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Faith comes from hearing (studying) God's word (Romans 10:17). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The problem is, not any faith will do. Faith in a general sense is the set of convictions we have accumulated by considering and accepting evidence. It works the same in every venue. I have faith I will return to the Czech Republic to study and worship again with my brothers and sisters there. Why do I believe that? Well, my health is still good, we are not at war with the Czechs, airlines still fly to that part of the world, etc. If any one of these facts proved not true, faith that I will return would probably go out the window. Many have faith in God the Father, and Jesus the Son. Their faith was formed by the training they received about the existence of divinity and what God wants. My faith, and yours, was formed that way. But, is my faith what God wants? Is my faith built upon what God has revealed in His will, the Bible? Today, there are thousands of denominations of Christianity, and more are being created almost daily. Would God approve? What is my faith built upon? God's will, or man's? Not any faith will do. God's will mixed with the will of man is no longer God's will. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Lack of knowledge is a serious challenge to the faith of many. Since faith is essential to pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), and faith comes only by the study and understanding of God's revealed word (Romans 10:17), it behooves each of us to work on building faith. Unfortunately, many of the Lord's disciples are not spending much time in serious, personal Bible study. They lack the skills to dig out the message and properly interpret it. God said in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Shall we be like God's people in Hosea's time? More >>
Atheism is eroding faith in Christ, ours and our children's, and taking over our country. It is hard to estimate the seriousness of the challenge of atheism in our country, which for so long has been known as a Christian nation. Atheism is the core belief of humanism, a godless religion that is persistently tightening its grip on our land. I fear humanism is a stronger, more dangerous evil than we have imagined. Why? Two fundamental reasons. More >>
New Age humanism has become a relentless force against Christianity.
When it became known, Oprah Winfrey's view of Christianity shocked many. Her online series interviewing Eckhart Tolle and reviewing his book, A New Earth, in 2008 began with an audience of tens of thousands; some reports claimed over 500,000. As the course started, a lady in Oprah's studio audience stood up and asked if the teaching was what is called New Age. She added that she was a Christian, and it seemed obvious she had been warned against New Age teaching. Oprah answered rather indirectly. Speaking of Tolle's New Age teaching, she said, "If you are a Christian, but do not believe your way is the only way, it will only enhance you." More >>
Personal apathy is the most devastating of all challenges to our faith. Belinda, a woman married for a number of years, confided that she was leaving her marriage to Howard because she felt no commitment. Her husband was a nice man and denied her little, but at the same time, he was apathetic and indifferent. He seemed to avoid feeling passionate about anything, even his wife, and thus a chasm of emptiness and silence grew between them over the years. Belinda, hopeless for quite sometime that things would change, had finally given up completely. Apathy and indifference, not caring one way or the other, lacking passion, an unwillingness to invest in relationships, self-absorption, and disaffection are the guarantors of a lonely, uninspiring even hopeless existence.
Extreme apathy and hopelessness lead many to suicide. One every 16.7 minutes, one old person every More >>
The ONLY defense against all of the challenges Satan hurls at our faith is the sword of the Spirit, the divine word of God. We must build faith by systematic Bible study, and pray for the courage and wisdom to overcome each challenge that comes.
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* Bible Study for Joy and Profit will help you mine and apply the great spiritual truths found in God's Word, the Bible!
* Oprah's New Age Church? is evidence of the pervasive humanistic inroads being made into Christianity by those who claim self as god and anyone's belief is truth.
* Get Ready, Get Set, I Do! is an effective self-help guide for those who realize a strong marriage and strong faith in Christ go hand in hand.
* Putting Off and Putting On shows how to discipline your thinking and behavior for God. Strong faith depends upon godly living.
Now you can choose a book highlighting scriptural teaching that will help you strengthen your faith or the faith of one you love. Visit ClarionWord.com! |
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