Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
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¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
Hope For the Discouraged Christian
Although Christianity has spread to almost every land in the world, there are still many places where it's not the religion of the majority. Many believers in Christ who live in countries of Asia, Africa, and eastern Europe compose a religious minority that often faces persecution. While it's good to know that many of these believers offer Christian encouragement to one another, it should be remembered that numerous believers live somewhat isolated lives.
Biblical Passages Offering Much Hope for the Discouraged Christian
In nations where the number of Christians is very small, a follower of Christ may not know any other believers with whom he may fellowship for mutual support. Unfortunately, such a scenario of the lone Christian living in the midst of hostility and danger isn't confined to behind what was once dubbed the "iron" and "bamboo" curtain.
Evangelical Christian preachers in Paris, France have recently experienced a taste of the fury that preaching repentance will stir. Again, such followers of Christ are few in number and in need of Christian encouragement from their brethren. They simply must be willing to sometimes accept being an outcast and odd ball. Many of these dedicated servants of the Lord Jesus are willing, but weariness of such a bleak situation eventually sets in, which opens the door to depression.
Evangelical Christians in the West, particularly in the United States and Canada do not tend to have such concerns. One would consider the freedom of religion and vast number of churches of various denominations that exist here. Why would an North American Christian ever find himself isolated from his brethren in Christ? It's becoming more and more unpopular to mention the Bible or speak anything of Christ outside of a church in daily conversation. People become silent, uneasy, hostile, and utterly surprised as though a bad word had been said.
Christians in America who understand that being a true follower of Christ is not found in church attendance or membership while living however they please, can quickly find themselves the object of hatred and scorn. The chief difference in the American scenario is that hostilities against the believer often come from others who claim to be Christians. Both situations were plainly and repeatedly predicted by the son of God who said in St. John 16:2 that, "they shall put you out of the synagogues, yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." He also warned in Matthew 10:22 that, "...ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake..."
There's no situation on which the Bible doesn't speak. What hope for the discouraged Christian who appears to be left all alone int he midst of enemies does God's word offer? One of the Lord's most dedicated servants clamored to him in fear, desperation and frustration. He asked God to consider the trouble he was in and the gloom of the predicament of being the only believer among bitter foes. What was the Lord's response? He first corrected is servant's assumption that he was the only one in the land living in righteousness. A man of great faith had temporarily fallen into walking by his natural sight which saw no other believers nearby--but God saw them.
In spite of the rampant evil and rejection of Christ worldwide, seldom is there only one person in a land that lives in obedience to him. This realization can be the first step towards God's introduction of brothers and sisters in Christ into the seemingly isolated Christian's life.
The scripture of Romans 11:2-4 reads, "wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? (How) he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets and digged down thine altars. And I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to the image of Ba'al" (an idol god widely worshiped in the land). This is God's Christian encouragement and his offering of hope for the discouraged Christian.
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More articles in Christian Encouragement.
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
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