Archive for June, 2009
By Martin Murphy
Christians must examine themselves in light of the word of God. “I wish Mr. (or Mrs.) X could have heard that sermon. It’s just what he needed,” said Mr. Y as he shook my hand after the worship service. The state of the Christian is sad when Christians avoid self-examination. Christian, examine yourself, not your neighbor, the church, or the world. Examine your real self, your inward self, not the outward appearance. Examine yourself at the present time, not the past, nor what you expect to be in the future. Examine yourself according to the word of God, the whole counsel of God, not according to some spoof text to defend your views and not according to your own subjective feelings. (more…)
by Matt Tague
Many people start out to read the Bible with good intentions but very few stay the course to make it a lifelong habit. Why is this? And what is so special about those who end up making a habit of it? I believe that the answers can be found in a few simple reasons which we will explore in this article.
At the outset, a lot of people don’t set aside the proper time to make a lifelong habit out of their Bible reading. Many people have a desire to read the Word regularly, but desire alone doesn’t do much. Just ask ten people who have tried to stick to a diet. So that you actually get something out of reading your Bible, you have to commit steady and regular time to it. I believe that in a thirty day cycle, scheduling twenty minutes a day should be your first step.
Next, it is important that you have a place where you can read the Bible without distraction. Get away from the TV, radio and the internet. Get away from noise and visual clutter. Find a place where you can read undisturbed.
Then, be sure to have a version of the Bible that is easily readable. It isn?t hard to find a modern English Translation. The New Living Translation (NLT) or the New International Version (NIV) are easy to read and solid translations. If you can?t comprehend the sentences you are reading, you won?t comprehend the main thought, so get a translation of the Bible that is easy for you to read.
Next, start choose a book of the Bible that is easy to understand. You don’t have to start reading the Bible from the beginning. the Gospel of John is a great place to start since it is very readable.
It?s always nice to have something to write with and a notebook handy as you read. Jot down thoughts or questions that you have about the passage. This will help keep you reading without pondering too much over one question or thought. You can ask a Pastor or a mature believer your questions later.
Finally, make sure you come to your reading with a submissive heart. The Bible is a special book, given to us by God himself. Reading it with an attitude of humility to grow in your relationship with God is the best way to read it. Before you begin your reading, stop for a moment and pray. Ask God to help you understand what you read and to allow it to change you. You will find that God answers this type of prayer. (more…)
By Robert Randle
In the many different Christian denominations there are varying interpretations as to how a person becomes saved from their sins. Some teach that a penitent convert has to pray “The Sinner’s Prayer,” which is to confess that one is a sinner and wants to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and asking Him to come into their heart and save them right now. A few churches teach that you are saved when a manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit results in the speaking in tongues. And lastly, the more traditional view among most Protestant Churches is baptism in water after repentance and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Perhaps the best place to determine what is the right approach is to start from the beginning of the Christian Church. (more…)
By Marijo Phelps
The following are things the Lord has laid on my heart (for prayer) regarding revival in our Body of Believers @ Dayspring Christian Fellowship.
We are to worship Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit not the gifts of the Spirit (I do not think we do) but we may certainly ask for and desire the gifts. (more…)
By Barbara Weber
Listening early I come to thee,
Hoping to hear you speak to me,
I read you word as I try to wait,
(more…)
By Don Costello
Acts 11:20
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
a. Grecians [1675 * Hellenistes] [Zodhiates: a Jew by birth or religion who speaks Greek, used chiefly of foreign Jews”
1). The Book of Acts, Stanley M. Horton, p140, Note 4.: “Many ancient manuscripts have the word here for “Greek speakers” which is sometimes used for Greek speaking Jews, but in the context it clearly means Greek-speaking Gentiles.”
2). The Robert E. Tourville, p.217. “Some believers were so zealous for Christ that they could not limit their witness to Jews alone. These were from Cyprus and Cyrene. They “began speaking to the Greeks (Hellenas) also.” There are variants to this reading among the MSS but this is doubtless the correct text from manuscript evidence; also because the text would be pointless if these believers spoke to Greek-speaking Jews (hellenistas, 6:1). It is evident that this witnessing was a departure from the “Jews only” of the preceeding verse.” (more…)
By sesan oguntade
This article is a motivational product, a success article, a success report and it is part of the contents of some of my success e-books that are spreading very fast around the internet. It is indeed a great Bible success article for your use!
Fear is one of the major reasons why many people have not only found it difficult achieving their aims in life but it has also made lots of people forfeit the opportunity of experiencing the best of God!
I have really gone deep into the Bible to find out how this “enemy” can be put under check by anybody. This study has really given me the opportunity to learn along the line and I have always been very brave to confront this “enemy” headlong. I hope you will also learn a great deal from this success article.
(more…)
By Okwudili Umeweni
Right from when a man turns from his evil ways to become a matured Christian, there are various stages involved of which can also be compared to the birth and growth of a baby into full maturity.
I have grouped this into various stages comparing both developments at each stage.
1. IN THE WOMB
When a baby is in the womb, it’s all darkness but the baby will seem not to be bothered about it, rather, it feels that’s where it is supposed to be forever.
This is just the case of the man who is still in his sinful nature. He feels so much comfortable in his sin and wouldn’t care to know the joy of coming into light. Such a one calls sin enjoyment; and to such did the Bible say, “For the god of this world (the devil) has blinded the unbeliever’s minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the image and Likeness of God” (1 Corinthians 4:4 Amplified).
2. AT BIRTH
For the baby in the womb, nine months is the exact time for its coming forth. At this time, many people await its birth with great expectancy. Sometimes, the baby dies in the womb but often the baby is born safely, thereby bringing joy to all relatives.
Such is the case of the man who after a while in sin and destruction will like the prodigal son of the Bible say, “I will arise and go to my father.” (Luke 15:18).
At that time, Jesus is standing on the door of his heart knocking. Unfortunately, the man may decide to harden his heart and one day, die in his sin. But to the man who opens up his heart at that set time to make Jesus Lord over his life will be translated from darkness to the light of God’s kingdom in a split of second; having eternal life (the God-kind of life). Then, we say he is born again. (more…)
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By Paul George
Moses wanted to know why the Lord has not delivered the descendants of Jacob from their bondage in Egypt and brought them to the land of Canaan. The promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Jacob remains unfulfilled today. The reason it remains unfulfilled today is the same reason why the Lord has not brought the sons of Israel out of Egypt. Moses was under the false illusion that all he had to do is do what the Lord told him to do and Pharaoh would let the sons of Israel leave Egypt. In Moses first encounter with Pharaoh Moses should have learned a lesson we all need to learn in this present age. Pharaoh has his own gods and he considers himself a god and he is not going to respond to the demands of the gods of another nation or the demands of a king of another nation.
What Moses should have done when Pharaoh refused to permit the sons of Israel to go into the wilderness and celebrate a feast to their God, is go to the Lord and instead of questioning the Lord as to why He has permitted harm to come to the sons of Israel and why He has sent him to deliver the Lords’ command to leave the sons of Israel go into the wilderness and why He has not delivered the sons of Israel from their bondage is go to the Lord and tell Him without His help Pharaoh will not permit the sons of Israel to leave Egypt. Without the intervention of the Lord the present situation in the Middle East and world wide will not be brought to a conclusion. It is time for Israel, her enemies, the nations of this earth, the United States of America, and Christianity to wake up; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is about to do what He did over three thousand years ago in ancient Egypt. (more…)
By Justin Thomley
How many times in my life I should have stepped out of the boat in faith! This has got to be my favorite NT story of all. This story of Jesus walking on water in the mist of the storm has so much meaning and power in it! It has drastically helped me in my present walk with the Lord. (more…)
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