Tell it like it is?

Yes; I tell it like it is, but I also try to be sensitive, so as not to be a stumbling block to anyone just getting their feet wet, or who is a babe in Christ. I try to back up the things I say; otherwise who cares what I believe? We are to be the light and the salt of the earth, and not hide our faith under a bushel basket. Jesus did not teach us not to think, or ask questions. Faith has eyes that see, and ears to hear. Faith is not blind. We can know for sure of the things that are invisible, by studying the things that are visible. Trust in God matures within us when we put on Christ and through the years we grow wisdom, love and knowledge. Love is eternal.

Don Cole

How to believe in Jesus

Check out this interesting answer on Yedda

How to believe in jesus

How to believe in Jesus:
Well; it would be helpful to know where you are at the moment. The scriptures say ‘seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In the beginning, at a time when I was down and out, I fell in love with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I felt then, that whoever wrote it had the best wisdom I had ever encountered and I chose to follow it. I think it was already in me, like common sense, verified and brought to the surface. How else could mankind find world peace, than to follow the teachings of Jesus? I thought, at least, that when my time comes I will die happy, whether right or wrong.
As time went on, I came to know and believe that Jesus is real. I lived it and did the research. We can know of the things invisible by the things that are visible. His Word has held up all these years. It is miraculous and deeper than you can imagine, but given in a way we might understand. God has given us everything we need to know for life and godliness.
Who; or what, holds out saving hope for all people and all nations; but the guidance, wisdom and power of the words of Jesus Christ; easily found in red-letter editions of the Holy Bible, New Testament. The value of the divine wisdom there, pure truth and love can be recognized. There is no other hope for the world, for mankind.
When you are alone, and in your own privacy, read the words of Christ in the New Testament, for yourself. God’s word will lift you up; His Word and kingdom is not of this world. Read the Bible for yourself, because there are more false teachers out there, than not, who may well deceive you and teach false doctrine. Ask lots of questions of those who would teach, and check out the things they say with your own Bible, to see if the things they say are true. By reading the Bible for yourself in private, --starting with the New Testament--you will come to believe more and more in Jesus, and you will be able to discern what truth is and what is not. I suggest starting with the book of John, and then Matthew, and then Romans, Luke and the book of Acts. You don’t have to have strong faith to follow Jesus, but by following Jesus your faith will grow strong. His word never changes; and therefore you can give your life to Jesus and no matter what, you will have the love of God to give you lasting, eternal life in Him. Life does not come by bread alone, but by the Word of God, which is love eternal. He will carry your burdens and lift you up. That is how to believe in Jesus. To come to believe in Jesus, is to put him on. Wherever He leads, follow.
Don Cole

Topics:  jesus

Answered by DonColeCartoons on December 18, 2008

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Truth, Not Bombs! --Global Heart Warming!

TRUTH, NOT BOMBS. People and Nations Everywhere!

Let's Talk! --World for TRUTH! --Some Global Heart Warming!

Truth, --not Bombs! Are you a suicide bomber?

If you are not of the Christian persuasion and would like to communicate, than myself and surely seriously thinking people everywhere, the world over --lovers of truth-- would like to participate in a respectable discussion that we might be able to share and comprehend just why, who, how, what and where your faith dismisses Jesus Christ?

Are Christians wrong in their beliefs?

If any one's religion is truth; it will stand up to scrutiny.

No matter what we might personally believe, our belief will not change what is truth. Truth is beyond us, and unchangeable. Truth needs to be sought after. "Seek and ye shall find..."

But, we personally bear the fruit and the consequences of what we believe; be it good or bad, wrong or right. Who or what is the authority for our belief? How does this " authority" stand up? How do we know what is true? How do we know who is right? We are responsible to search for truth and to work out our own salvation, based on truth sought after, not just based on what others might have taught us, out of ignorance, or for their own agenda.

Unknowingly, or blindly, following evil will not make evil right. Evil will destroy and justly be punished; it cannot offer God's grace, forgiveness, nor deliver anyone to Heaven, or bliss.

Bad religion? Bad science? Bad history? Bad motives? There is plenty of all that, going around. Are you bumbling in the dark. or walking in the light?

Let us ask, knock, and seek for what is true, and good. Let us together follow the one true God, of yesterday, today and forever, the "I am."

We, the people of the world, need to get up close, to examine all the conflicting and waring religions and beliefs; study the history, and the science; --ask questions, debate; do the research and the home work.

Killing one another solves nothing; but, only leads to one's own demise. We need each other. We need to love one another, not kill one another. Evil feeds on itself; first on outsiders, than inward. Evil has no hope.

There is only one God, and there is only one truth. Acceptance and toleration is insufficient. Good and evil cannot live side by side. Only truth and love, God; --is the power to save mankind. This should be our nourishment and sustenance.

Truth, together with love, not bombs, will save us --from ourselves.

Branches broken from the vine of God; without life nourishment, wither and die, like fish out of water.

Who do we think we are, anyway? And what are we really? And what is our destiny?

What is our faith? How important is it?

This is about life and death for each of us individually, for each other, and for the planet.



Don Cole

Saved Not by Grace Alone.

Remember, we are saved not by grace alone, but by grace through faith. And what is the manifestation or fruit of our faith?

Does grace mean that we no longer need to fear God, because all of our sins are/will be forgiven?

Without love or commitment to God's commands, is grace alone, without faith, sufficient?

No; grace is connected to faith, equals obedience, not grace alone. However; grace is a free gift. We can't earn it by works.

All of us live by faith, whatever that faith might be.

If we have faith that there is no God, or that Jesus was a liar and a deceiver, than we will live accordingly. If our faith is that there is no Heaven; than we will live and act accordingly.

If we believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God; than we will live and act accordingly.

Out of our own faith and obedience; we will repent, confess Jesus is the son of God, and be baptized into His death, burial and resurrection , raised anew into a new life, in God's grace, for the forgiveness of our sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The lost, and we all fall short, are saved by grace through faith. (Eph.2:8-9) (See the book of James, about how faith without works is dead.)

Our faith produces fruit, or demise, --good or wrong actions, depending upon our faith. Faith determines whether we will receive God's grace, or punishment for our sins, which is just. A branch broken away from the tree, the vine, without life nourishment will wither and die.

As for me, I feel safer when I am in the love, repenting and trembling modes when it comes to God and my own salvation.

Don Cole