Some Reasons People Believe in God

                     Some Reasons People Believe in God

Atheists who deny a Creator and Sustainer of the universe show a terrible arrogance toward theists and especially Christians. They point to plants, animals, sky, ground and say, see there's no God! We're just animals who die and that's all there is! Christians who talk about God and an afterlife are really stupid maybe even brain dead. But could atheists be overlooking so much that a little honest thought makes obvious? Could what they call wishful Christian thinking really show rebellious atheist arrogance, maybe even fear of giving account of their rebellious lives to God?

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Christians reply. Honestly, if God created this material universe, wouldn't He have to exist before and apart from the matter, space, and time He created? Wouldn't God then be of an immaterial nature or spirit we normally wouldn't see? And to sustain His universe, wouldn't God have to have infinite power, be everywhere and know everything? Might it be a bit premature for atheists to claim the Almighty must show up at their command, or He doesn't exist?  Do they know the Almighty couldn't show up at his appointed time and place and for his purpose unknown to them? Actually, such attributes are what the Bible says and what Christians believe about God (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14). Could atheist objections really show bias or lack clear thinking?

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Scientists work on the principle that every beginning thing has a cause. Common sense shows from nothing, nothing comes. Nothing means no thing--no mind, no power, no force. An expanding universe points to a central beginning point. A running down universe like a clock means it was once wound up. Most scientists believe in the Big Bang which requires a beginning universe. And if time could go back into the past forever, we would never be here today. A beginning universe then, depends on an unchangeable, self-existent eternal God as its Cause.
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 What does the anthropic principle tell  us about the universe? We see such exactness of hundreds of factors working together in order for man to arrive on this planet. Such as earth's just right size, molten core, this crust, climate, rotation, revolution, gravity, chemical composition, magnetism, atmosphere, distance from sun, one moon, its size & distance, water and right amount, place in solar system, in galaxy and well over a hundred other exact factors. Blind random chance doesn't explain this, but an intelligent Creative Mind does.  It seems God must have some purpose in mind for us. Could it be a personal love-trust relationship with Him?
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What does nature's order and rationality tell us? Nature's orderliness shows-- means adapted to ends, birds wings are designed for flying, animal legs for walking, fish fins for swimming, eyes and ears to know surroundings. There can be no partially developed reproductive or digestive systems or limbs or organs. Take anything away and the animal perishes. Moreover, geological strata show life forms completely developed and functional from outset until extinction.  Nature shows order and rationality that our minds can understand. Doesn't all this show Creation true and evolution myth?

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Can blind mindless molecules select and arrange chemicals into life forms? No! Animals are genetically programmad to reproduct after their own kind but in great variety. In other words, dogs birth varieties of dogs but never birth horses--its small changes in kind, but not one kind changing into another. Mutations are coping errors, usually harmful and eliminated.The genetic code within life forms shows intelligent intervention and they can't be reduced or they perish. There form and function is complex and specified at the outset  that shows a self-existing creative Mind.
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Life forms show a genetic alphabet of instructions. The DNA molecule is a coded language of millions of cells programmed to build  organs and systems of immense specified complexity that all work together in harmony. The cell is organized like a city of machines working  together to maintain life in millions of unique life forms. To say nature's blind mindless forces can accomplish all this by chance is like saying red, white and blue confetti dropped from a plane a trillion times will form an American flag. The DNA molecule is not an accident of nature, it's a cells instructions designed by the personal intelligence and will we know as God.
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Moreover, aren't life forms irreducibly complex? A million small steps must be shown to prove a single cell can evolve into all life forms. Fruit flies live only a few days so that many generations can be radiation tested. Such testing produced only defective fruit flies, nothing else. There are no partly evolved reproductive or digestive systems, or limps or eyes and ears. Animals are born fully functioning, or won't live. Evolution isn't proven by extinct dinosaurs and monkey skulls. Artists drawings of the evolutionary tree is a gap theory without transitional links. Their pictures of a knuckle-walking monkey evolving into an upright man shows the theory can be pictured when the evidence can't be found. Died out life forms only prove they were not adoptable.  Huge gaps exist between life forms that are irreducibly complex. Now, doesn't this imply a Common Creator rather than a common ancestor?

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 Atheists claim science and reason prove evolution and disprove religion. But if the universe evolved by chance and our ancestors by accident from monkeys and perhaps rodents and roaches, how then can we have confidence that we are rational. Different sciences use different methods, physical sciences differ from social sciences. Science has nothing to say about crucial fields of history, law, aesthetics, and ethics. Science assumes that the external world exists, is orderly, knowable, uniform, that our minds and senses are reliable, numbers exist, the laws of logic work, and that truth exists and can be known. Evolutionary scientists devise new explanations to replace disproven ones. Scientists in all fields differ among themselves. Its hard to see where evolutionary science has the last word. And if all is an accident of  chance, how can we trust human reason?
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 World religions are based upon the thinking, beliefs and teachings of some admired wise man.  They present conflicting ideas about god, the world's  problems, salvation by what they mean by good deeds, and their speculations about the afterlife. What few writings we have of the founders beliefs is usually dated centuries after their deaths which makes them uncertain. They don't give evidence of anything beyond their founders valued philosophy of life. But details of  Jesus' life were predicted centuries before about his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death for us sinners, and resurrection. They were published during the lifetime of persons who knew him. (For more explanation, see my other articles.)

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Bible Christianity tells of a God who acts in our world. The Bible is said to record the actions of a real God who acts in our real world. It tells about the world from creation to recreation. It names kings, priests, cities, wars, and dates events archaeologists can correlate with statements of other nations and times to know such things existed. Bible events do not read like fairy tales, but like real people act in the real world with all their problems, evils, joys and sufferings. It's embarrassing that Bible heroes failed so often and so bad, but it's evidence that truth was more important than fiction. Unlike other holy books, the Bible records hundreds of predictions and miracles eyewitness knew were true, even affirming with their life's blood. Persons, places, and events critics denied existed, have been dug up from the ground. God showed His awesome presence in many ways from Genesis to Revelation. Could it be that the real reason atheists reject their Creator,  ridicule His people, and ignore its evidence is that they don't want God to interfer with their selfish desires?

Atheism has no higher authority than limited, conflicting, human opinions. Life without God ending in death destroys the basis for human dignity, ethics, freedom, love, justice, a rational purposeful world, absolute truth, empirical science, and hope for life after death. Atheists as Satre, Camus, and Russell admit this, but were inconsistently passionate about ethical issues. Richard Dawkins, for example, vigorously condemns harassment of homesexuals, and religious education  of children. Atheism is a philosophy of despair that when followed leads to hatred, chaos, warfare, and self-destruction of individuals, homes, and nations.
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Biblical Christianity gives good reasons that Jesus is the God-man who walked among us, died to save us, arose from the dead to prove all He told us was God's truth and our only hope. Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal, and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10). Dear reader, won't you say, Lord, Jesus, I'm a sinner, but I don't want eternal separation from the holy pure love-life You give. I surrender my life to you now forever. I trust you from this point on as my Lord and Savior. Now I'll share these articles and get with God's people in proof that I mean it. Thank you for giving me eternal life.
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What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?

                   What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?

Jehovah's Witnesses in some ways put most Christians to shame. They are often more knowledgeable and better trained in answering questions and defending their faith. They meet in Kingdom Halls rather than Churches and are earnest in Bible studies. They are zealous in presenting their faith even engaging people door-to-door. They're sometimes called the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, but better known as Jehovah's Witnesses. I will briefly discuss their founders, key writings, beliefs about God, how to be saved, what happens after death, and other interesting beliefs and practices in contrast to biblical Christian teachings. Then I will make some Christian comments.

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Their Founders. The original founders were Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) and later Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942). with headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. They were business men, not Bible trained, church ordained, didn't believe many Bible teachings they felt unreasonable, and they control their followers thinking. So they ignore or distort Bible passages they don't agree with and have developed their own religion of Bible interpretations which have spread to millions  worldwide. They are one of the world's largest publishers.

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In contrast, Biblical Christianity began with the resurrection of Jesus (A.D. 30-33) who claimed he was the Son of God and the Jews Messiah. At the same time, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, performed many miracles, died to save sinners, arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven before hundreds of witnesses. Many died to testify to this truth. And yes, Bible teachings may seem unreasonable, but only if you don't or won't accept a just and loving, sovereign Creator, Sustainer, and rightful Judge and Authority over the universe and humanity. All these things are discussed in my other articles.

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Their key writings. The only Bible JW accept is their own New World Translation. Their other real authoritative writings are Reasoning from the Scriptures, You Can live Forever in Paradise on Earth, and the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. While they claim to follow the Bible, their other writings are their real authorities and they won't allow anyone in their organization to disagree or question their teachings.

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It's unknown who produced their New World Translation, but scholars who know the original Hebrew and Greek languages say their New World Translation isn't correctly translated, and that they differ and distort passages that show Christian beliefs. Christians believe that is putting human opinion over God's inspired and proven revelation. Further, when Hebrew and Greek authorities say their New World Translation is incorrect;  how can JW feel honest to use it for their teaching?

Their beliefs about God. Among the teachings Jehovah's Witnesses deny are: the trinity, deity of Christ, his bodily resurrection, visible return, the Holy Spirit as God, God's promise of heaven for believers, their eternal security, and conscious eternal punishment of God-rejectors in Hell.

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All these teaching they deny are clearly taught many times in the Bible, and have been challenged ever since Jesus arose from the dead. There are so many evidences that support Bible teachings, but the Bibles God of love doesn't force himself on us. And being in his image and likeness is what gives us our dignity, freedom, ethics, love, justice, absolute authoritative truth, assurance of life after death, and his Word, the Bible is the basis for it all. No other world religion, worldview, or system of beliefs can compare with it.

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Their way to be saved. If God Created the universe, then it's reasonable he has infinite knowledge and wisdom making ours almost nothing (Isa. 40:13-14; 55:8-9). We show arrogance to think God must agree with our limited thinking. If God is perfect, then our thoughts, words, deeds can never measure up. The Bible is clear, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8-10). We can't achieve perfection to earn salvation nor erase our sins against God. Therefore, door-to-door telling people our beliefs won't make us fit for a perfect Heaven or earth. That's why, "God made Christ who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2 Cor. 5:21 NLT; Also see Eph. 2:8-10; John 3:16-21; Acts 16:31.
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Their beliefs about after death. Since JW taught so openly that only 144,000 persons will go to heaven, when their numbers exceeded that, they had to say the others will live on earth. They deny the Bible teaching of Hell and say unbelievers will be annihilated..

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But every time throughout the Bible the twelve tribes of Israel are mentioned, that's exactly what they were (Revelation 7), not JW that came into being centuries later when more persons became JW (Rev. 14). The loving Jesus mentioned Hell more than Heaven as a real conscious place of punishment. Jesus, being the God-man, is the one person absolutely certain. He cared enough to warn us of the truth. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus said conscious punishment of God-rejections is as real and long as eternal life is for the righteous. Are we to believe Jesus lied or meant to deceive us?

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Their other interesting beliefs and practices. They do not observe holidays or birthdays. They don't accept blood transfusions since we're commanded not to eat blood in Leviticus 17: 13-14. They are forbidden to vote, salute the flag, or work in the military since it's idolatry to show allegiance to any government  except Jehovah's Kingdom. But Romans 13;1-7 and 1 Pet. 2:13-14 says to submit to governments since governments are ordained of God to keep peace and punish evil doers.  Shouldn't we be sure of what the Bible really teaches?

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Christian comments. The Bible nowhere says that Jesus was Jehovah's first created being, was Michael, the archangel before his incarnation, and or Jesus died on a stake, not a cross. It doesn't say the Holy Spirit is a force from Jehovah, or that door-to-door engagements earns the way to heaven. JW firmly believe that Revelation 1:8 & Rev. 21:5-7 describe Jehovah God. But that same description describes Jesus in Rev. 1:17-18. JW are correct that the Latin term "trinity" is not mentioned the Bible, but it is taught in the Bible. It's no different than JW use the term "theocratic kingdom" in  their literature that's not mentioned in the Bible.
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Founder Russell predicted Christ would return in 1874, but when Jesus didn't show up, he recalculated the date 1914. When he didn't return then, Russell said he came to earth as a spirit. Founder Rutherford predicted Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return to earth to promote the Kingdom of God between 1925-1929. He even built them a mansion in San Diego, California. But when they failed to show up, he moved into the mansion for himself.
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To set the record straight, carefully compare these verses in your Bible with JW New World Translation to see their many distortions: Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1; 8:58; Philippians 2:11; Colossians 1:16; 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:3, 8. Remember language experts don't agree with unknown JW translators.
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"How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord? If the prophet speaks in the Lord's name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared (Deut. 18:21-22) 
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In the beginning the Word already existed, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. "Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 1:1; 14; 14:6 NLT). Only believe, love, and follow.
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Will Jesus Reign Over Earth A Thousand Years?

             Will Jesus Reign Over Earth A Thousand Years?

Postmillennial Christians say the church will win the world to Christ in an indefinite period, maybe a 1,000 years and then Jesus will return. Amillennial Christians say there is no literal millennium, and Revelation 20:1-6 just means that Jesus reigns in the hearts of those who trust in Him. I love and respect my brothers in Christ, but all the Bible's unfulfilled prophecies about the Messiah must be fulfilled according to a holy God who cannot lie or deceive us. Check out God's promises.

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Premillenialists, like myself, reason that since all the Bible predictions about Jesus' first coming--his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death for sinners, resurrection, and ascension were literally fulfilled exactly as stated, then what all the prophets and apostles said about His second coming to earth to reign as its King should literally be fulfilled exactly as stated. But before the 1,000 years the Church will be raptured (1 Thess. 4:16-5:3), and then there will be tribulation unknown since the world began (Rev. 4-19). Both Jesus (Matt. 24:21), and John said so (Rev. 3:10). Examine what the Bible actually says.
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God made an unconditional land grant to Abraham and his descendants. He gave the land from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River then occupied by pagan tribes (Gen. 15:17-21). But Israel has never fully occupied that land, not in Joshua's day, David's time, or even today. And God said His promises are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29).
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God promised King David He will have a descendant upon his thrown forever."Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever (2 Samuel 7:16). And in Psalm 89:35 we read: "I have sworn an oath to David, and in my holiness I cannot lie: His dynasty will go on forever; his kingdom will endure as the sun. It will be as eternal as the moon, my faithful witness in the sky." Israel will one day occupy all the land God promised. It just became a nation again since A.D. 70 fulfilling many prophecies.
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The Tanakh (Old Testament) ends with Israel expecting the Messianic Kingdom. We read in Malachi 3:1 "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming says the Lord of Heaven's Armies." See also Isa. 9:6-7; 16:5.
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John the Baptizer and others offered Israel the Messiah-King Matt. 3:1-2. Jesus offered the kingdom when he said, "Repent for the kingdom is near. "(4:17). The Twelve Jesus sent out offered the kingdom (10:5-7). But the chosen nation of Israel rejected their King and His kingdom offered to them. "He (Jesus) came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn--not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God (John 1:10-12 NLT). Have you rejected him too? You are now invited to humbly admit your wrong doing and trust in his forgiveness, cleansing, new and eternal life. Greater love has no one but Jesus, who took the punishment of our sin in his death for us on the cross. See the movie, The Passion of Christ.

Israel's rejection only meant a delay in order that the Gentiles may be offered salvation. God intended Israel to be his ambassadors to the Gentiles--but they became proud despisers of them instead. Christ then instituted instead a spiritual kingdom (the Church) until he returns to earth and Israel will then accept their king. "Jesus replied, I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt. 19:28).See also Rom. 11:11ff:
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The next verse is his promise to believers today--"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then" (Matt. 19:30). CAN ANY PROMISES IN THE WORLD BE GREATER THAN THESE?
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The Jewish people will come to believe in Christ as their King and fulfill all God's promises. Just prior to his ascension, the apostles kept asking Jesus, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?"  They understood the promises above and were wondering when the kingdom would come and they would reign with him on twelve thrones. Jesus replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you. And you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:7-8).  So we are to be witnesses to the grace and glory of our Savior and God, the Lord Jesus, until he returns to take us to Him--Heaven (John 14:1-3).    
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Jesus, the Messiah, will return to fight for Israel, (called Armageddon) and then establish his 1,000 year worldwide rule.  We are in the very last days and Jesus' coming is described. "On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past" (Zechariah 14:3) . 
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Are you ready for the Lord's return? Are you living for him and telling others about his love, justice, and saving grace? With the computer we have the greatest opportunity in the world. Read these gospel articles, pray for God to use them, and send them every way you can and have great treasures in Heaven until Jesus comes for us. God bless.
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What is the Way to God and Heaven?

                     What is the Way to God and Heaven?

Persons have different ideas about God and heaven. Some think God is all love so everybody will go to heaven. Others believe ideas of God and heaven are only a comforting escape from reality. They see only the sky, trees, animals, and people that die, so, that's all there is to life. For many people, it seems so logical that if there's a good God and good heaven, then the way to both is simple--be good. Christians believe a Creator God made us limited, but moral, rational persons like himself to live in an eternally happy world in relationship with him. This article explains the Christian biblical teaching about the Christian way to God and heaven. Please give it your honest open-minded consideration. Thank you.
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First, it's a fact that nothing produces nothing, and the universe is running down. So, unless the universe created itself, which is logically impossible, then matter, energy, intelligence, and will  must have a source. That source must be an eternal, self-existent, immaterial, unchanging, and a powerfully creative mind.  And, that is so much like what the Bible describes as God.
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 Life too points to an infinite creative intelligence and will. For example, the hen must be fertilized by a rooster and have the chemical ovacleidin 17 for the shell to form. Hens must sit on their eggs 21 days and turn them over several times a day to keep the right temperature for them to hatch. Living things don't pop into being without a cause and they are genetically programmed to produce offspring after their own kind. Don't believe artists drawings of monkeys turning into men. No scientific experiment and no bones in a museum proves it. Mutations are harmful defeats usually eliminated and that don't aid in survival.
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The crucial question we humans should ask is this: does our Creator God care about us and has he acted in our world in ways we can understand? Now if this great Creative Spirit really loves us and wants us to know about him, wouldn't he have to do impossible things to get our attention and for us to know God is Lord of nature? What if someone walked on water, cured obvious ailments and diseases instantly, stopped storms, and raised the dead, just by speaking a word and all the while claim he was God?  Isn't that what it would take.That's what Jesus did and his disciples gave their lives in testimony that it's the truth.
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Again,  what if persons in the name of God predicted things impossible for us to know that really took place exactly as they said. Throughout the Bible we have such future events predicted sometimes centuries before they occur. All the events of Jesus first coming were fulfilled exactly as predicted--Jesus' virgin birth, sinless life, death for sinners, resurrection, Ascension into heaven, and all the while Jesus asked people to believe he was God's Son. Nothing like this is said of any other founder of any world religion.  Would this again show us what Jesus said is the truth?
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 "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). His apostle Peter said, "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). His apostle John said, "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). The Bible teaches simple faith in Christ alone as our sin bearer has been taught since the days of Jesus, Peter, John, and Paul until today. But human pride always tries to modify it in some way.

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People say faith in Jesus is to easy, we must perform some kind of good deed such as baptism, joining a church, keeping certain of God's laws. Stop and think! We human beings lie, steal, cheat, hate, abuse each other and sometimes murder. Have you ever done such things? How many times? If we're honest, we would have to admit more times than we can count. Do you seriously think we would do any different in Heaven than we do here and that our sins don't matter to God? Just joining a church, getting baptised, trying to be real good and to keep God's laws even if we knew what they are is not going to make us perfect people worthy of Heaven.
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What about trying God's plan of salvation? It's not what we do, but believing what God has done for us. God knows that we can't be perfect in ourselves, that our natural tendency is to always want our way over His way, that no good thing we could do could erase or cover all the bad things we do, and that evil must be justly punished, not excused or approved
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"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ (the anointed/Messiah)  to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God" (Romans 58-11, NLT). Just pray, God, I trust Your Son Jesus dying to pay for my sins on the cross and to be my Lord forever. Amen (So be it).

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Did Jesus Fulfill Prophecies of the Jewish Messiah?

          Did Jesus Fulfill Prophecies of the Jewish Messiah?

Several persons have claimed to be the Jewish Messiah. So a mere claim doesn't mean anything. The question is: what does the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) say about the Messiah?  Does it give identifying descriptions of the Messiah that people could recognize him when he appeared? And did it describe what the New Testament says about Jesus?
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What is required to confirm an actual fulfillment of a Bible Prophecy? The prophet's prediction made in the name of the Lord must come true as predicted, otherwise he is a false prophet. Short term predictions fulfilled during the time of persons living then confirmed a prophet as a true representative of God. For example, Samuel predicted twenty things that confirmed himself as a prophet and Saul's kingship that very day (1 Samuel 10:1-9). And later prophets must agree with former prophets known to be of God. In this way people living then and later can know the true prophets and believe their predictions. Consider Daniel's predictions 536 B.C. of the four world kingdoms. The fifth world kingdom is Messiah's rule and predictions pointing to it are converging in our day (Daniel 2:4b-7:28; 9:24-25, 69 weeks).
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Does what is said in the Tanakh of the Jew's Messiah point to Jesus? Understand this, there are 400 years between Malachi and Matthew, other prophets even centuries earlier. The Dead Sea scrolls  contain portions of all the books of the Tanakh except Esther written 200 years before Jesus. They have been compared with modern manuscripts and shown to agree almost letter for letter. Most of the differences being merely in the spelling of names. Now let's give an honest examination of the centuries between what the Tanakh says and what the Christian New Testament says about the Messiah showing whether he could be Jesus.
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.What are the signs the Jews were to look for to identify the coming Messiah?  He is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea, Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:1; the seed of a woman, Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4; 1 Jn. 3:8; a descendant of David, Jer. 23:5; Rom. 1:3-4; announced by a forerunner, Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:17; John 1:29; to perform miracles, Isa. 35:5-6; Matt. 11:4-6; to enter Jerusalem as king on a donkey, exact day predicted, Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:5; Daniel 9:20-27; to be acclaimed King of Jews, Ps. 2:6; John 18;3-37; be betrayed by a friend, Ps 41:9; John 13:18-21; sold for 30 pieces of silver, Zech. 11:12; Matt. 26:15; rejected by Israel,  Isa. 8:14; Luke. 2:34;  his hands & feet pierced, Ps. 22:16; John. 20:25; disciples forsake him, Zech. 13; Matt. 26:56;  to die for sinners, Isa 53:4-6, 10-12; Matt. 20:28; have no bones broken, Ps. 34:20; Jn. 19:36; cast lots for his clothes; Ps. 22:18; Mark 15;24; grave with the rich Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60; raised from death Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:25-28; ascend into heaven, Ps. 68:18; Luke 24:51. Most of Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 speaks of the Messiah and his suffering for the sins of the people. It describes crucifixion centuries before it was the means of Roman execution. And there are easily a hundred more fulfilled facts we didn't mention.
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No one could guess or artificially fulfill these Tanakh predictions of Israel's Messiah. Chances against their fulfillment in one person are impossible. God  make these things known to his prophets centuries before and brought them about. And no one after Jesus can claim to be the Messiah because Israel's birth records were destroyed with Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans in A.D. 70. No one but Jesus can show his descent from Abraham and David giving him right to be Israel's King (Matthew 1; Luke 3:23-38).
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Why then did the religious leaders of Jesus' day ignore predictions of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant? Because they only cared about the Reigning King Messiah to overthrow Rome's suppressive rule and they were envious of Jesus taking their place (Mark 15:10; John 11:48).

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What predictions did Jesus make demonstrating his deity and Messiah ship? There are 5,700 Greek N.T. manuscripts which show a thousand times more documentation than the few copies of the works of Aristotle, Plato, and the ancient classics dated centuries later. What man could make such predictions as the following? These are real historical events, not made up stories as critics like to have us believe.
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Jesus predicted this of himself and his followers. His apostles will be persecuted (Matt.10:17-23). All but John would be martyred for their faith (John 21:18). Jesus said he would die and rise three days later (Matt. 12:40). Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed (Matt. 24:22). Judas would betray him (Matt. 26:24). Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed (Matt. 26:24). His disciples would flee at his death (Matt. 26:31). Lazarus would be raised from the dead (John 11:4-40). The disciples who fished all night and caught nothing would catch fish on the other side of the boat (John 21:6). Who but God could know such things? And the Jews knew Jesus claimed to be God accusing him of blasphemy (Matt. 26:62-65; Luke 22:66-71; John 10:36).
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Now did Jesus predict things future in his day that would occur from his time until today? YES! His church will never be destroyed (Matt. 16:18). Enemies from his day until today have tried, but it still exists. The Word of God will abide forever (Matt 5:18). Bible burners and critics try to destroy it, but it's the world's best seller. The twelve apostles will reign with Jesus over the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). The Jews rejection of Jesus brings the Gentiles into his kingdom (Rom. 11:11-12, 25) .Christ may return anytime with his angels to reward his followers (Matt. 16:27).  Are you a follower of Jesus Messiah (Matt. 25:13)?
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This is Jesus' most serious prediction, warning, invitation. He made us for loving trusting fulfilling eternal relationship with Him. But love doesn't force, it invites. To reject Jesus Messiah is to choose outer darkness alone from the light and truth of God forever. Dear friend, won't you say, "I trust you Lord Jesus as my Messiah and Lord to take away my rebellion, guilt, and shame, and replace them with your love, forgiveness, purity and peace from this day and forever. I receive you as my God, Savior, Messiah, Lord. Thank You and praise You Lord Jesus, my Messiah and King (John 3:16-21; 14:6) .
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Can You Prove Jesus' Resurrection Is Only Fabrication?

      Can You Prove Jesus' Resurrection Is Only Fabrication?

Most persons dismiss it as a made-up ridiculous, impossible story. After all, how many cold stiff corpses have we seen arise from the dead? Such a miracle would be contrary to natural law. No scientific experiment has established such a thing. It must be a mistake or myth since the Bible has been translated multiple times and into many languages. But New Testament writers claim Bible Christianity stands or falls on it being fact (1 Corinthians 15:13-19). If true, it's implications couldn't be more crucial to humanity. So let's give the Christian claim our honest thoughtful consideration.

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There can be no  doubt Jesus died by crucifixion on the cross. In his trials, before both Roman and Jewish courts, he likely was deprived of food, drink, and sleep. The scourging was severe, tearing away his flesh. Some died from that alone. But also there was his carrying the cross in exhaustion, loss of blood from the crown of thorns to the nails in his feet. And His cry, "Father into your hands I commit my Spirit." The separation of water and blood from the spear piercing his side was conclusive proof. The soldiers trained in execution procedures didn't break his leg, for they knew he was already dead. Jesus' mother and disciple John stood by in grief witnessing his death. The soldiers gambled for his garments and took his naked body from the cross and  later gave it to the rich man, Joseph of Arimathaea, for burial in his stone tomb just outside Jerusalem. This was a sad day for Jesus' disciples thinking he was Messiah and King of Israel.

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The Jews and Romans in Jerusalem took steps to prevent any kind of deception about Jesus' claim to resurrection. "The leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told Him, 'Sir, we remember that deceiver once said while he was still alive. After three days I will rise from the dead. So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first. Pilate replied, Take guards and secure it the best you can." So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it?" (Matt. 27:62-65). Their precautions are actually what God used to demonstrate the resurrection of Jesus was an indisputable fact.

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The news about Jesus' death and resurrection was made known shortly after their supposed occurrence.  Dr. Luke, the companion of the apostle Paul, who wrote his earlier gospel now writes about the first 30 years of the church. He says of Jesus, "During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).
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On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, "People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip" (Acts 2:22-23). Peter preached this on Pentecost 50 days after Jesus' resurrection before people from surrounding nations. 
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Anyone could investigate Jesus' tomb just outside the city. The disciples who in fear had been locked  in the upper room now were joyously telling everyone--He's alive! He's Alive! And how could the religious leaders who plotted Jesus' death explain that at his death the earthquake, the darkness, the thick temple curtain torn from top to bottom, and the dead persons that came into the city (Matt. 27:51-54)? Five thousand men plus women and children became believers.
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The Apostle Peter wrote (2 Peter 1:16).  "We are not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes." Peter was referring to Jesus' transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-6. Tradition says Peter didn't think he was worthy to be crucified as his Lord and requested to be crucified upside down.
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In Acts 3:4 Peter healed a lame temple beggar and preached in the name of Jesus who the nation's leaders crucified and who God according to plan, raised from the dead. And that the people should turn from their sins to trust in Jesus who they crucified, but God raised from the dead. Peter said there was no one else God has given under heaven by which we must be saved. The high Jewish council put Peter and John in jail and commanded them never to preach Jesus and his resurrection. But they replied, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard"
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Apostle John wrote (1 John. 1:1-4). "We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy."  
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This is  not some religious man's opinions about what god is and can or cannot do (Acts 14:12-15), or what some politically correct politician thinks (Acts 26:8), or someone's claim an angel he alone saw, told me so (Gal. 1:8), or what some centuries later critic removed from the scene can believe (Col. 2:8). This is citing real historical events only historical eyewitness testimony can establish.

 What is real serious is what God says about it!  Acts 17:30-31 says "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he command everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."
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Apostle Paul wrote (1 Cor. 15:3-6 About A.D. 55). "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried,  and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one  time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. The apostles spoke before hostile witnesses who admitted they couldn't deny the events.
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Many of the hymns and creeds used by the first Christians are incorporated into the New Testament letters. Check out these Rom. 1:3-4; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:15-18; 1 Tim.3:16; 2 Tim. 2:8; 1 Pet. 3:18-22; 1 Jn. 4:2. Moreover, there are 5,700 early Greek manuscripts used to make modern translations, plus writings of the church fathers. This documented sources for the classic writings as of Plato, Aristotle, Caesar are only a few copies dated a 1,000 years after the time. Nor is Jesus' resurrection related to myths about about crops coming to life in the spring. Jews of Jesus' time believed in one ethical Creator God, not the pagan myths that came into prominence after his time. It seems the reason we sinners deny Jesus' death for our sins and his resurrection is that we think our sinful desires more important to us than the invitation of a loving, all-knowing God to save us from our deceptive, destructive beliefs and behavior. 
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Modern critics have tried to explain away the records but utterly failed. No we haven't seen any cold stiff corpses arise from the dead. But the only reason it would be impossible is if we assume no Creator of the universe and life exists who can raise the dead. Jesus' death and resurrection was in God's time, and not to be a daily affair (Gal. 4:4-5). And yes, it is contrary to natural law, but again if a God exists who upholds natural law, this would be His purpose and proof it is so. Scientific experiments are not the means of proving or disproving historical events. Documented eyewitness testimony is the means to do that. Remember too, the apostles were astonished even though Jesus told them many times he would die and rise again after three days. The first Christians were monothestic Jews who were willing to die in testimony it was true. Their traditional belief would condemn them to hell. But the religious leaders of Jesus' day had vested interests and plotted to murder Jesus even though they knew he raised Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:45-53).
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What can we conclude from all this? (1) Jesus claimed to be God many times and ways and his resurrection from the dead, in fact showed his claims and teaching are the truth and authority of God. (2) Jesus then is in fact the long awaited Jews Messiah, and the Savior of all who will believe, trust, depend on him for life eternal with God.  (3) Jesus said this to the human world facing the darkness of death and Hell, "I Am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this . . . ?" John 11:25-26)
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To seal assurance of your faith and avoid future doubts. Pray, Lord God, I'm a sinner ashamed of many things I have done that I know are wrong. But you promised me eternal life and to be with me and be my Guide in Godly living. I depend on you from now on throughout life and until you come for me or I die and go to you. Thank you Lord for making me your adopted child. See 1 John 5:11-13. You can now win others to our Lord by sharing these important articles WWW.  God bless you to bear spiritual fruit (Jn. 15 ) & people fruit (Matt. 4:19).

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Christian's Persecuter Becomes Christ's Preacher!

           Christian's Persecutor  Becomes  Christ's Preacher! 

What kind of believer are you? Are you a weak, shallow believer, or an intense, aggressive one? Are your beliefs inherited, passed on from your family and friends, and never questioned or thought through, or are they born of experience and of honest intense thought and conviction? Are your beliefs something you live by and would die for? Can you give evidence to substantiate them? Consider the amazing transformation that made Pharisee Saul of Tarsus into Paul, an Apostle or One Send by Christ.
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First, consider Saul of Tarsus--the Persecutor of Christians. As a Pharisee, educated under Gamaliel, and a Roman citizen, Saul had every advantage of becoming a great leader of his people.
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Consider Saul as persecutor.  After reciting Israel's history, to the Jew's governing council, Stephen, a man controlled by the Holy Spirit, accused them of disobeying God's law,  persecuting the prophets and murdering their Righteous Messiah. They shook their fists at him in rage. "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God and he saw Jesus standing in place of honor at God's right hand. They put their hands over their ears . . . and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. He shouted, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin! And with that, he died. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul" (Acts 7 & especially 52-59; Life Application Study Bible, NLT).

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"A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning). But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went." (Acts 8:1-4).  
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"Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them--both men and women--back to Jerusalem in chains" (Acts 9:1-2) .
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Consider Saul's amazing conversion. "As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him. 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?' "Who are you, lord? Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
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The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions let him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
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Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias" "Yes, Lord" he replied. The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again."
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"But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name." But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:3-13; see also 26:1-24).
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Consider Saul's elitist Jewish  credentials. "I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin--a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. Now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Phil. 3:5-7).
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Now consider Paul, as the Apostle of Christ. As a preacher of Christ, Saul used the name Paul and gave up his great opportunity and favor with his people. Like Moses, he turned his back and never looked back. Oh, what he had to endure for Christ and Christians as one sent to the Gentiles!
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Consider what Paul endured as Christ's preacher.  Let me summarize how Paul reluctantly  defends  himself against false apostles in the  Corinthian church. He worked harder--Jews lashed him five times with 39 stripes, three times beaten with rods, once stoned, three times shipwrecked, day and night drifted at sea, faced dangers from rivers and robbers, dangers in cities, deserts, and seas, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, and cold besides his burden for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-27). It seems God kept him alive and encouraged him with a vision of Heaven perhaps when stoned. But God allowed a demon to be a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble (2 Cor. 12:1-9).
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What Can We Conclude from all this? (1) Unlike the critics claims, all these details of names, places, conditions read like real historical events that launched the Christian church. See also 1 Cor. 15:1-10; Luke 1:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:16). (2) Christianity is based upon a real God who speaks and acts through His willing servants in our world. (3) Unlike Freud's claim that God is only the illusion of a Father's comfort and protection, Paul knew his God was real and showed it in everyday life. Christian families thrown to the lions in Caesars coliseum didn't know God as just an illusion. (4) Paul said, if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. . . . I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better (Phil. 1:22). How is it with YOU?
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What do you live for? Fame, wealth, family, entertainment, achievements? Won't death take them all away from you? Further, the Bible doesn't say how long we will live or that we won't have troubles (Rom. 8). But it does say God loves us even as imperfect, selfish, rebellious, sinners. And, God can transform us now, and take us to Heaven after death. A loving God respects our dignity and freedom of choice. We can have our way till the very end and go without God to abide in eternal darkness (John 3:16--21; 2 Thess. 2:13). Please don't let Satan steal, kill, and destroy the rich and satisfying life God is offering you right now (John 10:10).
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Won't you say, Lord Jesus, I've lived for myself and my desires. But I now realize your way of truth, love, and goodness is best for me. I turn from my way to trust in you to forgive and cleanse me from all sin and save me to live for you now and be with you one day in Heaven.  Now I want to learn your Word of how best to live for you, and to share my new faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord!
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