What is Prayer?

"Give us this day our daily bread" is probably the most perfectly constructed and useful sentence ever set down in the English language.  ~P.J. Wingate

Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.  ~Søren Kierkegaard

No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the devil; not that he practices it, but he suffers from it.  ~Guy H. King

Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble.  ~Philip Melanchthen

Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.  ~Satchel Paige, 1974

The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him.  ~William McGill

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.  ~Oswald Chambers

When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep.  ~Author Unknown

When a man is at his wits' end it is not a cowardly thing to pray, it is the only way he can get in touch with Reality.  ~Oswald Chambers

Many people pray as if God were a big aspirin pill; they come only when they hurt.  ~B. Graham Dienert

Some have been to the mountain.  I have been to my knees by the side of my bed.  ~Robert Brault

Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.  ~Author Unknown

Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble:  prayer is a life attitude.  ~Walter A. Mueller

The Lord's Prayer may be committed to memory quickly, but it is slowly learnt by heart.  ~Frederick Denison Maurice

Deep down in me I knowed it was a lie, and He knowed it.  You can't pray a lie - I found that out.  ~Mark Twain

It is good for us to keep some account of our prayers, that we may not unsay them in our practice.  ~Matthew Henry

Prayer gives a man the opportunity of getting to know a gentleman he hardly ever meets.  I do not mean his maker, but himself.  ~William Inge

Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer.  ~Terri Guillemets

If we could all hear one another's prayers, God might be relieved of some of his burdens.  ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Prayers not felt by us are seldom heard by God.  ~Philip Henry

And help us, this and every day, to live more nearly as we pray.  ~John Keble

I believe in prayer.  It's the best way we have to draw strength from heaven.  ~Josephine Baker

Prayer is communication with the Divine.  It can be whispered or chanted or written or expressed in the work you do.  However it is expressed, it is never in vain.  ~Donna Wilk Cardillo

God can pick sense out of a confused prayer.  ~Richard Sibbes

I often pray, though I'm not really sure Anyone's listening; and I phrase it carefully, just in case He's literary.  ~Mignon McLaughlin

Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue.  ~Adam Clarke

God speaks in the silence of the heart.  Listening is the beginning of prayer.  ~Mother Teresa

When you bow deeply to the universe, it bows back; when you call out the name of God, it echoes inside you.  ~Morihei Ueshiba

Most people do not pray; they only beg.  ~George Bernard Shaw

Prayer draws us near to our own souls.  ~Herman Melville, Mardi and A Voyage Thither, 1849

What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done, but that He approve ours.  ~Helga Bergold Gross

We must move from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts, to praying about the things that are breaking His heart.  ~Margaret Gibb

We cannot ask in behalf of Christ what Christ would not ask Himself if He were praying.  ~A.B. Simpson

Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.  ~Socrates

Just pray for a tough hide and a tender heart.  ~Ruth Graham

God tells us to burden him with whatever burdens us.  ~Author Unknown

Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go."  ~Alan Redpath

Some people think that prayer just means asking for things, and if they fail to receive exactly what they asked for, they think the whole thing is a fraud.  ~Gerald Vann

Who rises from prayer a better man, his prayer is answered.  ~George Meredith

God has editing rights over our prayers.  He will... edit them, correct them, bring them in line with His will and then hand them back to us to be resubmitted.  ~Stephen Crotts

Be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your answers.  ~William Culbertson

Prayer is the language of a man burdened with a sense of need.  ~E.M. Bounds

Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.  ~Edwin Keith

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.  ~Corrie ten Boom

Introduction to the Book of Enoch

The Book of Enoch the Prophet with Commentary

ATTENTION: This video contains adult images and subjects. 
Parental discretion is advised.

The Book of Enoch (also referred to as the Ethiopian Enoch or 1 Enoch) was once accepted by Jews and Christians as an authentic book, perhaps even on the level of Scripture or at least near Scripture, because Jude quotes from it; "14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'" This quote is from Enoch 1:9 in some editions, but chapter 2:1 of the original English edition.

Many phrases and concepts in the New Testament are very similar to those found in Enoch. "There is abundant proof that Christ approved of the Book of Enoch. Over a hundred phrases in the New Testament find precedents in the Book of Enoch" (http://reluctant-messenger.com/enoch.htm). In Luke 9:35, buried under the King James Translation, is an important concept of the Book of Enoch, that of the "Elect One": "And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son: hear him."

Apparently the translator here wished to make this verse agree with a similar verse in Matthew and Mark. But Luke's verse in the original Greek reads: "This is my Son, the Elect One (from the Greek ho eklelegmenos, lit., "the elect one"): hear him." (http://reluctant-messenger.com/enoch.htm)

"Elect" means "chosen." Most modern translations reflect this meaning, through translation; "This is my Son, whom I have chosen" (NIV); "My chosen one" (NAS); "whom I have chosen" (Today's English Version). The term, "Elect One" is found fourteen times in Enoch and is one of the key concepts of the book.

The writers of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs and the Book of Jubilees must have been familiar with the Book of Enoch, and the writer of the Epistle of Barnabas actually mentioned the book and quoted from it twice (4:3, 16:5,6).

Many of the early church fathers also believed in the Book of Enoch. Justin Martyr said demons are the authors of all evil and that they are the offspring of fallen angels and humans (Genesis 6), which was taken directly from Enoch.

Athenagoras wrote about fallen angels in his work, Legatio about 170 A.D., which comes from Enoch and he regards Enoch as a true prophet. Many other church fathers such as Tatian (110-172); Irenaeus (130?-202?), Bishop of Lyons (115-185); Clement of Alexandria (150-220); Tertullian (160-230) called Enoch "Holy Scripture"; Origen (186-255); Lactantius (260-330). Methodius of Philippi, Minucius Felix, Commodianus, and Ambrose also sanctioned the Book of Enoch, even Augustine.

According to the introduction of the 1883 edition of Enoch, Origen considered it on the same level as Psalm. Some people believe that Origen did not accept Enoch but he uses so much of its ideas that he must have accepted it. Origen said--

"We are not to suppose that a special office has been assigned by mere accident to a particular angel: as to Raphael, the work of curing and healing; to Gabriel, the direction of wars; to Michael, the duty of hearing the prayers and supplications of men." (De Principiis, chapter 8)

Origen could only have gotten his ideas on angels from Enoch. Archbishop Laurence, the translator of Enoch, believed that the writers of Jewish mystical book, the Zohar, must have possessed a copy of Enoch and he connects many passages of the Zohar with Enoch.

There was a book written in the 1800s called "Nineveh and Babylon" by a Mr. Layard, in which he says cups and bowls were found covered with inscriptions. These inscriptions were deciphered by Thomas Ellis of the Manuscript Department in the British Museum. The inscriptions served as charms against evil spirits, diseases, calamity, and sudden death. They were composed in Chaldean mixed with Hebrew words, but combined characters of Syriac and Palmyrene with the ancient Phoenician. These cups and bowls are believed to have belonged to descendents of Jews who were taken captive to Babylon.

"But the most important revelation attained through these discoveries of Mr. Layard lies in the interesting fact, mentioned in his work, that the names of the angels inscribed on these cups, and those recorded in the Book of Enoch, are, in many instances identical, so that no doubt remains as to the Hebrew-Caldee origin of that great Semitic work." (Laurence, Intoduction, p 14)

Though it was once a respected book, because of its controversial statements about fallen angels, it fell into disfavor among certain powerful theologians in the fourth century and banned at the Council of Laodicea.

The theme of the Book of Enoch dealing with the nature and deeds of the fallen angels so infuriated the later Church fathers that one, Filastrius, actually condemned it openly as heresy (Filastrius, Liber de Haeresibus, no. 108). Nor did the rabbis deign to give credence to the book's teaching about angels. Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai in the second century A.D. pronounced a curse upon those who believed it (Delitzsch, p. 223).


So the book was denounced, banned, cursed, no doubt burned and shredded–and last but not least, lost (and conveniently forgotten) for a thousand years. But with an uncanny persistence, the Book of Enoch found its way back into circulation two centuries ago. (John, www.bible2000.org/lostbooks/enochs2.htm)

The Book of Enoch which we have today was found by Scottish explorer James Bruce in 1773 in Abyssinia (Ethiopia). It was esteemed as an inspired book by the Ethiopian church, right along with the Bible. The book was translated into English by Dr. Richard Laurence, a Hebrew professor at Oxford, and first published in 1821.

There are several key concepts in Enoch are found in the New Testament, including Son of Man, the Elect One, Paradise, hell, and a coming day of judgment by fire. There is so much in it that is similar to the New Testament, that when it was rediscovered by Bruce it was alledged that Enoch was written by Christians. Then fragments of several different Enochian manuscripts were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran Cave 4. Now scholars believe the Book of Enoch was written during the 2nd or 3rd century B.C., but there is actually no proof of that because we only have copies of copies of copies which are translations from other languages. It is my firm belief that most of the book is actually the words of Enoch, but someone added a few stories about other persons and changed the name of the principle person to Enoch.

"1 Enoch, preserved in a full, 108-chapter form in Ethiopic, consists of five parts and one appended chapter. It originated in Aramaic (perhaps Hebrew for chaps. 37-71), was translated into Greek, and from Greek into Ethiopic."
- James C. Vanderkam (Professor of Hebrew Scriptures at the University of Notre Dame)


"The Aramaic Book of Enoch...very considerably influenced the idiom of the New Testament and patristic literature, more so in fact than any other writing of the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha."
- Norman Golb, Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?, (1995) p. 366

Full article...

"No arms, No legs, No worries!" -- Nick Vujicic

"Nick has no limbs and no arms. Yet he preaches the love of God every where. Why?"

I came to know Nick Vujicic from an email about a year ago. Recently I received another email about him. I have never met him but we are one in the Body of Christ. So I think it is good to share this blessing to the world through Youtube.

Quote

Think this guy might have a message to give?

"My name is Nick Vujicic and I give God the Glory for how He has used my testimony to touch thousands of hearts around the world! I was born without limbs and doctors have no medical explanation for this birth 'defect'. As you can imagine, I was faced with many challenges and obstacles.

'Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.'

.... To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne Australia, the last two words on the minds of my parents was 'Praise God!'. Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors we shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just like any other baby.

The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. Everyone asked, 'if God is a God of Love, then why would God let something this bad happen to not just anyone, but dedicated Christians?' My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.

'And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him.' That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these 'bad' things happen in our life.

I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. J esus said that the reason the man was born blind was 'so that the works of God may be revealed through Him.' I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better.

I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used.

I am now twenty-three years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector.

I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow.

I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life.

I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope, to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the ' Oprah Winfrey Show '! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called 'No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!'?

I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a 'box'. The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's!

May the Lord Bless you
In Christ,
Nick Vujicic

'Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be UNDERSTOOD'
Unquote

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind.
John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that THE WORKS OF GOD should be made manifest in him.

The Best 100 Christian Books Ever Written

Over the years, people have asked me, Which books do you recommend that I buy for my library? For the first time, I'm answering this question publicly by compiling a "must-have-in-your-library" book list. The books are divided up into these categories:

Mission & Ministry Shelf * Church Life Shelf * Spiritual Growth Shelf * Church History Shelf * Biblical Tools Shelf * Tools for Writers * Last Category

What This List Is and Isn't: I consider these books to be the best Christian works ever written. They are the "core" books in my library. Not the most popular, the best known, or the "hottest." But those that I regard as exceptional. The list doesn't include many of the great academic/scholarly works or commentaries. (I am working on another list that will include those types of books.) The books on this list will resonate most with those who have moved beyond evangelical.

Full article :http://www.ptmin.org/library

The Lost Continent of Atlantis (?) and Eber’s son [Genesis 10:25] Peleg

We have heard many theories of the “lost Continent of Atlantis.” Let’s look at the stated facts, then I will share from the JIV how the scriptures, a man’s name and the disappearance of Atlantis are something simple enough to be actuality!  Remember that JIV is Jim's Introspective View.

First, go to an interview with Professor Arysio Santos. View it with much subjectivity as he tries very hard to validate his scientific theory with some of the Bible facts of creation and the Great Flood. http://www.atlan.org/

Caution! He as do many secular scientists tries very hard to use a few biblical events to validate his Atlantis theory. Students, beware. These kinds of folks teach in our schools and universities. You MUST BE PREPARED. Is Atlantis possible? YES but read the following to better understand how and why.

Few scientists can agree on Atlantis. Here is a quote and another theory: The Greek philosopher, Plato, brought to the world, the story of the lost continent of Atlantis. His story began to unfold for him around 355 B.C. He wrote about this land called Atlantis in two of his dialogues, Timaeus and Critias, around 370 B.C. Plato stated that the continent lay in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar until its destruction. http://www.crystalinks.com/atlantistheories.html

Many of these Lost Continent of Atlantis theories or historical records began during the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament.

Another researcher Alan F. Alford states in his book about Atlantis: “…this does not guarantee that the creation myth theory of Atlantis is correct, but it does make it the only satisfactory theory currently available.” Note that he had to add the word “myth” after the word “creation”. It is a way that the world wants to deny God; subtle and too often affective. Even the “father of History” Herodotus is referenced by others to support and at other time deny the existence of a Continent of Atlantis. Some historians make Atlantis a city-island therefore making it much easier to explain its disappearance into the sea/ocean. Whether it did or didn’t exist has little to do with eternity, but it is often used to try and mislead Christian high school and college students; cracking the early beliefs of young and old.

We can spend a long time debating above publications and many others we do not have the space to mention. Let’s look at the facts in the light of history and the Bible together:

1. There is some debate that the Continent (not an island) of Atlantis existed in the Atlantic Ocean. What other location makes sense of a name like “Atlantis”?

2. After the Great Flood, current mankind descended from Noah and the other seven who rode out the flood in the Ark; all populating and expanding from Mt Ararat.

3. Many scholars and researchers claim that Atlantis was the size of a continent equal to modern day Europe with Africa tied to it from the south. This is hardly an island.

4. Plato talks much about the major city of Atlantis being a “city of canals”; http://www.eridu.co.uk/Author/atlantis/; similar to cultures in the Yucatan.

5. The History Channel and National Explorer in early 2010 reported that Atlantis had been discovered “within” the current boundaries of South America. JIV: No surprise if in fact the American Continent is the legenday Atlantis prior to the birth of Peleg.

6. Egypt is very strongly tied to the story of Atlantis.

7. Edgar Cayce, "The Sleeping Prophet," once predicted that a tomb would be discovered beneath the Sphinx at Giza in which evidence of Atlantis' existence would be found. [JIV: I do not promote the visions of Edgar Casey, but for those secularists who do, he too envisioned the existence of such a continent]. The Bible supports the possibility of an Atlantis [keep reading].

8. Often references are made to Egypt being “east” of Atlantis.

Now, for The Rest of the Bible Story:

Names of people have historically been benchmarks of events, timetables, or special occasions. This is noted of names recorded in both secular history and the Bible (which is actuality history). Geophysicists and Oceanographers have identified an active fault line between Europe and the American Continent.
This fault line separates the North American Plate from the Eurasian Plate. Find it at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html#anchor5567033(USCG)

“We can measure how fast tectonic plates are moving today, but how do scientists know what the rates of plate movement have been over geologic time?” Might there have beena a time when there was a dramatic movement of tectronic plates?

Genesis 10:25 tells us of a son born to Eber (see previous article in this web site) named Peleg. His name means, “When the firmament separated.” This is the same word [firmament] used in the creation story. Firmament in Hebrew is transliterated “raqiya [raw-kee’-ah]” meaning: “an expanse of land, i. e. the firmament or (apparently) visible [at the] arch of the skyline.” In short, Atlantis was visible on the horizon at the arch of the skyline. Raqa in Hebrew means “to expand; make broad or spread abroad.” The Hebrew word raqaq basically means: “to split apart, separated by waters.” All three words come from the same root in Hebrew.

Put the definition of these 3 Hebrew words together. During the life of Eber “the earth separated [Peleg]. It was a great expanse, was visible on the skyline and it split from a main body of land.” To any observer, a ship on the horizon going away from the observer looks like it “sinks” into the sea. Some translators include the word “Great earthquake” in their definition and use of the word Peleg. Some secular researchers also use the same words to describe what happened to Atlantis; it [appeared] to sink into the sea after a great earthquake.

Timetables of ancient historians and the existence of the Continent of Atlantis often conflict. Bible believers accept the fact that all current peoples descend from Noah and sons Japheth, Shem and Ham. A natural question would be how did the American Indians, beginning with the Maya get to the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico? Keep in mind that many secular archeologists claim the American Indian descended, at least in part, from an expansion of peoples descending from the Mayan Indians. The Bible claims the same thing when it states all descended from Noah’s group of 8 people and Mt Ararat.

What does all this mean if you haven’t already surmised? It takes much less faith to believe and there is less conflict of recorded events to believe that Atlantis was, at least in part, on the west side of the natural fault line in the Atlantic Ocean; reachable from the Mediterranean and African continent. According to Scripture in Genesis 10-11 the firmament separated giving Peleg his name/definition providing grounds for the “supposed legend” of the lost Continent of Atlantis. This is not someone’s reality but very much a probability if we follow scripture. People lived on this “large continent” called Atlantis before the flood and occupied it again after the flood. Atlantis didn’t sink into the sea, but during the great earthquake it separated the known land mass of Bible times; disappeared over the horizon no longer reachable by then know water craft.

Of course we haven’t even discussed the facts of the similarities between Egyptian and Mayan cultures, architecture and religious practices; i.e. similar pyramids, temples of worship, sovereign rulers, math skills, astronomy, and story of a Great Flood. Coincident? You decide.

Article source:http://www.ahabiblemoments.com/atlantis_and_the_bible.html

An Effective Witness of the Gospel

Twelve Ways to Be a Better Christian Witness

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Quality is one of the principal problems in evangelization. For the Gospel to be shown to the world, Jesus Christ must preach it: he must be visible in the evangelist not only to believers, but to those that are indifferent or even hostile to the Gospel. Few of the "public" evangelists really resemble Christ by their well-groomed looks, their many possessions or their bank accounts. That Jesus was poor is not the point; he lived a life like many others, wearing the same clothes, eating the same food, and living in much the same way as the ordinary people around him. In general, the millionaire, the factory worker, the teacher and the homeless person can all be effective witnesses to the Gospel within their own way of life.

Before proceeding, it may be good to examine what is meant by "witnessing" and "the Gospel." Witnesses are called in a trial to testify as to events, facts, or to weigh in on the side of truth in some dispute. Witnesses may be disreputable, in which case their testimony may be discounted or ignored entirely by a jury. The testimony of many witnesses may conflict, their demeanor may indicate deception, or their own statements may be inconsistent. The jury is free to take all these things into account when rendering judgement. Their judgement may be in error if the witnesses are of poor quality, and a just man may even be condemned to death because no one testified effectively in his behalf.
The Gospel is simply the Good News of Jesus. It often is presented as some kind of ideology to which one may either subscribe or oppose, like a political party, system of government or sports team. Acceptance of the Gospel simply means the acceptance of a relationship with God that already exists. God is already our Father, as Jesus taught. God already loves us, as Jesus taught. Jesus has already done everything possible to get us to understand, through his life, death, and resurrection. What we call salvation is simply an acceptance of God's will through a Christlike love of the Father.

By living this Gospel, by in fact "being it," we testify to the truth of Jesus, the Word of God. The "jury" is the world, and through the Fall, humanity has put God on trial and condemned Him to death, so it might become God. Jesus came to us and his presence requires that the case be reopened, for we have been reminded of a higher Court. Indeed, Jesus appealed to this Court, and his resurrection is the judgement in his favor. The court of the world does not accept this and awaits a time when a final decision will be rendered. In the meantime, we are called to sway this worldly jury by our testimony. But will they believe us?

What, then, constitutes a good witness? St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel always, when necessary use words." Thomas Merton, a Catholic monk in the mid-1900's, said nothing is more revolting than "pious talk." We are not called to be walking tracts but living words of God. The following points may help in this direction:

1. Do your job well - If this seems like an odd way to start, perhaps we have separated our ordinary lives from God. If we are the Body of Christ, we are filled with every grace and blessing. If we are part of the Son of God, should we not be able to work hard and serve our customers, co-workers, and supervisors well? We are given the opportunity to use our gifts in some way through our jobs, volunteer work or parenting. If Christians cannot handle the small tasks of ordinary life, how can we be entrusted with eternal life?
2. Avoid cliched phrases and living - Like any group, Christians have stock phrases and behaviors. These are not wrong in themselves, but as they become automatic they lose whatever meaning they had, especially for unbelievers. The Sign of the Cross, the "fish" signs on cars and shirts, and The Rapture can all become empty slogans and motions. They have no meaning for unbelievers. "The Word of God is living and effective," not encased in plastic.
3. Be loving - This may seem a cliché, but it is necessary to discuss it. Christian love is to the world as water in the desert. Rare and welcome. The world may not want the Gospel, but it wants Peace, which will only come through love. Love everyone, at least in terms of silently wishing everyone well. Rather than praying for the conversion of those around us, we should pray for their health and happiness. Sincere love must come before evangelization is possible. If we are gentle and loving, others may notice and want to be closer to us. They will soon notice the loving atmosphere where the Gospel is lived. Our love should result in action, and those closest to us must know the love of God through our service and kindness.
4. Be respectful and show courtesy - Love is shown by our respect for others, especially respect for those whom the world expects us to despise. Because the world tries to see the Gospel as just another ideology, we are expected to hate those that do not live as we do. But Jesus died for all, with no exceptions, and so we must show every kindness to others, but without pronouncing a blessing on their acts. No insults should proceed from us, and even the lost arts of "please" and "thank you" must be applied often. This courtesy must extend to children, criminals, the homeless and workers that serve us. God plays no favorites.
   As an aside, I occasionally substitute at a high school. The students often express amazement that I say "thank you" when they quiet down at my request. This seems to indicate that teachers do not always extend this courtesy to students. This is worth some thought.
5. Hospitality - this is another expression of love. It often appears in Scripture. When people come to our homes to sell us something, tell us about their churches, or make a delivery, do we receive them as we would receive Christ, or have we forgotten Matthew 25?
   Come and receive my blessing, for I was painting your house and you gave me cool water to drink, delivering packages and you welcomed me, old, and you gave me a place to sit down. (Cited very freely)
6. Know the Gospel and practice it - Certainly all of these are included here, but this in turn covers much more. We must accept the whole Gospel before we can witness to its truth. If we cannot accept the Gospel in its entirety, we cannot effectively preach even a sliver of it. We may not be perfect, but we can at least desire to live according to God's will and desire Him above all things. A sincere faith, although imperfect, practiced in a small and loving way can do much to promote the Gospel.
7. Don't be the big cheese in things - We don't need to be the center of attention to be witnesses to the Gospel. Humility and modesty are Christian virtues (and indeed are viewed as virtues by most religions and philosophies). Don't talk the most or the loudest. Living in a simple and modest fashion speaks louder than jewelry, fancy cars, or a mansion. We have no record of Jesus making a best-dressed list or having any significant possessions. As far as we know, he won no awards for his preaching or healing. In 1 Corinthians, St. Paul writes that the Church in Corinth was not known for any sort of great accomplishments, wealth, or nobility. He says that in Christ, the weak shame the strong. When we are lowly, and yet reflect the glory of God in our lives, it is the same. The less we attempt to stand out in the ways of the world, the more God's glory is revealed in an unexpected way.
8. Defer, defer, defer - In Ephesians 5, St. Paul says: "Defer to one another out of reverence for Christ." While the context was a specific one, this certainly applies in general as well. We want our way, but we must defer to others whenever possible, both out of reverence for and in imitation of Christ. We cannot defer in matters of faith and morals, or where giving in would be an offense against love, but this still leaves a very large number of opportunities for us.
9. Answer questions simply, directly - Jesus went to the heart of each matter set before him. He often told stories or turned questions around so the questioner had to think. Answers should be free of references the hearer will not understand. Jesus often quoted the Hebrew Scriptures because his listeners were somewhat familiar with them, but we may have to draw from other sources when speaking to those unfamiliar with the Bible or Church teaching. Many modern movies, even bad ones, can be used to illustrate a point if they are already familiar to the listener. Analogies with driving, school, work, or family often work well, but beware: the listener may find the place where the analogy breaks down and take the point wrong. Of course, if the listener accepts the authority of the Church or at least accepts the Bible as the inspired word of God, by all means use the Scriptures, Catechism, quotes and stories from the Saints and other good books.
10. Avoid all illusion and pretense - Sometimes, it seems that unbelievers have better discernment than the devout. If we think we are truly single-hearted and pious, we must go shed our illusions first ("go, sell what you have �") and then present our real selves as witnesses. A phony witness is rejected in the same way that hearsay evidence is rejected in court: it may not be introduced as evidence. If we are plagued with doubt, we must share that or be silent. An acknowledgement of our failings and doubts coupled with a genuine attempt to seek God can be a powerful witness. We really have little else to give. If this bothers us, we have far too much pride to be an effective witness, and may even risk becoming reformers, and there is no more dangerous office than this.
11. Be joyful and happy - Our hope is in the Lord. He has saved us and provides for all our needs. We may be poor, ignorant, and sinful, but the Father loves us as His children. St. Thomas Aquinas said we have an obligation to be happy. Most worries stem from a lack of trust in God, which is a poor witness. Trust in God is often taken to mean a belief that things will work out as we had planned or in some way we will like. Jesus told St. Peter: "� someone � will take you where you do not want to go." We have no assurances that our car will start in the morning, that we will not get cancer or lose our job. Our lives are fragile and may be turned upside-down by a single phone call or conversation. Trust in God simply means assurance that the Father loves us, Jesus has called us, and the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to "run the race." Living this way shows others that Christianity is not "magic," and also teaches them that our Faith is not a way to earthly happiness, but to God.
12. Be content not to do it all - We have only our little part to do. There are a few, rare people whose job it is to reach millions of people. Others have been set aside to help a few make great spiritual progress. Most of us are called to the small tasks.
    For us let it be enough to know ourselves to be in the place God wants for us and carry on our work, even though it be no more than the work of an ant, infinitesimally small, and with unforseeable results. Now is the hour of the silent offering: therefore the hour of hope: God alone. Faceless, unknown, unfelt, yet undeniable: God. (Fr. Monchanin)

Prayer is the way to all of this. It is also another subject.

Article source:http://whitestonejournal.com/witness1.html

Is the question, "does Hell Really Exist" even relevant today?

Are you a Christian who believes in Hell? Get more details about Hell now- it's a very important subject!

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Are you an atheist or belong to another religion? Read this ebook, then see and hear video testimonies! After that you can decide yourself! Take action now- don't waste your life. It's very short!

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NEWSWEEK: 91% of Americans believe in God, only 3% atheist

The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed believe in God—and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. Also, Americans on John Edwards and the Senate's goal for troop withdrawal

Rick Warren is as big as a bear, with a booming voice and easygoing charm. Sam Harris is compact, reserved and, despite the polemical tone of his books, friendly and mild. Warren, one of the best-known pastors in the world, started Saddleback in 1980; now 25,000 people attend the church each Sunday. Harris is softer-spoken; paragraphs pour out of him, complex and fact-filled—as befits a Ph.D. student in neuroscience. At NEWSWEEK's invitation, they met in Warren's office recently and chatted, mostly amiably, for four hours. Jon Meacham moderated. Excerpts follow.

JON MEACHAM: Rick, since you're the home team, we'll start with Sam. Sam, is there a God in the sense that most Americans think of him?


SAM HARRIS: There's no evidence for such a God, and it's instructive to notice that we're all atheists with respect to Zeus and the thousands of other dead gods whom now nobody worships.

Rick, what is the evidence of the existence of the God of Abraham?

RICK WARREN: I see the fingerprints of God everywhere. I see them in culture. I see them in law. I see them in literature. I see them in nature. I see them in my own life. Trying to understand where God came from is like an ant trying to understand the Internet. Even the most brilliant scientist would agree that we only know a fraction of a percent of the knowledge of the universe.

HARRIS: Any scientist must concede that we don't fully understand the universe. But neither the Bible nor the Qur'an represents our best understanding of the universe. That is exquisitely clear.

WARREN: To you.

HARRIS: There is so much about us that is not in the Bible. Every specific science from cosmology to psychology to economics has surpassed and superseded what the Bible tells us is true about our world.

Sam, does the Christian you address in your books have to believe that God wrote the Bible and that it is literally true?

HARRIS: Well, there's clearly a spectrum of confidence in the text. I mean, there's the "This is literally true, nothing even gets figuratively interpreted," and then there's the "This is just the best book we have, written by the smartest people who have ever lived, and it's still legitimate to organize our lives around it to the exclusion of other books." Anywhere on that spectrum I have a problem, because in my mind the Bible and the Qur'an are just books, written by human beings. There are sections of the Bible that I think are absolutely brilliant and poetically unrivaled, and there are sections of the Bible which are the sheerest barbarism, yet profess to prescribe a divinely mandated morality—where do I start? Books like Leviticus and Deuteronomy and Exodus and First and Second Kings and Second Samuel—half of the kings and prophets of Israel would be taken to The Hague and prosecuted for crimes against humanity if these events took place in our own time.

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Questions About Hell, Satan and Demons Answered!

What happens after death? Is there life after death? Is Hell Real? Why does Hell exist? Is Hell eternal? How can I not go to Hell? What is the Bible's description of Hell? Is Hell-Fire Real? Is Hell a real place of everlasting punishment? Is Hell a place of darkness? Is there weeping, screaming, wailing and gnashing of teeth in Hell? Is Hell forever and ever? Did God Create Hell? Why did God create Hell? When did God create Hell? Does God send people to Hell? Did Jesus warn us about Hell? Who will go to Hell? Will good deeds save us from Hell? Where is Hell located? Are there testimonies of Hell? What is brimstone? What is eternal life? What is second death? What is the Book of Life? How can you get to Heaven?...

Is Satan Real? Why does Satan exist? Who is Satan? What is the role of Satan? Is Satan active today? Is Satan defeated? Do we have authority over Satan? Must we fear Satan? ...

Who are demons? What is demon-possession? Are demons "evil spirits"? Do we have power over demons? How can we cast out demons? What is exorcism? Can we command the devil? Why do demons come back sometimes? ...

What does the Bible teach about us? Have we only a body? Do we also have a spirit and soul? What does it mean that man is created in the image of God? Are the soul and spirit the same? What are the parts of the soul? What are the parts of the spirit? Is the spirit eternal? Why do we need a spirit? ...

Why did Jesus Christ die? How can you get saved from Hell? How can you get eternal life? Can anyone (murders etc.) go to heaven?


I'm just telling you...

You better listen to every word on this page, because it is guaranteed to rock your future and change your life.

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Free Witnessing Guide

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• Contains key words from John 3:16 that help you organize your thoughts. 
• Fits easily in your wallet or purse. (The size of a US dollar bill.)
• Sit down with a friend and use this as a guide to explain the Gospel. Leave it with them to reflect upon what was discussed. 
• A tool they can then use to share with another!
• PDF Download comes with 4 Reference Guides per page. Copy on both sides. Cut lines are indicated on each copy.

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Witnessing Tips

Evangelism Training - Tips for everyday witness...

In most cases, to immediately begin explaining the Good News in evangelism would seem quite awkward and unnatural. However, if someone is aware of our "faith" in God and His involvement in our lives, it makes it much easier. First be transparent about your faith walk before you share the Good News.


PRACTICE SHARING "FAITH STORIES" IN YOUR EVERYDAY CONVERSATION.

It's important that folks around you are aware of your faith*. Be open and authentic about your ongoing involvement with God. Make it a point to share simple stories or comments of God's activity in your life. Not cliches like, "God is good", or "Praise the Lord". Those are OK but pretty general. Share about actual experiences that reflect your personal faith-walk with Jesus. For example, watch for opportunities to:

• Talk about how God has helped you in a personal relationship. Many people deal with difficult relationships. For the Christian, God helps us be more forgiving, more merciful, kinder and less stressed out, etc.. Perhaps you have experienced His help recently. Look for opportunities to be honest about your shortcomings yet genuine to voice how He has been at work in helping you. God just might use it to draw someone who is listening, closer to Himself.
• Has God brought correction in your life? Perhaps an apology was what God placed on your heart. Don't pretend to always "have it all together". Be authentic about God's love... even in correction. Your honesty and genuine humility will be respected and it will cause some people to be curious about your faith-walk.
• Share how God has provided for a need. It might be a physical need or insight for a decision or direction in life. Openly practice sharing these things when you have the opportunity. Give God the credit.
• Talk about how God gave you peace in a difficult situation. How God moved you to help someone. Talk about how God helped you resist a temptation. Be open to talk openly about God's activity in your life.

WATCH HOW OTHERS RESPOND. IT MAY LEAD TO EXPLAINING THE GOOD NEWS. 

As you seek the Holy Spirit for discernment and opportunities to share the Good News, watch what others say and how they respond to you. Responses like:

• "I wish I had that."
• "God seems so real to you."
• "That's cool!"
• "How do you know it's God?"
• Or you notice a curious look on their face that seems to say, "I'd like to know more", but they don't know quite how to ask.

BE INTENTIONAL, TAKE THE INITIATIVE. YOU SENSE THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMPTING YOU TO ASK... 

• "Has anyone ever shared with you the main message of the Bible, i.e. how to experience life to its fullest?"
• "Can I share with you what I have discovered?"
• "Have heard the verse John 3:16? It explains the main message of the Bible."

*If friends are aware of your faith in God they will be more likely to approach you with questions or sincere inquires related to your faith.

Article source:http://www.christianwitnessingtools.com/witnessing-tips.html