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!
Chance, Destiny, Luck And Faith In God: Which Of These Rules Our Life?
Do Destiny, Chance And Luck Control Our Lives?
In Ecclesiastes 9:11, we read, "I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."
At first glance, this could be interpreted to mean that man is subject to destiny, luck and happenstance. That chance and luck rule us whether we have faith in God or not. And if that is the case, those of us with "bad luck" might as well throw in the towell, right? After all, the Lord is the One who determines when and where we are born (Acts 17:26). So, what good is there in struggling to have faith in God if, when all is said and done, it all depends on a stroke of luck? Excellent question. That's the million dollar question to which we're asking a specific answer, because Ecclesiastes 9:11 might be depressing, discouraging and disheartening...rightfully so, if we don't know what the rest of the Bible says on the subject.
Although it is true that luck and chance exert their influence, we'd do well to remember there is One who is above their rule. There is One who has control over luck and chance. We read, "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." (Proverbs 16:3). Now then, it's important we not confuse the consequences we might suffer if we make bad decisions. What we're talking about is that mysterious force called "luck" and "chance". Yes. While we are subject to them, they are subject to the authority of God. And for that very reason, we'd do well to walk with Christ. That is being wise. Let's look at some real life examples.
Faith In God Conquers Luck And Chance
Let's use Ruth as an example of the power of faith in God. It was Ruth's "lot" in life to be born a Moabitess. And the Moabites were forbidden to enter the congregation of Israel, God's people (Deuteronomy 23:3). But when Ruth converted to the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16), she ceased to be a Moabitess. She became an Israelite, and God Himself who punished the Moabites, welcomed Ruth...a woman born a Moabitess. What's more is that Ruth came to be one of the ancestors of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 1:5-6). What a transformation! Ruth went from being the victim of luck and chance to being one of the Savior's ancestors.
Another Example Of The Power Of Faith To Dictate Our Destiny
Some of the men Jesus called to be apostles were fishermen. Let's read about when some of His apostles realized they were at the mercy of a storm.
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full. And he"--Jesus--"was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow. And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:37-41).
Just as we cannot control the sea or the wind, we cannot control luck and chance that--by the way--sometimes behave as though they were the sea and wind in a storm. But when we serve the One who does indeed control everything, we come out victorious. The fact that Jesus had called them to be His disciples didn't mean they would cease to be subject to the power of luck and chance...to the power of the storm. Any fisherman, whether he has faith in God or not, has to deal with the dangers of the trade. But, the fisherman who has faith in God has Christ when the storm unleashes. We cannot handle luck, chance and the storm in our own strength. That is why it is good for us that Jesus always be in the boat with us.
And notice that only after Jesus rebuked the wind and sea did they realize the Lord Himself was with them. That He was more powerful than luck, chance and the storm. That they had to have Him. That certainly was a good thing...wonderful news.
Whether luck or chance appears to have it in for us or not, we are okay as long as we are in Christ, and Christ in us, who fulfills God's promise in Romans 8:28, which says, "And we know that ll things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Blessed be the God of Israel forever and ever.
Recommended Christian E-book
The Truth about Near Death Experiences
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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