Does your faith need strengthening? Are you confused and wondering if Jesus Christ is really "The Way, the Truth, and the Life?" "Fight for Your Faith" is a blog filled with interesting and thought provoking articles to help you find the answers you are seeking. Jesus said, "Seek and ye shall find." In Jeremiah we read, "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall seek for Me with all your heart." These articles and videos will help you in your search for the Truth.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

John Wooden - legendary UCLA basketball coach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden#cite_note-97

Legendary UCLA basketball coach

From 1963 to 1975 UCLA was ten times NCAA champion over the twelve year period, including four undefeated seasons (30-0).

Wooden was a devout Christian, considering his beliefs more important to him than basketball: "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." Wooden's faith strongly influenced his life. He read the Bible daily and attended the First Christian Church. He said that he hoped his faith was apparent to others: "If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."

John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:
Be true to yourself.
Make each day your masterpiece.
Help others.
Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
Make friendship a fine art.
Build a shelter against a rainy day.
Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.


Wooden was also the author of several other books about basketball and life.

Among Wooden's maxims:
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail (from Benjamin Franklin)
Flexibility is the key to stability
Be quick, but don't hurry
Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference
Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.

O Livro dos Livros

http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/o-livro-dos-livros/
Uma compilação

Nunca vi um cristão útil que não fosse um estudante da Bíblia. — D. L. Moody, famous Christian evangelist
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É impossível governar corretamente sem Deus e a Bíblia. — Atribuído a George Washington, first President of USA.
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Faço um apelo para que, na correria de uma vida tão atarefada, não nos afastemos da Bíblia, à qual nossos antepassados tanto se apegaram. O meu desejo é que o estudo da Bíblia seja incluído no currículo das faculdades seculares tanto quanto nos dos seminários. Ninguém, seja ele culto ou inculto, pode ser dar ao luxo de ser ignorante da Bíblia. —Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of USA.
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A Bíblia nos foi dada para causar transformação, enquanto outros livros para nos prover informação. As pessoas não rejeitam a Bíblia por causa das contradições que lhe são atribuídas, mas porque a Bíblia as contradiz. O Novo Testamento é o maior livro que já existiu. — Atribuído a Charles Dickens, English author.
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Sempre disse e continuo dizendo que o estudo constante do Livro Sagrado formará melhores cidadãos, melhores pais, e melhores maridos. — Atribuído a Thomas Jefferson, third President of USA.
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Todos os livros perdem importância diante da Bíblia. Em todos os meus momentos de perplexidade e angústia ela sempre foi minha luz e força. — Robert E. Lee, military leader of Confederate Army during American Civil War.
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É impossível enfatizar demais que esta grande nação foi fundada não por religiosos, mas por cristãos; não com base em religiões, mas no Evangelho de Jesus Cristo. — Autor anônimo
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Não existe Ciência mais comprovada do que a religião ensinada na Bíblia. — Sir Isaac Newton, British scientist and mathematician.
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O Livro imortal sobreviveu a três grandes perigos: (1) à negligência de seus amigos, (2) aos ataques de seus inimigos, (3) e aos falsos sistemas montados com base nele. —Isaac Taylor, English writer
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A Bíblia na língua inglesa tem sido uma influência maior nos cursos de literatura inglesa do que todas as forças somadas. É impossível entender os maiores autores sem um conhecimento da Bíblia, pois todos presumiam que seus leitores estariam familiarizados com ela... A todo jovem, homem ou mulher que pretende ser um escritor, dou o seguinte conselho: antes de qualquer outra coisa, APRENDA A BÍBLIA. —William Lyon Phelps, ex-professor de Literatura Inglesa na Universidade de Yale
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Devemos ao Livro dos livros a instituição e os ideais nacionais, cuja preservação depende da observância dos preceitos ali indicados. — Herbert Hoover, 31st President of USA.
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Aquele Livro, senhor, é o alicerce, a Rocha que serve de fundamento para a nossa república. — Atribuído a Andrew Jackson, military leader and later 7th President of USA.
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Toda noite, por mais cansado que esteja, leio a palavra de Deus antes de me deitar. —Gen. Douglas MacArthur, American military leader in Asia in WW2.
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Acredito completamente em educação superior para homens e mulheres. Mas acredito que o conhecimento da Bíblia sem a educação superior é mais importante do que cursar uma faculdade e não conhecer a Bíblia. — William Lyon Phelps, Yale University.
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Fiz uma aliança com o meu Deus para que Ele não me dê visões, sonhos ou contato com anjos. Estou satisfeito com o dom das Sagradas Escrituras que me oferecem orientação abundante e contêm tudo o que preciso saber tanto para esta vida como para a próxima. — Martinho Lutero, Catholic priest and leader of Protestant Reformation.
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Seja honesto consigo mesmo, ajude as pessoas, transforme cada dia em uma obra-prima, aprenda a fina arte da amizade, absorva profundamente bons livros — principalmente a Bíblia — construa um refúgio para os dias de chuva, agradeça pelas suas bênçãos e ore todos os dias por orientação. — John Wooden, famous UCLA basketball coach.
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Se não cultivarmos o hábito de recorrer à Bíblia tanto nos bons momentos como nas dificuldades, não conseguiremos responder de forma plena ao consolo que nos oferece, pois nos faltará equilíbrio entre luz e trevas. — Helen Keller, famous blind and deaf woman.
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A Bíblia — banida, queimada, amada; amplamente lida, sob constantes ataques, mais do que qualquer outro livro já publicado. Gerações de intelectuais tentaram desacreditá-la, ditadores de todas as eras a proibiram e executaram seus leitores. No entanto, soldados a levam para a batalha acreditando ser mais poderosa do que as armas que carregam. Trechos dela, contrabandeados para celas de prisão transformaram assassinos cruéis em pessoas mansas e gentis. — Charles Colson, American political figure under Nixon who was jailed for his involvement in "Watergate."
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A verdadeira influência da Bíblia é incomensurável. Pode ser avaliada apenas em termos dos corações reconfortados, decisões mudadas e de homens e mulheres que, respondendo às suas demandas, agiram com justiça e bondade, caminhando humildemente com Deus. — J. Carter Swain,  American Christian author of the book, "What You Didn't Know About the Bible."

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Uma Bíblia caindo aos pedaços normalmente pertence a alguém bem firme que não está caindo aos pedaços. ― Charles H. Spurgeon, 19th century British evangelic leader.
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O propósito principal da leitura da Bíblia não é conhecer a Bíblia, mas a Deus. ― James Merritt, American christian radio evangelist.
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De cada cem homens, um lê a Bíblia. Os outros 99 leem o cristão. ― D. L. Moody, 19th century American evangelical leader.
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O conteúdo da Bíblia oferece respostas para todos os problemas que o ser humano enfrenta. — Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA.
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A Bíblia não é um livro qualquer, mas um organismo vivo com poder para conquistar todos os seus adversários. — Napoleão, French military leader and emperor.
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A Bíblia é… tão necessária para a vida espiritual quanto o fôlego para a vida física. Nada é mais essencial para a nossa vida do que a Palavra de Deus. — Jack Hayford, former American radio evangelist.
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A Bíblia foi escrita entre lágrimas e oferece os maiores tesouros aos que assim a leem. — A. W. Tozer, American Christian pastor.
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Toda a Escritura é inspirada por Deus e útil para o ensino, para a repreensão, para a correção e para a instrução na justiça, para que o homem de Deus seja apto e plenamente preparado para toda boa obra. — 2 Timóteo 3:16–17 NVI
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Não deixe de falar as palavras deste Livro da Lei e de meditar nelas de dia e de noite, para que você cumpra fielmente tudo o que nele está escrito. Só então os seus caminhos prosperarão e você será bem sucedido. — Josué 1:8 NVI
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Pois tudo o que foi escrito no passado, foi escrito para nos ensinar, de forma que, por meio da perseverança e do bom ânimo procedentes das Escrituras, mantenhamos a nossa esperança. — Romanos 15:4 NVI

Publicado no Âncora em julho 2014. Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.

The Bible: a Book of Prophecy

By Dennis Edwards --

Chapter One

I was listening to a sermon by Bill Salus entitled “The Future of America in Bible Prophecy.”[1] Bill starts off by quoting Isaiah,

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.[2]

We can know the future, because God can reveal it. The prophet Amos said, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he reveals his secrets unto his servants the prophets.”[3]

Here, Amos is making a conditional statement. God is going to reveal his secrets unto his servants the prophets. The prophets were chosen of God, because of their love and obedience to Him. They were tested by God and had shown their faithfulness to Him. They desired to serve God, rather than man. They chose God over material things, over comfort and conformity.

The prophets preferred to live and die for the truth than to live a life of compromise. Therefore, because of their dedication to God, to truth, to righteousness, God revealed His secrets to them. Their job was to give the word of God to the people, to follow God’s instructions in spite of opposition by family, friends or community. Many of them bemoaned their fate as God’s mouth pieces, because they were ill received. In Chronicles we read,

And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.[4]

In Jeremiah we read, “Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth. I have not lent on usury, neither have men lent to me on usury; yet everyone of them doth curse me.”[5] Later he said, “Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not that day wherein my mother bear me be blessed.”[6]

Being a prophet was not something the prophets enjoyed. It isolated them from others. They were ill received. They were too serious. Like Jeremiah said, “I sat not in the assembly with them that make merry, nor rejoiced: I sat alone because of thy hand; for thou hast filled me with indignation.”[7]Google gives some synonyms for indignation: anger, distress, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, displeasure, hurt, pain, and upset; especially at injustices or wrong doing.[8]

Because God had revealed to Jeremiah the judgments which Jerusalem would suffer, he could not make merry. Because the politicians would not listen to him and change their ways, he could not make merry. The wife of Bill Salis, a speaker on Bible prophecy, bemoans the fact that they have few friends. Her husband’s life is so entwined with Bible prophecy and discovering its meaning, it isolates them. The job of a prophet is not a pleasant one.

In this book, I will try to reveal to you where America stands in Bible prophecy. You may not like my conclusions. Yes, I am filled with indignation at the situation in the world today; with the wars, the hatred, the fears, the injustices, the corruption, the inhumanity of man with man.

I am going to share with you what God has shown me through a life of serving Him, a life of studying His Word, a life of sharing His love and His Word with others. I may not get it all right. In fact, I am going to get some things wrong. I am a fallible man just like you are. I have limited understanding, just like you have.

But God has put this burden on my heart to share my understanding with you. I am an American citizen although I have lived most of my adult life in Europe. Because of having distanced myself from America and American churches, my slant on Bible prophecy will be different from much of that which you may have read or heard in church or in books written by American church leaders. I will not interpret Bible prophecy through the eyes of an American patriot. Because of that, you may very well find my conclusions troubling or label them incorrect or even communistic. You may be right.

Some of the statements I make are merely my speculation and can surely be wrong. But I beseech you to not dismiss them all as the whims of a madman. Rather, dig into God’s word yourself. Do not take my word for it, or the words of others, but search these things out for yourself. God has said he has given unto us the Spirit of truth that would lead us into all truth.[9] But truth has its sacrifices.

God’s word says, “Ye shall seek me and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.”[10] Finding the truth is conditional. It is not just something you will read on the front page of a journal or even in your local church bulletin. You must make diligent search. You must be desperate and refuse the compromises offered. You must be willing to live and die for that true knowledge or understanding that you seek. You will have opposition if you take this journey seriously.

Recently, I have joined a trailblazers club. I have gone on three mountain walks in the past two months. Each one was difficult. One consisted of nearly eleven hours of walking. Walking in the mountains is different from walking on the boardwalk or road. Our guide told us that the twenty kilometers we walked in the mountains was equivalent to forty or fifty on a paved road. The mountain walks cost you something. I got blisters on that second walk as my shoes were too small. My muscles were sore afterwards because you use different muscles on the mountain than when you jog or run along the beach. Like one of the trailblazer’s told me, “The mountain always takes something from you.” But it gives you something back. The views on the mountain are marvelous. You see and feel God’s presence. Life is on the mountain!

Just so, the views on the mountain of truth are breathe-taking, exhilarating and worth all the effort. Jesus gave one of his most famous sermons on a mountain, the Sermon on the Mount, where he spoke the beatitudes, such as “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” [11]On the mountain, Jesus prayed alone to his Father for strength. Peter, James and John followed Jesus up a mountain and saw him transfigured and heard the voice of God. Jesus gave his message about the End of the World to his disciples on the Mount of Olives. Finally, he climbed his last mountain, Mount Golgotha, where he died for you and me and the redemption of all mankind. But earlier he had admonished his followers, “If you continue in my words, then are you my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”[12]

Come with me, up the mountain of truth. Let us see what we find. Once we find it, let it move us and cause us to bring His love and His life to this dying world by whatever means possible and at our disposal. May God bless you as you read. May my words and thoughts draw you closer to Him, Who is the fountain of all truth, goodness and love. May you hunger and thirst after righteousness. May your desire be to search and to seek for Him with all your heart, all your mind and all your strength; for that is His first commandment. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Footnotes:

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKOKqCk5vuo
[2] Isaiah 46:9-10
[3] Amos 3:7
[4] 2Chronicles 36:15-16
[5] Jeremiah 15:10
[6] Jeremiah 20:14
[7] Jeremiah 15:17
[8] https://www.google.pt/#q=indignation+meaning
[9] John 16:13
[10] Jeremiah 29:13
[11] Matthew 5:6
[12] John 8:31,32

Copyright@dennisemolinski

Friday, October 3, 2014

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