Friday 31 October 2008

Seeking The Truth

A French monarch proposed the prosecution of the Christians in his dominion and an old statesman and warrior said to him,

“Sire, the Church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”

"So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this book for ages, but the hammers are worn out and the anvil still endures. If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, Kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.”


Those who truly search for the truth, they'll find it, and they'll know that God exists.

Nelson Glueck, an Archeologists said,

“In all of my archaeological investigation I have never found one artifact of antiquity that contradicts any statement of the Word of God."


We're all sinners and are condemned to death. But God sent His one and only son to teach mankind more about the Himself and His law. Jesus took the punishment and died for our sins to give us eternal life. That is true love. We can earn that as long as we learn the gospel, repent our existence to Him and surrender our works to Him.

Jesus said,

“My enemies are like the wildest of beasts who can never get their fill or remain at rest. Their heart is so empty of my love that the thought of my passion never enters it. Not once from their heart of hearts has a word like this escaped: “Lord, you have redeemed us, may you be praised for your bitter passion!” How can my Spirit dwell in people who have no divine love for me, people who are willing to betray others for the sake of getting their will? Their heart is full of vile worms, I mean, full of worldly passions. The devil has left his dung in their mouths; that is why they have no liking for my words. And so with my saw I will sever them from my friends. There is no worse way to die than to die under the saw. Likewise, there is no punishment in which they will not share: they will be sawn in two by the devil and separated from me. I find them so odious that all their adherents will also be severed from me.”

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Science vs Religion

(Edited on August 7th 2011 for accuracy)

Science and religion are unresolvable differences. The conflict between faith and conditional thinking is irrelevant because both describe reality.

Sciences respond to a felt need to understand the world, and religions respond to a felt need for the world to have meaning. I already understand the world, and now I am learning more about the need to have meaning in life. Everyone wants it. We naturally seek affection.

There are two ways to think about science. You can be a theist, believing that behind the veil of randomness lurks an active, loving, manipulative God, or you can be a materialist, for whom everything is matter and energy interacting within space and time. Whichever metaphysical club you belong to, the science comes out the same.

(The philosophical and religious beliefs of most of the following individuals mentioned below are unknown except Einstein who believed in Spizona's god and Stephen Hawkings who believes in aliens! Some may be taken out of context before I checked the full information. But I'm just making a point about the conflict between the biblical and materialistic or naturalistic thinking. It's irrelevant because both describe reality.)


Owen Gingerich said,

"One can believe that some of the evolutionary pathways are so intricate and so complex as to be hopelessly improbable by the rules of random chance, But if you do not believe in divine action, then you will simply have to say that random chance was extremely lucky, because the outcome is there to see. Either way, the scientist with theistic metaphysics will approach laboratory problems in much the same way as his atheistic colleague across the hall."


Albert Einstein said,

"After religious teachers accomplish the refining process indicated, they will surely recognize with joy that true religion has been ennobled and made more profound by scientific knowledge."

"Everyone who is seriously interested in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe—a spirit vastly superior to man, and one in the face of which our modest powers must feel humble."

"I view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what makes me really angry is that they quote me for support of such views."


Anon said,
"There can never be a conflict between true science and true religion, because they both describe reality."


Peter Atkins said,

"Science is almost totally incompatible with religion."


Mark Friesel said,

"The difference between faith and a conditional reliance on observation of the natural world is profound. It is the unresolvable difference between religion and science."


Charles Darwin said,

"To suppose that the eye could have been formed by natural selection, seems I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree."


George Gallup said,

"I could prove God statistically; take the human body alone; the chance that all the functions of the individual would just happen, is a statistical monstrosity."


Sir Isaac Newton said,

"Atheism is so senseless."


Stephen Hawking said,

"It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us."



With all our advancements in technology, Granite is the only rock we cannot make. Granite has polonium in it. Polonium 2-18 has a half-life of about 30 minutes. One kilo of polonium 2-18, and 3 minutes later you have half kilo, and another 3 minutes you have a quarter of polonium, and so on. Polonium 2-18 was encapsulated within 30 minutes of it coming into existence. Therefore, indicating earth could have been created in an hour.
However, polonium can be produced with uranium. How was it that the polonium was there without what was there to create it? We hear scientists saying all to many different things, it's so often difficult who to believe. Try to think of something that doesn't exist. God, where did that come from? Where did these preachers get the idea? God has put His knowledge of His existence into every human being. How can we believe in an ancient book? Maybe we are reading it wrong. Surely with all the popularity on finding the answers, we are bound to come to some answers.


The revere father of evolution,
Charles Darwin wrote Origin of Species and Descent of Man
He wrote,

"The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shown by man attaining to a higher eminence in whatever he takes up than woman can attain, whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands."


He is saying man has evolved more intellectually over women. Charles Darwin was even racist, he wants us to believe that black people are not as evolved as whites.

Sir Arthur Keith the physical anthropologist and physicist said,

"Evolution is unproved and unprovable. We believe it only because the only alternative is special creation, and that is unthinkable."


There is a big gap between two transitional versions on species is called the missing link. In the fossil records, there are thousands of bones missing to prove the evolutionary process of a species to the next. For example, the neanderthal man, anthropologists took some bones and put them together to make this man, from finding only a single tooth!

Like a scientist conducts and experiment in his lab. We like to test if the Bible was right or find out when we die. Why do we test God's Word? Why wait till we die to test Him?

Monday 27 October 2008

How To Prepare For Battle: Obey

Take my advice, always treasure God's commandments!
Obey His commands and live!
"Tie them to your fingers as a reminder,
Write them deep within your heart."
Pro 7:3

Thursday 23 October 2008

Fear

You're rowing a boat and you're about to go over the waterfall. Jesus is throwing you a rope, but you want to save yourself. You're getting closer and closer to the edge. All you need to do is drop the ores and grab a hold onto the rope.

We all dwell on fear. We like to jump off cliffs, out of planes, ride roller coasters, and race cars at 200 miles an hour. If you have nothing to fear in life then you will end up dead. And when you come to God's judgment and you've broken His laws and never accepted Jesus for hi sacrifice, then where do you think you'll go? You've broken the law and disobeyed God. Where do you think he'll send you? There is no pivoting point, there is Hell of Heaven. The problem with a lot of Christians is that they don't believe in Satan's domain; Hell. That's a big mistake! What is Hell to you? You don't want to make the most important mistake of all eternity. This is your life. When you die, and you never repented, you will not have an eternal life. Why would you believe that you deserve life? What have you done to earn an eternal life? There are no extra deeds to save you. When we have a near to death experience, why do we automatically pray to God? Why do we turn to God when we are at the end of our rope? We are terrified what will happen to us after we die. Many people are not ready for death. They fear what will happen because they are unsure. There is no assurance to what happens to you. So why not leave for fears with Jesus and let him take care of your worries. The Holy Spirit will help give you faith and confidence whatever happens, because God is on our side.

Baptism is extremely important. It is an expression of your obedience. That's what I have learned. It is not just a religious ritual, but a witness to show you physically offer your obedience to God.

Jesus dwells within us. We should commemorate his sacrifice, dedication, teachings, and love for us. It takes courage to accept him and not fear what others think.

For 800 years people sacrificed lambs blood. 600 years before Christ came, Moses told us that the Messiah was coming. So 600 years went on and nothing happened. Then David was told us that the Messiah had arrived. The one who was to show us the way of God was finally here. And Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary for our sins. He never cried to God that he didn't want to die, he wasn't afraid! He embraced his cross and knew what he was going to die for. So that we can live a sinless life. He taught us how to love each other, to live with the Holy Spirit. As long as we accept Jesus into our lives and fear the Lord, because no man on earth can harm us after we are gone. A man can kill you, but he can't do anything else to you after that. You are God's child.

How To Prepare For Battle: The Cycle

Skeptics will ask us anything to try and make us upset or just to prove a mindless point. Intellectuals are the professionals in asking questions.
We need to give them something to think about. We can't always give them full throttle material from the scriptures if they don't understand it in the first place.

First, we should use logic and reason. Relate to them with something human. Such as the example about the parachute. If you ask them, where everything comes from to the point of the universe's existence and the big bang theory, they will not be able to give you the answer. I know I don't and no one has ever given evidence that God doesn't exist! It's inevitable! This is the cycle that goes round and round. But there are answers for every question; physiological, geological, theological and of course logical. Just keep them on the same page with you!

The disciples in the Bible didn't look around on earth to find the answers for God. They turned to God for their answers. There is no answer you will find from anything which man discovered or any product of thinking, such as, philosophies, that will comprehend the significance to why we are here.

You will find Him if you go to Christ. God will show you the way if you follow Christ and not earthly things. God didn't lack the moral to forgive us. But He let His one and only son to die for our sins, to pay our fine, and to pardon us. Jesus took responsibility for our convictions and justified the penalty with his blood.
An irresponsible religious leader would say; let us sin so that we feel God's grace. But a truly converted Christian will want to serve Him more. - Ray Comfort

Wednesday 22 October 2008

There Is A Life Beyond What You Can See

Col 1:15
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.


Some people just don't appreciate the gift of life. What do you think happens when you die? Where will you go? How was everything created? Where did the big bang come from? Did it all happen by chance, or did someone create it? These are just a few questions worth thinking about.

Don't go over your head now asking where God came from! I used to think about that, but took in consideration that it doesn't matter because I'm just glad He gave me life!

Standards in Christian Culture: Part 2, Sunday Schools

Sunday Schools today have a problem. The problem is how the Bible stories are taught these days is that no one compares them with geology and logic. Do Sunday schools only teach the stories and then expect the children to learn the other stuff at regular school? If that's true, the children learn at school about "the truth" then come back to Sunday school saying that "Hey, this isn't true!" That happens because Sunday schools don't explain for example how Noah could fit all the animals in the ark. This is why the new system fails.

Monday 20 October 2008

The Believer and Believing: Part 3, Prepare

2 Timothy 4:2-5
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Luke 12:8-12
Jesus was warning his disciples against hypocrisy...
"I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels. But anyone who denies me her eon earth will be denied before God's angels. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
"And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said."

We must practice the word of God and be ready when we are questioned or attacked. Be ready to show why Jesus is the way. Show how different Christianity is to other faiths.
We must perceive that Jesus is Lord and remind fellow Christians His word.

Friday 10 October 2008

Our Rebel Christ, Jesus

Luke 12:37-44
Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders
As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. Then the Lord said to him, "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn't God make the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
"What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
"What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor to the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on."


We are rebels! That's the wonderful thing about being a Christian. Being a Christian has nothing to do with lifestyle or living better. It has to do with the difference between living a forsaken life to a forgiven life.

Monday 6 October 2008

Ready For The Jump?

If someone was about to jump off a bridge, would you stop them?
Take this, you were on a plane and the flight attendant gave you a parachute. The pilot calls over the radio and says, the plane is going to crash and everyone should put on their parachutes because the engines stopped and we are going to crash. Would you jump out of the plane without your parachute?

Jesus came to teach us and forgive us of our sins. He paid our sins in His death so that we would be saved. If we never know Jesus, we will perish.

How can the Bible be any clearer about God's rules?

Sunday 5 October 2008

We Desire to Walk With God

Matthew 7:13-14
The Narrow Gate
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell* is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

*Greek The road that leads to destruction.

Jesus Died in Our Place

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