An Atheist got me a little fired up today because he said "Until you give him proof of God, I will not believe." The reason I got a little sideways was because I started thinking about the Apostles. They gave their lives willingly for what they saw! They spent the rest of their lives preaching the Kingdom, after being eye witnesses of Gods glory! Anyone who would call these men liars have no respect for human life, and I want, today, to honor our brothers who gave their lives in behalf of the good news! Peter and Paul Both martyred in Rome about 66 AD, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified, upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Andrew Went to the "land of the man-eaters," in what is now the Soviet Union. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He also preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece, where he is said to have been crucified. Thomas Was probably most active in the area east of Syria. Tradition has him preaching as far east as India, where the ancient Marthoma Christians revere him as their founder. They claim that he died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers. Philip Possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and then in Asia Minor, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation the proconsul had Philip arrested and cruelly put to death. Bartholomew Had widespread missionary travels attributed to him by tradition: to India with Thomas, back to Armenia, and also to Ethiopia and Southern Arabia. There are various accounts of how he met his death as a martyr for the gospel. James The son of Alpheus, is one of at least three James referred to in the New Testament. There is some confusion as to which is which, but this James is reckoned to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that he was stoned and then clubbed to death. Simon the Zealot So the story goes, ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god. Matthais Was the apostle chosen to replace Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew and to death by burning. As well, all our friends since, that have given their lives in behalf of the good news, rest, we will see you in the kingdom of God!
I don’t know if you remember the movie; “The Sixth Sense”, with Bruce Willis, in 1999. It was about a boy who could see and talk to dead people. The famous line was, “I see dead people and they don’t know they are dead.” Don’t let this person get to you. Take the advice of Jude. “But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.” ( Jude 1:10 NASB ) They are known as Zombies. They are not worth our time. They are unreasoning by choice. I use the example given by Paul, to the Hebrews. “Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but the one who constructed all things is God.” ( Heb 3:4 NWT ) “. . . since the one who constructs a house has more honor than the house itself.” ( Heb 3:3 NWT ) I show them a building and ask who built it. Then ask for proof that a person built it. Where is the PROOF!! Show ME!! I want to see HIM! The builder! He will likely not see the ridiculousness of his statement. He is a Zombie; walking dead. The Hooters - All You Zombies "All You Zombies (Original Version) Lyrics" Holy Moses met the Pharaoh Yeah, he tried to set him straight Looked him in the eye, let my people go Holy Moses on a mountain High above the golden calf Went to get the Ten Commandments He's just gonna break them in half All you zombies hide your faces All you people in the street All you sittin' in high places The pieces gonna fall on you No one ever spoke to Noah They all laughed at him instead Working on his ark, working all by himself Only Noah saw it coming Forty days and forty nights Took his sons and daughters with him Yeah, they were the Israelites All you zombies hide your faces All you people in the street All you sittin' in high places The rain's gonna fall on you (Music Interlude) Holy Father, what's the matter Where have all your children gone Sitting in the dark, living all by themselves Your don’t have to hide anymore All you zombies show your faces All you people in the street All you sittin' in high places The pieces gonna fall on you All you zombies show your faces All you people in the street All you sittin' in high places It's all gonna fall on you I know you're out there Let's see you All you zombies show your faces All you people in the street All you sittin' in high places It's all gonna fall on you
People like this call our brothers liars. They call the apostles liars, those men who gave their life for what they witnessed. Those like you and I have many proofs, from his Spirit within us, our relationship with him, and not the least of which the Bible itself. If more of theses people would just pick up a Bible and read it, a percentage would start to recognise our Father as the author. I bet many of these atheist have never even read the Bible...
It’s The Little Things Sometimes it’s the little things that annoy me. Things like: “I’ve got it on tape!” Or, “I’m filming it!” Sorry folks! If you are “taping” it; you need to buy a new digital recorder. If you are filming it; you need to buy a new digital camera. If it’s on “film”; you will need to have it developed, and a “projector” to show it. If it’s on”tape”; depending whether it is only sound, or includes pictures and sound; you will need a player that plays tape. Those items are antiquated. Cross-walks: Those areas at the intersections of roads or streets where some people must think it’s not necessary to use them, so they walk diagonally across where ever they happen to cross; usually in front of oncoming traffic. Bicyclist’s: who ride at night without lights and reflective clothes. Also bicyclist’s who cross streets diagonally in front of oncoming traffic. Apparently these people must think they are the only ones on this planet. I read a sign yesterday that said: “I’m not insulting your intelligence. I’m insulting your ignorance!” People who litter: Smokers who discard their “butts” wherever they please. Then, there are the bigger polluters: The worst: Cruise ships that dump their garbage into the rivers, lakes, and oceans. “But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” ( Rev 11:18 NWT ) I also remember the line; "I see dead people and they don't know they are dead!" The other side is: "I see stupid people and they don't know they are stupid!"