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The Miracle of the Virgin Birth
The Virgin Birth The season of Christmas is fast approaching, along with parties, shopping, and chilly weather. As we strive to keep our focus on Christ this Christmas, it is helpful to contemplate some of the amazing details of that first Christmas two millennia ago. In this article, we will be considering the miracle of the virgin birth. Gabriel’s Visitation You can read about the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive and bear a son. Mary found this news surprising, saying, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Or in the literal Greek, “since I do not know a…
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Giving Thanks in Every Circumstance?
Giving Thanks Most of us have just celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, but the practice of giving thanks is for more than just the fourth Thursday of November every year. You’ve probably heard the Bible verse that says “give thanks in all circumstances” (it’s found in 2 Thessalonians 5:18). As Christians, we’re supposed to rejoice and give thanks all the time. It can be easy to do this when everything seems to be going fine. Following this command gets a little difficult, however, when we face trials. What Are We Giving Thanks For? Being thankful when you get a pay raise is easier than being thankful when you’re laid off. Being thankful…
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What Does it Mean that ‘God Remembers’?
If God Remembers, Did He Forget? To remember something means to think of what you had previously forgotten. Several passages in the Bible speak of God ‘remembering’ something or Israel asking God to remember them; does this mean that God forgets things too? If the Bible says that ‘God remembers’ something, does it mean that He forgot? God is Omniscient Theologians describe God’s knowledge as omniscient, which means all-knowing. 1 John 3:20 says that God knows everything and Romans 11:33 describes His knowledge as deep and His judgments unsearchable. Jesus said even the hairs of our head are numbered (Matthew 10:30). Isaiah 40:13-14 says “Who has measured the Spirit of…
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Understanding the Wrath and Love of God
God in the Old and New Testaments Have you ever thought that God seems loving and merciful in the New Testament, but angry and wrathful in the Old? How do we understand God’s wrath and love? How do we reconcile the God of the Old and New Testaments? God’s wrath and love. God’s Wrath and Love The Bible teaches that God doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6) and that with Him there is no variation of shadow due to change (James 1:17). Because of this, we know that God isn’t actually different in the Old and New Testaments—the difference is in our perspective. The reason God seems more wrathful in the Old…
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Five Theology Books Anyone Can Read
Five Theology Books Anyone Can Read If you want to introduce theological study into your life, but are worried that the only way to do that is buy a five pound book, check out this list of five easy-to-read theology books. Studying theology can add so much value to the lives of everyday Christians, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. These books offer rich theology in accessible language suitable for beginners. 05 What is the Gospel? By Greg Gilbert Number of Pages: 121 About the Author: Greg Gilbert is senior pastor of a church in Louisville, Kentucky, author, and contributor to Crossway and 9Marks. From the First Pages: “An…
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Theology is Important for Every Christian
Why You Should Care About Theology When you hear the word ‘theology,’ what comes to mind? White-haired seminary professors, 500 page books filled with incomprehensible language, people arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? It is fairly common to view theology as irrelevant and unnecessary for most Christians, if not a detriment to true faith in Jesus. The truth of the matter, however, is that theology is important for every Christian. It shouldn’t be confined to the divinity school, but should be found, alive and well, in the pews of churches across the world. Everyone is a Theologian But why should you care about…
Encouraging Believers to Stay Rooted in Christ
