Gaining Truth Via God’s Commandments

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

If I discover truth from the Bible, how do I know the Bible is true? There’s a world of objective evidence, both external and internal, that says the Bible is true.

External evidence proves the Bible is a historical book that you can rely on. There are 5,366 copies of the Bible dating from the time it was written to just 70 years afterwards. That fact dispels the urban legend that the Bible was changed as it passed through generations and languages.

External evidence also includes many archeological discoveries. For example, historians used to say that Solomon couldn’t have had the horses the Bible says he had because no one had horses at that time. But then thousands of horse stables were found in an archeological dig.

There’s also the internal evidence of the Bible itself. In a court of law, a prosecutor with two or three eyewitness accounts has a good chance of making his case. The Bible is filled with eyewitness accounts. Moses was there when the Red Sea split; Joshua was there to watch Jericho fall; the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus.

The internal evidence of the Bible also includes the fact that it tells one story with consistency – though it was written over 1,500 years on three different continents by 40 different authors from every walk of life. No human being could account for that. It’s an amazing example of God’s abilities.

The Bible says, “There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17, MSG)

By: Rick Warren
http://www.purposedriven.com

Dr. Rick Warren is passionate about attacking what he calls the five “Global Goliaths” – spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy/poor education. His goal is a second Reformation by restoring responsibility in people, credibility in churches, and civility in culture. He is a pastor, global strategist, theologian, and philanthropist. He’s been often named “America’s most influential spiritual leader” and “America’s Pastor.”

Why God Allows Evil and Death in the World

When Jesus’ friend Lazarus died (John 11), Jesus cried. Even though He was the Son of God and could raise His friend (Lazarus) back to life, Our Lord Jesus was always fully aware of the agony we humans faced (and still face) due to death and evil.

So, why is it that evil and death are allowed in the world? You see, ages ago, after losing a war between the angels of God, a group of fallen angels-commanded by Satan-departed heaven (Jude 6) and made earth their kingdom. They still exist to date and have only one purpose-to kill and destroy. But their evil provides an illuminating contrast to the love, mercy, and grace of God, who allows people the freedom to choose between good and evil.

“And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment” (Jude 1:6 NLT).

As a by-product of buying into the lie of Satan, Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and were separated from Him. (I am certain you know the story by heart.) This incident also set in full motion the life cycle, which ends in death and causes everyone to be born, “spiritually dead.”

Jesus’ angry words to the Pharisees (John 8:44) show the dismal result of spiritual death: “You are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

But there is “good news”: Our Savior Jesus’ death on the cross provides the perfect antidote for spiritual death. Although all of us eventually will die, a second life-eternal life-will begin.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

So although evil and death continue, God can and does use any situation for good (Romans 8:28). God loves you and wants to work out His purposes for your life. Why not let Him? Why not begin right now?

May almighty God bless you most lovingly,

Tony

Tony Marino
Founder, Executive Publisher
Christian Times Online
http://www.ChristianTimesNewsletter.com

Becoming a Member of God’s Family

Becoming a life-member of God’s family is easy if only you believe and are willing to take a few small steps. Your life depends upon it!

In the Old Testament, God promised to send a Messiah or Savior to His people. The Messiah would save God’s people from their sin, from the wrongs things everyone has done. The people in the Old Testament times knew about the promise of a Savior and looked for Him.

In the New Testament, God’s promise came true! The Savior was born in Bethlehem, just where God promised! Jesus Christ was born, grew up and died for our sins.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

God’s Word always comes true. You can always and should always put your trust in God’s faithfulness, for He made it possible for you to become a member of His family.

Here’s how:

Step One: God Loves You

The Bible says in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.” He loves you very much. He loves you because He made you and He is concerned about you and your life today.

Step Two: You Have Sinned

The Bible also says that you and all other people have sinned. In Romans 3:23 we read, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

We have all done wrong and our sins keep us from being friends with God. As you read in the books of the Old Testament, sin always leads to trouble. Because you are a sinner, your sin will cause you much trouble in your life. Romans 6:23 tells us how bad this trouble will ultimately be. “For the wages of sin is death.”

God does not want people to ruin their lives with sin. It makes Him sad when you sin and spoil your happiness and the happiness of other people. Because of sin, people cannot enjoy God’s loving presence in their lives, nor can they live with God in heaven. Not one of us is able to remove sin from our lives or earn God’s forgiveness by even our very best efforts.

In the beginning of the Bible is the story of Adam and Eve, the first two people. Adam and Eve lived happily with God until they disobeyed Him. That was the first sin. One of the results of the sin was that Adam and Eve were separated from God, thereby robbing life of its greatest joy and ultimately bringing the penalty of death upon themselves. All of us sin, so someday each of us will die, too.

However, the Bible is clear that there is another life after we die. The Bible is also clear that sin will continue to separate people from God’s love forever. Because everybody has sinned, how does anybody get to go to heaven?

Step Three: God Paid the Price

The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We have seen that the result of sin is death. However, because God loves us so much, He offers eternal life as a free gift. You cannot work hard enough to earn eternal life. All you can do is accept it as a gift.

God gave His only Son to die for you on the cross. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” Because Jesus was the perfect -man without sin- He accepted the results of sin-death-in your place. The Bible says in 1 John 4:14, “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”

Step Four: Ask God for Forgiveness

If you admit that you have sinned and believe that God gave His only Son to die in your place, God will forgive you and make you clean from all sin.

• Tell God that you know you are a sinner.
• Tell God you believe Jesus Christ is your only way to have your sins forgiven.
• Tell God you want to learn to love and follow Christ in every area of your life.
• Tell Him that He is great and wonderful.

It is easy to talk to God. Jesus taught us to talk to Him as we would to a loving Father. He is always ready to listen. What you are going to tell Him is something He has been waiting for hear.

If you believe and have told God you believe, you are now a child of God! God has forgiven all your sin. You are a Christian. And that makes you a member of His family.

God has made everything right between you and Him. He has forgiven you and He looks upon you as if you had never sinned!

Step Five: Live as God’s Child

The Bible says in John 1:12, “But as many receive him, to them gave he the power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name.” As a child of God, you receive God’s gift of everlasting life. God is with you now and forever.

Now that you are a member of God’s family, God wants you to live as His child.

Because God is your heavenly Father, He wants you to talk to Him in prayer. You can tell God how you feel, thank Him for His gifts to you, and ask Him to help you obey and follow Him.

You can also talk to God when you sin. Ask God to forgive you and He will. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God will forgive you and help you to do what He says.

You Can Read God’s Word

God gave His Word so that everyone can read about Him and His great love. Find out more about God by reading about Him in your Bible. The Bible says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). As you read God’s Word, you will stay close to Him. It’s just like reading a letter again and again. You can do the same thing with your Bible.

You Can Obey God

Your heavenly Father wants you to obey Him. He tells you in His Word how you should live. Jesus summed up God’s law with two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).

1. Love God with all that you are.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

God wants you to be an expression of His love in the world.

You Can Tell Others About Jesus

Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “Ye shall be witnesses.” Jesus was talking to His disciples before He went back to His Father. Even though Jesus was talking to His disciples, He was saying these words to you, too. You can be a witness when you tell others about Jesus and how His love has helped you. Ask God to give you opportunities each day to tell about-and to show-God’s love.

If you would like to share your personal testimonial, or if you have a special prayer request, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to add your testimony or prayer request below.

May almighty God bless you abundantly,

Tony

Tony Marino
Christian Times Online
http://www.christiantimesnewsletter.com

Next Page »