Rod Smith
Rod (not Rodney) Smith is a street evangelist and retired proof reader living in Australia. He is a graduate of the University of Life! He writes on Christian matters, mainly of an evangelistic nature, and on what he sees as necessary changes to the Christian church status quo.
Articles by Rod Smith
June 25, 2009
There are many Doubting Thomases today. Here is the antidote to being one!
June 11, 2009
An explanation of the gospel, and what you gain by responding to it.
June 04, 2009
Many Christians are not having the use of invisible assets that are available. Read on to discover this is no myth.
May 29, 2009
The Pharisees of the Bible were of another age, but their "traditions of men" are still seen in some of today's churches. This article explains.
May 22, 2009
There are many Christians, but what kind are you? Following religious routine, or full-on for Jesus?
May 15, 2009
The Christian church today is operating at only half-power. This article explains why.
May 07, 2009
The sky, sun, moon, sea, birds, insects, flowers. Did it all happen by a "big bang", or evolution, or just by chance? No, this article puts the case for the Creator.
April 30, 2009
Many churches today say they preach the gospel. This article challenges that statement.
April 24, 2009
Many of us think we are great, but this article speaks of someone greater than us.
April 16, 2009
Many Christians seek a "special revelation" from God as to what they should do. This article challenges such beliefs.
April 09, 2009
There is an unseen helper available to everyone, but not all take up His offer. This article illustrates how His wisdom far exceeds ours.
April 02, 2009
There is one major characteristic missing in today's Chrsitianity. This article elaborates.
March 26, 2009
So many, Christian and non-Christian, strive for money and possessions, but there is more to life than that. This article explains why.
March 12, 2009
There is much "traditions of men" in the proceedings of today's average church. This article shows how, with Holy Spirit guidance and imagination, things could be different.
March 05, 2009
What will life be like for the Christian under the coming New World Order? This article reveals the picture God has given to this writer.
February 26, 2009
The New World Order is fast approaching. Will it be possible to escape it? This article deals with that question.
February 19, 2009
The New World Order approaches, and under that system no-one will buy or sell without the biblical "mark" of Revelation - most likely a microchip. Can anyone avoid it? This article deals with that question.
February 12, 2009
For years the church has been preaching that trust in Jesus brings increased prosperity and "a better life." That is now irrelevant. Current world events show the good times are coming to an end, and this article reveals a different message is required.
February 04, 2009
Many say the church is not perfect. True, but it could, and should, be obedient - and this article outlines how things could change.
January 28, 2009
Most of us think we are good people. This article reveals we are not as good as we think.
January 21, 2009
We are in the last days as described in Revelation. The Christian church has to drastically change its attitude and thinking if Christians are to have the necessary mental fortitude for what is coming.
January 14, 2009
How does today's church compare with that of the Book of Acts? Is the church doing its job today? Those questions are answered in this two-part article.
January 07, 2009
Today's trend is to focus on self. A Christian can only be a true servant of God by forgetting self. This article highlights the need to do that.
December 31, 2008
What better time than a new year to get outside those church walls and spread the gospel. This explains why you can do it - and God will be backing you!
December 17, 2008
Christmas conjures thoughts of presents, leisure, parties, getting drunk - but there's more. Read on to find out.
December 05, 2008
Did God create this world, as the Bible says? This article gives reasons why we should say yes.
November 28, 2008
God has a plan for the human race but generally speaking it has been almost forgotten. By this writer's observation, today's churches have become self-centred, inward-looking, to the extent that going public with the gospel of Christ has become almost extinct.
November 20, 2008
This article highlights the importance of the two pieces of wood which formed the cross on which Christ was crucified. The article explains why Jesus did that, and how it affects us.
November 01, 2008
You may believe in Jesus, but what He wants is a personal relationship with you. This article explains what that means.
October 03, 2008
We are faced with choices every day. This article is about the most important choice of all - whether or not we accept what Jesus offers.
September 26, 2008
It's easy to follow Jesus in the good times, but what about when tough times arrive - like now?
September 19, 2008
There are two spiritual forces battling for control of your life. One gives you invisible assets. Read more in this article.
September 12, 2008
This article deals with the very essence of Christianity - God's love for the human race - and it goes on to detail how God showed it.
September 05, 2008
Jesus is too supernatural, too great and mighty for that little box called religion. This article explains why.
August 29, 2008
How we pray is important. This article illustrates a wrong, and then a right way to pray.
August 22, 2008
Many churches lack Holy Spirit power today because they follow their own ideas and methods, instead of doing what Jesus said. This article indicates what is needed for revival.
August 15, 2008
Christianity usually triggers thoughts of eternity and heaven. However, there is an extra meaning to "eternal life." This article also highlights other advantages of being a believer.
August 08, 2008
There is much talk about unity of believers in the Christian church, but the reality is far from what Jesus spoke of and advocated.
August 01, 2008
There are many today who do not believe in God - but the evidence is all around us if we will take the time to see and hear.
July 25, 2008
This article gives reasons why we are living in the biblical end times. When we look at our world today, we can see that what Jesus and the Bible says is coming true.
July 18, 2008
It's one thing to be a churchgoer, but another to really care about people. When saying "How are you," a Christian must be willing to listen to the answer.
July 12, 2008
We all partake of God's provision every day, but at the very same time many deny Him. This article will help you to think a little deeper.
July 04, 2008
It's a trend in churches that pastors and their flock try to be liked by society generally. Rather than fitting into the world, the policy ought to be fulfilling what Jesus said - whatever the cost.
June 27, 2008
Worldly methods of attracting people have crept into the church. They are no substitute for Holy Spirit power, which comes by utilising the spiritual gifts of the whole congregation.
June 20, 2008
People try to find security by their own endeavour, but the only real security is found by trusting God.
June 13, 2008
The wrath of God is rarely spoken of in many churches nowadays - but it's as real as all the goodies of the Bible - and it is terrible and awesome.
June 06, 2008
Many Christians appear to believe they will be "raptured" and thereby not have to make a choice about the "mark" of Revelation. This article refutes that view, with bible refs to back what is said.
May 30, 2008
This article reveals that microchipping and tracking of every individual is coming. It is almost certainly the "mark" of Revelation, without which no-one can buy or sell. It is predicted in the Bible, and forecast at least a thousand years ago.
May 23, 2008
So you go church every Sunday? This article reveals it isn't enough. God wants more of you.
May 16, 2008
The Christian church has little resemblance to what we read in Acts. This article describes what has happened, and how our churches can once again be Holy Spirit filled.
May 10, 2008
This article reminds us of how impermanent we (and our possessions) are, and points out the wisdom in putting our trust in what is eternal.
May 02, 2008
Imagination is missing in many Christian churches. This article gives examples of God's imagination, and suggests what might be done to improve the status quo.
April 26, 2008
Many people only turn to God as a last resort. Yet if they went to Him first, much of their stress and strife would be avoided.
April 18, 2008
There's a controlling spirit in some Christian churches today. This article reveals how it is happening.
April 11, 2008
God is found in so many things. All we have to do is open our eyes.
April 04, 2008
This is about the Jesus that the churches in general don't preach. He is the returning Jesus of Revelation who will administer God's wrath and justice on those who have rejected Him.
March 28, 2008
Reasons are given why we should believe the Bible. The wrath of God to be poured out on this world is forecast, yet those who trust in Jesus have nothing to fear.
March 21, 2008
Now is the time for Christians in free countries to spread the gospel while it is within the law. A time is coming when to witness for Christ will mean jail.
March 14, 2008
God's way is not our way, and this article explains why, with examples from the Bible.
March 07, 2008
You may be a Christian, but how effective are you with regard to the world outside the church? We can learn a lot from the fearless, full-of-guts Early Church.
February 29, 2008
God's creation is all around us if we will open our eyes, viz the picture of the spider's web.
February 22, 2008
Christianity is not just about eternity. Jesus promises abundance in this life if we will believe, and trust Him.
February 15, 2008
So many of us treasure our things, but they are all temporary, the same as our lives. Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe.
February 08, 2008
Jesus comes in for a lot of flak because of the misrepresentation of Him by those who say they are Christians. This article explains what true Christians ought to be like - and there are some!
February 01, 2008
People want to know God, but first they have to take a step of faith.
January 25, 2008
Today's average church doesnt match the Early Church of Acts. It needs a makeover. Here's why.
January 18, 2008
Difficult times are here, and now is the time for Christians to show courage and get outside the churches with the gospel.
January 11, 2008
God always responds to faith. The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. So what is faith? It is trusting in what we cannot see.
We constantly exercise faith in other humans. We board a jetliner, though we cannot see the pilot/co-pilot. We trust they are there and will get us sa...
January 04, 2008
I’m 70, and have seen a lot of life. I’ve taken the Word of God as truth, acted upon it, and I’ve seen those Bible promises come true.
In 1983 I was in Sydney, Australia with very little money. I wanted to spread the gospel in the city. To do it I gave up a full-time job as a proof reader.
I s...
December 28, 2007
It’s the time when we take stock of our lives. The old year almost gone, 2008 almost here.
New Year’s Day is when we vow to change our way of living – maybe cutting down or giving up on the excessive smoking which sees dollar bills waft away with the smoke; not to mention damage to our health.
...
December 21, 2007
The next few days will see people scurrying to the department stores for last-minute gifts, visiting the liquor shop for Christmas wine, and cramming in as many parties as they can before Christmas Day.
For many that’s all Christmas is; to others it’s an excuse for a few days off work. To some – ...
December 07, 2007
Jesus tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves, but first we need to know them. We have to get beyond “How are you?” which (in Australia at least) is just another way of saying hello.
If we are going to say “how are you?” then let’s be prepared to spend half an hour listening to the answer!
...
November 30, 2007
Some would have us believe that the world was somehow created by a “big bang” – an explosion in the universe.
The Collins English Dictionary describes the big bang theory thus: “A cosmological theory postulating that approximately 10,000 million years ago all the matter of the universe, packed in...
November 23, 2007
Sixteen-year-old Gary Gullible gazed at the TV. A documentary had just finished. He’d watched fascinated at the pictures showing what they said was man’s gradual evolution from the apes. The commentary had also sounded very convincing.
In the first picture he’d seen a large, hairy ape in an all-f...
November 16, 2007
It’s an old saying: “Out of the frying pan and into the fire.” That’s not in the Bible but, sad to say, people with no faith in God were jumping off skyscrapers back in 1929. Why? Their “frypan” was losing all their money in the stock market crash.
The Bible tells us such people without salvatio...
November 10, 2007
Those are God’s promises. Human promises are constantly broken. We’ve all heard “the cheque is in the mail.” We hear the profuse promises of politicians just before an election. After it, many of the promises don’t materialize.
The only promises we can really depend on are those given by God: the...
November 02, 2007
There are plenty who purport to be, but when measured against the teaching of Jesus they fall short.
There are “Christians” in the Middle East who strut with AK 45s -and some have already used them with no hesitation. This, despite the sixth of the Ten Commandments: “you shall not murder.”
Rig...
October 26, 2007
There is a general belief that becoming a Christian has benefits only after we leave this world. Yet it’s more than “pie in the sky when you die.” God provides for your needs now.
It happens the moment a person recognizes why Jesus went to the cross, repents of their sins, and puts their trust in H...
October 12, 2007
We need leaders today who will return to the basics. Leaders who will build a church of prayer, Bible study, and display openness to whatever the Holy Spirit and the Bible instructs.
The sheep will usually follow the shepherd, but today in general the local shepherd is preoccupied with other matt...
October 08, 2007
Is this a fairy tale? No, the Bible has an awesome description of heaven - in detail. God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, therefore no mourning; no more pain, no sorrow, no crying.
Night? There won’t be any. God's crystal-clear light will fill heaven. It will be called th...
September 28, 2007
Would anyone have said “I’m not religious” when (in Jesus’ name) the Early Church believers healed the sick and did miracles? More likely the onlookers would have said “Where do I sign? How do I join?”
How deplorable that this life-changing, supernatural, miracle-working Jesus has been relegated ...
September 21, 2007
Not the kind done by the heart surgeon. Not a transplant from another human, but a supernatural new heart from Jesus. It will change you more than a dozen New Year resolutions ever could!
The heart surgeon can prolong your life for a while, but whatever your medical condition, God wants to give y...
September 14, 2007
Jesus said “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The problem is that today we build not His church, but ours!
The Early Church was Jesus’ church. He told the believers to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, even raise the dead – and they di...
September 07, 2007
Killjoys they are not. God gave them so we could live happier lives. Some commandments are incorporated in our human law. Let’s examine the ten.
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
A god can be golf, football, music, gardening, any number of things. There is only one God and we are to pu...
September 01, 2007
There are plenty who do that: who try to deny the existence of God and/or Jesus. They have a free will; they can do so. Whilst alive, everyone has a free choice, and can proudly proclaim they’re an atheist, an evolutionist, whatever.
We don’t see God but we see the evidence. One wonders if the sc...
August 24, 2007
Our very lives are temporary: so are the other gadgets that occupy us - TV, stereo, computer, mobile phone. They will rot, rust or wear out. Our house will eventually crumble.
We need a better foundation on which to build our lives, for there is more to life than earthly treasures.
Jesus advis...
August 17, 2007
It is most difficult for proud people – especially in the rich western world - to humble themselves. Few will recognize they are not totally in control, and are in need of God. Many are full of themselves, but not in the midst of an earthquake, tidal wave, tornado, severe flood.
That’s when we c...
August 11, 2007
The Book of Acts – it’s full of action. There is life, dynamism there. The people described in Acts were fearless, bold. They had faith, backed it with action – and saw supernatural results.
Back then, people came to Christ because they were told what they were to believe. Not only that, they sa...
August 03, 2007
Most of us live by the five senses. We want to touch that wad of dollar bills; smell the onions cooking; see that house before we buy it; hear the baby cry at the moment of birth; taste the flavour of the soup.
Yet Jesus said there is more. Before leaving this world He told those who believed tha...
July 27, 2007
What are the thoughts of the faithful as they show up at church? Are they excited about what God is going to do? What surprises will there be?
More likely they’ll walk in knowing what will happen - there'll be singing, a few announcements, communion, a collection. Then the pastor will give his ha...
July 22, 2007
We stand in the midst of Manhattan, gaze with awe at the skyscrapers and say “Wow, look what man has built!”
We look at the spacecraft zooming vertically from Cape Canaveral and marvel at man flying to the moon. Prior to that we heard the song “Fly me to the moon,” but back then it seemed only fa...
July 15, 2007
That person is Jesus. He has been titled prophet, good man, religious leader - all insufficient.
Many dismiss Him as they would a buzzing fly. Yet the Bible says Jesus has the power of eternal life and death in His hands.
When He walked this Earth, Jesus said He was sent by God and equal with ...
July 06, 2007
That’s because in general the message via the church microphone gives only half the picture. The preachers talk of more blessings, affluence, better marriage, improved health, a better life. Goodies for everyone: cheers, claps, hurrahs, loud amens.
God does promise in the Bible to bless His peopl...
July 01, 2007
[This article is factual; it is based on the writer’s personal experience.]
You read Jesus’ instruction at the end of Mark 16. You know you must do something about the people in your town. You know that those who reject Jesus have the wrath of God on them because it’s in John 3:36.
Futuristic...
June 22, 2007
Many do, but those who read the Bible - and believe it - know there is more. They don’t put all their eggs in the basket of this life. They believe what Jesus says (speaking of Himself) in John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live.”
...
June 15, 2007
He is put into that box called “religion” today. He doesn’t fit, any more than He did two thousand years ago. The “religious” Sadducees and Pharisees wanted Him to fit into their box.
They had their rules and regulations, legalism, traditions of men, just as some denominations have now. They had ...
June 08, 2007
The secretary exits the office. “See you tomorrow,” she says to her co-workers. She probably will, but there’s no guarantee of it. We make our plans for tomorrow, next week, next month. The truth is, God holds the future, not us. “Do not boast of tomorrow, for we do not know what a day will bring fo...
June 01, 2007
Until you take a step of faith. It is like learning to drive. You can absorb the theory, know the road rules by heart, but until you get into the vehicle and operate the controls you will never drive the car.
Faith is getting your mind into gear with what God says, then pressing the accelerator c...
May 25, 2007
“They are one and the same,” many would say. Well-meaning believers spend much time physically working in and around the church and think they are serving God. Not so.
Such activities only support man-made tradition.
Jesus did not tell us to maintain buildings, paint, clean, mow grass, do garden...
May 19, 2007
The following is based on what the Bible says, and millions have found its words to be true as they have believed. Check for yourself the Bible verses given here.
REALIZE
You have to understand how God sees you. The Bible says all have sinned (Romans 3:23, chapter 3 verse 23). By human standar...
May 11, 2007
What passes for Christianity today falls short of what we read in the New Testament. A revolution is required – in attitude and Bible interpretation, Churches must climb out of the bog of man-made tradition.
Generally, there is much worldliness in today’s church, resulting in timid, powerless Chr...
May 04, 2007
“Why should I believe in heaven? No-one has come back to say it exists.”
No-one has come back to say it doesn’t!
“I’m in heaven right now.”
No you’re not. Why do you lock your doors? You are surrounded by all kinds of evil: human greed, envy, pride, jealousy, lust, murder. After the judgment...
April 29, 2007
[It is customary when referring to the Deity to use capitals, but they are omitted for the sake of typographical appearance.]
That’s where God wants to be – sitting in the passenger seat. God wants to be your companion; to guide and direct you on the highway of life - in all the decisions you mak...
April 21, 2007
“Of course we do,” many will chorus. Think about it. If we really believe the Bible, shouldn’t our actions bear out that belief? If we really love God we will obey Him, right?
Do we? Let’s look at the verse: “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelati...
April 13, 2007
There is a tendency today for smaller churches to copy so-called mega churches in their methods. On paper, 10,000 members looks impressive.
Yet that church can be a giant social club whose members haven’t had full biblical teaching and so have no guts to do anything for Jesus. They may be attendi...
April 07, 2007
We have come to associate Easter with Christianity, though before Christ, Easter was a pagan event.
Media coverage of Easter is sad. Each year the public is misled by a gigantic watering-down - via our TV screens - of true Christianity. Especially in Australia where this writer lives.
The TV i...
March 30, 2007
You're enjoying a glass of wine as the waiter takes your dinner order. Life is good. Your shares keep going up, you've just been promoted - and that means you can afford a new car. You just got engaged to a beautiful woman after she said marriage or finish.
You pull out the gospel tract someone ...
March 17, 2007
Have you ever looked at the sky, stars, moon, sun, clouds, and wondered how did it all happen?
The simple answer is it happened exactly as the Bible says in Genesis. It was created. Nothing happens unless it is created. A painting has to have a painter, a house has to have a builder.
There is ...
March 09, 2007
Is Jesus really Lord of our lives? One wonders, because generally, much Christian activity today is self-centred.
We say: “How marvellous what God has done for me. Oh, the blessings. How wonderful that I’m heading for heaven. How fantastic for me.”
What we see now in some churches is similar ...
March 03, 2007
The power lines in the picture are connected to homes. They enable use of washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, stereos. The electrical power makes life so much easier.
For everyday living outside of materialism, we need to be “hooked up” to divine power – which comes from God.
He doesn’t promise...
February 23, 2007
Generally, there is much ignorance about Jesus. The churches have to bring enlightenment by informing the general public (Mark 16:15). If you doubt there is ignorance, knock on some doors, ask what the person knows about Jesus, and see what answers you get.
The stereotyped ideas and closed-mind a...
February 16, 2007
The fire extinguisher sits somewhere in the house. We only need it when an emergency occurs. Likewise, so many “grab hold” of God only when it’s crisis time.
Chances are when you are in desperate need of God’s help, He might not be inclined to help you, especially if you’ve heard the gospel a doz...
February 09, 2007
There’s a wonderful opportunity on these occasions for Christian pastors and ministers to tell the whole truth of the gospel. Yet often in these “let’s-not-upset-anyone” days, the moment is lost. Those officiating seem more afraid of admonishment from denominational head office than from God.
Th...
February 02, 2007
Is it sexism? In the midst of the worldly trendiness slithering into the church in recent years is the separation of the sexes. It happens by way of (non-biblical) social events by gender.
Someone, somewhere, came up years ago with the idea of having separate church socials for guys and gals – or...
January 26, 2007
It is so simple that a ten-year-old can understand it. One does not need the brain of the proverbial rocket scientist, nor a degree in theology.
The salvation message can be condensed into one sentence. Jesus came to show us how to live, was crucified to forgive sins and give eternal life to thos...
January 26, 2007
There is a magnificent old hymn titled “Stand up, stand up for Jesus.” People did that. Time was, you would see unfazed, tomato-and-egg-spattered preachers on street corners telling Bible truth like it is. They carried out the Great Commission of Mark 16:15. They weren’t popular – truth rarely is.
...
January 12, 2007
A had fallen asleep on the highway one night. Then he woke to see his car heading for a tree. He had wrenched the wheel but it only took him into another tree. He remembered a bang, then blackness.
It was unexpected. Life was good. He had just got a raise, was about to be married, and had put a d...
January 05, 2007
It’s in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son…” As familiar to Christians as the morning coffee pot, those words in John 3:16 reveal God’s plan for the human race.
“For God so loved the world…” It means God loves everyone; every human being who lives in this world...
December 30, 2006
Without outlining the salvation message, the pastor says, “raise your hand to come to Jesus right now and join our happy community.” The wording itself in that invitation is okay. Yet there is no more spiritual depth to it than asking for volunteers to clean the church – if the gospel has not been e...
December 22, 2006
[Normally, when referring to the Deity, a capital letter is used. It has not been done here, but only for the sake of typographical appearance.]
Some regard everything the Bible says about Jesus as a con. Millions have a different view. Can we really believe that someone perpetrating a massive ho...
December 15, 2006
It’s that part of the salvation message which (generally speaking) has been put into the “don’t tell” basket. The chances of hearing about the wrath of God at the local Christian assembly are as unlikely as July snow in LA .
Mostly, what is heard now is tasty as ice cream, sublime as a strawberry...
December 08, 2006
People sneer at the lone street preacher obeying Jesus’ instruction of Mark 16:15. “Huh, just a weirdo,” someone says. The preacher is a solitary “fireman” trying to stop the crowd heading for the flames described in Revelation 20:15.
That is generally the status quo. Not much notice is taken of ...
December 01, 2006
This article is based on what the Bible says - still the world's best-selling book (Google it and see). Check for yourself the scriptures quoted here. The Bible tells us where we came from, what we should do whilst in this world, and how we get to heaven.
So, what are these five commonly-held but...
November 24, 2006
Have you ever looked closely at a spider’s web? How does an insect get this inbuilt ability to manufacture the delicate strands, so evenly spaced? Surely no human hand can make anything so beautiful and practical as the spider does. How unique that it can catch its helpless prey without effort in th...
November 19, 2006
We all know the old saying. Yet we keep on putting square pegs in round holes in our Christian churches today.
The Bible (in 1 Timothy 3) sets out the character requirements for positions, such as bishop (defined by the dictionary as a spiritual overseer of a local church) or deacon. Any churches ...
November 30, 1999
Nowadays in the Christian faith the two seem to merge. The focus used to be on prayer, worship, holiness, God’s Word. Now, misled church members flit from one social activity to another like bees to flowers.
The church with some exceptions is like a 40-storey tower in which the higher floors have...