Month: March 2023

How do we ‘know’ Jesus?

We get to know Jesus by using the collected books, letters, poems and histories that have been collected for us. A great place to start is the gospels.

For example Luke, written by a Greek, in a plain straightforward language is often seen as a good place to start.

But Luke starts almost like legal paperwork. There is a pedantic solemnness about the start, as thought Luke understands the great import of what he is about to undertake. The great burden of carefully and accurately passing down the information that will eventually help millions to come to a belief in Christ.

This wasn’t done lightly. These early disciples, suffered, worked and persevered for the gospel, for Christ. We should meet them with the same spirit and be willing to devote our time and effort in understanding the words they recorded.

Luke 1: 1 – 4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Who do we trust?

These are confusing times. Everyone has an opinion about how we should behave and what we should believe. I find the most critical of my Christian faith are people who don’t share it. Criticisms like “you aren’t doing it correctly,” or “if you do this you are a hypocrite” are everywhere. The media, the school, our friends and often even family.

How do we even stand a chance of doing what God wants? The messages are so convoluted and confusing.

Thankfully he left us His word. Not only the Bible but the example of His son, who is the way the truth and the life.

The world will press in on us and try to mold us in their image. We fight this by immersing ourselves in the teachings of the Bible and Jesus.

Jesus taught us what to do. Our first job is to learn to discern what good fruit is. Once we know this we have the tools we need to then judge the fruit of others and will allow ourselves to be influenced by those who bear good fruit.

Matthew 7: 15 – 20 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Thought provoking video

I came across this video on YouTube. I am sharing it as I found it worth pondering. Perhaps, we should all spend some time evaluating the choices we made over the last couple of years.

Maybe a bit of self reflection and honesty about how we may have contributed to the problems we have all faced would be a good thing. Maybe this would be a step towards healing?

Rely on His strength

I’m listening to old hymns, just instrumental, but the lyrics are so well known that my heart sings them along with the music. “This is my father’s world” the tune flowing through me.

Life’s struggles can mount up. The craziness and unpredictability of the world is frightening.

It is easy to feel alienated from the world around us. Like someone watching a strange improvised play where the actors have no idea they are acting.

The weight of the world can feel unbearable. Stop. Breath. Remember this is God’s world.

Isaiah 40: 29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not be faint.