Please read Minimizing the Bible and the Glory of Jesus Christ, by John Piper, at One Place.











"I have no desire to naively equate the cultural conglomerate of western Christianity with the true, spiritual body of Christ. I can appreciate avoiding the word "Christian" in a missions context where it signifies: degenerate, materialistic, immodest western religion. And I realize that most of the ways we "do church" are culture specific rather than biblically mandated. But there are other questions that trouble me:
 
"1) Are the essentials of biblical faith embraced by new converts to Christ, and do they make them known in love to others? For example, do they embrace and make known that the Bible is the only inspired and infallible written revelation of God, and that Christ is God and was crucified for sin and raised from the dead above all authority?

"2) Are the former religious behaviors of converts to Christ, which they may retain, communicating regularly a falsehood about what the convert means and believes?

"3) Are words being used by converts that mislead people rather than make the truth plain? Are missionaries and converts following Paul's commitment to candor:

but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:2

"Among all the undeserving sinners in the world, there are those whom God has
"given to Jesus." These are those whom God has drawn to the Son. These are Christians—people who have "received" Jesus as the crucified and risen Savior and Lord and Treasure of their lives. Jesus says he wants them to be with him."


Please read What Does Jesus Want for Christmas, by John Piper, at Bible Study Tools.







But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,   
John 1:12

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.   
John 3:17

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life ; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.   
John 6:35

No one can come to Me unless  the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.    
John 6:44 

For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.
John 6:65

I am the good shepherd ; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  
John 10:11

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"   
John 20:28

Please read Coins Depicting Jesus Uncovered at Christian Telegraph.












"In what appears to be a “very significant” discovery of Art and Art History from the 1st century A.D., historian, historical archaeologist, and imaging inventor Dr. Ronald Stewart, Th.D., Ph.D., is stating that he has possibly uncovered hand-struck coins minted sometime between 33-47 A.D., which have images and depictions of Jesus Christ—many which correlate to well-known Biblical events, reports Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries..."

"...Prior to this unique discovery, the earliest known depiction of the face or likeness of Jesus Christ was in 235 A.D., in what is known as “The Healing of the Paralytic. This has long been a concern for believers (and others), insofar as there were no (extant) drawings, painting, or other images of Jesus for the 200 years immediately after Christ's death."

Click here to download the pdf file, Archaeology-Notes, Art-History, & Earth-Sciences, Volume I, 2013.

Inspired by God's Wild Ride, DR Tony Evans, The Urban Alternative, at One Place.








"Sometimes God puts us on a wild ride. Life seems to be out of our control. At times, God allows these situations because He knows they will move us closer to Him and when we get closer to Him, we will discover that He is more than we ever imagined Him to be."

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD. Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?" Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.   

Psalm 4

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life - and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us - what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.    

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.    

1 John 1