Most of us are not sure whether what we read or hear in the media is hyped up or if things are getting more dangerous by the day. Common sense would tell us to take precautions and not to be glib or cynical about what potentially could be a killer. Very wise counsel I would say.
Do you know what really amazes me. In most areas of life we are quite sensible and wise but when we come to spiritual/moral issues most of us stick our heads in the sand. We teach that morals are just our personal perspective on matters yet we are surprised when people take the law into their own hands and harm themselves and others because they do not have a sense of right or wrong and their accountability for their actions. We want a civilized society but cannot seem to see the link between truth and standards (or the lack of it) and the disgusting behavior of individuals in our nation.
Sin and wrong is spreading like wildfire though our society and it will get worse. Not just because the Bible predicted it would but because we now have generations of people who have never been taught what is right and why!
What is the answer? Simply put it is to get back to the Bible. See what God says. It will not make us feel better about ourselves but when we face the reality of our sin we will begin to see why God's Son, Jesus came into the world. God declares in the Bible - 'to save sinners'. Christ died for us - the ungodly. God is willing to save all who come to Him.
Two things are needed. One - an awareness and admission of our guiltiness before God. This infers we accept that we are not capable of improving our moral state and indicates that we understand that God would be within His rights to hold us accountable for our behavior/ beliefs and to judge us for our sins. Two - faith towards God. That accepting His way of salvation (i.e. the Lord Jesus) as the only means of our redemption.
Would you come this way and know life. The price was paid for in the death of the Lord Jesus. Salvation is still on offer. I hope you repent and believe the gospel.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday, July 03, 2009
The King is dead. Long live the King
You will, I am sure see the connection between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson as being ‘The King of Pop’ and the continuity of commercial interests in maintaining the status-quo, in order for the dollars to keep flowing. Downloads of M.J.’s music shot up after his sudden death and stores across the world soon sold out any merchandise relating to him.
Jackson’s connection with Presley was brought closer by his marriage to Presley’s only daughter, Lisa, but that did not last many months.
It is alleged that though the pop star sold nearly 400 million singles, that he was broke when he died. The world of pop music is so hyped up, and media managed by lawyers and agents. By the time they have had their cut; tax paid to the government and excesses indulged in by the artist, the multimillion pot of cash dwindles to nothing. Proverbs 23:5 says, “Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away” One should ask Mr. Bernard Madoff if that is true, as he starts his 150-year prison sentence for the world’s biggest Ponzi fraud!
At one of the summer shows last year, where we put a Christian witness, there was a man who came to our stand dressed as an Elvis look alike. He said to me that Elvis was not dead. I assured him that he was very dead. As we talked it began to rain and he said that Elvis was crying. I told him that if Elvis had not repented of his sin and called upon the Lord for salvation before he died, then the place where he now is, he would be weeping and wailing and in eternal torment. For that is what Hell is like and every sinner that dies without Christ as their Saviour goes to Hell. God wants men and women to get a real life, eternal life; this is given to all that receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Matthew ch.2:1 begins, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Jesus was born King and when he began His public ministry at thirty years of age he preached that entrance into the Kingdom of God was through being born again (Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John3:3) Throughout time millions of people have believed and been born again, have you?
One such person was a thief that died alongside Jesus on the cross. Pilate had written the superscription, “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The thief said to the Saviour, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” He believed that Jesus was a King with a coming Kingdom and wanted to be part of it, hence he said, “Lord…”
Christ was born King and died King, He died before the thieves died and the repentant thief could have said, “The King is dead” but I know because He told me, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” He knew that death was not the end and could have said of the Lord, “Long live the King.” In fact another will never supercede this King, He would never die again.
The risen Lord said to John in Rev.1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen.” And John wrote in Rev.19 “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Concerning the past, the King has died, concerning the present He is alive, He has triumphed over death and the grave and concerning the future we can say with Paul to Timothy (1:17) “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Have you ever said the words, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Did you really want Christ’s Kingdom to come, and are you a child of the Kingdom? If not. Why not today do what the thief did and call upon the Lord, before it is too late. God bless.
This entry on my blog was written by Stan Burditt of Northampton
Jackson’s connection with Presley was brought closer by his marriage to Presley’s only daughter, Lisa, but that did not last many months.
It is alleged that though the pop star sold nearly 400 million singles, that he was broke when he died. The world of pop music is so hyped up, and media managed by lawyers and agents. By the time they have had their cut; tax paid to the government and excesses indulged in by the artist, the multimillion pot of cash dwindles to nothing. Proverbs 23:5 says, “Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away” One should ask Mr. Bernard Madoff if that is true, as he starts his 150-year prison sentence for the world’s biggest Ponzi fraud!
At one of the summer shows last year, where we put a Christian witness, there was a man who came to our stand dressed as an Elvis look alike. He said to me that Elvis was not dead. I assured him that he was very dead. As we talked it began to rain and he said that Elvis was crying. I told him that if Elvis had not repented of his sin and called upon the Lord for salvation before he died, then the place where he now is, he would be weeping and wailing and in eternal torment. For that is what Hell is like and every sinner that dies without Christ as their Saviour goes to Hell. God wants men and women to get a real life, eternal life; this is given to all that receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Matthew ch.2:1 begins, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Jesus was born King and when he began His public ministry at thirty years of age he preached that entrance into the Kingdom of God was through being born again (Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John3:3) Throughout time millions of people have believed and been born again, have you?
One such person was a thief that died alongside Jesus on the cross. Pilate had written the superscription, “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The thief said to the Saviour, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” He believed that Jesus was a King with a coming Kingdom and wanted to be part of it, hence he said, “Lord…”
Christ was born King and died King, He died before the thieves died and the repentant thief could have said, “The King is dead” but I know because He told me, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” He knew that death was not the end and could have said of the Lord, “Long live the King.” In fact another will never supercede this King, He would never die again.
The risen Lord said to John in Rev.1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen.” And John wrote in Rev.19 “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Concerning the past, the King has died, concerning the present He is alive, He has triumphed over death and the grave and concerning the future we can say with Paul to Timothy (1:17) “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Have you ever said the words, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Did you really want Christ’s Kingdom to come, and are you a child of the Kingdom? If not. Why not today do what the thief did and call upon the Lord, before it is too late. God bless.
This entry on my blog was written by Stan Burditt of Northampton
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A week of Street Meetings
Last week I was in Southport each day running a Street Meeting. The aim of the week's events was to bring to the folks in the main shopping area the message of the Bible, give the opportunity to listen, to ask questions, disagree etc.
Most of us will have a view about what we think of 'street preachers'. The reaction you get from people as they pass by is so varied. One lady clapped when I finished speaking (that doesn't happen often), some people start off annoyed by your presence but end up agreeing that the message of the Bible should be brought to people's attention - it's up to them to decide what they want to do with it. Some curse, swear and generally abuse. How do you react when you hear a street preacher? Do you feel they are forcing you to listen, do you find the message offensive or is it just annoying that these folk feel that they have to preach what they believe at you!
I am convinced that people need to hear that they have broken God's law, that they are in danger of eternal punishment and that God has provided salvation through the death of His Son, Jesus. What do you think?
When you read this please e-mail at stephen.baker1@virgin.net and tell me. I would love to hear.
Stephen
Most of us will have a view about what we think of 'street preachers'. The reaction you get from people as they pass by is so varied. One lady clapped when I finished speaking (that doesn't happen often), some people start off annoyed by your presence but end up agreeing that the message of the Bible should be brought to people's attention - it's up to them to decide what they want to do with it. Some curse, swear and generally abuse. How do you react when you hear a street preacher? Do you feel they are forcing you to listen, do you find the message offensive or is it just annoying that these folk feel that they have to preach what they believe at you!
I am convinced that people need to hear that they have broken God's law, that they are in danger of eternal punishment and that God has provided salvation through the death of His Son, Jesus. What do you think?
When you read this please e-mail at stephen.baker1@virgin.net and tell me. I would love to hear.
Stephen
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Happiness or Joy
When I was young I heard a man explaining the difference between happiness and joy; not that I was aware that there was a difference. Happiness he said was a response to the good 'happenings' in your life whereas joy was a deeper thing that did not depend on your circumstances being good.
What about you? Is it only when the 'happenings' in your life are good that you are happy or do you have joy no matter the circumstances. Now do not get me wrong we are not saying that we should be on a high all the time, or running about constantly laughing but I have met folks who had an inner peace, a contentment, a joy even when times were tough. The Bible says 'godliness with contentment is great gain'(1 Timothy 6.6).
There is an old prophet in the Bible (Habbakuk) and as he faced the downfall and distress of his people (Israel) he said these words 'athough the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; and the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength'. What a viewpoint! Everything goes bust, your world falls apart - yet you have something that outlasts it all - salvation. Have you got it? The word of God says you can - 'through faith in Christ Jesus'.
What about you? Is it only when the 'happenings' in your life are good that you are happy or do you have joy no matter the circumstances. Now do not get me wrong we are not saying that we should be on a high all the time, or running about constantly laughing but I have met folks who had an inner peace, a contentment, a joy even when times were tough. The Bible says 'godliness with contentment is great gain'(1 Timothy 6.6).
There is an old prophet in the Bible (Habbakuk) and as he faced the downfall and distress of his people (Israel) he said these words 'athough the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; and the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength'. What a viewpoint! Everything goes bust, your world falls apart - yet you have something that outlasts it all - salvation. Have you got it? The word of God says you can - 'through faith in Christ Jesus'.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunny Scotland
We came up to Scotland for a few days to visit my parents. As we were going to Scotland we did not pack summer clothes and we were caught out. I was roasted in my jeans and heavy shoes. The weather was spectacular and we had a lovely time round the banks of Loch Lomond and Strathclyde Park. It would have been more worthwhile to have been well prepared. Thinking things through in advance has its advantages.
Moving into more important areas of life; how prepared are you spiritually? The Old Testament prophet Amos advised the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God (Amos 4.2). When I read and understand what the rest of the Bible teaches I find that it would be advisable for everyone to make preparation for their meeting with God. The Bible teaches that a Day of Judgement is coming (Daniel 12.12/John 5.29) and that all of us will be acountable for everything we do and say (Matthew 12.36). These facts alone raise very important and serious issues about how we live.
The gospel message explains that there is a way of escape from conviction by God. His just and legal sentence of the second death can be avoided if we follow the advice that is given in the word of God. It is as follows:
1. Consider and understand your guilt before God.
2. Confess your sin to God and agree with His sentence of death against us.
3. Consider the death of the Lord Jesus in payment for your sin. Rest on Him as Lord & Saviour.
4. Believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead three days after His death.
5. Accept Jesus Christ as the only saviour of sinners.
You can be saved if you come to God, turn from your sin and believe the gospel. I trust that you will know God's richest blessing.
Stephen
Moving into more important areas of life; how prepared are you spiritually? The Old Testament prophet Amos advised the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God (Amos 4.2). When I read and understand what the rest of the Bible teaches I find that it would be advisable for everyone to make preparation for their meeting with God. The Bible teaches that a Day of Judgement is coming (Daniel 12.12/John 5.29) and that all of us will be acountable for everything we do and say (Matthew 12.36). These facts alone raise very important and serious issues about how we live.
The gospel message explains that there is a way of escape from conviction by God. His just and legal sentence of the second death can be avoided if we follow the advice that is given in the word of God. It is as follows:
1. Consider and understand your guilt before God.
2. Confess your sin to God and agree with His sentence of death against us.
3. Consider the death of the Lord Jesus in payment for your sin. Rest on Him as Lord & Saviour.
4. Believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead three days after His death.
5. Accept Jesus Christ as the only saviour of sinners.
You can be saved if you come to God, turn from your sin and believe the gospel. I trust that you will know God's richest blessing.
Stephen
Friday, May 15, 2009
My week
I have had a great week this week - not that other weeks are boring. I went to Aberdeen last Saturday to speak at a conference. It was really encouraging to meet believers who are keen to be involved in what God is doing in the world today. We heard from Ian Burness of Echoes of Service about how God is saving people in other countries today and using them to reach their own people with the good news of God's saving grace. I was asked to tell folks about the work that I do pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ in Liverpool, the North West of England and further afield.
Sunday saw us start a Gospel Mission in Haydock near Liverpool. A friend of mine came up from Southampton to help me and this has really been a bonus. Another friend and I have been preaching at these meetings about God's plans for the future of this planet and for mankind. It is really exciting (and worrying at times) when you realise that Jesus will come again. The birth pangs of His coming could be taking place even now - economic turmoil, wars and rumours of wars, increased seismic activity in the earth's crust. The first thing that will happen is that the Lord Jesus will return to the skys above the earth and remove all the believers from the earth. This will be a silent coming but will no doubt cause great (if brief) consternation in the world. Jesus said clearly to His followers in John 14 'I will come again'. Other New Testament Bible references back this up. After His coming the world will be exposed to seven years of great trouble and turmoil. In the Bible the second half of this period is called 'the great tribulation'. This period of time will be preceded by apparent peace and tranquility. First Thessalonians chapter five states 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them'. The prospect of this is scary though not for the believer in Jesus Christ. If you are (or get saved) you will escape the wrath (anger) of God (see Romans 5:9). God is angry because of my sin and your sin but His Son, the Lord Jesus, died for our sins. Whosoever believes in Him shall be saved. We are accountable for what we do and God has defined what is right and wrong in His word, the Bible.
The future of our planet and the souls of those who live (and have lived) on it are in the hands of God. Today you can hear His voice, repent (change your mind, turning from sin) and be saved. Tomorrow may be too late.
May God encourage those of us who are believers to rejoice in what He has done and those who do not believe to 'call upon the name of the Lord'. It's not too late as I write!
Sunday saw us start a Gospel Mission in Haydock near Liverpool. A friend of mine came up from Southampton to help me and this has really been a bonus. Another friend and I have been preaching at these meetings about God's plans for the future of this planet and for mankind. It is really exciting (and worrying at times) when you realise that Jesus will come again. The birth pangs of His coming could be taking place even now - economic turmoil, wars and rumours of wars, increased seismic activity in the earth's crust. The first thing that will happen is that the Lord Jesus will return to the skys above the earth and remove all the believers from the earth. This will be a silent coming but will no doubt cause great (if brief) consternation in the world. Jesus said clearly to His followers in John 14 'I will come again'. Other New Testament Bible references back this up. After His coming the world will be exposed to seven years of great trouble and turmoil. In the Bible the second half of this period is called 'the great tribulation'. This period of time will be preceded by apparent peace and tranquility. First Thessalonians chapter five states 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them'. The prospect of this is scary though not for the believer in Jesus Christ. If you are (or get saved) you will escape the wrath (anger) of God (see Romans 5:9). God is angry because of my sin and your sin but His Son, the Lord Jesus, died for our sins. Whosoever believes in Him shall be saved. We are accountable for what we do and God has defined what is right and wrong in His word, the Bible.
The future of our planet and the souls of those who live (and have lived) on it are in the hands of God. Today you can hear His voice, repent (change your mind, turning from sin) and be saved. Tomorrow may be too late.
May God encourage those of us who are believers to rejoice in what He has done and those who do not believe to 'call upon the name of the Lord'. It's not too late as I write!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Where does the time go?
My son is sixteen (nearly seventeen). He is about to start his GCSE's. School is over (until sixth form - if he gets the right results!). Last night Carole and I attended his leavers service in the school/church. It only seems like yesterday that he started school in Halfway, Sheffield. Where have all the years gone?
You must ask the same question from time to time. Time flies, we age, times come and go and suddenly it's getting late! I am not just talking about teenagers getting home late at night; I am thinking about life. What is going on! Tomorrow quickly becomes today and today has no sooner dawned but it is now yesterday!
And what of your life and mine! What am I living for? What is it all for? There is an answer - read the words of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John chapter 10. Read verse 9, 10, 11 - read it all. The Lord Jesus came to give us life - not physical but spiritual. Sin has barred us from knowing God. It's our nature to do wrong and believe wrong things but 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'. Will you start a new life today? I trust that you will.
You must ask the same question from time to time. Time flies, we age, times come and go and suddenly it's getting late! I am not just talking about teenagers getting home late at night; I am thinking about life. What is going on! Tomorrow quickly becomes today and today has no sooner dawned but it is now yesterday!
And what of your life and mine! What am I living for? What is it all for? There is an answer - read the words of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John chapter 10. Read verse 9, 10, 11 - read it all. The Lord Jesus came to give us life - not physical but spiritual. Sin has barred us from knowing God. It's our nature to do wrong and believe wrong things but 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'. Will you start a new life today? I trust that you will.
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