An 11 year old boy who did not have a passport, ticket, or boarding pass, got all the way from England to Italy on his own. He passed through security checks before boarding a plane. But his trick was discovered and he was sent back home on the return flight. Some folks think that they too, can circumvent the rules regarding the journey from earth to heaven. They think, there are many ways to heaven, and that all religions lead to that ultimate goal. But unlike that boy who succeeded, perhaps because he was young, you and i will not get to heaven without the proper passport. The bible also says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” And Jesus, the son of God plainly said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father, except through me.”
Tag Archives: Salvation
Sept 3 – Bad seaweed
There is a bad seaweed on PEI, a nasty alien known as elodea, not native to PEI. It is killing fish and choking out a fresh water pond. It is believed that years ago, someone dumped the contents of an aquarium into the pond, which has created a scummy mess. A provincial environment official said “it really takes over a freshwater pond.” In a similar manner, sometimes noxious weeds can clog up our lives too. Although many don’t like to admit it, the bible says there is a noxious weed in every one of us from birth, and it produces very serious results. It takes over our lives, and blocks our way to heaven. But Jesus Christ is the answer. He said, “Ye must be born again” referring to spiritual re-birth. That happens when we invite Christ into our lives for forgiveness and cleansing.
August 17 – Elvis’ Tomb
For the right price, you can rest in peace in the tomb of the king. That’s correct. The original resting place of Elvis Presley is to be sold at auction. Elvis was interred in this tomb, but later moved and re-buried at his Graceland home. Who would want this I can’t imagine – sounds a bit ghoulish to me. But there is another empty tomb. For three days it held the body of Jesus. But he arose from that tomb, victorious over death, and today offers eternal life to all who accept his gift of forgiveness. Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And best of all, it is all free. No auction, no bidding, no charge.
August 15 – Freebie for Proctor and Gamble
Advertisers spend millions to get their products advertised on television during major sporting events. But Proctor and Gamble got a freebie recently during the Daytona 500, when officials used boxes of Tide to clean up after a fiery crash. Proctor and Gamble took advantage of this with a commercial that said, “You keep inventing stains, we’ll keep inventing ways to get them out.” Tide is considered a good product by many, but there is one stain it can never remove. I refer to the stain of sin. No amount of self-effort can remove this stain, only the love of Jesus, expressed on the cross. A much loved old hymn says it well, “Calvary covers it all, my past with its sin and stain. My guilt and despair, Jesus took on him there, and Calvary covers it all.” Christ died for our sins. When we ask Him for forgiveness, He removes the stain forever.
July 25 – PM’s Daughter Left Behind
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s office recently confirmed that the Prime Minister’s eight year old daughter Nancy had been left behind after a visit with friends and their children. Happily, she was only separated from her distraught parents for fifteen minutes. The parents had left separately, and each one presumed she was with the other. Often, in our world, people get overlooked and lost in the crowd. The underprivileged, those of a different ethnic origin, the handicapped or those who don’t fit the culture – we tend to pass them by. But our Lord never did – he touched and healed lepers, he talked with the immoral Samaritan woman, he ate with the despised Zachaeus. His invitation is open to all, ”if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.”
July 20 – Rotating House
Do you want more sun? Tired of the view from your kitchen window? Well, a house now under construction in North Rustico in PEI will be able to rotate 360 degrees. The round house is designed by Mr. Luke Everingham. I wish the owners well. They will have a tremendous view of beautiful North Rustico. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could change our lives by pressing a button? No more boredom, uninteresting jobs, or troublesome relationships. Unfortunately this is not the case in the real world. But there is someone who can help. He doesn’t do it by changing our circumstances, but by changing us. The Apostle Paul described it writing, “If anyone is in Christ, he, or she is a new creation. Old things have passed away, all things have become new.” Please note – it is for those who are “in Christ” – having invited Christ into the lives by faith.
July 18 – A Pill for Every Problem
“North Americans have become conditioned into believing that there is a prescription for every common ache or disease,” according to Dr. W. Gifford Jones. This philosophy of a pill for every problem is troubling because the root cause of the situation is often overlooked. Sadly, many take the same approach regarding spiritual needs. We try to improve our selves, go to church, get baptized or sprinkled, give to charities, all hoping to impress God. But the Bible, God’s inspired word, teaches that the root of the problem is the heart. God describes it as “deceitful and desperately wicked.” Instead of stubbornly refusing to face the truth, and admitting we need a new heart, we take spiritual pills and overlook the root problem – sin. Are you facing reality, or “just taking pills”?
July 16 – Ken Wong’s Sacrificial Love
Ken Wong gave up his job, and his hopes of building his career. He chose to stay with his wife – just 46 years old, who suffers from early onset dementia. It has led to rapid loss of language and cognitive impairment. Wong does not know how long his savings will last, or when he will be able to work again – but he loves his wife and promised to stay with her in sickness or health. As great as that human love is, the bible talks of an even greater sacrificial love. Paul wrote of it, saying, “…while we were still weak, ….Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did it all for you and me. What a Savior!
July 13 – Florence Green
Florence Green, the last known surviving veteran of the First World War, has died at the age of 110. She never served on the front lines, but with the women’s RAF as a waitress. It was not until 2010 that she was officially recognized as a veteran, after her service record was found in Britain’s national archives. Records are important in this life and in the life to come. Paul was inspired to write,” so then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Our all-knowing heavenly father makes sure everything about us is being recorded, which can be frightening or comforting, depending on our relationship with our maker. Happily, John the apostle wrote about those who have made their peace with God, with the words, “and this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son”.
July 11 – Costco for PEI?
Many islanders would like the retail giant Costco to come to PEI. Many even drive to Costco stores in either Moncton or Halifax. But why? One word: bargains. Most of us love good bargains. And speaking of bargains, Isaiah the Old Testament prophet was inspired by God to write, “come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and he who has no money, come buy and eat, come buy without money …. without price.” What does this mean? You and I do not have anything to pay to have forgiveness of sins, because only God can do that. And we cannot buy our way into heaven; but though the wages for our sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Now that is a bargain none of us can afford to miss. It is open to all who will, by faith receive it. I did; won’t you?
Tools for HOPE 