sin by coming to Christ will not dress like the world ( Rom. 6:2). Those who please God will not be swayed to compromise their faith by worldly activities, no matter how popular they may be (Rom. 12:1-2). They understand they are sojourners just passing through this life toward eternity - this world is not their home, heaven is. Therefore, they will, with the courage of their faith, choose without shame or apology to be separate from worldliness so they may glorify God (2Cor. 6:17 -18; 1Peter 2:9-10, 11-12).