As we enter into a new year may the blessed name of our wonderful saviour be made known througout the world, and as we anticipate his second coming may we as christians continue to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all those that we meet and may we see many people come to know him as their personal saviour and may we remain faithful to him that has redeemed us from the hand of the enemy open the eyes that are blind to see that Jesus is the only way back to God and that they come to repentance and accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour and live a victorious life for our soon coming King in Jesus name Amen
The (kenos taphos) of Jesus
The meaning of the word CENOTAPH means empty tomb the word is derived from the Greek word’s kenos (EMPTY) taphos (TOMB)
There are many cenotaph’s worldwide which are dedicated to fallen soldiers and others who have given their lives for their country and for freedom, they remind us of the sacrifice that they made for mankind so that we might live our lives freely, we are indeed thankful for all that has been done for us and the cenotaphs are fitting to remind us of this.
But there is ONE IMPORTANT CENOTAPH that the world has forgotten and that is outside a place called Jerusalem where the Son of God was laid to rest after he was crucified, but then after he arose from the dead the tomb became a cenotaph
This CENOTAPH should be a reminder that Jesus sacrificed his life and then arose from the dead so that we might be set free from the greatest enemy that mankind has ever faced that is Satan and death
Are we truly thankful about what Jesus has done for us and indeed is still doing for us? or have we forgotten?
May we continually be reminded of this Great Truth
Colin Cunningham
BACKSLIDING "A SLIPPERY SLOPE"
Many Christians today think that there is no chance of them backsliding or (turning away from the lord and the church) That is something that the devil would want us to believe, but he is cunning and subtle and he will use any means possible for us to take our eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I watched with interest a number of years ago where a man was on TV who for some reason wanted to ski down from the very top of a mountain, and after he had reached the summit he set off and almost immediately put one ski in a wrong position where the ski got trapped in-between rocks taking the ski off his foot which then caused him to tumble and fall down the mountain completely out of control breaking one of his legs and ribs and suffering many other injuries which must have caused him a great deal of pain and discomfort and also to his watching family and friends as well as they watched him fall.
God must feel the same but in an even greater way as he watches any of his children backslide down that slippery slope of sin There are many times in the Bible where God has had to watch his children in these circumstances, the Children of Israel backslid in the desert (Exodus 32)
The Bible tells us that "The backslider in heart is filled with his own ways" (proverbs 14:14a)
Indeed a backslider will seek after things that are pleasing to himself rather than pleasing God, backsliding can also include not reading the Bible daily, praying, being in church and so on, the devil will try to prevent the Christian from doing any of these things and living a life that is pleasing to God.
I speak from experience as I have been on that slippery slope and have experienced all the pain and hurt that backsliding can cause.
But going back to the TV item about the man who fell down the mountain, after he had been treated and recuperated from his injuries he was determined to go back to the top of the mountain again and to get things right the next time.
Now if there was a man who was that determined to do that in his own strength, what more can a Christian do and achieve knowing that the Lord is with his children (Philippians 4:13)
You may say "But God cannot forgive me" don’t listen to that voice, that is the devil lying to you, because he does not want you to get things right with God and to worship God anymore, he wants you to be of no effect in this sin ridden world.
God tells us in His word that this is not true consider the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-23) see also (Jeremiah 3:12, Hosea 14:4, 2 Chronicles 7:14-15) So as we can see God is merciful to those who repent and turn back to Him
I have found that since I got my heart right with God and turned back to Him I can feel that God is working in my life again, and He has given me His peace which is now more precious to me now that I’m back in the fold.
I would encourage anyone who feels that they are not backsliding to take a careful look at themselves and consider if they are backsliding without even realising it (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
May each and every one of us who know the Lord be determined to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
SEVEN STEPS TO STOP BACKSLIDING
- READ YOUR BIBLE DAILY
- PRAY
- ATTEND CHURCH REGULAR
- GET INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF THE LORD
- DO DEVOTIONS
- WITNESS FOR CHRIST
- ALLOW GOD TO USE YOU IN WHATEVER CAPACITY HE CHOOSES
CHRISTIAN ADVICE
While I endevour to make sure that all of the items on this site and external websites are sound in doctrine and practice there may be some links that are not what I would be too happy to place on this site but I will leave it to you to ask God for His wisdom to know what the truth is from error, Jesus said ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free and as he is THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE all I can encourage you to do is compare what is on this site to the Bible an that is without any error being THE WORD OF GOD
Colin Cunningham website designer
