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from pater father\ related by blood] 

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How I know the Bible comes from God

January 27 , 2002

It’s that time again when we all attempt to read through the Bible. We do need to know the Bible extremely well in order to "...be ready to give a defense to any one who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you..." (1 Pet.3:15). One motivation to study is the fact that the Bible is so solid in its proof of its origin. Consider the following:
NO MAN COULD HAVE WRITTEN THE BIBLE. There is too much honesty and self-incrimination in the Bible for it to have been written by a man. The Bible clearly exposes Adam and Eve for their weakness in falling to sin (Gen. 3). David' s affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of Uriah is openly discussed (2 Samuel 11). Solomon's digression into idolatry and sensuality is revealed (1 Kings 11). No, man did not write the Bible. God wrote it through men by means of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21).
THE BIBLE IS TOO ACCURATE IN PROPHECY. When we are talking about numerous details concerning Jesus' birth, life, death, or burial, the Bible declares these details centuries before they take place (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Micah 5:2; Isa. 53; Psa. 41:9). The Bible also describes the destruction of certain cities in detail (Tyre and Nineveh). The Bible had to come from God, for only God knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10).
THE BIBLE IS FLAWLESS. Alleged contradictions have always been proven wrong when it comes to the Bible. The Bible is seamless in its purpose from beginning to end. The Bible declares the glory of God and salvation of man through Jesus. This line of thought runs throughout the 66 books. Even though the men who were inspired to write the Bible did so over a period of 1600 years, in numerous geographic locations, separated by time and education, when the books come together, they are one.
Yes, the Bible is the "...once for all delivered to the saints..." faith which God wants us to have (Jude 3). Read it as if your life depended on it because it does. (DougPost)


Anger - What causes it?


Anger is an emotion that every person deals with on a regular basis. The question is, "What causes me to be angry?"

CAUSE #1--REGRET/GUILT OVER PAST ACTIONS.

Joseph, after he revealed himself to his brothers, admonished them, "...do not
be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; God sent me here before you to preserve life" (Gen. 45:3-5). Instead of focusing on the mistakes/failures of the past, we need to heed Paul's admonition, "...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on..." (Phil. 2:12-13).

CAUSE #2--RESENTMENT OR BITTERNESS.

Resentment is simply, "feelings of displeasure, or persistent feelings of ill will." Resentment is what fueled Jonah's anger towards God and the mercy shown Ninevah (Jonah 4:1-4,9). Feelings of resentment and bitterness exist because:
1. events take place that we do not appreciate or approve of.
2. attitudes exist/persist that we do not appreciate or approve of.
3. we selfishly do not get our way.

Paul admonishes, "do nothing from selfishness... do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).

CAUSE #3--AN UNFORGIVING HEART.

David said of his enemies, "...in anger they bear a grudge against me (Psa. 55:3). However, Jesus taught that a forgiving heart is a prerequisite of our being forgiven by God (Matt. 6:12-15; 18:35). Paul instructed, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph.4:31-32). (Doug)

Scripture for the Heart

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. For the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).

Friends, relish in the grace of God and let it motivate you to His service. His grace ought to compel us to be all that we can be for the Lord. Remember, His grace is free to all but it is conditioned upon an obedient faith (Hebrews 5:9). May God’s grace motivate you to live faithfully. (Doug)