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!
Problems in the Church Today
The problems in the church today, particularly in the United States of America, include gross failure to deal with the hard topics of real-life, a practice of quenching the Spirit during worship, lack of understanding of the scriptures even on the part of the leaders, and pastor worship. To this list can be added: infiltration of demonic doctrines, pride, and an agenda based on traditions and man's will.
No Real Answers for Real Problems
Numerous churches have so few members that not even the pews on one side of the building fill up for worship service on Sunday or any other day of the week, including holidays. Among the few members who do attend, there is a gross under-representation of people aged 35 thru 55. The majority of parishioners are children, traditional college students, and senior citizens, unless speaking of a mega church with thousands of members. This is one of the many problems in the church today. Never should there be an entire age group practically non-existent in a Christian church. However, much of what should not be, is; and much of what is, should not be. Many children, teens, and very young adults have not yet experienced hardship, disappointment and mysterious problems in life--problems for which there seems to be no solution. Many senior citizens are no longer concerned with things that used to concern them when they were younger. This leaves that group of mature adults who are no longer babies, but also who are not yet elderly. Many have made bad decisions and mistakes in life, or simply have been flung into the whirlwind that life appears to be sometimes for a period of years. Although some of the people of this age group don't want answers from God if it means being obedient to His word, some do, but they are not finding real answers for their real problems. There are basically two reasons why this is one of the many problems in the church today. Christians, including many who claim to be devout followers of Christ, do not possess understanding even of the rudiments of the Christian faith. Part of the reason they can spend a lifetime attending church and Bible studies and yet remain without understanding is because of a lack of real concern for the suffering of others, including their brethren in Christ.
Quench Not the Spirit
The scripture of 1 Thessalonians says, "Quench not the Spirit." The same scripture in the Living Bible Paraphrased reads, "Do not smother the Holy Spirit." It has been said before that God is a "gentleman," not forcing anyone to accept communion and fellowship with him. On the contrary, we are told to show our desire for him by cooperating with him. Man is told to, "Draw nigh (close) to God, and he will draw night to you" (James 4:8).
Jesus said, "God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (St. John 4:24). Another one of the serious problems in the church today is that worship of God is done in formality, tradition, rigidity, and stuffiness--not in spirit. In Exodus 15:20 we read, "And Miriam he prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." We do not read that they sat or stood stiff in place to worship the Lord. Why then do so many in numerous Christian churches sit like they are afraid to even clap their hands in worship to God? They quench the Spirit and then wonder why there's an emptiness in what is supposed to the house of God.
The Worship of Pastors
The term "pastor worship" has come to be understood as a reference to holding the agenda of the leader/s of the Christian church above the agenda of God revealed in scripture. This is yet another one of the very serious and shameful problems in the church today. Numerous believers will readily claim belief in the scriptures of the Bible. However, if the words of their pastor conflict with the word of God, often the pastors' word wins out. This is nothing short of pastor worship, which is nothing short of idolatry.
Demonic Doctrines
Among the problems in the church today that are literally destroying the body of believers is the crafty infiltration of demonic doctrines. Far too many Christians are more concerned with being politically correct and accepted by the mainstream than with pleasing God. Therefore, much of what is not Christian is allowed to fellowship with what is to belong exclusively to God. In his warnings to the church of Pergamons, Jesus said, "...I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel..." (Revelation 2:14).
The acceptance of demonically influenced materials and ideas such as that of Harry Potter by "Christians" is just one example of how the church is embracing what is not of God.
Pride and a Haughty Spirit
Two Christian ladies once offered to visit another Christian lady, a licensed missionary, who lived in a nursing home. The ladies suggested the sharing of scripture take place during their visit. The response of the missionary was one of resentment that people who don't hold a piece of paper saying that they're a missionary would dare suggest sharing the word of God with her. In her mind, they should not attempt to teach her the Bible, though that was neither the intention nor the suggestion of either of the ladies.
Many pastors, ministers, missionaries, elders, and evangelists, who are these things in name only, place a great amount of pride in a piece of paper that was issued by man instead of humbling themselves before the only one who ordains--the Lord Jesus. These types of serious problems in the church today are why they are empty, whether their emptiness is in membership, in spirit, or in both. God, however, will not be "cheated." We are reminded that John the Baptist reminded legalistic and stuffy, religious leaders of Israel that God is able to raise up stones who will truly worship him in spirit and do his will (Matthew 3:9). Despite the many serious problems in the church today, we are not left without hope as long as our hope and obedience are in and to Christ.
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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