From the garden of Eden forward God's people have been looking to when God's promised Messiah would rule the earth as king in truth and justice. There has always been a spiritual representation of God's kingdom on earth..Those who did not deny God's existence and sought to know and please Him.. From the time of Seth, Adam's son, through to the time of John the Baptist, that kingdom was hid in the hearts of God's people..John began to preach that the promised Messiah and King had come to earth..The kingdom or ruler had come and was manifested to the world. Mankind then proceeded in squandering a unique once in a life time opportunity.
The prophet Malachi in the last two verses of the Old Testament warned us; " Behold I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the lord; And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Jesus told his disciples John the Baptist was the promised Elijah..The curse I believe was a time of wrath the Bible calls the "great tribulation". If John the Baptist's message had been heeded Christ would have set up His kingdom then and there. There would have been no need of a time of wrath and tribulation. But John was beheaded and our king and Christ was crucified. The curse lies before us...
There is still hope for those who have submitted to Christ and entered into His spiritual kingdom..We are promised we will be kept from that terrible time if we remain faithful until Jesus returns...The curse all of mankind could have avoided, if only they would have heeded the words of John the Baptist, has been set in stone and looms before us..For seven years a dreadful curse will afflict mankind, afterwards Jesus Christ will return with the people who made up His spiritual kingdom through the ages and we will rule and reign with Him forevermore..
Because Christ said that only His Father knows the hour of His return our duties as Christians are both short and long term.. Our job until Christ returns is to try and get as many people as we can into the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ..That is best achieved in societies based upon liberty and justice. The apostles taught that it is God's will that all of mankind come to the knowledge of truth..They also taught our duty is not limited to making life better for only Christians, but our duty while we wait for Christ is to make the world a better place for all of mankind in anyway possible..
Wesley Jones
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Why I Am Certain Jesus Christ Is The Messiah
I have studied many if not most of the world's religions in some detail.. What sets Jesus Christ apart from the rest of humanity can be summed up in one word, Mercy! Not only does the Biblical Jesus offer mercy equally to all. He teaches his followers to be merciful as well ( not all who claim to be his followers live by this unfortunately). There is no other act more beneficial and comforting to the soul of man than receiving, or extending mercy..Nothing is so antithetical to our nature as forgiveness without reparation..The mercy taught and offered by Christ is beyond ordinary man's ability to construct or invent. It is of divine origin there is no other example of it in all of human history.
The number of Old Testament prophecies Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled is astounding. If one were to reject the New Testament account of Jesus as prejudicial. The amount of secular evidence we have regarding His life is beyond reasonable debate; Jesus is the Messiah prophesied hundreds of years before His appearance in the historical record..( Since the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls the age of those prophesies and the time Jesus lived are no longer in doubt.) Isaiah Chapter 53 and the 22nd Psalm alone give a detailed account of the life, suffering and death of the historical Jesus..
I believe Jesus performed all the miracles attributed to Him in the New testament. But even if He had not done one of them His teachings are so profound and beyond human ability. I would still believe He is the promised Messiah..I also know from personal experience. There was a time I had nothing invested personally in Jesus Christ. I had only heard of Him. In a time of great trouble and anguish of soul I cried out for Him to forgive and save me. He heard me, forgave me, restored my soul and saved me out of all my troubles..This alone is more evidence than I need to believe that He indeed is all He and the Bible claim Him to be..Beyond any doubt whatsoever, I believe the Biblical Jesus Christ is God's Messiah, and the only begotten Son of the living God..
Wesley Jones
The number of Old Testament prophecies Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled is astounding. If one were to reject the New Testament account of Jesus as prejudicial. The amount of secular evidence we have regarding His life is beyond reasonable debate; Jesus is the Messiah prophesied hundreds of years before His appearance in the historical record..( Since the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls the age of those prophesies and the time Jesus lived are no longer in doubt.) Isaiah Chapter 53 and the 22nd Psalm alone give a detailed account of the life, suffering and death of the historical Jesus..
I believe Jesus performed all the miracles attributed to Him in the New testament. But even if He had not done one of them His teachings are so profound and beyond human ability. I would still believe He is the promised Messiah..I also know from personal experience. There was a time I had nothing invested personally in Jesus Christ. I had only heard of Him. In a time of great trouble and anguish of soul I cried out for Him to forgive and save me. He heard me, forgave me, restored my soul and saved me out of all my troubles..This alone is more evidence than I need to believe that He indeed is all He and the Bible claim Him to be..Beyond any doubt whatsoever, I believe the Biblical Jesus Christ is God's Messiah, and the only begotten Son of the living God..
Wesley Jones
Monday, September 12, 2011
I Would Be Thy Friend.
If rhetoric were carefully weighed.
And reason heard above the din.
If hate human bonds not frayed.
Despite all, I would be thy friend.
My children laugh, cry, same as thine.
We love and toil for much the same end.
Thy heart aches at loss same as mine.
If you knew me, I would be thy friend.
Mad agendas, cruel words litter our path.
Lunatics proclaim, to love would be the end.
Blinded by the insanity of anger and wrath.
But given a choice, I would be thy friend...
Wesley Jones
.
And reason heard above the din.
If hate human bonds not frayed.
Despite all, I would be thy friend.
My children laugh, cry, same as thine.
We love and toil for much the same end.
Thy heart aches at loss same as mine.
If you knew me, I would be thy friend.
Mad agendas, cruel words litter our path.
Lunatics proclaim, to love would be the end.
Blinded by the insanity of anger and wrath.
But given a choice, I would be thy friend...
Wesley Jones
.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Holy Bible And Politics..This may surprise you !
The Bible does not give us a detailed political treatise on which we can govern ourselves.. It does however give us moral principles and God's view of government..It also gives us a few commands we are to obey when dealing with government..One of the most detailed references to our responsibility towards political leadership can be found in the book of 1st Timothy chapter 2, " I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men..For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our savior..Who will have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth"...
There will never be a time; short of when Christ reigns on earth, when we will agree with everything those in authority promote or do.. We can constantly try to over throw authority that is not in 100% agreement with us, or we can work within the system and pray for those who hold power..God has promised us He is in control when He gave us this verse in Proverbs 21, " The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turneth it withersoever He will ".. Aberrations like the dictators Hitler and Stalin are a result of the people turning to their own devices to settle old scores and to throw off all restraint..
Our prayers for our leaders to make wise, honest and effective decisions are not only encouraged by God, but they carry a lot of weight with Him also..The alternative is unremitting political turmoil and civil war..When the electorate makes a poor decision and elects candidates unqualified; either intellectually or morally, it is because the populace is either in need of knowledge, or in defiance of God, and trying thwart His revealed will.. Both can bring about incredible human suffering..Either way once someone is in power it behooves us to pray that God enlightens and guides them whether they were our choice or not...
Those who have served in the military during, or lived through a civil war, will tell you the toll in human suffering and the injustices visited upon ordinary citizens are monstrous...I don't fear when my choice for a political office is defeated because I know God hears and considers my prayers for the winner..When politics become all about party, ethnic, and sectarian religious views, and not about sound governance, effective policy and moral principle..People become impatient and unreasonable.. Politics becomes about personality, style and charisma. The Bible teaches; My people perish for the lack of knowledge..Our job as citizens is to promote sound policy backed by moral principle..This takes hard work in acquiring knowledge and wisdom needed for discernment..
Policy and governance are intricate science..None of us are all knowing experts..Our politicians need our prayers because their job is crucial and full of repercussions..In a nation built around individual liberty none of us are going to always get our way politically..Everyone has the right to criticize politicians in any way they choose..I have found more often then not most issues are about ideas not individuals..It is far more effective to take on ideas rather than people. (It is also more work)..Every person who occupies an official position of political leadership has my sincere prayers..I pray they will stay the course when their cause is just, and will be flexible in areas of doubt..
If we were to become a nation of people who passionately prayed for our leaders, and our leaders sought to govern according to the moral principles found in the Holy Bible. Our nation would not only be more just and stable but also more prosperous and of greater help to other nations..Solutions to our political problems are not outside of God's purview or our ability to address in prayer.. Respect for God's Holy written word is needed by not only those doing the governing but also by the governed..Rather than trying to tear down individual politicians I try my best to pray for them and teach solid Biblical principles that I believe could help and heal my country..
Wesley Jones
There will never be a time; short of when Christ reigns on earth, when we will agree with everything those in authority promote or do.. We can constantly try to over throw authority that is not in 100% agreement with us, or we can work within the system and pray for those who hold power..God has promised us He is in control when He gave us this verse in Proverbs 21, " The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turneth it withersoever He will ".. Aberrations like the dictators Hitler and Stalin are a result of the people turning to their own devices to settle old scores and to throw off all restraint..
Our prayers for our leaders to make wise, honest and effective decisions are not only encouraged by God, but they carry a lot of weight with Him also..The alternative is unremitting political turmoil and civil war..When the electorate makes a poor decision and elects candidates unqualified; either intellectually or morally, it is because the populace is either in need of knowledge, or in defiance of God, and trying thwart His revealed will.. Both can bring about incredible human suffering..Either way once someone is in power it behooves us to pray that God enlightens and guides them whether they were our choice or not...
Those who have served in the military during, or lived through a civil war, will tell you the toll in human suffering and the injustices visited upon ordinary citizens are monstrous...I don't fear when my choice for a political office is defeated because I know God hears and considers my prayers for the winner..When politics become all about party, ethnic, and sectarian religious views, and not about sound governance, effective policy and moral principle..People become impatient and unreasonable.. Politics becomes about personality, style and charisma. The Bible teaches; My people perish for the lack of knowledge..Our job as citizens is to promote sound policy backed by moral principle..This takes hard work in acquiring knowledge and wisdom needed for discernment..
Policy and governance are intricate science..None of us are all knowing experts..Our politicians need our prayers because their job is crucial and full of repercussions..In a nation built around individual liberty none of us are going to always get our way politically..Everyone has the right to criticize politicians in any way they choose..I have found more often then not most issues are about ideas not individuals..It is far more effective to take on ideas rather than people. (It is also more work)..Every person who occupies an official position of political leadership has my sincere prayers..I pray they will stay the course when their cause is just, and will be flexible in areas of doubt..
If we were to become a nation of people who passionately prayed for our leaders, and our leaders sought to govern according to the moral principles found in the Holy Bible. Our nation would not only be more just and stable but also more prosperous and of greater help to other nations..Solutions to our political problems are not outside of God's purview or our ability to address in prayer.. Respect for God's Holy written word is needed by not only those doing the governing but also by the governed..Rather than trying to tear down individual politicians I try my best to pray for them and teach solid Biblical principles that I believe could help and heal my country..
Wesley Jones
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Lay Me gently At Heaven's Door
If my tears do no good, nor water a greater plan.
If my struggles benefit not me, nor my fellowman.
If my suffering helps no one in life's troubled span.
Wipe my mother's tears, and lay me gently at heavens door.
If love of God and friend hath no earthly pay.
If here faith hath no reward, in this dark day.
If wisdom sought, and hard work hath no sway.
All memory of me bury, and lay me gently at heaven's door.
Wesley Jones
If my struggles benefit not me, nor my fellowman.
If my suffering helps no one in life's troubled span.
Wipe my mother's tears, and lay me gently at heavens door.
If love of God and friend hath no earthly pay.
If here faith hath no reward, in this dark day.
If wisdom sought, and hard work hath no sway.
All memory of me bury, and lay me gently at heaven's door.
Wesley Jones
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Life, It Aint Easy
We wash our face straighten our clothes.
Smile, join the parade, ring the bell.
While we fool others heaven knows.
Life is hard, our sorrow we quell.
There is joy and some happiness.
Times of ease, occasional peace.
They are too few we must confess.
Cares and toils here seldom cease.
But alas Heaven knows.
and even cares.
Wesley Jones
Smile, join the parade, ring the bell.
While we fool others heaven knows.
Life is hard, our sorrow we quell.
There is joy and some happiness.
Times of ease, occasional peace.
They are too few we must confess.
Cares and toils here seldom cease.
But alas Heaven knows.
and even cares.
Wesley Jones
Friday, August 19, 2011
Why Is There So Much Division In Christianity ?
Where there is liberty there is variety. Not all people have the same tastes, background or level of knowledge. Many people view the diversity in Christianity as a flaw or an excuse to dismiss it. There are some divisions that are detrimental. The division between the churches who believe the Bible to be the word of God and those who believe to be just literature is a serious one.. I am a Biblical Christian. The Jesus I worship is the Jesus of the Bible. The rules and standards I govern my life by are the ones found in the scriptures. My first allegiance is to what I believe to be the word of God, The Holy Bible.
Because my knowledge of God and scripture is incomplete and limited I attend church to learn from others. Unlike many Christians I feel free to attend many different kind of churches..( I have found sinners and saints in all of them.). Some of the church services I have been in were awe inspiring. While others bordered on being dreadful and something to be endured. But I can honestly say I am a better person for attending each and every service I went to. Our churches and denominations are imperfect because we are imperfect.. Many (but not all ) of the divisions found in Christianity were fostered by noble attempts to offer something a parent church did not offer. Some enhanced the kingdom of God, some did not.
What I believe would go a long way in uniting Christianity is not a single denomination or any denomination for that matter. But for each individual church within an organization to strive to produce people who thoroughly search and study the scriptures for themselves. And seek God and His will for their lives on their own. Our ignorance of God and His word is what divides us..It also leaves us vulnerable to false teachers and those who would use us for monetary gain. Our collective and individual knowledge of the Bible unites us as a Christian people.Without coercion or loss of liberty. I believe it is the church leadership's job to produce free and educated Christians who are capable of governing themselves. I believe that is something we could all agree on.
Wesley Jones
Because my knowledge of God and scripture is incomplete and limited I attend church to learn from others. Unlike many Christians I feel free to attend many different kind of churches..( I have found sinners and saints in all of them.). Some of the church services I have been in were awe inspiring. While others bordered on being dreadful and something to be endured. But I can honestly say I am a better person for attending each and every service I went to. Our churches and denominations are imperfect because we are imperfect.. Many (but not all ) of the divisions found in Christianity were fostered by noble attempts to offer something a parent church did not offer. Some enhanced the kingdom of God, some did not.
What I believe would go a long way in uniting Christianity is not a single denomination or any denomination for that matter. But for each individual church within an organization to strive to produce people who thoroughly search and study the scriptures for themselves. And seek God and His will for their lives on their own. Our ignorance of God and His word is what divides us..It also leaves us vulnerable to false teachers and those who would use us for monetary gain. Our collective and individual knowledge of the Bible unites us as a Christian people.Without coercion or loss of liberty. I believe it is the church leadership's job to produce free and educated Christians who are capable of governing themselves. I believe that is something we could all agree on.
Wesley Jones
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