"How different the peace of God from that of the world! It calms the passions, preserves the purity of conscience, is inseparable from righteousness, unites us to God, and strengthens us against temptation. The peace of the soul consists in an absolute resignation to the will of God.
30 December 2011
28 December 2011
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
"How does one know if she has forgiven? You tend to feel sorrow over the circumstance instead of rage, you tend to feel sorry for the person rather than angry with him. You tend to have nothing left to say about it all."
Marjorie Pay Hinckley
"We all have a responsibility--a responsibility to make a difference, to be an influence, to lift someone. We are all in this together to wok out our salvation, to reach our potential, and to be our brother's keeper--to help each other."
26 December 2011
Billy Graham
"The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless."
25 December 2011
Thomas S. Monson
"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.'
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others."
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others."
The Real Christmas
"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master....
"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas se.ason, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments."
"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas se.ason, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments."
George Matthew Adams
"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart."
Why Did Jesus Become a Human?
Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we
are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (NKJV). Talk
about having friends in high places. The Bible is saying that you are not
serving a God who is disinterested in you. You are not serving a God who
doesn't know what it is like to literally walk in your shoes. So you can go boldly
to the throne of grace and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus Christ, who was
God in human form, never lived for a moment outside of the perfect will of God.
He never gave in to a temptation. He never had an impure thought. He never did
one wrong thing. He never displeased His Father in the smallest matter. He was
flawless. He was sinless. He was perfect.
So why did Jesus come
to earth as God in human form? Was it to give us the ultimate teachings ever?
No. Though they were the greatest teachings ever given, He came here for more
than that. Did Jesus come to set the perfect example of how a man or woman
should live? He came to do that and much more. Did Jesus walk this earth merely
to do miracles and heal people? While He always reached out to people in need,
that was not His primary purpose.
C. S. Lewis said it
well: "The Son of God became a man that men might become sons of
God." God became a man so that you might become God's child. Now that is
something worth celebrating.
20 December 2011
Carolyn J. Rasmus
"Charity...is the kind of love that allows us to give of ourselves, to reach out to other people, to build them, and to really love them. The real gifts are gifts of listening and caring and sharing."
How is Jesus Our Substitute?
On the cross, God treated Jesus as if He had committed every sin ever committed by every person who would ever believe. Did you get that? God treated Him as if He committed, personally, every sin ever committed by every person who would ever believe though the fact is He committed none of them. That’s the great doctrine of substitution. And that’s the first side of imputation. God imputed our sins to Him. He was guilty of none of them. God treated Him as if He committed all of them. And He just unloaded His fury for all the sins of all the people who would ever believe in Him in the history of the world. He unloaded all His fury against all their sins on Christ.
To borrow the language of Leviticus 16, Jesus became the “scapegoat.” The scapegoat was guilty of nothing. But the High Priest, as it were, laid all the sins of the people on the scapegoat and sent him away. He was without sin. But sin was credited to His account as if He had personally committed it and then God punished Him though the fact is He never committed any of it. That’s imputation.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “When Jesus came into the world why did He have to live all those years?” If I was planning the plan of redemption I’d have had Him come down on Friday, die, rise on Sunday and go back to Heaven Monday. Why 30 years? Why 30 silent years?
Jesus lived a full life was that He might live a complete life fully righteous. That He might live a complete life absolutely without sin, absolutely perfect, so that that perfect life could be credited to your account. That’s the backside of imputation. On the cross, God treated Jesus as if He lived your life so He could treat you as if you lived His life. That’s the Gospel. That’s substitution.
To borrow the language of Leviticus 16, Jesus became the “scapegoat.” The scapegoat was guilty of nothing. But the High Priest, as it were, laid all the sins of the people on the scapegoat and sent him away. He was without sin. But sin was credited to His account as if He had personally committed it and then God punished Him though the fact is He never committed any of it. That’s imputation.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “When Jesus came into the world why did He have to live all those years?” If I was planning the plan of redemption I’d have had Him come down on Friday, die, rise on Sunday and go back to Heaven Monday. Why 30 years? Why 30 silent years?
Jesus lived a full life was that He might live a complete life fully righteous. That He might live a complete life absolutely without sin, absolutely perfect, so that that perfect life could be credited to your account. That’s the backside of imputation. On the cross, God treated Jesus as if He lived your life so He could treat you as if you lived His life. That’s the Gospel. That’s substitution.
What Message Did the Angels Bring?
We were on our way to a certain judgment, but
God sent Jesus. Because of His death and His shed blood, we have now been
reconciled with God.
That was
really the essence of the angel’s message to the shepherds as they watched over
their flocks on that first Christmas Eve. Part of that message was, “Glory to
God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV).
A more literal translation of this statement would be, “Glory to God in the
highest and peace on earth among men with whom God is well-pleased.”
That is
the key to peace on earth, peace between nations, and peace in a family: Peace
on earth among men with whom God is well-pleased.
How do
we please God? It is only through Jesus Christ, only through the way of
reconciliation He has made available to us. So if we want to be reconciled to
God and want to be reconciled with others, then it must be through Christ.
So many
of us need reconciliation today. Husbands need to be reconciled to wives.
Parents need to be reconciled with children. Sinners need to be reconciled with
God. We all need reconciliation.
Sin is
the great separator. Ever since it entered the world, it has divided people
throughout human history. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, sin
immediately began its work of separation. It separated Adam and Eve from God.
It ultimately separated their sons, Cain and Abel. It was all because of the
separating impact of sin.
But at
the cross of Calvary, Jesus eliminated the wall that separated us from Him. He
brought about reconciliation.
13 December 2011
God Blocked Paul's Path?
Facing a "closed door" can be extremely frustrating. The apostle Paul knew exactly how that felt. On his second missionary journey to share the gospel in Asia, he repeatedly found the way blocked by the Holy Spirit. Eventually the apostle was stuck in Troas with the sea before him and closed doors behind.
How strange it must have seemed to Paul that God would prevent him from spreading the gospel. But he knew this wisdom from the book of Proverbs: The Lord will make a straight path for anyone who chooses to trust God rather than himself (vv. 3:5-6). Instead of getting angry or trying to force his way into new territory, Paul got on his knees.
The Bible does not record how long he and Timothy lingered in Troas, but we can be sure that the apostle did not move until the Lord revealed the entrance to a new mission field. Christians in a period of watchful waiting should view the situation as a chance to seek not only God's purpose but also His guidance. This is the time to ask the Lord why He has barred the way forward—perhaps the timing is wrong or we need to deal with unconfessed sin. Whatever the reason, we must be sensitive to the Spirit's leading. We want to be ready for the door that will open.
When an opportunity is blocked, God has a reason. And He is providing love and protection, even in your disappointment. The Lord is also keeping His promise to work everything for your good (Rom. 8:28). When one door has closed, a greater one is about to open. Be wise and watch for it.
Dr. Charles Stanley
How strange it must have seemed to Paul that God would prevent him from spreading the gospel. But he knew this wisdom from the book of Proverbs: The Lord will make a straight path for anyone who chooses to trust God rather than himself (vv. 3:5-6). Instead of getting angry or trying to force his way into new territory, Paul got on his knees.
The Bible does not record how long he and Timothy lingered in Troas, but we can be sure that the apostle did not move until the Lord revealed the entrance to a new mission field. Christians in a period of watchful waiting should view the situation as a chance to seek not only God's purpose but also His guidance. This is the time to ask the Lord why He has barred the way forward—perhaps the timing is wrong or we need to deal with unconfessed sin. Whatever the reason, we must be sensitive to the Spirit's leading. We want to be ready for the door that will open.
When an opportunity is blocked, God has a reason. And He is providing love and protection, even in your disappointment. The Lord is also keeping His promise to work everything for your good (Rom. 8:28). When one door has closed, a greater one is about to open. Be wise and watch for it.
Dr. Charles Stanley
They Weren't So Different?
Everywhere the first-century Christians went, they were ridiculed, opposed, persecuted, and physically assaulted for their beliefs. Some were even put to death. Yet within a period of about 30 years, this original group of 120 Christians and their converts came to be known as those who turned their world upside down (see Acts 17:6).
Their world was not too different from the world in which we are living right now. In fact, in some ways it might even have been worse. They were living under the jurisdiction of the godless Roman Empire. Immorality was rampant. The religious establishment was corrupt. Idolatry, spiritism, and demon worship were openly practiced. In their time, they did not have the liberties and freedoms that we have today in our nation.
When we read through the Book of Acts, these Christians almost seem radical with their fearless preaching, their expectant prayer, and their willingness to obey. But they weren’t radical. What we see in the Book of Acts is normal, New Testament Christianity. It is the standard that God has set. If we feel it is radical, then it only shows that we are living a watered-down version of it.
I am not saying that a miracle should happen every day in the life of the believer. I am not saying that each time we walk out the door, we will preach the gospel and thousands of people will be saved. But I am saying that as Christians today, we should seek to live at the same level of commitment as these first-century believers did. So how are you living? What are you doing? After all, the church is made up of individuals like you and me.
Greg Laurie
Their world was not too different from the world in which we are living right now. In fact, in some ways it might even have been worse. They were living under the jurisdiction of the godless Roman Empire. Immorality was rampant. The religious establishment was corrupt. Idolatry, spiritism, and demon worship were openly practiced. In their time, they did not have the liberties and freedoms that we have today in our nation.
When we read through the Book of Acts, these Christians almost seem radical with their fearless preaching, their expectant prayer, and their willingness to obey. But they weren’t radical. What we see in the Book of Acts is normal, New Testament Christianity. It is the standard that God has set. If we feel it is radical, then it only shows that we are living a watered-down version of it.
I am not saying that a miracle should happen every day in the life of the believer. I am not saying that each time we walk out the door, we will preach the gospel and thousands of people will be saved. But I am saying that as Christians today, we should seek to live at the same level of commitment as these first-century believers did. So how are you living? What are you doing? After all, the church is made up of individuals like you and me.
Greg Laurie
John 16:33
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
9 December 2011
8 December 2011
5 December 2011
Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
What Does the Name Jesus Mean?
The name Jesus means "Savior." It is the same name
as Joshua in the Old Testament. It is given to our Lord because "He saves
His people from their sins." This is His special role. He saves them from
the guilt of sin, by cleansing them in His own atoning blood. He saves them
from the dominion of sin by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He
saves them from the presence of sin, when He takes them out of this world to
rest with Him. He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when He
shall give them a glorious body at the last day.
Jesus is a very
encouraging name to weighted-down sinners. He, who is the King of kings and the
Lord of lords, might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title. But He
does not do so. The rulers of this world have often called themselves great,
conquerors, bold, magnificent, and the like. The Son of God is content to call
Himself Savior. Those seeking salvation may draw near to the Father with
boldness, and have access with confidence through Christ. It is His role and
His delight to show mercy. "For God didn't send his Son into the world to
judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him" (John
3:17).
Jesus is a name,
which is especially sweet and precious to believers. It has often done them
good. It has given them what money cannot buy - that is, inward peace. It has
eased their wearied consciences and given rest to their heavy hearts. The Song
of Solomon describes the experience of many, when it says, "Your name is
oil poured forth" (Song of Solomon 1:3). Happy is the person who trusts
not merely in vague notions of God's mercy and goodness, but in
"Jesus."
Adapted from The Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle (Chapter 1).
Trinity
The word Trinity cannot be found in the Bible, but the truth
of it can. While there's only one God, the Godhead consists of three distinct
persons - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All are equally omniscient,
omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, and unchanging, but each one has unique
functions.
Scripture shows how
each member of the Trinity fulfills His specific role, and it also reveals how
those three roles interrelate. Let me express this idea in simple terms: The
Father creates a plan, Jesus Christ implements the plan, and the Holy Spirit administers
the plan.
The way of redemption
showcases these roles in a clear manner. The Father designed and organized how
mankind would be redeemed (Galatians 4:4-5). He set into motion a complex set
of events, actions, and prophecies which culminated in the life and death of a
Savior. The Son carried out the plan (John 6:37-38). He followed the Father's
instructions to come to earth, even though that meant He would have to die. The
Holy Spirit sees to it that every person feels a call toward God's saving grace
(John 14:26, 16:8; Romans 1:19-20). Furthermore, He transforms the lives and
hearts of those who receive salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Father, Son, and
Spirit are equal in their divine attributes. Yet each relates to mankind in a
different way because He has a specific role. It's very important to understand
this distinction: We do not have three gods; we have one God in three persons
functioning uniquely and perfectly.
Oprah Winfrey
"Keep a grateful journal. Every night, list five things that you are grateful for. What it will begin to do is change your perspective of your day and your life."
Living water
The story of the Lord’s encounter with a Samaritan woman is a wonderful example of His loving response to hurting individuals (John 4:1–42). Jesus is always reaching out in love, even when we do not recognize His extended hand.
Although this meeting may have appeared accidental, it was really a providential appointment with the Messiah. As the woman reached the well, Jesus initiated conversation by asking for a drink of water. His direct approach surprised her and opened the door for a dialogue that would change her life forever.
Throughout the exchange, Jesus’ goal was to help the woman recognize her greatest need so He could supply her with the only gift that would meet that need: salvation and the forgiveness of her sins. She had spent her life trying to find love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Christ offered her the living water of the Holy Spirit—the only thing that would quench her spiritual and emotional thirst.
Like the Samaritan woman, we can at times be so intent on getting our immediate needs met that we fail to see God’s hand reaching out to us in love, offering what will truly satisfy. Only Christ can fill our empty souls for eternity and provide for our essential emotional needs now.
This world is filled with wells that promise to provide love, acceptance, and self-worth but never fully satisfy. When your soul is empty and the well runs dry, look for Jesus. He has a divine appointment scheduled with you, and He will quench your thirst with His Spirit—if you let Him.
Although this meeting may have appeared accidental, it was really a providential appointment with the Messiah. As the woman reached the well, Jesus initiated conversation by asking for a drink of water. His direct approach surprised her and opened the door for a dialogue that would change her life forever.
Throughout the exchange, Jesus’ goal was to help the woman recognize her greatest need so He could supply her with the only gift that would meet that need: salvation and the forgiveness of her sins. She had spent her life trying to find love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Christ offered her the living water of the Holy Spirit—the only thing that would quench her spiritual and emotional thirst.
Like the Samaritan woman, we can at times be so intent on getting our immediate needs met that we fail to see God’s hand reaching out to us in love, offering what will truly satisfy. Only Christ can fill our empty souls for eternity and provide for our essential emotional needs now.
This world is filled with wells that promise to provide love, acceptance, and self-worth but never fully satisfy. When your soul is empty and the well runs dry, look for Jesus. He has a divine appointment scheduled with you, and He will quench your thirst with His Spirit—if you let Him.
live in mission
Paul and Barnabas set the standard for the church’s mission work when they obeyed God’s call to go forth. The local body of believers—those left behind to share Christ with neighbors and friends—equipped the men for their journey. They did so for the same reasons that apply today:
1. The spiritual condition of mankind. Romans 1:21–32 describes this sinful world. Unchecked sin leads people down a slippery slope toward a depraved conscience and, ultimately, a darkened mind that cannot perceive what is right. Every unbelieving person is sliding on that treacherous path.
2. God’s spiritual provision. The Father responded to mankind’s plight with grace: He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to save the world. On the cross, Christ bore the sin of every person—living, no longer alive, and yet to be born. The offer of salvation is for all; God’s grace is blind to race, creed, and color (Romans 10:12). Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven their sin, and they will spend eternity with the Lord.
3. The commission from Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may bear effective witness to those who need salvation. Notice that we don’t simply begin at home and work steadily outward. People everywhere are waiting for the Good News. The word is to be carried far and fast.
The purpose of the church is to worship and witness. Some will go and some will send, but all are called to the work of spreading the gospel. This is not a suggestion; it is a command (Matthew 28:19). Believers living in God’s will are all to be involved in missionary work.
1. The spiritual condition of mankind. Romans 1:21–32 describes this sinful world. Unchecked sin leads people down a slippery slope toward a depraved conscience and, ultimately, a darkened mind that cannot perceive what is right. Every unbelieving person is sliding on that treacherous path.
2. God’s spiritual provision. The Father responded to mankind’s plight with grace: He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to save the world. On the cross, Christ bore the sin of every person—living, no longer alive, and yet to be born. The offer of salvation is for all; God’s grace is blind to race, creed, and color (Romans 10:12). Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven their sin, and they will spend eternity with the Lord.
3. The commission from Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may bear effective witness to those who need salvation. Notice that we don’t simply begin at home and work steadily outward. People everywhere are waiting for the Good News. The word is to be carried far and fast.
The purpose of the church is to worship and witness. Some will go and some will send, but all are called to the work of spreading the gospel. This is not a suggestion; it is a command (Matthew 28:19). Believers living in God’s will are all to be involved in missionary work.
Jeffrey R. Holland
"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your op.portunities."
light of the world
Jesus was speaking to a crowd of just ordinary folks. Yet Christ said to them, "You are the light of the world." And today, you are the light of the world. That's how God intends to get his work done on earth today: through you!
And that's how God intends to get his work done on earth today: through you! It's not just pastors and missionaries who are the light; it's everybody who loves the Lord.
You see, the world doesn't understand. The world looks at Christians and thinks, "They don't count." God takes an ordinary person and uses them to share His message to people who needed Him. When we share our faith, we spread His light.
Jesus describes what we are in this passage - the light of the world, not the light of the church. That means we have to get beyond the church walls and take the light out to where it is dark.
You were saved to shine! Don't hide your testimony or be ashamed to take your Bible to work. Don't be afraid to pray over your lunch at school. Let others know that you love the Lord Jesus.
Jesus also talked of the strength of collective light. Each house in a city with its lights on cast a glow across the sky. As Christians come together, there is a glow for the Lord that we cannot create individually. We shine brightest when we shine together.
How can we shine for God? Jesus says that we are to let our lights shine before men in such a way that they will see our good works and glorify God. That's how we do it. We live for God.
And that's how God intends to get his work done on earth today: through you! It's not just pastors and missionaries who are the light; it's everybody who loves the Lord.
You see, the world doesn't understand. The world looks at Christians and thinks, "They don't count." God takes an ordinary person and uses them to share His message to people who needed Him. When we share our faith, we spread His light.
Jesus describes what we are in this passage - the light of the world, not the light of the church. That means we have to get beyond the church walls and take the light out to where it is dark.
You were saved to shine! Don't hide your testimony or be ashamed to take your Bible to work. Don't be afraid to pray over your lunch at school. Let others know that you love the Lord Jesus.
Jesus also talked of the strength of collective light. Each house in a city with its lights on cast a glow across the sky. As Christians come together, there is a glow for the Lord that we cannot create individually. We shine brightest when we shine together.
How can we shine for God? Jesus says that we are to let our lights shine before men in such a way that they will see our good works and glorify God. That's how we do it. We live for God.
Jean Maalouf, The Healing Power of Kindness
"More than anything else, kindness is a way of life. It is a way of living and walking through life. It is a way of dealing with all that is--our selves, our bodies, our dreams and goals, our neighbors, our competitors, our enemies, our air, our earth, our animals, our space, our time, and our very consciousness. Do we treat all creation with kindness? Isn't all creation holy and divine?"
Barbara B. Smith
"Family needs. . . are not always physical. Often faith, forgiveness, encouragement, comfort, counsel, listening, teaching, moral support, examples of loving and caring, and a host of other experiences will see loved ones through a crisis--and their crisis needs may last a lifetime. Time with a family member may pay the greatest dividends of all."
7 October 2011
23 September 2011
Nicene Creed (started in 325 AD)
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy universal and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen
14 September 2011
What is a Christian?
Several years ago, some West Point cadets were sitting in their dorm room discussing all kinds of issues. It was one of those late night sessions where they were talking about anything and everything.
So the subject of Christianity came up and they asked the question, “What is a Christian?” And as they began to bat around the idea a bit, one after another gave his opinion on what a Christian is.
After a few hours of not really getting anywhere, one young cadet stopped the conversation dead when he said, “A Christian is Charles Jones.” Now, Charles Jones was a fellow cadet who was known for his kindness and willingness to go the extra mile for others because of his faith in Christ.
I wonder how that conversation would go if your friends were having a discussion over coffee and asked, “What is a Christian?” Would anybody mention your name? Are you so identified with Jesus Christ that people know who you are and what you believe?
Being a Christian is more than just lip service. It’s living your life in such a way that others see a difference in you. So as you go throughout your life, let others see God’s grace and love in you!
By Jack Graham
How Can We Evaluate Our Spiritual Growth?
When it comes to spiritual maturity, we can’t simply
take for granted that we’re growing. To evaluate personal progress, I’ve
compiled a brief inventory of spiritual benchmarks. Check the list for
an idea of how you’re doing. But remember, these items are just a place
to start; see the Bible for a complete growth chart!
We know we’re growing spiritually when we become increasingly aware of our sinfulness and weakness. As I read biographies of godly saints, it’s clear that they don’t “get better” with age and spiritual maturity. Instead, they become ever more sensitive to their dependence upon the Lord. Moreover, progress is apparent when we respond to sin with quick repentance. Failure to deal with sin is rebellion against God. Growing believers turn away from wrongdoing and embrace righteousness. As we live with the good results of dependence and repentance, our desire to obey intensifies, and the attraction of sin lessens.
Growth is also marked by an increase in two things—joy and struggle. Faith is often developed through hardship because living out the principles of trust and endurance help us “get it.” So we’ll see maturity in our relationship with God when we view trials and temptations as opportunities for growth.
Paul, David, and Daniel prove that adversity can help form spiritual giants. These men recognized sovereign God as the gatekeeper of their lives. We are maturing when we perceive whatever comes our way as being from Him, which also means that He’s working it for good (Romans 8:28).
By Charles Stanley
We know we’re growing spiritually when we become increasingly aware of our sinfulness and weakness. As I read biographies of godly saints, it’s clear that they don’t “get better” with age and spiritual maturity. Instead, they become ever more sensitive to their dependence upon the Lord. Moreover, progress is apparent when we respond to sin with quick repentance. Failure to deal with sin is rebellion against God. Growing believers turn away from wrongdoing and embrace righteousness. As we live with the good results of dependence and repentance, our desire to obey intensifies, and the attraction of sin lessens.
Growth is also marked by an increase in two things—joy and struggle. Faith is often developed through hardship because living out the principles of trust and endurance help us “get it.” So we’ll see maturity in our relationship with God when we view trials and temptations as opportunities for growth.
Paul, David, and Daniel prove that adversity can help form spiritual giants. These men recognized sovereign God as the gatekeeper of their lives. We are maturing when we perceive whatever comes our way as being from Him, which also means that He’s working it for good (Romans 8:28).
By Charles Stanley
Taking up Our Cross?
Jesus said that if we are to truly be His disciples we are to “take up our cross daily and follow Him” (Luke 9:23). But what does that mean?
To understand that, we need to understand the meaning of the cross in that time and culture.
The cross has lost most of its original meaning today. It is shrouded in religiousness and mystery. It has become many things, from a religious icon to a fashion element.
When we see the cross today, it is a symbol of faith, particularly the Christian faith.
But in the time when Jesus made that statement, He had not yet died on the cross. So, in its original context, the cross was a symbol of death.
In fact, it was the symbol of a very cruel death. The Romans reserved it for the worst criminals. It was a form of torture and humiliation, ultimately leading to a long and painful death.
Why would He use the cross to illustrate what it meant to follow Him?
Jesus intentionally used a gruesome symbol to get the people’s attention. He did this to say that following Him was not “child’s play.” It is not a game and it is not easy. In fact, it will cost you to follow Him as a disciple.
By Randy Alcorn
To understand that, we need to understand the meaning of the cross in that time and culture.
The cross has lost most of its original meaning today. It is shrouded in religiousness and mystery. It has become many things, from a religious icon to a fashion element.
When we see the cross today, it is a symbol of faith, particularly the Christian faith.
But in the time when Jesus made that statement, He had not yet died on the cross. So, in its original context, the cross was a symbol of death.
In fact, it was the symbol of a very cruel death. The Romans reserved it for the worst criminals. It was a form of torture and humiliation, ultimately leading to a long and painful death.
Why would He use the cross to illustrate what it meant to follow Him?
Jesus intentionally used a gruesome symbol to get the people’s attention. He did this to say that following Him was not “child’s play.” It is not a game and it is not easy. In fact, it will cost you to follow Him as a disciple.
By Randy Alcorn
John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give unto
you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another."
امید Hope
مزامیر باب ۷۱
۵ چون تو ای خداوند، امید من هستی، از جوانی به تو توکّل نموده ام.
__________________________
مزامیر باب ۴۳
۵ ای جان من چرا افسرده و غمگین هستی؟ بر خدا امید داشته باش زیرا که دوباره او را ستایش خواهی کرد، چون او خدای من و مددکار من است.
__________________________
رومیان باب ۸
۲۴ زیرا با چنین امیدی بود که ما نجات یافتیم ، اما امیدی که بر آورده شده باشد دیگر امید نیست. چه کسی در انتظار چیزی است که قبلا آنرا یافته است ؟ ۲۵ اما اگر در امید چیزی هستیم که هنوز نیافته ایم با صبر منتظر آن میشویم.
__________________________
پطرس اول باب ۱
امید زنده
۳ سپاس بر خدا ، پدر خداوند ما عیسی مسیح که به لطف بزرگ خود به وسیله رستاخیز عیسی مسیح از مردگان تولد تاره و امید زنده به ما بخشیده است ۴ تا روزی تمام برکات موعود را به دست آوریم. این برکات در عالم بالا ، در جائی که خراب و ضایع نمی شود و از آب و رنگ نمی افتد برای شما نگهداشته می شوند.
__________________________
قرنتیان دوم باب ۴
ایمان، راهنمای ما در زندگی
۱۶ بنابراین ، امید خود را از دست نمی دهیم . اگر چه وجود ظاهری ما رفته رفته از بین می رود ، وجود باطنی ما روز به روز تازه تر می گردد. ۱۷ و این رنج و زحمت ناچیز و زود گذر ، جلال عظیم و بی پایانی را که غیر قابل مقایسه است برای ما فراهم می کند
__________________________
تسالونیکیان دوم باب ۲
۱۶ خود خداوند ما عیسی مسیح و خدای پدر که ما را دوست داشته است و از راه فیض ما را دائمأ تشویق کرده و امید نیکوئی به ما بخشیده است
برای مادعا کنید
۱۷ شما را نیز تشویق و تقویت کند تا آن چه را که نیکوست بگوئید و به عمل آورید.
__________________________
افسسیان باب ۱
۱۸ و از او می خواهم که چشمان دل شما را روشن سازد تا به چگونگی امیدی که خدا شما را به آن دعوت کرده است و به ثروتمندی و شکوه به هره ای که خدا به مقدسین خود وعده داده است
__________________________
قرنتیان اول باب ۱۵
۱۹ اگر امید ما به مسیح فقط منحصر به این زندگی باشد از تمام مردم بدبختتر هستیم !
__________________________
رومیان باب ۱۲
۱۲ امیدتان مایۀ شادی شما باشد و در رنج و مصیبت صابر باشید و از دعا کردن خسته نشوید.
__________________________
رومیان باب ۱۵
۳ زیرا مسیح نیز در فکر راحتی خود نبود چنانکه کتاب مقدس می فرماید :« اهانت های آنانیکه بتو اهانت می کردند بمن رسید .»
__________________________
عبرانیان باب ۱۱
شاهکارهای ایمان
۱ ایمان اطمینانی است به چیزهائی که به آن امیدواریم و اعتقادی است به چیزهائی که نمی بینیم.
__________________________
رومیان باب ۱۵
۴ زیرا هر چه در گذشته در کتاب مقدس نوشته شد برای تعلیم ما بود تا بوسیلۀ بردباری و دلگرمی ای که کلام خدا میبخشد امیدوار باشیم.
۵ چون تو ای خداوند، امید من هستی، از جوانی به تو توکّل نموده ام.
__________________________
مزامیر باب ۴۳
۵ ای جان من چرا افسرده و غمگین هستی؟ بر خدا امید داشته باش زیرا که دوباره او را ستایش خواهی کرد، چون او خدای من و مددکار من است.
__________________________
رومیان باب ۸
۲۴ زیرا با چنین امیدی بود که ما نجات یافتیم ، اما امیدی که بر آورده شده باشد دیگر امید نیست. چه کسی در انتظار چیزی است که قبلا آنرا یافته است ؟ ۲۵ اما اگر در امید چیزی هستیم که هنوز نیافته ایم با صبر منتظر آن میشویم.
__________________________
پطرس اول باب ۱
امید زنده
۳ سپاس بر خدا ، پدر خداوند ما عیسی مسیح که به لطف بزرگ خود به وسیله رستاخیز عیسی مسیح از مردگان تولد تاره و امید زنده به ما بخشیده است ۴ تا روزی تمام برکات موعود را به دست آوریم. این برکات در عالم بالا ، در جائی که خراب و ضایع نمی شود و از آب و رنگ نمی افتد برای شما نگهداشته می شوند.
__________________________
قرنتیان دوم باب ۴
ایمان، راهنمای ما در زندگی
۱۶ بنابراین ، امید خود را از دست نمی دهیم . اگر چه وجود ظاهری ما رفته رفته از بین می رود ، وجود باطنی ما روز به روز تازه تر می گردد. ۱۷ و این رنج و زحمت ناچیز و زود گذر ، جلال عظیم و بی پایانی را که غیر قابل مقایسه است برای ما فراهم می کند
__________________________
تسالونیکیان دوم باب ۲
۱۶ خود خداوند ما عیسی مسیح و خدای پدر که ما را دوست داشته است و از راه فیض ما را دائمأ تشویق کرده و امید نیکوئی به ما بخشیده است
برای مادعا کنید
۱۷ شما را نیز تشویق و تقویت کند تا آن چه را که نیکوست بگوئید و به عمل آورید.
__________________________
افسسیان باب ۱
۱۸ و از او می خواهم که چشمان دل شما را روشن سازد تا به چگونگی امیدی که خدا شما را به آن دعوت کرده است و به ثروتمندی و شکوه به هره ای که خدا به مقدسین خود وعده داده است
__________________________
قرنتیان اول باب ۱۵
۱۹ اگر امید ما به مسیح فقط منحصر به این زندگی باشد از تمام مردم بدبختتر هستیم !
__________________________
رومیان باب ۱۲
۱۲ امیدتان مایۀ شادی شما باشد و در رنج و مصیبت صابر باشید و از دعا کردن خسته نشوید.
__________________________
رومیان باب ۱۵
۳ زیرا مسیح نیز در فکر راحتی خود نبود چنانکه کتاب مقدس می فرماید :« اهانت های آنانیکه بتو اهانت می کردند بمن رسید .»
__________________________
عبرانیان باب ۱۱
شاهکارهای ایمان
۱ ایمان اطمینانی است به چیزهائی که به آن امیدواریم و اعتقادی است به چیزهائی که نمی بینیم.
__________________________
رومیان باب ۱۵
۴ زیرا هر چه در گذشته در کتاب مقدس نوشته شد برای تعلیم ما بود تا بوسیلۀ بردباری و دلگرمی ای که کلام خدا میبخشد امیدوار باشیم.
مزمور داود 14:90
صبحگاهان ما را از رحمت خود سير كن تا تمامی عمر خود را ترنم و شادی نماييم.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days
4 September 2011
Faith
"A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of
faith will bring heaven to your soul."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"When you put faith, hope
and love together, you can raise positive kids in a negative world."
Zig Ziglar
Bernice Johnson Reagon
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're
supposed to help you discover who you are."
Three Proofs that Jesus Really Existed?
Jesus walked upon this earth. He was born and He died. How do we know this? We know it for three reasons.
The Personal Witness Of The Saints
Acts 10:39-41 says, "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead."
Over 500 people saw Jesus after His death and most of these died because of their belief. Let me say, a man may live for a lie, but would he die for one?
The Prophetic Witness Of The Scriptures
Acts 10:43 says, "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins." When the writer says "all the prophets," he is talking about the prophets from Genesis to Malachi (remember, the New Testament hadn't been written yet).
In Genesis 3, we read about the One who will bruise the head of the serpent. In Genesis 12, He is going to come from the seed of Abraham. In Genesis 22, we read about the sacrifice of Isaac on the very mountain where Jesus was later crucified! The entire book of Leviticus is filled with pictures of blood-atoning sacrifices for sin. You'll read about the prophetic crucifixion of Jesus in Psalm 22. In Micah 5:2, it is told clearly that Jesus will be born in Bethlehem.
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is: there is but one plan of salvation in all the Bible and that is through the blood-atoning sacrifice of the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
The Powerful Witness Of The Spirit
The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and says, "Amen. It is written. It is truth." I thank God that I don't have to try and talk you into believing Jesus. If there's anything I can talk you into, there's someone who can talk you right out of it!
1 John 5:9-11 says, "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
By Adrian Rogers
The Personal Witness Of The Saints
Acts 10:39-41 says, "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead."
Over 500 people saw Jesus after His death and most of these died because of their belief. Let me say, a man may live for a lie, but would he die for one?
The Prophetic Witness Of The Scriptures
Acts 10:43 says, "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins." When the writer says "all the prophets," he is talking about the prophets from Genesis to Malachi (remember, the New Testament hadn't been written yet).
In Genesis 3, we read about the One who will bruise the head of the serpent. In Genesis 12, He is going to come from the seed of Abraham. In Genesis 22, we read about the sacrifice of Isaac on the very mountain where Jesus was later crucified! The entire book of Leviticus is filled with pictures of blood-atoning sacrifices for sin. You'll read about the prophetic crucifixion of Jesus in Psalm 22. In Micah 5:2, it is told clearly that Jesus will be born in Bethlehem.
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is: there is but one plan of salvation in all the Bible and that is through the blood-atoning sacrifice of the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
The Powerful Witness Of The Spirit
The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and says, "Amen. It is written. It is truth." I thank God that I don't have to try and talk you into believing Jesus. If there's anything I can talk you into, there's someone who can talk you right out of it!
1 John 5:9-11 says, "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
By Adrian Rogers
با انجيل زندگي کن و از آن حرف بزن
برخي مي گويند که زندگي مسيحي و خداپسندانه شان در اين زمينه کافي است؛ احتياجي
نيست که چيزي بگويند. مشکل چنين نظري اين است که بر اساس کتابمقدس نيست و
فرد با اين سخن بيشتر خود را گول مي زند. مسيحيان اوليه گرچه براساس انجيل زندگي
مي کردند، ولي منتظر نمي ماندند که ديگران نزد آنها بيايند. در بيان اينکه زندگي آنها چطور
چنين بنيادي عوض شده است، خود پيشقدم مي شدند. در محتواي انجيل و در جوهر آن
چيزي هست که با مشاهده تنها کشف نمي گردد. احتياج به توضيح دارد.
برخي ها بي آنکه به انجام زندگي مسيحي تأکيد کنند، دائم روي اعلان انجيل آن اصرار دارند. اعمال
بيشتر از کلمات با ديگران حرف مي زنند، ولي فردي که مي خواهد شاهدي مؤثر براي مسيح باشد،
به هر دو احتياج دارد. عيسي و ايمانداران اوليه در هر دو نمونه بودند: با انجيل زندگي و از آن
صحبت مي کردند
نيست که چيزي بگويند. مشکل چنين نظري اين است که بر اساس کتابمقدس نيست و
فرد با اين سخن بيشتر خود را گول مي زند. مسيحيان اوليه گرچه براساس انجيل زندگي
مي کردند، ولي منتظر نمي ماندند که ديگران نزد آنها بيايند. در بيان اينکه زندگي آنها چطور
چنين بنيادي عوض شده است، خود پيشقدم مي شدند. در محتواي انجيل و در جوهر آن
چيزي هست که با مشاهده تنها کشف نمي گردد. احتياج به توضيح دارد.
برخي ها بي آنکه به انجام زندگي مسيحي تأکيد کنند، دائم روي اعلان انجيل آن اصرار دارند. اعمال
بيشتر از کلمات با ديگران حرف مي زنند، ولي فردي که مي خواهد شاهدي مؤثر براي مسيح باشد،
به هر دو احتياج دارد. عيسي و ايمانداران اوليه در هر دو نمونه بودند: با انجيل زندگي و از آن
صحبت مي کردند
1Corinthians Chapter 13:1-2
اگر به زبانهای مردم و فرشتگان سخن گويم و محبّت نداشته باشم، مثل نحاس صدا دهنده و سنج فغان كننده شده ام. و اگر نبوّت داشته باشم و جميع اسرار و همه علم را بدانم و ايمان كامل داشته باشم بحدّی كه كوهها را نقل كنم و محبّت نداشته باشم، هيچ هستم
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing
29 August 2011
repentance
By repentance in prayer, I mean taking the time before God to search your heart and repent of anything that has come between you and Him. Psalm 19:12-13 expresses it well,
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Verse 12 begins with the question, "Who can understand his errors?" The psalmist is telling us, "You will not always know when you do something wrong. You will not always know when you get into an area that is not right."
What David is pointing to are the secret faults and presumptuous sins which can still have dominion over you—even though you may not be aware that what you did was wrong.
For example, sometimes we can allow attitudes to get into our hearts that we don't realize are inconsistent with God's character. Or sometimes we can do and say things that are detrimental, not only to us, but to others, and not really understand the damage we have done.
How do you deal with these sins? You come before God and say, "God, put the spotlight on anything in my life that has raised a barrier between You and me, and I will repent of it."
So when you pray, ask God to reveal any sin in your life you may be overlooking. God will honor your heart of repentance.
Russell M. Nelson
"Danger lurks when we divide ourselves with expressions such as 'my private life,' 'my professional life,' or even 'my best behavior.' Living life in separate compartments can lead to internal conflict and exhausting tension....Inner peace comes only as we maintain the integrity of truth in all aspects of our lives. When we...follow the Lord and obey His commandments, we accept His standards in every thought, action, and deed."
John 3:16-17
"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
25 August 2011
Does Prayer Make a Difference?
Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don’t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.
Will God’s plans fail if I don’t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.
Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.
In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.
Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.
By Charles Stanley
Will God’s plans fail if I don’t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.
Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.
In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.
Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.
By Charles Stanley
William Ames
"From faith, hope, and love, the virtues of religion referring to God, there arises a double act which bears on the spiritual communion exercised between God and us; the hearing of the word and prayer."
24 August 2011
Victor Hugo
"Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees."
We Must Tell the Good News?
Have you ever led someone to Christ? If not, why not? Maybe you think that God can never use you in this way, that you’re just not gifted in that regard, and it is only for a privileged few to lead others to Christ. But if this were the case, why was the Great Commission given to every Christian? Every believer is called to “go and make disciples of all the nations . . . ” (Matthew 28:19). That means we are all called to evangelism. We all have a part to play.
I must admit that it’s a mystery to me that God has chosen to use people as the primary communicators of His truth. An interviewer once commented to me that I seem to be very natural when I speak, that it must come easily to me. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” I said. “Before I was a Christian, I wasn’t a public speaker.”
I remember being in an English class in school where we were all required to give an impromptu, five-minute speech in front of the class on an assigned statement. Being a poor student, I hadn’t read the assignment, so I stood frozen with fear in front of the class. I was not a public speaker.
But after I came to faith in Jesus Christ, I realized the best way to help people believe was through verbal communication, be it in front of a group or an individual. I realized that it is not about me or what I feel comfortable doing; it is about obeying God. Because the primary way God reaches people who do not yet know Him is through verbal communication. How can people hear about Christ unless someone tells them? That someone is supposed to be you or me
By Greg Laurie
I must admit that it’s a mystery to me that God has chosen to use people as the primary communicators of His truth. An interviewer once commented to me that I seem to be very natural when I speak, that it must come easily to me. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” I said. “Before I was a Christian, I wasn’t a public speaker.”
I remember being in an English class in school where we were all required to give an impromptu, five-minute speech in front of the class on an assigned statement. Being a poor student, I hadn’t read the assignment, so I stood frozen with fear in front of the class. I was not a public speaker.
But after I came to faith in Jesus Christ, I realized the best way to help people believe was through verbal communication, be it in front of a group or an individual. I realized that it is not about me or what I feel comfortable doing; it is about obeying God. Because the primary way God reaches people who do not yet know Him is through verbal communication. How can people hear about Christ unless someone tells them? That someone is supposed to be you or me
By Greg Laurie
Psalms Chapter 46:1 مزمور داود
خدا ملجا و قوّت ماست، و مددكاری كه در تنگيها فوراً يافت می شود.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble
Psalms Chapter 138:7-8 مزمور داود
اگر چه در ميان تنگی راه می روم، مرا زنده خواهی كرد. دست خود را بر خشم دشمنانم دراز می كنی و دست راستت مرا نجات خواهد داد. خداوند كار مرا به كمال خواهد رسانيد. ای خداوند، رحمت تو تا ابدالآباد است. كارهای دست خويش را ترك منما
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands
21 August 2011
Why Are There Four Gospels?
Our most significant source of information about Jesus Christ comes from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament. Yet the four gospel accounts should not be taken as an exhaustive narrative of the life and work of Jesus. John, for example, explicitly states that his account does not contain everything Jesus did (John 21:25).
Instead, the four writers had a specific audience in mind to address a defined issue. To that end, each one selected and arranged the factual historical data of Jesus's life in a way best suited for their chosen aim. Chronology and exhaustive coverage of specific events was secondary. However, this does not negate the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit in shaping and directing the writers of the gospels through divine inspiration.
Because the gospels serve more as Spirit-drawn narrative portraits, any "harmonizing" of the four accounts falls to the student of the Bible. Weaving the gospels together is possible, but the gospels should never be taken as an exhaustive biography in the modern sense. Instead, the accounts follow the common ancient method of highlighting key events and themes. Each telling presents a distinct perspective on the same life.
Matthew: Christ is the Son of David, rightful heir to the Messianic throne. Here we see Christ's royal genealogy, the visit by the magi from the East to announce His kingly birth, and the proclamation of His laws in the Sermon on the Mount.
Mark: Here we find Jesus as the Servant of God. Although Jesus came as God to earth, He completely submitted Himself to the will of the Father in heaven and took on the form of a servant. Anything extraneous to that theme is excluded, which is why the narrative contains no references to Jesus's birth or youth.
Luke: To Luke, Jesus is the Son of Man—fully human but unlike any other human being in His perfect submission to God's will. For this reason, Luke traces the genealogy back to Adam (the first human).
John: John presents Jesus as the Son of God—fully divine. Jesus is not only flesh and bones, but He is also the Creator of all things in the beginning (John 1). Jesus reveals His nature as "I am," a title God gave as His own.
In many cases, claims concerning the "contradictions" between the gospels ignore the different purposes of the four writers. The focus helps us understand what each intended to emphasize in the character of Christ. One account could never capture the complete picture.
By A.W. Pink
Instead, the four writers had a specific audience in mind to address a defined issue. To that end, each one selected and arranged the factual historical data of Jesus's life in a way best suited for their chosen aim. Chronology and exhaustive coverage of specific events was secondary. However, this does not negate the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit in shaping and directing the writers of the gospels through divine inspiration.
Because the gospels serve more as Spirit-drawn narrative portraits, any "harmonizing" of the four accounts falls to the student of the Bible. Weaving the gospels together is possible, but the gospels should never be taken as an exhaustive biography in the modern sense. Instead, the accounts follow the common ancient method of highlighting key events and themes. Each telling presents a distinct perspective on the same life.
Matthew: Christ is the Son of David, rightful heir to the Messianic throne. Here we see Christ's royal genealogy, the visit by the magi from the East to announce His kingly birth, and the proclamation of His laws in the Sermon on the Mount.
Mark: Here we find Jesus as the Servant of God. Although Jesus came as God to earth, He completely submitted Himself to the will of the Father in heaven and took on the form of a servant. Anything extraneous to that theme is excluded, which is why the narrative contains no references to Jesus's birth or youth.
Luke: To Luke, Jesus is the Son of Man—fully human but unlike any other human being in His perfect submission to God's will. For this reason, Luke traces the genealogy back to Adam (the first human).
John: John presents Jesus as the Son of God—fully divine. Jesus is not only flesh and bones, but He is also the Creator of all things in the beginning (John 1). Jesus reveals His nature as "I am," a title God gave as His own.
In many cases, claims concerning the "contradictions" between the gospels ignore the different purposes of the four writers. The focus helps us understand what each intended to emphasize in the character of Christ. One account could never capture the complete picture.
By A.W. Pink
What Makes for an "Authentic" Christian?
Let's take a look at five earmarks of authentic Christianity, taken from 1 John.
First, an authentic Christian confesses Jesus Christ as Lord (1 John 4:15). Christianity must begin with a verbal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life. The Bible says that even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). True Christians should be able to say that Jesus Christ is their Lord.
Second, if you are a true Christian, you will be unhappy or miserable when you're sinning (1 John 3:9). This doesn't mean you will never sin if you are a Christian (1 John 1:8). But there is a difference between recognizing that we will fail in some way, shape, or form in the future and going on a willful, continual track of sin. If you really are a child of God, you will have a sense of discomfort when you sin, because you know in your heart of hearts that what you are doing is wrong.
Third, an authentic Christian enjoys fellowship with other believers (1 John 5:1). A true Christian will want to be around other Christians. Those who isolate themselves from other believers do so at their own peril, because the Bible tells us that it is important to get together, encourage one another, and correct one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). After all, why should God go to your house if you won't go to His? A lot of us want all of the fringe benefits of Christianity without applying ourselves.
Fourth, an authentic Christian obeys the commands of Jesus Christ. If you are a true believer, then you will obey the commands of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:3). I will not deny that the Bible is filled with so-called rules, but their purpose is not to make our lives miserable. Rather, they protect us from potential harm. The person who blatantly and continually breaks the commandments of God simply does not know Him.
Finally, an authentic Christian loves and obeys the Word of God (1 John 2:5). You cannot effectively live the Christian life without a love for, and obedience to, God's Word. All true disciples of Jesus Christ will be students of Scripture and will walk according to its teaching. This is vital to authentic Christian living, because the Bible is indeed the very textbook of life (2 Timothy 3:16). Yet so many believers will not read the Bible. They don't realize that success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible they get into their hearts and minds on a regular basis. We have to do it.
By Greg Laurie
First, an authentic Christian confesses Jesus Christ as Lord (1 John 4:15). Christianity must begin with a verbal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life. The Bible says that even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). True Christians should be able to say that Jesus Christ is their Lord.
Second, if you are a true Christian, you will be unhappy or miserable when you're sinning (1 John 3:9). This doesn't mean you will never sin if you are a Christian (1 John 1:8). But there is a difference between recognizing that we will fail in some way, shape, or form in the future and going on a willful, continual track of sin. If you really are a child of God, you will have a sense of discomfort when you sin, because you know in your heart of hearts that what you are doing is wrong.
Third, an authentic Christian enjoys fellowship with other believers (1 John 5:1). A true Christian will want to be around other Christians. Those who isolate themselves from other believers do so at their own peril, because the Bible tells us that it is important to get together, encourage one another, and correct one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). After all, why should God go to your house if you won't go to His? A lot of us want all of the fringe benefits of Christianity without applying ourselves.
Fourth, an authentic Christian obeys the commands of Jesus Christ. If you are a true believer, then you will obey the commands of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:3). I will not deny that the Bible is filled with so-called rules, but their purpose is not to make our lives miserable. Rather, they protect us from potential harm. The person who blatantly and continually breaks the commandments of God simply does not know Him.
Finally, an authentic Christian loves and obeys the Word of God (1 John 2:5). You cannot effectively live the Christian life without a love for, and obedience to, God's Word. All true disciples of Jesus Christ will be students of Scripture and will walk according to its teaching. This is vital to authentic Christian living, because the Bible is indeed the very textbook of life (2 Timothy 3:16). Yet so many believers will not read the Bible. They don't realize that success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible they get into their hearts and minds on a regular basis. We have to do it.
By Greg Laurie
Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
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