Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? What can we do to make it more meaningful? Read what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18. What fruits of repentance do our lives show? Have we made a change for the better? Do we share? Do we extort? Are we content with our wages? Let’s let our good works shine and give God the glory.
Slander in Churches
What do you do when the ethics in the church is worse than that of the world? What do you do when you are slandered in a church meeting, remembering that the word devil means slanderer? What do you do when you are lied about in church, remembering who is the father of lies? What do you do when bullies in the church engage in defamation of your character and toss you aside like unwanted trash? In far worse circumstances, Jesus remained silent and then said, Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.
Anointed
What does anointed really mean? People speak of anointed preaching, or anointed this or that? But what does it entail? In Mark 8:29-30 Jesus asked the disciples, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.' Christ means Messiah or anointed One. Like a king is anointed or appointed for office, so too was Jesus anointed to be king of kings. Yet his anointing entailed suffering and death. Are we willing to suffer or sacrifice our self interests so that others may live? That is the mark of a truly anointed Christian.
Is the Bible Inspired?
Is Scripture a menu or a complete package? What did Paul teach?
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
All does not mean just some, or the parts we like. Paul was obviously specifically referring to the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), summarized variously by well-known two or three divisions. New Testament writings also began to be recognized early on:
... Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15–16 KJV)
The core books of the Bible are agreed upon by all Christians. Peter confirmed how God inspired the Scripture to be written.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
All does not mean just some, or the parts we like. Paul was obviously specifically referring to the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), summarized variously by well-known two or three divisions. New Testament writings also began to be recognized early on:
... Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15–16 KJV)
The core books of the Bible are agreed upon by all Christians. Peter confirmed how God inspired the Scripture to be written.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV)
This counteracts the lie that the Old Testament was just myth and legend, made up by superstitious people. This infers the submissive will, personality and cooperation of the writer. As such, it is perfectly reasonable to call the Bible the Word of God.
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