Category: christian articles Page 15 of 16

Life Perspectives

On January 24, 2010

This is a very interesting e-mail I got from a friend. You’ve got to read this! It’s worth more than few minutes of your time spent reading this article. Here it goes.

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered:

“I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

– Author unknown

photo: http://mindinversion.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dscn4050.jpg

New Discovery For Doubting Thomas: The Shroud from Jesus' Era Found, Researchers Say

By Thor

On December 16, 2009

In christian articles

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed – Jesus Christ

I am browsing the headlines today and found this very interesting news at CNN World News. Another great piece of discovery. Slowly but surely, historical evidences are being unearthed proving to us the reality that Jesus Christ had in fact walked into this Earth thousand of years ago. This news article reminds me of the story of Doubting Thomas in John 20:24-29. Thomas, one of Jesus’ apostles, said to the other disciples (who earlier testified that they have seen the risen Lord Jesus): “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And it went when Thomas met Jesus in the presence of his fellow diciples. Jesus called on Thomas and said “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now, my question to you. Are you a “doubting Thomas”?

Shroud from Jesus’ era found, researchers say

By Kevin Flower, CNN
December 16, 2009 11:15 a.m. EST

Jerusalem (CNN) — Researchers said Wednesday for the first time they have found what they believe to be pieces of a burial shroud from the time of Jesus.

The find is of importance because tests on the shroud and the body it wrapped revealed the earliest proven case of leprosy in the Old City of Jerusalem.

And in addition, the weave of the shroud raises fresh doubts about the Shroud of Turin, which many people believe was used to wrap the body of Jesus.

According to researchers involved in the excavation and subsequent testing, the recently discovered shroud lends more credible evidence that the Shroud of Turin does not date to Roman times when Jesus died but from a later period.

The latest shroud was found in a tomb complex on the edge of the Old City of Jerusalem.

“This is the first time that we have a shroud from the time of Jesus,” said Shimon Gibson, the excavation director.

He called such a find in the Jerusalem area unique because the high humidity levels in the city do not normally allow for the preservation of organic material. Read full story here

Story and picture source: CNN

An interview with a Taliban Trained Suicide Bomber

By Thor

On December 9, 2009

In christian articles

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”(Romans 13:9)

What’s in the mind of a suicide bomber? What are his motives? Why is he willing to blow up himself into pieces without taking into consideration of the lives of his innocent victims? You will be amazed or even be shocked to listen to what this suicide bomber has to say.

In this interview, the bomber at one point was asked if he wants to get married. He shakes his head and said “no” and goes on to says “Seventy virgins are waiting for me in heaven — so why should I prefer only one here?”! He also keeps on saying “god willing” and it blows my mind on what kind of god he is referring to. What kind of heaven would there be where polygamy is allowed? If that’s the case then many men around the world would then be saying “sign me up!” “Yes, I’m raising my right hands up to become a suicide bomber!” Lo and behold, they will be lusting in eternity.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is totally the opposite. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves and heaven is place where there is no sin, no suffering, and no hatred.

Video Source: Youtube

God's Word For You Today: Repent!

By Thor

On December 4, 2009

In christian articles

I stumbled upon The Daily Spurgeon Website today and what I dig is a precious digest of a sermon by Charles H Spurgeon entitled “Apostolic Exhortation.” I have quoted in its entirety in order not to miss every single nugget of wisdom from this great man popularly known as the “Prince of Preachers.” In a written authobiography, it stated that in his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10 million people often up to 10 times each week at different places.

The digest speaks about repentance. As a born again Christian, I need to emphasize the fundamental requirement of repentance, that is turning away from sins. In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus said “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Who is without sin? Well, I guess if you are an atheist, you would claim that you do not have one. A huge lie. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are commanded to repent that our sins may be blotted out. I say that unless a sinner repent or turn away from his/her sins, there is no genuine christian conversion but a blatant hypocrisy.

I now share to you the precious digest I’m referring to above:

Nothing Else But Jesus Christ

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” — Acts 3:19.

Peter… preached not merely the gospel of good news, but Christ, the person of Christ; Christ crucified — crucified by them, Christ risen, Christ glorified of his Father. Depend upon it, this is the very strength of the Christian ministry, when it is saturated with the name and person and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Take Christ away, and you ungospelise the gospel, you do but pour out husks such as swine do eat, while the precious kernel is removed, seeing you have taken away the person of the Lord Jesus Christ….

Peter would tell them about Jesus Christ, and about nothing else but Jesus Christ. He knew this to be the power of God unto salvation, and he would not flinch from it; so to them, even to them, he delivered the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, with a pungency as well as a simplicity scarcely to be rivalled. Notice how he puts it: “Ye” have slain him; “ye” have crucified him; “ye” have preferred a murderer. He is not afraid of being personal; he does not shirk the touching of men’s consciences; he rather thrusts his hand into their hearts and make them feel their sin; he labors to open a window into the darkness of their spirits, to let the light of the Holy Ghost shine into their soul.

Even thus, my brethren, when we preach the gospel, must we do: affectionately but graciously must we deal with men. Far hence be all trimming and mincing of matters. Accursed let him be that takes away from the gospel of Jesus Christ that he may win popular applause, or who bates his breath and smoothes his tongue that he may please the unholy throng. Such a man may have for a moment the approbation of fools, but, as the Lord his God liveth, he shall be set as a target for the arrows of vengeance in the day when the Lord cometh to judge the nations. Peter, then, boldly and earnestly preached the gospel — preached the Christ of the gospel — preached it personally and directly at the crowd who were gathered around him.

From a sermon entitled “Apostolic Exhortation,” delivered April 5, 1868

Article Source : http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com
Photo credit source

A Taste of Hell

By Thor

On November 14, 2009

In christian articles

Have you tasted Hell? Look no more, go to New Zealand!

I love New Zealand. The Land of the Long White Clouds. Greener than where I am now here in Sydney, Australia. Famous for its white sand and clean beaches, millions of sheep, outdoor adventures, rugby (I’m a fan of the All Blacks), fishing spots, and home of Sir Edmund Hillary, first man to conquer Mt Everest. New Zealand was my home for the past six years and I can say, it’s a country of friendly Kiwis – both the bird (kiwi) and the people. New Zealand has a very Godly National Anthem. The first stanza goes like this:

God of nations! at Thy feet

In the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices, we entreat,

God defend our Free Land.

Guard Pacific’s triple star,

From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar,

God defend New Zealand

I went to New Zealand last month and as I was driving in town, I found this bizarre looking shop. A black painted building with a sign of Hell. Fiery flames. Demon’s tail. Little demons. A 0800 number 666! Their website says this:

Hell Pizza is a 666% original concept founded by Callum Davies in Wellington, New Zealand. Since 2003 the “unholy trinity” have taken NZ by storm spreading Hell fire throughout New Zealand, then to London, Brisbane (Australia), and soon to open in Dublin (Ireland) and Vancouver (Canada)! …. See you in Hell!

I don’t know about you but for me hell is really a very serious matter to talk about. It makes me think like hell! If you’re in a fight, you say “Go to hell!”If you’re going through marriage break-up or divorce, you say “You’re going through in hell”. And if you feel disgusted and annoyed, you say “What the hell is going on!”These are just minor demonstrations of hell. God’s Word tells us that hell is a place of eternal torment – an irreversible destination!

A fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:50). A place where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48). A place where one shall be tormented with fire and brimstone (Revelation 14:10). It was designed originally for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

Revelation 14:11 also tells us that “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever and they have no rest day and night”. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelations 20:15) – the second death! Is your name written in the Book of Life?

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Heaven or hell is a conscious choice, a decision. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life. It is God’s desire that all men shall be saved. He provided THE ONLY WAY to be saved and that is through His son, Jesus Christ. That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 9:10-11). Also, Acts 4:12 tells us “Nor is there alvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” – the name of Jesus!

Going back to the pizza, I dare not try it. Pizza Hut or Domino’s? Anything, as long as it’s not from Hell. And my friend, if you want me to pray for you and lead you to a simple yet powerful prayer to avoid the gates of hell, feel free to drop me a line.