100 REASONS TO LOVE GOD

People will tell you why they love chocolate, or why they love cheese or why they love shopping. Some love certain activities and many are just in love with themselves. We talk of material things because we have an interest in them. Some talk of their friends because they love them; their joys and their sorrows, their memories and sometimes significant life experiences are bound up with them. Their is a closeness they feel towards them. 

Yet we have infinitely greater reason to love God than to love our earthly friends or anything else for that matter. 

Our love for Him should spring from an appreciation of His character. With that in mind, let's consider just a few reasons to love God.

100 REASONS TO LOVE GOD

  1. All the good things that happen in life are the result of His providence

  2. All the bad things that happen in life can be made beautiful only by Him

  3. Ask Him any question and He will know the answer.

  4. Another day is yours to live because He ordains it.

  5. Before you and I were born, he planned for our success

  6. Beauty of character is revealed in His words and actions.

  7. Being blamed for evil and misunderstood by many He still continues to love

  8. Black people, white people and all people are the same to Him

  9. Because He first loved us.

10. Contacting Him is easy.

11. Christ is His Son and they with the Holy Spirit work together for our salvation

12. Crisis becomes no crisis when we trust in Him.

13. Compassion is one of His character qualities.

14. Death is no match for Him and He will destroy it someday soon.

15. Distance cannot keep Him from loving you.

16. Darkness cannot hurt you if He is present with you.

17. Decisions to do right are encouraged and made possible by Him

18. Excellence of character is something He can develop in anyone who desires it.

19. Everything pure and right and wonderful has its origin in Him

20. Emptiness of heart is not possible in a relationship with Him

21. Eternal life is the bright future He wants to give to everyone who wants it.

22. Freedom to choose is respected by Him.

23. Flowers and fragrances were His ideas.

24. Feelings and emotions are understood by Him.

25. Fear is banished in His presence.

26. God is love

27. Goodness is always revealed by Him

28. Graves will be empty someday because of Him

29. Grace is available from Him.

30. He is the Creator

31. His thoughts and feelings toward you are always good and right.

32. Health and true happiness are possible because of Him and not without Him.

33. Hope is in His words and in His disposition towards you.

34. Impossibilities are possibilities with Him.

35. Inspiration of the Bible writers came from Him and is available to you too.

36. Intercession of Christ for you in the heavenly sanctuary is accepted by Him

37. Invitations to be delivered from sin are continually being offered by Him

38. Jesus Christ is the perfect representation of Him

39. Jubilee for those in debt is His idea

40. Kindness is one of His character qualities

41. Kneeling or standing you can talk to Him.

42. Knowledge is something He’s always willing to share

43. Keeping His commandments pleases Him and He helps you do it.

44. Love is the motive for all His words and actions

45. Life has meaning and purpose because of Him..

46. Light and truth can be received from Him without money.

47. Law and grace are both from Him. Neither does away with the other.

48. Money cannot buy Him, change Him or convince Him.

49. Millions have been helped by Him

50. Mercy is His delight.

51. Mastering difficulties is what you can be doing at any time with His help.

52. New beginnings are always possible with Him.

53. Nothing can separate you from His love except your choice to separate.

54. No one can love and care for you like Him.

55. Never will He forget about you.

56. Only He can give you the gift of immortality at the return of Jesus Christ

57. Overcoming sin is inspired by Him and made possible by His grace.

58. Oppression is not His style.

59. Open communication with Him is so easy and so helpful.

60. Options are always available to you as far as he is concerned.

61. People are the focus of His love.

62. Promises made by Him are never broken.

63. Power to change lives is in His possession.

64. Practical life-saving principles are what he teaches.

65. Quietness is appreciated by Him.

66. Quarrels are not necessary with Him.

67. Quitting the war against sin and wrong never enters His mind.

68. Questions from Him often contain great answers.

69. Reality is what it is because of Him.

70. Running away is not an option for Him.

71. Right is always right with Him even when the whole world is wrong.

72. Resting is easy when He’s in control of your life.

73. Sin, suffering and sorrow will soon be permanently eradicated by Him.

74. Selfishness has no part in Him.

75. Sacrificing Himself for you is worth it to Him.

76. Salvation for you is a must for Him.

77. Solutions to problems are always available in Him.

78. Time has no control over him.

79. Truth originates with Him and He never lies.

80. Tricks cannot fool Him, traps cannot deceive Him.

81. Trust in Him is justified.

82. Ten Commandments are one of the many ways He reveals His character.

83. Untangling lives is His specialty

84. Universal harmony is His desire and will.

85. Unmistakable clarity is in His words.

86. Unity in diversity in Christ is His desire for the world.

87. Variety is another one of the ways He expresses Himself

88. Value that is infinite is what He places upon every human being.

89. Vanity has nothing to do with His decisions.

90. Vitality and energy are restored by Him when His laws of health are obeyed.

91. Wealth cannot compare to Him nor replace Him.

92. Wisdom comes from Him.

93. Whenever He is near you are safe.

94. Wickedness is not in Him.

95. Xenophobia and any other phobia can be completely cured by His love.

96. Yearnings for love are satisfied by Him.

97. Yelling and screaming aren’t necessary with Him.

98. Yesterday will never be forgotten by Him.

99. You will always be a priority for Him.

100. Zeal for living comes as a result of close friendship with Him

 Love for God is essential for life and health. In order to have perfect health our hearts must be filled with hope and love and joy. On one occasion when Jesus was speaking to a man, He revealed the secret of true happiness to the man: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37) 

If you have not done so already

 or if you have backslidden toward the world and are now worldly...

you can have a new beginning with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life right now.

Pray like this - Father in heaven, I am a sinner and I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior right now and I ask you to give me a new heart. New motives, new desires and new purposes that will be in harmony with your law of 10 commandments. I thank you and praise you for the forgiveness of my sins and for causing me to be born again right now, In Jesus, name, amen.

© 2012 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

BEING SHALLOW IS NOT AS REWARDING AS DIGGING DEEPER - ARCHAEOLOGY CONFIRMS THE BIBLE - FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW - 1C

It won 5 Academy awards and remains one of the highest profit earning movies ever made. Its popularity and success led to 3 additional movies, a television series and at least 15 video games. It is included in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark put archaeology on the local map of people's imaginations as it unfolded on screen the exciting story of an adventurous archaeologist.

ARCHAEOLOGY CONFIRMS BIBLE HISTORY

A hundred years ago there were learned critics who claimed that the Bible was full of historical blunders. Today the situation has changed dramatically. 

The discoveries of archaeology in Bible lands have validated the confidence that many have in the historical accuracy of Holy Scriptures. Much of the culture as well as evidence of the various time frames and actual places where many of the Bible characters traveled and lived are being unearthed.

The ‘Middle East’ was the birth-place of the Bible, and the cradle of the human race. Ancient nations – Egypt, Assyria, Phoenicia, Babylon and Persia were clustered there. The Bible narratives are knitted at a thousand points to the history of these nations.

The Middle East has therefore become a gigantic museum, over stuffed with the relics of ancient eras. This region is also an enormous library. Beneath the sands, and on the stony faces of its weather beaten monuments are preserved chronicles of the nations of the past.

This library, the oldest and biggest in the world, with its clay tablets and cylinders, its rolls of papyrus, its scraps of broken pottery and its slabs of stone, is also a huge treasury, prepared by the hands of men long dead, filled with evidence of the historical accuracy of the sacred Scriptures, and preserved by God and needed for our time.

EARLY WRITING AND THE BIBLE

Cuneiform script is one of the earliest known forms of written expression. The cuneiform writing system was in use for more than 35 centuries, through several stages of development, from the 34th century BC down to the 1st century AD. It was completely replaced by alphabetic writing (in the general sense) during the Roman era and there are no Cuneiform systems in current use. Cuneiform documents were written on clay tablets, by means of a blunt reed for a stylus.

As archaeologists have discovered these clay tablets and inscriptions, more and more of the history recorded in the Bible is being certified as correct.

Here are a few examples of names, places and events in Bible history which have been verified by the cuneiform tablets of archaeology.

1. NOAH AND THE FLOOD - Deluge Tablet – The Epic of Gilgamesh records a Babylonian account of a flood

2. VARIOUS LAWS GOVERNING SOCIETIES INCLUDING THE 10 COMMANDMENTS  - Law tablets – ancient Near East legal tablets: Code of Hammurabi, Laws of Eshnunna, the Code of Ur-Nammu, king of Ur (ca. 2050 BC), the Laws of Eshnunna (ca. 1930 BC) and the codex of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin (ca. 1870 BC). Later codes than Hammurabi's include the Code of the Nesilim. Hittite laws, the Assyrian laws, and Mosaic Law / Ten Commandments. (see Cuneiform law)

3. EXISTENCE OF ISRAEL'S BIBLICAL ENEMIES - Ugaritic religious texts – (14th – 12th century BC?) verifies the account of Philo, preserved by Eusebius, regarding the Canaanite religion.

4. EXISTENCE OF THE PROPHET WHO TALKED WITH THE DONKEY - Balaam inscription (c. 840–760 BC) 9th or 8th century BC inscription about a prophet named Balaam (cf. the Book of Numbers).

5. EXISTENCE OF KING HEZEKIAH - Siloam inscription – Records the construction of Hezekiah's tunnel in the 8th century BC 

6. EXISTENCE OF ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE JESUS HEALED - Pool of Bethesda – in the nineteenth century, archaeologists discovered the remains of a pool exactly matching the description in John’s Gospel.

7. PLAGUES OF EGYPT - Ipuwer Papyrus (c. 13th century BC) – ancient papyrus manuscript describing Egypt as afflicted by natural disasters and in a state of chaos. Statements such as "the River is blood" have been interpreted by some as an Egyptian account of the Plagues of Egypt described in the Book of Exodus in the Bible.

8. ISRAEL THE PEOPLE OF GOD - Merneptah Stele (c. 1209/1208 BC).- one of the earliest known references to Israel or to the Israelites. The Merneptah Stele, dated to about 1206 B.C.E. and now housed at the Cairo Museum, offers the earliest historical evidence of a people called Israel.

9. EXISTENCE OF THE HEBREW PEOPLE - Gezer calendar (10th century BC) – calendar from the Biblical city of Gezer. It is one of the oldest known examples of Hebrew writing.

10. EXISTENCE OF AMMON - ANCIENT ENEMY OF ISRAEL - Amman Citadel Inscription – 9th century BC inscription in the Ammonite language, one of the few surviving written records of Ammon.

11. BOOK OF JEREMIAH - Seal of Jehucal – (9th century BCE ?) Jehucal or Jucal is mentioned in chapters 37 and 38 of the Book of Jeremiah where King Zedekiah sends Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah saying `Please pray for us to the Lord our God` (Chapter 38 verse 3).

12. EXISTENCE OF KING AHAB -  Kurkh Monolith (c. 859–824 BC) - British Museum – names King Ahab of Israel, erected by Shalmaneser III to commemorate the Battle of Karkar, which Ahab participated in along with many other regional leaders.

13. EXISTENCE OF KING NEBUDCHADNEZZAR -  Babylonian Chronicles (c. 747–247 BC) – dealing with Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem, etc. (see Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC), Zedekiah and Book of Kings, Book of Jeremiah, Lamentations.)

14. EXISTENCE OF KING AHAZ -  King Ahaz's Seal (732 to 716 BC) – Ahaz was a king of Judah but "did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had done" (2 Kings 16:2; 2 Chronicles 28:1). He worshiped idols and followed pagan practices. "He even made his son pass through fire, according to the abominable practices of the nations" (2 Kings 16:3). Ahaz was the son and successor of Jotham.

15. CAPTIVES OF JUDAH - Lachish relief – portion of the Sennacherib relief, which depicts captives from Judah being led into captivity after the fall of Lachish in 701 BC

16. SIEGE OF JERUSALEM - Taylor Prism – a clay prism inscribed with the annals of the Assyrian king Sennacherib notable for describing his siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC during the reign of king Hezekiah. This event is recorded in several books contained in Bible including Isaiah chapters 33 and 36; 2 Kings 18:17; 2 Chronicles 32:9.

17. OLD TESTAMENT IN THE BIBLE -  Ketef Hinnom priestly blessing – Probably the oldest surviving texts currently known from the Hebrew Bible – Priestly blessing dated to 600 BC. Text from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Described as "one of most significant discoveries ever made" for biblical studies

18. KING CYRUS & BIBLE PROPHECY - Cylinder of Cyrus (c. 559 BC-530 BC) - British Museum – regarding King Cyrus's treatment of religion, which is significant to the books of Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah.

19. KING BELSHAZZAR AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD - Cylinder of Nabonidus (555–539 BC) - British Museum – proves Belshazzar's existence. See Daniel 5; 7:1; 8:1. Daniel 5 describes Belshazzar's Feast where a hand was seen writing on the wall of the chamber a mysterious sentence mene mene tekel upharsin.

20. NEHEMIAH - RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM AND BIBLE PROPHECY -  Elephantine papyri, ancient Jewish papyri dating to the 5th century BC, name three persons mentioned in Nehemiah: Darius II, Sanballat the Horonite and Johanan the high priest.

21. ISRAEL'S REBELLION AGAINST AND APOSTASY FROM GOD - Proof of Israels apostasy from God -The Bible records the history of Israels frequent apostasy from God to worship the idol gods of nations around them. 

22. THE NEW TESTAMENT - Portions of the New Testament made on papyrus and some of the earliest proof of the original text. More than 120 are known and housed at various institutions around the world.

These examples confirm that the authenticity of the Bible is being established in these last days of earth's history as God continues to make intelligent appeals to the minds and hearts of human beings. Sufficient evidence is given for the honest in heart who sincerely wish to know the truth regarding the great issues of life; origin, purpose, destiny and eternity. 

Where we came from, where we are and where we are going. 

It begins with Jesus Christ.

His love, sacrifice and desire for you are revealed in the Bible.

This study will be continued in the next part of this Bible Study series 

"Facts You Need To Know" 1D.

REFERENCES:

The Holy Bible and-

(1) Israel Museum - http://www.imj.org.il/imagine/galleries/archaeologyE.asp

(2) University of Chicago Oriental Institute - https://oi.uchicago.edu/museum/galleries/

(3) NOVA - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/archeology-hebrew-bible.html

(4) Hecht Museum - http://mushecht.haifa.ac.il/archeology/cronological_eng.aspx

(5) Museums of Florence (Italy) - http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/Museum_of_archaeology.html

(6) Houghton Library at Harvard - http://www.hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/collections/papyrus/bibliographies.cfm

(7) British Archaeology at the Ashmolean Museum - http://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/ also see

http://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/resources/resources-index.html and 

Museum of Art and Archaeology University of Oxford - http://cdli.ucla.edu/collections/ashmolean/ashmolean.html

(8) University of Oslo Library (Norway) - http://ub-fmserver.uio.no/home.php

(9) Yale University (Babylonian Collection) - http://nelc.yale.edu/babylonian-collection

(10) National Library of Russia - Greek Manuscripts - http://www.nlr.ru/eng/coll/manuscripts/greek.html

© 2012 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

DNA EVIDENCE OF GOD'S EXISTENCE - COMPUTER AND CELL PHONES CANNOT CREATE THEMSELVES - FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW - 1B

THIS LAPTOP COMPUTER CREATED ITSELF AND SELECTED THE NAME DELL FOR ITSELF.

TRUE OR FALSE

There are some people who sincerely believe it possible for computers and complex non-living machines to make themselves. These misguided individuals believe in greater miracles than those recorded in the Bible. Computers would not exist if there were no intelligent mind to invent and design them. Computers could not be programmed without the intelligence of a mind creating the instructions. Accidents and mutations don't make computers. This is a fact that no one needs a college degree to understand. The human body is even more complex than a computer and if accidents and mutations don't make computer chips then they most certainly do not create create human cells. One Bible writer acknowledged the true Creator of life and the Designer of the human body.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalms 139:14)

DNA carries the inheritance code in living things. It is like a microscopic computer with a built in memory. DNA stores a tremendous number of “blueprints,” and at the right time and place, it issues orders for distant parts of the body to build its cells and structures. Inside the DNA is the total of all the genetic possibilities for a given species. This is called the gene pool of genetic traits. It is also called the genome. 

The human body has about 100 trillion cells. Inside each cell in your body is a nucleus. In the nucleus of each cell are 46 chromosomes. Inside the chromosomes are genes. Inside the genes is the complicated chemical structure we call DNA. Each gene has a thousand or more such DNA units within it. In the chromosomes of each cell are about 10 billion DNA molecules. Each molecule is a spiral ladder and scientists also call them base pairs.

SEQUENCES AND CODES

It is the sequence of chemicals within these base pairs that provides the instructional code for your body. That instructional code oversees all your heredity and many of your metabolic processes. Without DNA neither you nor anything else on earth could live. Within each DNA molecule is an incredible information file. consisting of only four different building blocks (A, G, C, and T). These are arranged in basic code units of three factors per unit (A-C-C, G-T-A, etc.). This provides 64 basic code units. Each code continues on for millions of “letter” units. Each unit is made of a special chemical. Millions of separate codes can be sequentially constructed with these chemicals. Each code determines one of the many millions of factors in your body, organs, brain, and all their functions. If just one code were missing, we would be in serious trouble.


There are more than 16,000 nucleotides in one human mitochondrial DNA molecule.
A nucleotide is a complex chemical structure composed of a (nucleic acid) purine or pyrimidine, one sugar (usually ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphoric group. Each one of the thousands of nucleotides within each DNA is aligned sequentially in a very specific order ! Imagine 3 billion complicated chemical links, each of which has to be in a precisely correct sequence !

In order for life to occur, the chemicals of the DNA code must absolutely be in correct sequence AND the following is also required or DNA is useless:

TRANSLATION MACHINERY NEEDED
The DNA code also requires a translation machinery of about 70 components in order for the code to be used by living tissues. Without a translator, the highly complex coding contained within the DNA molecule would be useless to the organism.

MESSENGER RNA REQUIRED
Special “messenger RNA” molecules are needed. Without them, DNA is useless in 

the body. There is a specific s-RNA for each individual amino acid. They pass the message for the code, so that a certain type of amino acid can be made. The code in the gene (which is DNA, of course) is used to construct a messenger RNA molecule in which is encoded the message necessary to determine the specific amino acid sequence of the protein.

BIOLOGICAL COMPILER REQUIRED

The biological compiler changes DNA code language into a different language that the cells can understand—so they can set about producing the right amino acids and proteins.

DNA INDEXING
DNA is a data bank of massive proportions, but indexes are also needed. These are different from the translators. There are non-DNA chemicals, which work as indexes to specifically locate needed information. Without the index, the DNA will not know where to look to find the needed information. The index triggers the production of materials by DNA.
Single cell bacteria display about 3,000,000 nucleotides, aligned in a very specific sequence. Have you ever seen an accident produce complex and precise sequences ?

DO COMPLEX CODES AND PRECISE SEQUENCES HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT ? Do mutations produce detailed instructional codes ? The answer to both questions is no. There are no observable, repeatable, reliable tests proving that accidents or mutations result in complexity and precision. Codes, instructions and information are the products of intelligence. Intelligence is found in a mind. The amount of information in the genetic code is so vast that it would be impossible to put together by chance without intelligence. In the case of DNA we have evidence of an extremely high order of intelligence;  a super mind. As Christians we know and acknowledge Him to be God the Creator.

Putting protein and DNA together will not make them alive; but, on the other hand, there can be no life without BOTH the protein and the DNA. Protein has to be in its proper sequence, just as DNA has to be in its correct sequential pattern.

A medium protein might include about 300 amino acids. The DNA gene controlling this would have about 1000 nucleotides in its chain. Since there are four kinds of nucleotides in a DNA chain, one consisting of 1000 links could exist in 4x10¹⁰⁰⁰ different forms. That is not 4000 (4 followed by 3 zeros), but 4 times itself a thousand times. 

Nineteen of the twenty amino acids (all except glycine) come in two forms: a “D” and an “L” version. The chemicals are the same, but are arranged differently for each. The difference is quite similar to your left hand as compared with your right hand. Both are the same, yet
shaped opposite to each other. The chances of getting accidentally synthesized left amino acids for one small protein molecule is one chance in 10²¹⁰. (Ten with 210 zeros behind it)

There are literally billions of possible combinations. The right combination from among the 20 amino acids has to be brought together in the right sequence  in order to make one useable protein properly. Furthermore, in order for life to occur, the extremely complex DNA strands would have to be formed right along with complex enzymes. 

2000 different and very complex enzymes are required for a living organism to exist. An enzyme system does not work at all until it is complete, or nearly so. Not only that but enzymes cannot appear without pre-existing enzymes to make them.

There is no observable scientific evidence ever recorded in the history of the world showing that accidents, explosions or mutations create brand new enzymes, new proteins or the DNA code. Yet these building blocks of life are present everywhere in living things.

In the human body we find stunning evidences of ingenious design, coordination, adaptation and creative forethought that we see in the earth and in the heavens. Just think of these for instance: the living cell; the heart; the brain; the eye; the ear; the hand; the senses of touch, taste and smell; the nervous system; the digestive system; the prolonged and intricate miracle of reproduction and growth; the glands; and the body's wonderful defense mechanism and healing processes.

What should we do with these numberless evidences of intelligent planning and forethought in the earth, in the heavens and in our bodies ? We cannot ignore them. They demand a rational explanation. They have come into existence either by design, or by accident. They are the product of God or of chance. There is no middle ground.

Did you ever hear the story of the Dell computer that made itself ? We know that such a thing is impossible. But the universe, and our bodies are more complicated and intricate than the mechanism of even modern home computers and since intelligence is required to make and sustain the computer, even more so is it required that even greater intelligence is required to originate and sustain life.

Morse Code = product of intelligence 

Area Code = product of intelligence

Zip Code = product of intelligence

Computer code = product of intelligence 

DNA Code = result of an accident ?

Reason requires a "Manufacturer", the ‘Maker’ who is responsible for the presence of such incredible design which is seen in His created works. For every house is built by someone, but HE WHO BUILT ALL THINGS IS GOD. (Hebrews 3:4)

This is the only rational explanation for the wonders of creation.

This study will be continued in the next part of this Bible Study series "Facts You Need To Know" 1C.

© 2012 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

EVIDENCE - PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD - FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW - 1A

THIS LIBRARY CREATED ITSELF AND ARRANGED ALL THE SHELVES AND LIGHTING

TRUE OR FALSE

It would be very difficult to prove that the library in the picture created itself and all the books that it contains. To claim that it did so and that it arranged the shelves and chairs and lighting without any planning or intelligence would not be reasonable. Assuming that an accident or mutations put all the books in order would not be logical either. Even without the skill and expertise of a scientist anyone can look at things that are orderly and designed for a purpose and know that those things are evidence of  a designer or creator. We know that it required active and living intelligent minds to write the books, and other intelligent minds to build the library as well as the shelves to hold the books.


In the same way, God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.

What are some of the evidences of the Creator's creative ability ? Where can we see His design skills on display ?

FINGERPRINTS OF GOD IN THE NATURAL WORLD


Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matthew 6:29)

All around us we see abundant evidence of order, precision, beauty, adaptation and intelligent planning. Consider these marvels of creative design: The variety of beautiful flowers and their perfumes; the 6-sided hexagon shape of every snowflake crystal; the sonar abilities of a dolphin; the tensile strength of a spider’s web; the strength and efficiency of the honeybee honeycomb; the physical and chemical properties of water; a hummingbird in flight; the seasonal migration of the monarch butterfly; and the radar system of a bat.

Could these things be the result of a series of accidents or an explosion in the distant past ?

FINGERPRINTS OF GOD IN THE HEAVENS

THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. (Psalms 19:1)


Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: HE calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that HE is strong in power; not one faileth.  (Isaiah 40:26)


The planet Saturn has 17 major moons and none of them ever collide with Saturn's rings. Some of the moons travel clockwise and others travel counterclockwise. The moon that is farthest away revolves in a motion opposite to Saturn and its rings.


If gravity were any stronger then smaller stars could not form. If gravity were weaker then the bigger stars could not form and no heavy elements could exist.


Nuclear force holds atoms together. If nuclear force were larger there would be helium and heavy elements but no hydrogen. If nuclear force were smaller then there would be hydrogen and no heavy elements. Without hydrogen and heavy elements there could be no life. If nuclear force were 1 part in a thousand stronger or weaker than it is now, carbon could not exist and carbon is the basic element of every living thing. 


In the heavens above us there are the same evidences of pattern, order, beauty, accuracy and purpose that we see in our own world – only magnified to an astonishing degree. Consider these wonders of the star studded heavens: The enormous size, weight, speeds, numbers, distances and temperatures of the billions of planets and stars; the precise calculation and co-ordination of their weight, motions, speeds, temperatures and orbits; the fine balancing of attractions and repulsions; the split-second timing; the perfect  synchronization – the clock-like regularity; and all maintained in a state of harmony by constantly-operating laws and controls. Is it possible that all these marvelous wonders brought themselves into existence ? Could all this be the result of a series of accidents or an explosion ?

This study will be continued in the next part of this series "Facts You Need To Know" 1B.

© 2012 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - RIGHT ACTIONS - Part XIII

DOING GOOD
The simplest facts about life and living that were documented in an ancient book long ago are now being validated by modern science. ... our results suggest that “doing good” may be an important avenue by which people create meaningful and satisfying lives.(1)

As we continue studying the way to have victory in the Christian life, we find that the words of Christ as found in the Bible are still light years ahead of 21st century society in promoting mental, moral and physical health. No one has to wait for science to catch up to God in order to experience the benefits of Christlike living.(2) The methods of happiness and the techniques of self-conquest are continued in this article. 

 
GOOD WORKS
Yes...that's right...this is a promotion of good works as another means of obtaining victory over sin and self in the Christian life. Good works inspired and empowered by the grace of God are not only possible but expected of Christians.

Some well-intentioned and very sincere but misguided religious people are emphasizing so passionately salvation without good works that the impression is left on minds that good works are a worse sin than sin itself.

This is unfortunate because not only does Jesus Christ encourage doing good to others but now even scientific studies support the principles that the Savior taught about good words and deeds.

Consider the following 16 victory aids that are not yet fully understood by science and in some cases yet to be discovered:

1. Doing good is an excellent remedy for disease.

2. Nothing will give greater spiritual strength and a greater increase of earnestness and depth of feeling than visiting and ministering to the sick and the desponding, helping them to see the light and to fasten their faith upon Jesus.

3. The pleasure of doing good animates the mind and vibrates through the whole body.

4. Triumph always follows decided effort.

5. Striving to excel in what is excellent is lawful, and promises entire success.

6. When human beings work in union with the Life-giver, who offered up His life for them, happy thoughts fill the mind.

7. Taking hold courageously of the work that needs to be done, and putting the heart into it, makes the work a pleasure, and brings success.

8. The more earnest our own efforts to attain to holiness of heart and life, the more acute will be our perception of sin, and the more decided our disapproval of it.

9. It is beneficence that overcomes selfishness and ennobles and purifies the soul.

10. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right‑‑because right doing is pleasing to God. The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives. It is always best and safe to do right because it is right.

11. As you confess before men and women your confidence in the Lord, additional strength is imparted to you.

12. If we would labor to repress sinful thoughts and feelings, giving them no expression in words or actions, Satan would be defeated...

13. Every good deed is as a seed sown, to bear fruit unto eternal life. Every success gained places us on a higher round of the ladder of progress and gives us spiritual strength for fresh victories.

14. Every right action prepares the way for its repetition.

15. Every unselfish action makes the character more Christlike.

16. Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service.

Right actions, good words and good deeds beautify the character and bring honor to God. It prepares the willing person to live eternally in a place where doing good is just as normal as breathing air. It is only here in this sin filled world and on this planet that consistent, continuous demonstrations of goodness can be considered offensive or can make someone uncomfortable. It doesn't matter. God is good and there is nothing nor anyone that can stop Him from being and doing good. He wants to make the same thing true about human beings. He is waiting to strengthen every sincere and willing soul to reflect His character to the world.

You have just been reading from page 13 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts...

REFERENCES:

(1)  http://psychfaculty.gmu.edu/kashdan/publications/jrp_beinggood.pdf

(2) http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/article?option1=tka&value1=%22doing+good%22&pageSize=50&index=34

Proverbs 3:7,8, 16:7,24/Isaiah 58:6-8/Luke 6:27/Matthew 5:44/Acts 10:38/Galatians 6:10/Hebrews 13:16/James 4:17/3 John 1:11/Psalms 16:11/Romans 8:8, 15:2/Job 17:9/Psalms 23:3, 37:9, 55:22, 64:10, 92:12, 106:3/Proverbs 11:30, 21:21/Matthew 5:6, 6:33/Romans 6:16,18/Ephesians 5:9/1 Timothy 6:11/2 Timothy 3:16/ 1 John 3:7,10/James 4:7/Psalms 28:7/Isaiah 12:2, 26:4/Psalms 40:10/Revelation 12:11/2 Corinthians 2:14/Joshua 1:8/Psalms 82:3,4/Proverbs 11:25/Proverbs 16:17/Proverbs 17:27,28/Proverbs 21:21/Proverbs 4:18/2 Peter 1:5-7/Psalms 115:14/Ezekiel 20:43, 36:31/Psalms 119:104,113,128

© 2012 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com