Monday, September 26, 2016
"If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." (Proverbs 17:13)
Skeptics and atheists often accuse God of being vindictive. They don't believe He exists, but they accuse Him of committing all sorts of atrocities, including killing men, women and children in a worldwide flood they don't believe happened.
While we have little idea of when and how God sends His judgments on the earth, we do know that if someone rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
It would be interesting to do a study of the house and lineage of Judas Iscariot, after he rewarded the ultimate good with evil.
While God does take vengeance on all those who are evil, and while He does sometimes judge humanity, skeptics never dare say “all of His judgments are righteous and true altogether.” But they are.
John 3:16 tells us that God sent His only son to die for the sins of mankind. In Matthew 7:21 the Bible says - Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of the father who is in heaven. None will go to heaven unless they do the will of the Father. Romans 12: 2 says for us not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewel of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect. We are to be sexually pure ( 1 Thess. 4:3-8). We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit ( Epehseians 5:17-18). We will suffer as Christians ( 1 Peter 4:19). We are to give thanks always ( 1 Thess. 5:18). Submit to the government ( 1 Peter 2:13-15) To transform your mind read the Bible, pray, ask other believers questions you may have, attend church if you can. God is working His will into the believer. He wants us to change ( 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 2:12-13: Hebrews 13: 21). God wants us to be like Jesus. None of us are perfect like Jesus was, but we are to strive to be like Jesus. God wants us to do His will like
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Exodus 20:7 (NIV) says You shall not misuse the name of God. In the King James version it says Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Vain and misuse are the same thing. They mean using empty, useless, false worthless words to describe God. Taking Gods name in vain also refers to abuse, blastphemy, cursing or manipulation of the Lords name. Treating Gods name with significance is the opposite of misuse or taking His name in vain. If someone asks something about the Bible there is nothing wrong with saying that is the way God views things according to scripture. That is not misuse of His name. Misuse of Gods name would be cursing and using Gods name just to make your point.
Jesus calls us to believe in Him for forgiveness of sin, but He also calls us to turn from sin. He told the woman caught in adultery that He does not condemn her, but He also told her to go and sin no more. That is what the Bible says. He died on the cross for our sins, but not so that we could continue living in sin without repenting. We are all sinners, but 1 John says that Christians don’t…
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
What is the origin of the Catholic Church?
What is the origin of the Catholic Church?: What is the origin of the Catholic Church? Is the Catholic Church a mixture of true Christianity with other non-Christian religions?
What is the origin of Christianity?
What is the origin of Christianity?: What is the origin of Christianity? What are the true origins of the Christian faith?
What is a Gypsy? What do Gypsies believe?
What is a Gypsy? What do Gypsies believe?: What is a Gypsy? What do Gypsies believe? Who are the Romani and what are their origins?
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?
Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?: Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? If God already knew what Abraham would do, why did God still ask Abraham to do it?
Are Catholic beliefs and practices biblical?
Are Catholic beliefs and practices biblical?: Are Catholic beliefs and practices biblical? Is Catholic doctrine based primarily on the Bible or on tradition?
Monday, September 19, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
What does it mean to be a true Christian?
What does it mean to be a true Christian?: What does it mean to be a true Christian? What is a true Christian? Is there a difference between a true Christian and a Christian?
Friday, September 16, 2016
The temptation that came to Christ was from without, but for sin to take place there always has to be an inner response to the outer suggestion to sin. Since Jesus was divine, He could not respond to temptation. In fact, if Jesus Christ had mulled over a temptation to sin for even a moment, He would have been tainted by sin. So I have to say, “No, Jesus Christ could not have sinned, and therefore, Jesus Christ could not have responded.” Now the temptation was real, but for sin to take place there has to be an inner response to the outer suggestion to sin.
What does the Bible say about war?
What does the Bible say about war?: What does the Bible say about war? Does the Bible condemn or condone war? Under what circumstances is it right for one nation to go to war against another nation?
The Cargo Cult of the South Pacific is a religion in the indigenous people in the islands of South Pacific that has developed after World War II. When the Americans and Japanese were exposed to the people of the South Pacific, the natives thought that the cargoes brought by their military forces were coming from certain deities. Out of this perception came forth the concept of the Cargo Cult. People thought that if they will just perform right ceremonies, riches (that are represented by the goods and supplies brought by the white people to their Islands) will be sent to them from Heaven.
The native of South Pacific Islands thought that the Americans and Europeans do not work but "God" ship them goods and supplies in due time just by writing on a piece paper while they are still very poor even though they are working very hard. The members of this cult erected replicas of airplanes and airports made of branches and twigs of trees and created sounds that are similar to sounds of airplanes in an effort to influence God to ship them cargoes of "good things."
Long before it was discovered, this cult is already developed. There were stories among the Island people that their “god ancestors” have travelled to the West and have promised them to return one day. The cargo cult members thought that the West is the land of the departed. Upon the arrival of the Dutch and Portuguese in the South Pacific, the islanders thought that they were what they expected as their ancestors that came from the land of the dead.
Aside from making replicas of airports and airplanes, Cargo cult members also build small huts in the jungles and leave money there in hope that the money will grow. They would also make replicas of money bags and brief cases. As expected, the money would be stolen by others leaving the members of the cult poorer than before. Authorities discourage the propagation of the Cargo cult as it promotes indolence among its members.
The name of the god of the Cargo Cult is John Fromm. It is not sure how they got this name but it is possible that this name is the name of an American Soldier who set foot in the South Pacific who identified himself to the islanders as John. Some business owners use this name in their products such as "John Fromm rice" to gain a big share of the market.
Who can be saved?
Who can be s
aved?: Who can be saved? Can anyone be saved? Can Jesus save anybody? Is there any type of person God can't save?
Monday, September 12, 2016
How can I be saved?
How can I be saved?: What does it mean to be saved? How can I be saved? How can I be certain that I am saved?
Bribing God?
"A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers" (Pro 17:8 ESV).
Bribery easily turns the head of those who are given to the love of money. Judas hung himself for the love of money, but had he seen the future he may not have been dazzled by silver.
Then there are millions of religious people who would probably say that they would never be given to bribery, who are unwittingly guilty of the crime. They believe that the way into Heaven is to be a good person who believes in God and tries to do good things for others. They believe that their good works are pleasing to God, to a point where they will tip the scales of eternal Justice.
They wrongly believe that because of their works they will find entrance into Heaven. What they fail to understand is that God's Law leaves us as criminals before the ultimate Judge of the universe, who will not be bribed into turning His head away and compromising eternal justice.
The only thing that can ever save a guilty sinner from the just damnation of Hell, is the mercy of the Judge…and He is rich in mercy. -- Ray Comfort
Can God create a rock so heavy He can’t move it?
Hank Hanegraaff
Hank Hanegraaff
This question is a classic straw man that has most Christians looking like the proverbial deer in the headlights. At best, it challenges God’s omnipotence. At worst, it undermines His existence.
First, there is a problem with the premise of the question. While it is true that God can do anything that is consistent with His nature, it is absurd to suggest that He can do everything. God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18); He cannot be tempted (James 1:13); and He cannot cease to exist (Psalm 102:25–27). It is crucial that we learn to question the question rather than assuming the question is valid.
Furthermore, just as it is impossible to make a one-sided triangle, so it is impossible to make a rock too heavy to be moved. What an all-powerful God can create He can obviously move. Put another way, God can do everything that is logically possible.
Finally, we should note that a wide variety of similar questions are raised to undermine the Christian view of God. Thus, it is crucial that we learn to question the question rather than assuming the question is valid.
For further study, see Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999), 553–554; see also 283–288. See also Hank Hanegraaff, “Indwelling of the Holy Spirit,” available atwww.equip.org.
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you will be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.”
Proverbs 26:4–5
or you will be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.”
Proverbs 26:4–5
Sunday, September 11, 2016
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