Bible Sermons Online

Fortitude Part 1

zistix — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:34:17 +0000

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. – Hebrew 10:35-36

The bible tells of many characters who have to endure hardships and sufferings in the midst of trials and difficulties. Through the trials, these characters have learnt to endure and emerge victorious. But how did they do it? The secret lies in the strength of the mind called Fortitude.

What is fortitude? Fortitude is the “strength” of the mind that enables a person to encounter danger, to bear pain or adversity with courage. Without fortitude, you will not able to complete your journey. God does not want us to start off well. He also wants us to end well. 2 Cor. 6:4 tells us that we are the ministers of God as the ministers of God, we must have the ability to endure or else we will never be able to fulfill God’s dream for us. God uses people who never give up. In life, we will meet with obstacles and delays. The bible does not promise us a bed of roses after we accepted Jesus Christ. Instead, the bible tells us to be ready to face trials and difficulties as well as to endure hardships like a good soldier of Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). Not everything in life is about success and being rich or powerful. In fact, success is not about achieving our goals or being famous. It is about us not being stopped by obstacles and delays during our journey to achieve our goals. It is about not giving up. It is about enduring.

Mother Teresa was once asked how she and her helpers managed to pass each day and face sickness and death in their works by a senator. This senator visited the hospital where Mother Teresa has set up for the sick and dying children from the streets. He saw the poor and unbearable conditions these sick children were in. He couldn’t understand how Mother Teresa could bear to see these children suffered and died in her arms without a moment of despair or depression. Mother Teresa simply told the senator that she was not called to be successful but she was called by God to be faithful. This is a real champion – A champion who does not quit or give up when the going gets tough. She endured everything to the very end till she was called home.

ENDURE, the very word that the bible mentions over and over again to Christians who are going through hardships. But what does E.N.D.U.R.E really mean?

The Letter ‘E’ – Embrace God’s purpose in your situation

In order to be able to endure any hardships, you must first understand the purpose and reason behind the situation. If you do not understand the ‘why’ behind it, you will find it hard to hold on. Eventually, you will collapse. 1 Peter 2:7 tells us God’s purpose behind all the problems we are facing is far greater than what we know or understand – the testing of our faith leading to our salvation. It is more important that we be saved till the end than being saved once. We want to experience Jesus not just at the moment when we accepted Christ. We want to experience Jesus all the days of our lives, all the moments we are walking and breathing. God is not interested in saving us once and then forget about us. He is interested in both our salvation and the depth of our character. To endure all hardships, we need depth in our character as we walk in our journey with God. To God, our faith is more precious than gold. We need to develop depth of character and our faith in order to cross the finishing line.

I do not know about you but I realised that my strength is developed during times of adversity and not during moments of peace. It is only during the trials, I experience the meaning of trusting God and putting my situation into His hands. But it is not enough. It also means knowing with my entire mind, my heart and soul that God will see me through to the end even if I seem to be all alone to face the situation. One thing I do know in the end is that God allows me to go through trials and as a result of it, my faith muscle becomes stronger as I exercise my faith. You see, our faith is just like the muscles in our body. If we do not constantly exercise, these muscles will become useless fats and eventually, we will find ourselves too weak to move our bodies. Faith is similar to our muscles. If we do not exercise our faith in God, we are slowly throwing it away. The bible says that Christians are tested until they become mature and complete in Christ during the process. God is committed to your character development, not to your comfort, likes or dislikes.

If you are facing any difficulties at the moment, focus on the knowledge that God has a higher purpose as you go through this trial period. Focus on the knowledge that your faith is being tested but God will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability to handle. Focus on the knowledge that you will walk out victorious with a new revelation and understanding the purpose of the trial. Focus your mind on Jesus and His promises.

Know that in the end, tribulation produces perseverance (the ability to endure), and perseverance, character (knowledge and wisdom), and character, hope (revelation). And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit – Romans 5:3-5.

We will see The Letter ‘N’ – Nurture your spiritual roots in the part 2 at Sermon Alive

A person who does great commandment by loving God and loving people, great commission by doing mission and the cultural mandate by engaging the market place to God. – Sermon Alive
http://www.sermonalive.com

Built to Last Part 1

zistix — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:44:15 +0000

2 Peter 1:5-11; But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

When a businessman sets out to start a business, he does not plan to open shop for only 1 year and then closes it down. Neither does one enter into a marriage and plans to end it in 5 years’ time. No one in their right frame of mind will start a new venture in life or career with the plan to let it last for a short period of time and then calls it quit. When we plan, we plan to build. When we build, we build to last.

The bible says that if we take God’s words and put it into our lives, we will not fall or stumble easily. However, if our lives are not productive, then we need to access ourselves and ask whether we are focusing on the right thing. If the focus is wrong, it is important to take a step back and ask God what is really important in order to refocus ourselves back on the things that are productive, fruitful and crucial. Simply put, we need to focus on the right thing and we need to change.

The bible has lots to say about being focus. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things (i.e. food, clothes) we need will be added unto what we already have. Jesus was teaching the disciples not to focus on what they should eat and wear but to seek first the things of God and His righteousness. This refers to the right kind of mindset and values we hold in our lives. As we seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness, Christ’s mindset and His values will be part of our lives, too. Hence, it is critical we focus our mind on spiritual things for our lives to have a turnaround. For example, if you are a businessman, it is better to focus on giving your best to serving the customers rather than on the competitions, watch what they do and retaliate.

The bible illustrates an example of a rich young man who approached Jesus and asked Him what he needed to do in order to be saved – Matthew 19:16-22. He obeyed the Ten Commandments from his youth days but he knew not what else was missing for him to attain eternal life. When he was told to sell all he has, give to the poor and follow Jesus, the young man walked away sad. He was unable to give up his earthly possessions. For this rich young man, he focused on the commandments for the sake of obeying it. He did not understand the spirit behind the Ten Commandments. To him, the commandments were just a set of law to obey. He failed to understand that the spirit of the commandments is to love God and people. If the young ruler understands the spirit behind the commandments, he would have gladly given up everything to love the poor and follow Jesus. He focused on the need to obey the law of the commandments and not the spirit behind the commandments. This does not last for eternity. Instead, we are to focus on things that will last for eternity whether we are in business, working for others, studying, and etc.

What then should we do in order to ensure that everything we do, we build it to last for eternity? The disciples heard Jesus’ reply to the rich young man. Jesus knew their thoughts and their lack of understanding – Matthew 12:25. He said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. Desolation means brought to nothing. The devil is not afraid of many people going to church but he knows that he can break the church into fragments and divide the people of God up. When the church of God is divided and fighting among themselves, they cannot be united as one. They cannot build anything as one united force that will last for eternity. Neither can the church as an individual build anything to last for eternity if the heart is divided between things of God and things of the world.

Does this mean an end for the church of God? No. In the church, there must be something that bind all the families of God together and not be divided. It is the place of agreement. The place of agreement is the place of power. God knows the strategies of Satan and He has a plan in mind for the families of God. Through the bible, the word of God, we learn about values taught by God in the Ten Commandments (Old Testament, Exodus 20:1-17) and the two great commandments mentioned by Jesus (New Testament, Luke 22:35-40).

Please go to Sermon Alive to look at Part 2 to Part 6.

A person who does great commandment by loving God and loving people, great commission by doing mission and the cultural mandate by engaging the market place to God. Sermon Alive

www.sermonalive.com

Fortitude Part 2

zistix — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:28:33 +0000

The Letter ‘N’ – Nuture your Spiritual Roots

It is crucial that when we go through trials, we have our feet strongly rooted in the ground so that we do not be swayed about by the winds. There are many Christians whose roots are not strongly grounded in the word of God. Mark 4:16-17 tells us of the parable where the seed (word of God) falls on stony ground but because the seed does not have any root, it soon dies away when tribulations and persecutions come as a result of the word. These are people who give up easily when they have to go through hard times and they succumb to temptations to look for an easy way out. Why is this so? The reason is because there is no depth of character which explains for them falling away when trials come.

When you are going through a difficult situation, go back to the instruments you have on hands that God has given you, that is, the word of God and what the bible has to say about it. Clearly, in Isaiah 54:17 and Deuteronomy 28:13, the word of God says that no weapon and words form against you shall prosper and He has made you the head and not the tail as long as you heed the word of God. Luke 8:15 tells us that those who receive the word of God with a noble and good heart, keep the word in their heart and bear fruits with patience. Such a Christian does not give up on God and the word of God. Instead, he holds on to the word of God in his heart and nurtures it. No matter how tough the situation is, the bible says that all things (good and bad) work for the good of those who love God.

The Bible is your best weapon and tool in times of trials. But why do we keep going back to the word of God? First of all, the Bible is like a lamp unto our feet, guiding us what to do (Psalms 119:105). The purpose of lighting a lamp is to illuminate the darkness so that you can see clearly what is before you. Similarly, the word of God is like a lamp. It will clearly illuminate the areas of darkness and show you what you have to do to get out of the situation. Secondly, the word of God is our best weapon for it is like a double-edged sword that cuts right through to separate the truth from the lies and it is alive and active – Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12. It will show you a new revelation to the situation that you are not able to see with your own naked eyes. Thirdly, Romans 15:4 tells us everything in the scripture was written down for our encouragement and for our reference. When we read about other Christians, their sufferings and God’s deliverance, it will give us encouragement and comfort, knowing that our God will do the same for us just as he had done for those in the bible. Cultures will change. The world will change. But there is one thing that will never change – the principles and truth of God’s word will never change nor will it be returned back to God void.

Root yourself in the word of God strongly so that in times of trials and difficulties, you will not be tossed and swayed by the winds and waves of life as well as people’s opinions.

We will look at part 1, 3 and 4 at Sermon Alive

A person who does great commandment by loving God and loving people, great commission by doing mission and the cultural mandate by engaging the market place to God. – Sermon Alive
www.sermonalive.com

Book Review Come Lord Jesus Daily Readings for Advent Christmas and Epiphany by Geoffrey Rowell

zistix — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:01:32 +0000

Book of readings, useful for meditation and reflection at Advent and Christmas

The writings and excerpts from the Bible seep into the reader after a time, inviting meditation and offering an education for Advent and Christmas. Certainly, an Advent and Holiday time reading, the works are not authored as a standard series of Advent readings, but they are traditional:

“It is our hope that this book will encourage profound exploration and contemplation, but it is not, perhaps, a conventional Advent book of readings and prayers, for that the reader will have to look elsewhere.”

Good. This is just the kind of book I wanted this past Advent and Christmas, one published by Morehouse Publishing. I must say that I have been looking at books published by the Episcopal publishing house, and for a few years have been intrigued by this one whose cover is a mother with her baby. It’s an intimate cover, and so I was and am intrigued by the intimacy of the book. If you, like me, look for books for the season like Advent and Christmas, you will find this a good one with its readings and reflections for each day of the season, into the first day of Epiphany.

This “Come, Lord Jesus,” had me thinking of the end of times, when we all go to heaven and are judged. Previous years I hadn’t thought so much of it. Now I don’t want to burden you with my own needs and interests so much, but this does more pointedly demonstrate how the readings go. First there is the Gospel, as this one of Day 4 in Advent. From Matthew:

“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him…” This of the second coming, the end of the world, and the question asked by Christ is this, “…for I was hungy and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me…” Good thoughts for reflection about a man who taught important things and as the incarnate God would ask us to be with our fellow man in ways that are good and helpful.

The reflection, which is the second part of the reading, asks, “Such grace transforms situations, delivers from sin, heals our brokenness, floods our hearts with light and encircles us in the communion of love.” Of course, for the sake of brevity, I must truncate the text. But you see that there is a grace offered to us, which we look forward to in the birth of Jesus, during the Advent season, that is “…that which goes byond that moral demand–God’s accepting love, his forgiveness and mercy, his overwhelming free gift, his loving-kindness.”

This seems like a kind of sermon, and it is a kind of sermon. “Passages for reflection were drawn for the most part from sermons, addresses and meditations on passion themes that I have given throughout my ministry both as chaplain for many years…and as a bishop.” This from the Preface. Too, there are the reflections of musician Julien Chilcott-Monk. He, I think, wrote the Mary reflections and the shorter reflections for each day, a kind of note to the reading. The longer and introductory readings and remarks by Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe (of the Anglican Church), and the almost point making writings of Julien Chilcott-Monk make this a team written book where the writing and the team impact is helpful to the meaning and for the writing of the book.

Like a prayer, “The Sequence” of each day focuses the reader. So these are really meditations and prayers, subtle sometimes. “With thy favoured sheep, O place me; nor among the goats secure me…” Perhaps you are not so steeped in the Bible, for the book relies on the Bible, and therefore here is the end of that quotation: “…but to thy side please upraise me.” Asking to go to heaven, something most people who live their lives in a religious manner desire.

Continuing with the format, the book has an imaginative (fictional) statement by Mary on the Biblical text. Afterall, this is about Jesus and Christmas, and Mary is a key player. Here the writer gives mature thoughts to the young mother, and she is religiously profound. As I understand it, Mary was a Jewish woman who was well educated in her faith. That adds credence to her thoughts, as fictionalized here: “Is Jesus to establish the New Eden so that mankind can realize God’s original intention for his creation? If so, mankind will have to turn, to respond.” I found these very satisfying and they kindled in me the desire to imagine myself what Mary would think, and what kind of woman she was, as a mother to be.

The readings, which are not so long nor do they take a great deal of time, end with a statement for “…consideration…” In this reading, “The King is concerned with the reality of response to human need, not our tally for engagements.”

As a means of inspiration, information, and intelligent readings for reflection and mediation, albeit guided worthily by the text, the book “Come, Lord Jesus!” makes a worthy addition for the season. The daily readings guide the pilgrim through Biblical and reflective texts, engaging the individual with the season, and educating him in the sense that these ideas can grow. I want to add a personl note about my own reading during this season of Advent in 2005. The book grew on me as I went through it, as I found it a gentle and easily taken series of introductions as guidance to the seasons of Advent, Christmas and entry to Epiphany.

–Peter Menkin, Epiphany

Peter Menkin, an aspiring poet, lives in Mill Valley, CA USA (north of San Francisco).

My blog:

http://www.petermenkin.blogspot.com

Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences 42 Does the Lord Eat

zistix — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:58:54 +0000

Does the Lord Eat? In the Bible

Yes, the Lord ate:

The Lord and two other men appeared to Abraham. Abraham said: Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed. Abraham told Sarah to bake some bread, then he brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared. Then the Lord and the other two men ate and Abraham stood near them under a tree.

It follows that the menu of the Lord food was meat, bread, curds and milk.

Also, we understand that if the Lord eat he can be refreshed.

However, the Bible does not say who the other two men were. It seems likely that the other two men have some authority; they accompanied the Lord and ate with Him. Were they the Lord friends?

According to Genesis 18, Abraham saw the Lord and talked to him face to face.

However the verse of Exodus 33:20 says:

But,” he (the Lord) said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Now, we have two verses, one says the Abraham saw the Lord and talked to him face to face and invited him for food and the Lord accepted the invitation and ate.

The other verse says that no one can see the face of the Lord.

Also, it is very interesting that the Bible does not describe how did the Lord look like?

On the other hand, the Bible may describe in more than one chapter how did a tent look like! Is not that amazing?

Herein, the story of the food that the Lord ate:

Genesis 18 (New International Version)

1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.

2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.

4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.

5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.

8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.

11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.

12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’

14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

16 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.

17 Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?

18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

20 Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous

21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.

23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?

25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

26 The LORD said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes,

28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”

29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.”

30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.”

32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

Sciences and eating:

Eating is a normal process for man and vertebrates.

Eating is followed by digestion, metabolism, excretion and stool formation.

You eat, hence, you defecate stool.

However, Scientists discovered bacterial spores that live for more that 70 million of years without eating. When they provided water to that spores, the spores regained their biological activities.

It is possible then that some creatures do not eat for many million of years.

Now, let us go to the Quran to answer the question Does the Lord eat?

Does the Lord Eat? In the Quran:

Neither the Lord nor the Angels eat.

The story of Abraham guests.

The Quran gave us the story of Abraham guests and his food presented to them.

Yes, Abraham saw some strange men.

The tradition was to present food to your guests.

If the guest eat from the food, it is okay, if they do not eat then it is a big problem, it means that the guests want to do evil thing to you.

This was the tradition at the time of Abraham and still it is in many Arabian countries.

Abraham guests were some Angels.

Angels do not eat or sleep.

When Abraham put the food for the Angels, he looked at them; he saw that they do not eat. Hence, Abraham was very scared of them.

The almighty Lord never appeared to Abraham nor did He eat his food!

The Men were Angels and also they did not eat Abraham’s food.

The issue of Does the Lord eat is very important from the theological point of view; that is why the Quran mentions the story of Abraham’s guests and food three times.

You smart readers are invited to read the story here and there and compare.

Surah 11:69-77

[69] There came Our Messengers to Ibrahim with glad tidings. They said, “Peace! “he answered, “Peace!” and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.

[70] But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: “Fear not: we have been sent against the people of Lot.”

[71] And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob.

[72] She said: “Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!”

[73] They said: “Dost thou wonder at Allah’s decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, O ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!”

[74] When fear had passed from (the mind of) Ibrahim and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with Us for Lot’s people.

[75] For Ibrahim was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah.

[76] O Ibrahim! seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a Penalty that cannot be turned back!

[77] When our Messengers came to Lot, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: “This is a distressful day.”

Surah 15:49-62

[49] Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,

[50] And that My Penalty will be indeed the most grievous Penalty.

[51] Tell them about the guests of Ibrahim.

[52] When they entered his presence and said, “Peace!” He said, “We feel afraid of you!”

[53] They said: “Fear not! We give thee glad tidings of a son endowed with wisdom.”

[54] He said: “Do you give me glad tidings that old age has seized me? Of what then, is your good news?”

[55] They said: “We give thee glad tidings in truth: be not then in despair!”

[56] He said: “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but such as go astray?”

[57] Ibrahim said: “What then is the business of which ye (have come), O ye messengers (of Allah)?”

[58] They said: “We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin,

[59] “Excepting the adherents of Lot: them we are certainly (charged) to save (from harm), – all –

[60] “Except his wife, who, we have ascertained, will be among those who will lag behind.”

[61] At length when the messengers arrived among the adherents of Lot.

[62] He said: “Ye appear to be uncommon folk.”

Surah 51:24-35

[24] Has the story reached thee, of the honored guests of Ibrahim?

[25] Behold, they entered his presence, and said: “Peace!” He said, “Peace!” (and thought, “These seem) unusual people.”

[26] Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf,

[27] And placed it before them He said, “will ye not eat?”

[28] (When they did not eat). He conceived a fear of them. They said, “Fear not,” and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge.

[29] But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: “A barren old woman!”

[30] They said, “Even so has thy Lord spoken: and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.”

[31] (Ibrahim) said: “And what, O ye Messengers, is your errand (now)?”

[32] They said, “We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin;

[33] “To bring on, on them, (a shower of) stones of clay (brimstone),

[34] “Marked as from thy Lord for those who trespass beyond bounds.”

[35] Then we evacuated those of the Believers, who were there,

Again, it should be emphasized that Islam consider saying that the Lord ate or eats as a big unforgiving offense in respect to the Lord the Almighty Creator.

Anyone who believes that the Lord the Almighty Creator ate or eats put himself in the category of unbeliever and he is responsible for himself at the Day of Judgment when the Lord the Almighty Creator asks him:” Did I eat? Do I eat? How I eat?

The smart wise one has to prepare his answer for that big day.

Back to the main topic of my series of articles (1-42); this is my question to you smart readers: “Is the Quran quoted from the Bible “?

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil
Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit,
Ain-Shams University. Cairo, Egypt.
And,
President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors.
Member of the Egyptian union of Writers

The Most Famous Historical Hoopoe in Bible and Quran

zistix — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:58:10 +0000

The Hoopoe in the Bible:

The Hoopoe is unclean and a Detested Bird!

Leviticus 11

Unclean and Detested bird:

13 “These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

Deuteronomy 14

Unclean Food:

11 You may eat any clean bird. 12 But these you may not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 13 the red kite, the black kite, any kind of falcon, 14 any kind of raven, 15 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 16 the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, 17 the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, 18 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

In the Bible dictionary it is said: “Although the hoopoe bird is only referred to once in the Bible, it is known to be a faithful companion of people all over the world”.

However, the dictionary does not tell that the hoopoe is detested according to Leviticus 11 and also, there is no verse in the Bible which says that is a faithful companion of people all over the world. I bet that the writers of the Bible dictionary have read the Noble Quran and put such an observation about the hoopoe as a faithful companion of people all over the world.

The story of the hoopoe with King Solomon illustrates how faithful, smart was the hoopoe.

The Hoopoe in the Quran:

The Hoopoe is mentioned once in the Noble Quran, in Surah 27.

Prophet Solomon was a king whose armies consisted of troops made of men and Jinns and birds. It is possible that the birds were employed for communicating the messages, hunting and for other suitable services.

Detective and Messenger of Prophets

[20] And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: “Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

[21] “I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he brings me a clear reason (for absence).”

[22] But he (the hoopoe) tarried not far: he (came up and) said: “I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true.

[23] “I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.

[24] “I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing to their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path, so they receive no guidance,

[25] “(Kept them away from the Path) that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.

[26] “Allah! – there is no god but He! – Lord of the Throne supreme!”

[27] (Solomon) said: “Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!

28] “Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return”…

[29] (The Queen) said: “Ye chiefs! here is – delivered to me – a letter worthy of respect.

[30] “It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful:

[31] “`Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).”

The story of how Solomon and the Queen of Saba (Yemen) met: One day Solomon inspected his birds but did not find the Hoopoe. When the bird came back he said, “With truthful news I come to you from Saba, where I found a woman reigning over people and they worship the sun instead of Allah.

Solomon ordered the Hoopoe to return to her and give her a message calling her not to exalt herself above him (Solomon), but come to him in all submission. The Hoopoe did his job perfectly.

In the Qur’an (27:20) we read that Prophet Solomon reviewed his birds and found Hoopoe missing. His most movable arm was the birds, which were light on the wing and flew and saw everything like talented scouts. Prophet Solomon conveys his anger and his yearning to punish Hoopoe severely if he does not present himself before Prophet Solomon with a realistic explanation. Within a short time, the Hoopoe came back and said, “I have got knowledge of things which you have no idea about. I have brought sure information about Saba (Yemen now). There, I have seen a woman ruling over her people: she has been given all sorts of provisions, and she has a wonderful throne. I saw that she and her people prostrate themselves before the sun and worshiped the sun, instead of Allah.!”

Prophet Solomon said, “We shall just now see whether what you say is true, or that you are a liar. Take this letter of mine and cast it before them; then get aside and see what reaction they show.” Qur’an, 27: 27-28.

Here, ends the role of Hoopoe in the story.

In this story, the Noble Quran gives the Hoopoe some characters that need intense research to be elucidated by the scientists. The Hoopoe had the powers of observation, discrimination and expression that it should pass over a country and should come to know that it is the land of Saba, it has such and such a scheme of government, it is ruled by a certain woman, its faith is sun-worship, that it should have worshipped One Lord, Allah instead of having gone off track, and then on its return to Prophet Solomon it should so clearly make a report of all its observations before him.

In spite of great advances in science and technology, man cannot tell with absolute certainty what powers and abilities the different species of animals and their different individuals have got? Man has not so far been able to know through any certain means what different animals know and what they see and hear, and what they feel and think and understand, and know how the mind of each one of them works. Yet, whatever little observation has been made of the life of the different species of animals, it has revealed some of their wonderful abilities. Now, when Allah, Who is the Creator of these animals, tells us that He had taught the speech of the birds to one of His Prophets and blessed him with the ability to speak to them, and the Prophet’s taming and training had so enabled a Hoopoe that it could make certain observations in the foreign lands and could report them to the Prophet, then we should be prepared to revise our little knowledge about the animals in the light of Allah’s statement.

“… We raise to degrees (of wisdom) whom We please: but over all endued with knowledge is One, the All-Knowing.” Surah 12:76

Back to our main issue; one may ask this: Is the Quran quoted from the Bible? And which book precedes the sciences? The book which that the hoopoe is a detested bird or the book which precedes the sciences and says that the hoopoe has the powers of observation, discrimination and expression and it is one of the best detective and messenger?

The End Times Are Now

zistix — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:20:34 +0000

First let me explain what is meant by the end times. The ‘end times’ is a reference to the end of time remaining before the lord Jesus returns to remove the christians (his believers and followers) out of the world before the 7 year tribulation starts.

Whenever normal every day life is threatened by something abnormal such as a massive earthquake, meteor shower, war, famine, or something else, there was always someone who thought or said ’surely this must be the end times!’, this type of thinking has happened from right after Christ died on the cross over 2000 years ago, until present day.

These people surely did not read or study the bible, for if they had then they would of known that the end times could of not been here or had not even started, not until at least the year 1948. Once the year 1948 arrived, a great thing occurred that started what I call the ‘winding of the prophetic clock key’ this event was the creation of the independant state of ‘Israel’.

Jesus talks about the end times in the bible and says that when the fig tree blossoms the end is near. Jesus used the descriptive analogy of a “fig tree” as pertaining to Israel, to instruct his disciples about how we could discern the timeliness of his return. Before 1948 there was no Independent state or nation of Israel.

Another thing Jesus tells us will signal the closeness of the end times is that Jerusalem will be controlled by the Jews. Since 400 B.C. the city of Jerusalem has been controlled by one Gentile superpower after another. Here are a few of the dates when Jerusalem was under control of forces other than the Jews: A.D. 70, the Romans; 614 the Persians; 637 Caliph Omar; 1099 the Crusaders; 1187 Saladin; 1250 the Egyptian Mamelukes; 1517 the Turks; 1917 the British and others, then in 1967 during the 6th day war from June 5 to 10 of that year the jews captured Jerusalem.

Jewish control of Jerusalem is one of the most important signs because of Jesusâ€™ statement in Luke 21:24. The disciples had asked Him, “When are you going to return and what will be the sign ?” Jesus replied, “Jerusalem shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” What was the Savior saying? Simply that the Jews would be scattered throughout the world and the city of Jerusalem controlled by Gentile powers until the time of His return. All the various Gentile groupsâ€”the Romans, the Persians, the Crusaders, the Egyptians, and others controlled Jerusalem from A.D. 70 until May 1967. Then, in June 1967 the Jews took control of Jerusalem for the first time in more than nineteen hundred years.

The disciples also asked jesus, not only what the signs would be that signal the countdown to his return, but also what the signs of the actual end times would be. There are many signs we are told that we will see in the last days just before jesus returns, they include:

Earthquakes – Famines – Pestilences – Signs in space (sun, moons, stars, planets)

Luke 21:11 (King James Version) – “And great earthquakes shall be in divers (various, several) places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

Famines:Since 1975 to present, there has never been a year, that there wasn’t a famine some place on the earth.

Earthquakes:Earthquakes are happening more frequently and are getting stronger. From 1920 – 1990 a period of 70 years, there was 10 Major Quakes. From 1990 – 2005 a period of 15 years, there was 15 Major Quakes. And this is only the major quakes, in the year 2000 there were 22,256 total earthquakes detected. In 2004 there was 31,199. of course most were not even hardly noticed or occurred in unpopulated areas, but there numbers are growing rapidly every year, as well as the major quakes.

The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction Just reported that between 1950 to 1959 there was 20 Major calamities costing $38 Million (1989 Dollar Value), in 1990 to 1999 there was 82 Major calamities costing $535 Billion.

Pestilences:Since the 1980’s to present the number of new diseases that have formed is incredible. We now have SARS – AIDS – Herpes – West Nile – New Drug resistant TB – Mad Cow – New monkey pox virus with human-to-human transmission – and now the H5N1 (avian bird flu).Data shows that both the incidence and severity of outbreaks of multi-drug-resistant pathogens have experienced a sharp upturn within the past 10 years. For example, Salmonella infections have gone up 25-fold in some countries in Europe since 1998. Similar increases are reported for haemorrhagic E. coli 0157 food poisoning: between 2002 and 2005, the frequency of infection increased 10 – fold in England and Wales, and 100 – fold in Scotland.

Signs in the sun and space:The sun has been going wild, every 11 years or so we were told that the sun goes through cycles where it produces numerous solar flares or storms. This past cycle has been the strongest and strangest ever recorded since scientists and others have been studying solar activity, because even though the time for this solar phase should have passed. the sun is still producing massive flares and outbursts, and it’s getting worse. In fact the sun is getting brighter and hotter each recent year. This increase in warmth from the sun is warming the entire planet, and global warming is not longer just speculative, it’s a fact. The 14 hottest years ever recorded occurred after 1980.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Antarica is warmer now then it has been anytime in the past 4000 years. Half the glacier ice in the European Alps has disapeared in this century.

The following news reports were just released: ‘Warmest September Globally Since Beginning Of Reliable Instruments: The United States experienced its fourth warmest September on record, while global land surface temperatures were the warmest on record for the month, according to scientists at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.’ and it’s not just the U.S. but reports are coming in from around the globe, here’s one from Australia: ‘Australia headed for hottest year on record – SYDNEY (AFP) Nov 14, 2005 – Australia is having its hottest year on record and experts blame global warming for the trend, the government weather bureau reported Monday.

Signs in society – peoples thinking and actions:

2 Timothy 3:1-4 (King James Version) – “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

These things are occurring every day and it seems everyplace, listen to peoples conversations, read the newspapers, watch tv shows, etc…. morals and putting others before ones-self are thinking that is almost gone. Sinful thoughts, and sexual perversion is becoming a common way of life.

Preachers will not preach the biblical truth, and many will seek false and evil religions:

1 Timothy 4:1 – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

Churches and sermons have become watered-down to please church members. Many Pastors don’t preach sermons anymore on the horrors of hell and the effects of sin. They have begun preaching about an all loving god, that loves everyone. This is true he does, but he is also a holy god, that cannot tolerate sin. And if someone lives a life of sin, they will be cast into hell. If you accept Jesus Christ as lord and saviour, the bible says you must also repent, a dictionary explanation for ‘repent’ says: ‘To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one’s mind regarding it’, so you cannot just ask for salvation, then live your old life, the bible clearly tells us that, read this carefuly, it’s right from the bible: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Some Pastors are now even saying that Jesus Christ is not the only way to Heaven. We have removed the biblical truth and facts and have replaced it with what people want to hear, so they can continue their ways of living a life of sin.

Wars and rumors of wars:

The 20th century has been known as the century of warfare. We have had the big ones of course like World War 1, and World War 2, and the cold war (the ultimate era of ‘rumors of war’), we also had the vietnam war, korean war, and literally hundreds of other battles, including the gulf wars and other middle east conflicts to the present day rumors of possible war with Iran and North Korea over their nuclear programs.

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Ethnic unrest and tribal warfare has killed millions in this generation alone, and it’s getting worse.

Massive Hurricanes and freak storms:

Does the bible mention Hurricanes when it tells of signs of the Lords return ? It sure does, Jesus tells the disciples in Luke 21:25: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” See them last 6 words: ‘the sea and the waves roaring’, the exact effects of hurricanes. 2004 was said to have been the costliest hurricane season on record, that was true until the 2005 hurricance season. At the end of Oct 2005, Beta, the 26th named storm of a record Atlantic hurricane season, made landfall near La Barra, Nicaragua. And now on Fri, Dec 30 2005 we have this NEWS – Tropical Storm Zeta drifts across the Atlantic. The 27th named storm of a record-breaking hurricane season, Zeta had top sustained winds near 50 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Forecasters said Zeta was not expected to become a hurricane or threaten land. This Atlantic hurricane season has seen more named tropical storms and hurricanes than at any point since record-keeping began in 1851.

Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, from November 6-12, we were struck with multiple severe thunderstorms and a tornado watch. This wouldn’t be anything abnormal if it was summer, but this is November and we had not only multiple severe thunderstorms but a tornado watch and then a warning. According to local tv weathermen, we have never had as many severe thunderstorms and a tornado warning in this area so late in the year since record keeping began.

I could go on and on, but this article would be to large for what I wanted. The facts are plain and simple folks, according to what jesus and the bible says, the signs of the end times are happening right now. There are some folks that say ‘oh it says in the bible that the city of Damacus in Syria will be destroyed’ and this hasn’t happened yet, or something else hasn’t happened yet. yes, that is very true but the signs that have happened or are occurring are the ones that the bible says will signal the return of Jesus, the other signs may occur during the great tribulation after his return.

So what does it all mean, ‘The time of Jesus Christ’s return is here !’, I believe the countdown began in 1967 when the Jews took control of Jerusalem. .

Jesus told his disciples that the Generation that sees these things, ‘The creation of israel as a nation, and most importantly ‘Jerusalem under jewish control (1967) “This generation will not pass away (die)”, before he (Jesus) Returns.

So how long is a generation in the bible ? bible scholars used to say a generation is 40 years. So if the countdown to the ‘end times’ began in 1967 when the Jews re-took control of Jersualem, Christ may return (rapture of believers) before Dec 31, 2007. Now some other bible experts like ‘Jack Van Impe’ are saying that a biblical generation is 52 years. This is pretty amazing, because it falls in line with some other amazing date predictions. If the end time countdown began in 1967 when the Jews re-took control of Jersuale, and if you add 52 years to that date, that gives you the year 2019. Now if we subtract 7 years from 2019 (7 years being the time of the tribulation period), that gives us the date 2012. Strangely, both the Mayan and Aztec calendars end on the year 2012, predicting some major event that changes the whole earth in that year. Is this event the rapture, the return of Christ ? When it comes to exact dates nobody on the earth really knows when Jesus will return. Jesus himself says no man knows the day or the hour when he will return. In Mark 13:32 (KJV) â€” “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” But Jesus doesn’t say we cannot know or figure out the year that he may come.

I say, don’t wait for the year 2012, I believe the time may be much shorter, the best thing to do is to be ready, give your heart and life to Jesus today, except his free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ before it’s too late. You never know if you will have a tomorrow, a car wreck, heart attack, stroke, murder, or the return of the lord may happen this very hour, and then it’s too late. All you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and ask him to forgive you of your sins, say the ’sinners prayer below’ then repent, change your lifestyle and thinking by not living in sin, and if possible start going to a bible believing Church whenever you can, and be baptised if possible. The gift of eternal life is a free gift from the lord Jesus, all you have to do is want it, and ask for it. Here is a simple sinners prayer, it’s all you need to say, just believe it: “God I know and confess that I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness, I believe that your son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I now accept and receive Jesus’s pardon for my sins, I want Jesus into my heart and life as my personal saviour, forgive me lord and save me, Amen’.

If you have just prayed that simple prayer and believed, you are now granted the gift of eternal life, Praise the Lord.

As I finish this article, the year 2005 has now ended, and 2006 has just begun, I sit here wondering what terrible things will happen in the world, and in our own country this year, but as the Bible says. “Don’t let you heart be troubled, all these things (end time signs) must occur, but look up for your redemption draws near.”

If you want to learn a lot more about end time events that are happening every day, and Biblical things such as the Rapture, Armageddon, the Tribulation and more, then visit this website: ‘ Signs Of The End Times ‘, for daily End Times news articles, and lots of other great Christian reading.

The ‘ Signs Of The End Times ‘, Website can be found here:http://www.rb59.com/end-times

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.

RB59.COM Softwarehttp://www.rb59.com/software

Christian Education and the Struggle With Biblical Illiteracy

zistix — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:10:52 +0000

I doubt that anyone will disagree with me when I state that our society today in America is biblically illiterate. Specifically, I would define “biblically illiterate” as the following:

* Unfamiliar with the structure of the Bible. Most people could not explain why the Bible is split between Old and New Testaments. They cannot name the books of the Bible. That the books are grouped into certain categories is unknown to them. And, sadly, many people cannot even locate a verse of Scripture.

* Unfamiliar with the content of the Bible. Noah and Moses and Jesus are favorite stories, but are known only in the terms and generalities of childhood tales. The Psalms are at best pleasant poetry. The sermons of Jesus draw a blank. The Pauline and General Epistles are much too difficult to read and really aren’t practical. The books of the Prophets are totally useless.

* Unfamiliar with the purpose of the Bible. The Bible is certainly not science, and even its history is suspect. At most it’s a moral code, but even then, the vast majority of people haven’t read it to know what moral code it contains – they quote the Golden Rule and think that’s all Jesus ever said.

* Unfamiliar with the theology of the Bible. Words such as sin, salvation, sanctification, grace, justification, and redemption are archaisms completely out-of-touch with modern-day America. The concept that there are doctrines of God, man, Christ, and the Trinity is unheard of.

* Unfamiliar with the truth of the Bible. In a world of moral relativism and moral decay, the statement that there is absolute truth, revealed by the one True God, would be considered ridiculous, narrow-minded, and old-fashioned.

It is one thing, however, to state that our society is biblically illiterate. That is almost to be expected; after all, that is the “world” that we are in, but not of.

What would you say, though, if I were to assert that the Church in America is also biblically illiterate? And by “the Church” I mean the true Church: the children of God, saved and redeemed by the blood; not everyone who happens to inhabit a pew on a given Sunday morning.

Look back on our definition of “biblically illiterate.” Unfamiliar with the structure of the Bible. Can most Christians talk knowledgeably about the reason for the Old and New Testaments? Find their way quickly around to locate a given text? Talk about the various types of books found in the Testaments?

Unfamiliar with the content of the Bible. More is known about content, undoubtedly, than in society at large, but ask yourself: How many Christians can quote or locate verses that they need without hesitation? Or paraphrase passages or verses of Scripture – even well known ones such as the Beatitudes or I Corinthians 13? If asked what would define the Christian walk, could they provide a clear answer? Are people comfortable defending their faith? Proving a point from Scripture? Leading someone to Christ with nothing more than a Bible in hand?

Unfamiliar with the purpose of the Bible. The Church does fairly well here, recognizing and affirming that the purpose of the Bible is to tell the story of man’s sin and God’s plan of salvation and how to live a holy life, but still – do we really live it? Do our lives show the world the importance of the Sacred Writ?

Unfamiliar with the theology of the Bible. We do all right with short words like sin and grace, but longer terms such as sanctification and justification still get glazed looks from many Christians. Certainly, the words seem to be detached from everyday life. We are content to admit that doctrine is important, but we relegate it to pastors and seminary students.

Unfamiliar with the truth of the Bible. As Christians, we affirm that the Bible is the true and absolute standard of living, the only plan of salvation, and the answer to every question voiced by humankind. But if we don’t know what it says, if we don’t understand the doctrines, and if we can’t tell people about it – then can we really say that that is what we believe?

In any battle, it is important to understand what we are fighting against. Christian education in all its forms – Sunday school, Bible studies, discipleship relationships, sermons, books, radio, etc. – is struggling against biblical illiteracy: in the church as well as in the world. Let’s take the time to study our opponent so we can advance God’s kingdom and win this war!

You have my permission to reprint and distribute this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, including all links and copyright information. This article is not to be sold or included with anything that is sold.

Paula J. Marolewski provides challenging and interactive adult Bible studies for individuals, Bible studies, small groups, and adult Sunday School classes at Sink Your Roots (www.SinkYourRoots.com). Studies include such topics as Debunking the Myths about Knowing God’s Will. The above article is an excerpt from Called to Teach.

Is the Hoopoe Unclean and Detested Bird in Bible and Quran

zistix — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:59:23 +0000