Fight Fear by Uniting in Faith in the Right Thing to Avoid Deception

We fear when we fail to have faith. Children, for instance, need Mommy, Daddy, whoever to chase monsters away, cuddle them during a thunderstorm, or whatever. In a pinch, an older sibling might even step up and assume some parental duties, especially in the case of a parent's death. A child will, in fact, run to that comforter for support - sometimes to a familiar comfort object, too, such as a stuffed animal. They know who will comfort them.

Whoever provides it, a need to be comforted from fear exists in all of us, even as adults. Indeed, comfort is so important Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter.

This could be taken down one of a myriad of roads when connected to recent events, such as a temporary executive order with full text linked here (for because of fear there is confusion over what it says, too). That is only part of this post, though.

This follows up on the post on how we imperfect people can't create a perfect world, because only God can change hearts. It can be tempting, as humans, to think we can, but we can only change the outward appearance, actions, etc.. This is where we humans look, while God always looks on - and works in - the heart.(1 Sam 16:7)

Fear and emotion and seeing the evil of some - especially in Germany, Sweden, and France, where I won't link because stories disturb me - in everyone are driving a lot of things.

That leads to two important questions. 1. How do we stop it. And, 2. What does this have to do with deception?

Fight Fear With Faith

The way to battle this fear is to go to that Comforter - obviously, most readers aren't going to talk to a stuffed animal, though it can help one verbalize one's thoughts clearly and is surprisingly effective even for older people. We humans often try to solve our own problems and end up sinking into despair with dangerous things like drinking when we'd be much better off admitting we need help, even if that help is just verbalizing things to a stuffed animal.

That illustrates how important trust is. It's as simple as a child's faith that a comfort object can help them - and, it does to the extent that they are verbalizing things and thinking things out, just doing so out loud. It just needs to be in the right thing.But, if that faith children use helps them talk things out, or snuggling with one helps keep nightmares away, how much more can the true Comforter - which is the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost - help?

I doubt anyone voted for a stuffed animal, though given the choices I'm sure some were tempted. :-) People make choices based on that need to be comforted, showing a general desire to put faith in an outward appearance, rather than in the heart. Franklin Roosevelt, for instance, famously told Americans in his first inaugural address that, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." His words on the surface were comforting, but March 5, 1933 was just as bad as March 4 (the day of inaugurations then); it took a long while for thigns to improve. to avoid arguments over how much he helped, let's say he was like that parent who soothes a crying child who just skinned their knee. What helps at the moment - more than medicine they apply - is that someone is there soothing them.

God provides that Comforter that we need, more so than any person can. FDR or any other person is less powerful than god. Even if people could create a perfect world, only God can change hearts.

Because, you see, God has provided all we need to have faith to make that heart change - including that Comforter which is God living in each of us when we trust Jesus Christ by faith to save us. Once you trust Jesus Christ by faith to save you from your sins, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.(Eph.1:13-14) Jesus promised the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost/Spirit, will provide you with the peace you need.

This is very easy, because it's "by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yoruselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man shoudl boast."(Eph. 2:8-9) We can't get to heaven and have our sins washed away by our own works, it's only through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. And, that's as easy as ABC - Admit you're a sinner and you fall short of God's perfection, and thus can't get to heaven on your own; Believe Jesus Christ, god in flesh, died to take the punishment for your sins and rose from the ded; and, Call on Him by faith to forgive and save you and make you new inside. You can talk to God right now and do that.

Once you have trusted Him by faith, you can pray for others, too - especially for our leaders to also be guided int he right way, as the Bible tells us always to pray for those in authority so we can lead peaceful lives, etc.. This is why I've talked so much in this blog about prayer being so important for revival; there are plenty of other pages you can look at, but just know it's important for it to be prayers of repentance, accepting that we have messed up royally trying to solve thigns ourselves and each of us has sinned and come short of the glory of God.

instead of trusting in God, people fight fear with emotions. Emotions lead to people filled with strife because of spiritual warfare, which we'll touch on soon. Look at the destruction which has marked some riots, which are never the answer. contrast the trash left by those at the Million Woman March versus the peacefulness and cleanliness of the march for Life, and you can see the emotion thrown around there, just like in the immigration debate. For instance, government action comes from a combination of fear and only looking at the outside, but some protests do, too, in a way, because major problems are only addressed when it suits them; for instance, dozens of people were shipped back to Cuba days before Trump took office with no complaints, and that doesn't even consider the many Christians beheaded with no hope of entering the U.S. years earlier. There is lots of fear on all sides. Add to this the fact that most of what was done was just a move back to standards of 6-7 years ago that were just done without warning or planning (on emotion), and you get a lot of confusion that comes because there is no comforting being done.

Why? There is no comfort because there is no faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of thigns not seen.(Heb.11:1) Just as someone saying "no monsters in the closet" keeps nightmares away, or being with whomever makes the thunderstorm seem less scary, or whatever, people need to know that they don't have to be afraid. They need faith.

Be Filled With the Spirit - and Truth - For Comfort

Think of what having that faith means. Obviously, a saved person still has that old flesh nature so they will react and not listen to th4 Holy Spirit if they are not careful; the Bible  says peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit(Gal.5:22-23, and to be filled with the Spirit, a verb which means controlled by it.(Eph. 5:16-18) God promises the peace that passes understanding to those who trust Him.(Phi.4:7) And, so on.

You have to have faith in the right thing, though, and that means knowing the truth.  Just like that child learns how far away the lightening is by counting, and gets more used to thunder, they generally aren't as scared, though some adults are terrified of storms and that's fine. However, the point is that we learn facts - truth - to make us less scared. That absolute truth of God's word is so helpful here, as He promises that He won't change,  and therefore His people are not consumed. (Mal. 3:6)

Some truths are very important to know because we can be hurt if we do not know them. For instance, it is good to know if lightning is over a mile away because of the distance between it and the thunderclap. It is wrong to think that lightning can never hurt you because if you stand outside during a storm you could get hit by it and injured or killed. There is a rational and an irrational caution to take around lightning. (Tht healthy respect and caution one has around lightning is the good kind of fear the Bible talks about - God doesn't want us to have the irrational terror kind.) In the same way,  it is irrational to claim all Muslims are moderate since there have been terrorist ttacks by radical ones; and in fact it could be argued that hiding the fact an attacker was a radical Muslim scares people more because they don't know if they'll be told the truth.

Muslims and Christians have very different beliefs, and another falsehood that appears is that they worship the same god. Muslims don't believe Jesus is God in flesh like Christians do, because they misunderstand "Sonship" and think it means physical relations when it doesn't. Sonship is figurative, like the Arabic "ibn," and like the Arabic phrase "The word is the daughter of the lips." Here are some great links to explain more, but suffice it to say that their view of god is totally lacking int he grace and mercy the Bible shows, because the Bible shows God loving all sinners, and tenderly calling them to repent before it is too late. He is personal and wants to reconcile us to Himself. These are not true of the Muslim Allah. This doesn't get into the dangers of radical Muslims views on women.

There is a lot of spiritual warfare going on. A lot of the devil's work is in clouding the truth. Revival won't work without repentant hearts praying. However, as noted many times before, God can change hearts and heal a nation that turns to Him.The devil is going to try to deceive people through their emotions, as well as many other things, though.

Some of that will be through fear. A world leader will come to the fore sometime who will promise peace but who will actually bring destruction; and, that world leader will not like the God of the Bible becasue he will want to have people develop their own system and achieve peace through worldly means, not through trusting God to provide. It is why we must avoid being fooled.

Wait, you ask, how did we get here?

Remember at the  start I mentioned that people are looking for comfort from fear, the fear that is gripping people on all sides? This spiritual warfare happens because the devil, God's enemy - a created being who chose to rebel and try to be like God - wants to draw people away from the truth of God's Word and cause that kind of terror that causes people to panic and put their trust in the wrong kind of thing, in human leaders and laws rather than God's grace.

Avoid Deception - Don't Chase the Wrong Thing In Troubled Times

This makes a lot of sense when connected to that idea of needing to fight fear with faith - as long as it's the right thing. The more chaos the devil can cause, the less we think of how God can comfort us, and the easier we can then be deceived. It's easier to feel safe when things are going well because, well, things are going well, and there is nothign to be scared of. A child playing outside on a calm, summer day wont' be scared of lightning, it's when the thunderstorm comes they need that comfort.

Of course, trauma can lead to one needing a lot more comfort, too - but this is why it's wonderful that God is called the God of all comfort in the Bible.(2 Cor. 1:3) Even minor problems can make one more wary. For a while after escaping a house fire with her parents, a cousin's girl noticed loud noises more becasue they made her think of the sound of the fire engines and crackling of the fire. She perked her ears up more than she did running to them each time, though; had she been injured she would have been more scared. This is why that spiritual warfare happens, so the devil can stir people up and cause them to want to turn to the wrong thigns - the wrong people, the wrong faith, and so on.

Of coruse, God allows it becasue he knows many people can find Him *if* they seek Him - which is why we must not be hating people but rather sharing the love of Christ with them and inviting them to trust that God of love to save them. Sometimes people turn to bad thigns like drugs and drinking and other thigns in times of turmoil instead, though, because they fear there is no hope That's why it's vital to show them there is hope - and that hope is found in Jesus Christ of the Bible, the one who made a way for them to know God personally, for god to live in them through the Holy Spirit.

See, when we fail to look at others as humans, sinners like us in need of the SAviour, we are falling into that age-old trap. We forget that, as one example, many Muslims are afraid of radical Islam, too. That's where, for instance - like the person who has been traumatized - it's important to know the differences and be able to say, "Okay, "Sharia law is awful on women, freedoms, and human rights, and we need to take steps to stop it because it will benefit all of us." this is where honest discussion and not hiding the facts of what radicals have done and are doing is vital, becasue as noted, hiding facts can make one scared of the whole thing.

In the lightning example above, for instance, if you only knew people got killed by lightning and didn't know the lightning was over a mile away and couldn't come into the house, for instance, you'd be more scared.

Avoid Deception by Receiving God's Peace

This looking at the outside and following our fears, rather than putting our trust in Christ, leads to how we can and will be deceived if we're not careful. I want to further discuss what kind of deception might be coming, but current events mean that it's best saved for another day, though in the meantime you can read this and this with good links elsewhere.

It's not just looking at the spiritual realm for concerns, though. We have problems right here that need us to pray to God to intervene and to prevail in this spiritual warfare.

In other words, be careful and don't put trust in world leaders the way you trust in god. that goes for people of all political persuasions. This world is filled with people who are full of emotion and angst, and that means that we don't even know wht's accurate anymore because unless you've been an eyewitness to something, and can then relate it in a calm manner, there is going to be some bias.

WE can trust the Bible, though. It's entirely reliable as God's Word. God loves to communicte with us, and because of that, He is able to comfort us when we call on Him.

It's important to work together to end evil, but more importantly, while we can't bring in God's Kingdom ourselves, someone will try to create a kingdom without allowing Bible believers to proclaim that truth that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, to anyone who receives Him, but that one must trust Him by faith to save them from their sins.

that is because a price had to be paid for my sins, for yours, for everyone's. God Himself paid that pricewhen he chose to die for each and every person on thsi planet. then, the third day, he rose bodily from the dead.

In John 16:33, he says, "My peace i give unto you" - another difference because others want to only give peace to a certain person or people, but the bible shows that Jesus, God in flesh(John 1:1, 14), gives His peace to you and I and everyone who will receive it.

He then goes on. "Not as the world gives; My peace i give unto you. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Jesus has already overcome the world. Whatever spiritual battles await you, if you have trusted Jesus Christ to save you then you can know for sure you have Him living in you. You can go to Godlife.com for more, including people who you can talk to to learn more about following the Lord.

Then, you can be free from fear and able to pray for others to also be free from that fear. When we all get together and pray for God to free us from that fear, he will protect us fromt he deception which will come upon this world and try to trick thsoe who remain with epace and safety, when instead sudden destruction will come upon them.(1 thess. 5:1-3)

Uniting in God's truth, and the all-important "begotten"

You might wonder why "begotten" is called all-important, but first, a question. Are people united to commit crime united in a good work? Of course not.

Speaking of unity, this is also going up on the Youthquake ministry site which I link below, for those wondering why they see this twice. :-)

Examples of when uniting wonderful

Jesus often asks questions to help listeners think about the answers to their own questions. While it is not the focus of this post, the parable of the Good Samaritan is a great example - we often ask, "Who is my neighbor?" Muslims are one answer to that - we need to share with them how to have a personal relationship with a loving, gracious God who gave Himself for them, so He can save them from their sins and make them new inside. This post shares good tips and resources that are vital to "snatch them in pity from sin and the grave" as the hymn - and much more sensible title - goes.

Of course, there is a wonderful way to show how to unite for positive things. The Jews and Samaritans couldn't stand each other in those days. I don't know if it inspired him, but Daryl Davis has made a life out of befriending people who don't like him.  However, we do need to be careful to be united in a Godly work, such as peacemaking.

I've said many times in this blog that God's Word proves we are all one race, the human race - something acknowledged in secular media, too. However, there are times when we can't pretend there are no differences. this is why that word - "begotten" - will come up, because it doesn't just mean "only." it means of the same essence, the same substance.

Clearing up misconceptions

This is a misconception that Muslims have about Christians. Let me start by pointing out a few things from the post I linked.  Some people think Muslims and Christians worship the same god, but we don't, and "Sonship is one big reason. Muslims say Allah had no son because they only think of physical relationships when they think of a son. They don't realize that Sonship In the Biblical sense is the Arabic "ibn" - this means a perfect likeness, having every attribute of the original.

This Arabic word, "ibn," shows that Jesus is a perfect likeness, He is God in flesh(John 1:14, etc.) because in Him(Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.(Col. 2:9) There is also a way or two to explain the Godhead which will help. Here is a site that might help with a few misconceptions. Also, simply explaining "I am a father, a son, and a brother - one man, three attributes is a start. The point is that we can agree that God is one god, and go fromt here to show how He manifests Himself.(As that first one does with talking about how God manifested Himself to Moses, etc..) As this site on answering Islam shows, unique is even a better translation than "only," since monogenes has no direct translation into English, but "only" is surely incorrect. Only begotten is even better, though, than unique, because Begotten means having all the attributes in a way unique doesn't.

So, clearly there are times when we have a truth to stand on - what "Sonship" means - that needs to be explained to eliminate misunderstanding. It wouldn't do to pretend that difference doesn't exist, because bringing it to light improves understanding of what the Bible says.

Philippians 4:2-3 - where Paul tells two ladies, Euodice and Synteche, to be of one mind "in the Lord." However, that phrase, "in the Lord," means to put aside petty differences and follow Christ. Their argument might have been heated - Paul asks others to help them, those who were perhaps able to help to mediate the dispute by helping them talk things out. But, they were not disagreeing about fundamentals of the faith.

In other words, just like explaining Sonship above increases understanding by pointing out what truth is, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clearly insists elsewhere that we must be unified in sound Doctrine and not allow false Doctrine to enter our churches. Because, sound doctrine increases understanding.

This post from a ministry blog I do goes into more detail after a while about the sound doctrine we need to hold fast to because the points are connected with God being a personal, loving God who took the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross and rose again. It also has more links to our radio shows - which can be found here - though this post in the blog you're reading has different things regarding supporting what we believe and support, not just what we are against. So, both are good to read.

However, I'm going to come at one in particular from an unusual angle, because it will help to end confusion in a number of areas.

So, what's with the word "begotten"?

So, you might be thinking, "Okay, so the point about "begotten" is that it points to Christ's Deity." That's a major part of it, yes. The meaning is so much deeper than something simple like only.

Begotten shows that all attributes of God were passed on. Jesus had "all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."Col.2:9 We are adopted as children, as Romans 8, John 1;12, and others show. However, we don't get every single attribute of God, we don't become all-powerful for example. We will never have that kind of attribute. There are a few which we don't have on earth because of our sin nature, but in Heaven we shall become sinless, have perfect love, etc.. However the Lord will never share all His attributes Jesus Christ only has all of them because he is God in flesh.

And yet, in His love God does give us the power to become the sons of God if we believe on His name(John 1:12) - that is, trust Him and call on Him by faith to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Begotten, then, shows the difference between a believer and the Lord, yet also shows the Deity of Christ and allows us to, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath given ucto us," that we, too, can be called the children of God.

This incredible love is something people in other cultures often don't understand or even have access to - people all over the world seek freedom from sin, from guilt, from shame, and from fear. These things leave them in bondage to the world's system, one that tries to work one's way to Heaven.

"Okay," you might say, "the Deity of Christ, God's love for us, and the freedom we have in Him are wonderful to unite behind. They are all present in that word Begotten the way they are not in the word only. But, is that the only problem with versions that don't use begotten?

No, and that's the big problem.

Stick with the Antiochan Greek

 When you use "Begotten" you're using a word translated from Greek. Gotquestions has a good explanation here. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew(Old Testament), Greek(New Testament) and a little bit of Aramaic that is not important for this discussion.

the original Greek manuscripts, from Antioch, were written first, with Greek from Alexandria used a century later. That Greek from Alexandria made changes that confused thigns and caused problems with doctrine. the King James Version is the only one straight from the Antiochan texts. Here is a great post from someone else about it.

To sum up what the above link says, other versions - which take from Alexandrian texts - have many problems like this. We as Christians aren't perfect, as I noted in another post. We are all still growing closer to Christ and needing Him to battle our flesh nature. Salvation is an instant event,(Rom.10:9-10,13; Acts 16:31; etc.) but as this show reveals. (This is why one must beware of modern Bible versions that use the Alexandrian text, modern texts do things like changing 1 Peter 2:2 to make it sound like you grow in your salvation when the King James, from the original Antiochan texts, shows clearly growth is through the Word of God and is only in one's sanctification.

 Another good link that shows what some other big differences are is here. Our Youthquake site even had a book noted which founder/director Sal Varsalone wrote exposing a lot of problems - see "No Counte4rfeit Bibles" here.

One of those easy to notice is in Luke 2:33 and Luke 2:44, where the King James says "Joseph and Jesus' mother."Mary was, biologically, Jesus' parent, but Joseph was not. to say "Jesus' father and mother" is also an attack on Jesus' Deity. While it's true that Philip says "the son of Joseph," he is merely making a human mistake because of his excitement at finding the Messiah. He wasn't taking time to think that Messiah had to be God in flesh. Those verses in luke, though, are part of something the Holy Spirit is revealing to us as Scripture. Luke was inspired to write - in his very meticulous style - "Joseph and Jesus' mother" becase that's what God wanted people to understand, that Jesus was not related biologically to Joseph, and that He was born of a virgin.

You can hear shows about the Deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, and other vital doctrines in our shows here.

The Bible is totally reliable, though, when you look at the original texts, as this site shows. And, one of the most important parts of that is that Jesus Christ, God in flesh, died to take the punishment for each of our sins and rise from the dead. He was the perfect sacrifice that was necessary to pay the entire price for our sins. And, each one of us must simply trust Him by faith, calling on Him to save and forgive them from their sins. Here is a more detailed explanation of God's simple plan of salvation where you can talk to online volunteers to understand more.

"Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave," showing Muslims God is love

That line, part of the great hymn "Rescue the Perishing," embodies what we must pray God uses us to do for everyone in America and everywhere else - especially Muslims, in the wake of the recent shooting of a Philadelphia policeman. There are many who are struggling with things - guilt, shame, fear, agony, etc. - who need Jesus because the enemy, the devil, is filling them with these things and keeping them from the freedom God has for them. Each saved person must have pity and show that love and forgiveness to them, giving them a chance to receve it just as they were given and received. Just looking at Paul's life beforehand and his understanding of grace shows what a great change God can make in someone.

So, just as the next one about youth will be important for everyone to share bit will be a bit more specific, this is, too.

Three things are clear. 1. ISIS is influencing people and for months has drawn even Americans to it, as well as many in other countries, with horrible results in those nations as told in the latter half of this prophecy update. 2. Most Muslims are still not influenced by ISIS or other radical groups, and in fact are coming to Christ in record numbers. And, 3. The Holy Spirit can influence people toward the God of love, mercy, and forgiveness as shown in the New Testament. It's up to us to make sure everyone, including Muslims, understands this and believes it, because radicals like ISIS want to lure the US into war.

However, we must be dedicated to honoring the Lord with our hearts, not just our lips, because if anything keeps people away from the Lord, at times our biggest enemy is us. If I say I'm King of Belgium, whatever i do has no impact on what the real King of Belgium is like; however, it will make it harder for some to know the real King of Belgium.

As noted in a few other posts, the Holy Spirit can help. He is there, as Jesus promises(John 16:7-12) to work in nonbelievers' hearts, too. However, we don't want to make it harder for the Spirit to work. Jesus calls us to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us.(Matt.5:43-48,Roamns 12:20-21,etc.)

So, what do we do? Here are some ideas and resources.

Showing God's love to Muslims

A common response to the old saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" is that "You CAN make him thirsty."

Are we making Muslims thirsty? Or anyone? Look at what Jesus did in John 4(woman at the well). She knew she was thirsty, and he knew it, but He didn't come right out and say she was thirsty. Instead, He got her interested, so much so that when He says He has living water that will spring up into everlasting life, she asks, "Evermore give me this water." Her reply wasn't prompted by anything but a sincere desire to quench her thirst.

Now, she was thinking only of physical water at first, but the important thing is, Jesus' attitude made her want what he had.

This, as an aside, is why funerals are often the best times to reach someone. They are not only thinking of the fact they, too, will die and/or wanting answers, but for the Christian, they can be sure that loved one is in Heaven. Muslims have no guarantee of Heaven, because they are taught they have to work their way there. Indeed, all religion is about man trying to reach a perfect, holy God on his own, whereas true Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ saving a person through His own shed blood, and making that person new inside, constantly working in them to make them more like Him - more loving, gentle, compassionate, etc..

It is certainly good to point out such facts, and not to attack their beliefs openly,. Instead, as noted, "make them thirsty" by remarking about the joy, peace, comfort, etc. that relationship with Christ provides.

A testimony is simply telling what Christ has done in your life, after all. The devil - the god of this world - has blinded people to the truth(2 Cor. 4:4) - another reason we must show there's a difference between us and the world, and not be hypocrites. And, since the devil has put spiritual blinders on them, we can't remove those blinders by worldly means alone. We need the Holy Spirit to work in each person's heart.

We are called to be in the world, but not of it. Romans 12:2 says "Be not conformed to this world..." In other words, if you would struggle with other faiths as a newer believer, a ministry to Muslims might not be for you because you might be tempted to compromise on basic fundamentals of salvation in trying to witness to them - those being that Jesus Christ is God in flesh, born of a virgin, lived a perfect, sinless life, died on the cross to take the punishment for each of our sins, and rose bodily from the dead. However, if you would be able to stand firm on those, then it's important to be sharing your faith in love.

Of course, it seems rough at times when you look at what the most radical are doing, but remember that, first, many of these people are not radicalized but are simply living in terror themselves because of what they are taught, and second, that Jesus died and rose fromt he dead in triumph over such terror. A triumph He wants each of these people to have. And, many times they don't realize how God can truly give them victory over it. This is true of Muslims and of anyone who is not saved and followed a system where they try to be perfect and fall woefully short.

A few of numerous resources

Of course, there are other things we can use, too, to help Muslims understand the Gospel. It's just that it should be done as a friend helping them understand, not to attack. However, we must realize that the god of Islam is NOT the God of the Bible. Here is a good 2-part sermon series on Islam if you prefer something audio that is simple. 1, 2.

A few of the truths in those, among many which show Allah is not the God of the Bible...

For instance, the meaning of Sonship is different. They say Allah had no son because they only think of physical relationships when they think of a son. However, there is an Arabic word, "ibn, which can be used to help them understand Jesus is a perfect likeness, he is God in flesh(John 1:14, etc.) because in Him(Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.(Col. 2:9)

There is also a way or two to explain the Godhead which will help. Here is one that might help with a few misconceptions. Also, simply explaining "I am a father, a son, and a brother - one man, three attributes is a start. The point is that we can agree that God is one god, and go fromt here to show how He manifests Himself.(As that first one does with talking about how God manifested himself to Moses, etc..)

Part of Muslim culture, however, prevents them from seeking unless the Lord intervenes. because they fear that God will punish them for ever doubting. Whereas, the Bible shows that God welcomes questions and praises those who seek wisdom. this is something to point out slowly, as the Spirit leads - or perhaps more quickly as you are talking, however God leads. Again, we don't know how many others have been witnessing to a person or how effective they have been. But, the Holy Spirit does.

So, be patient and do however much the Lord leads you to do. Once a Muslim person trusts Christ as Savior they often face terrible discrimination, ostracism, and being disowned from their families. So, they will need you to be there for them to help encourage them. But that will be easy, they will be brothers/sisters in Christ then, learning to grow spiritually just like you.

All is not okay - there is a horrible battle brewing, as this prophecy update shows. The devil wants to take them to hell with him, and also wants to take all those who refuse to accept God's great love and salvation from their sins.

Why the Bible is true - witnessing to Muslims

I want to respond to those who might consider the Islamic faith by explaining that the Bible is true. It is for every tribe, every nation, every tongue. It is for people of any creed, because god loves each of us even though we are sinners.

Let me begin by teaching you some Arabic, because I doubt many readers know the language. There is a word, walad, which means a child through physical relations. There is another word, ibn, which means a child that is the same substance the exact likeness of the parent.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the Arabic ibn meaning. He is God in flesh, as we see in many places, John 10:30 being one of the key points but also all of the I am statements and other things. His disciples, and eventually quite a few of the Pharisees, knew he was God.

Yes the Pharisees, they didn't want to admit he was God but they knew he was claiming to be God and quite a few came to trust Him as Savior after the resurrection as we see in Acts chapter 2 and beyond. The Old Testament claims he is God, as we see in John  12:10 and other places; that first says that they shall look on me whom they have pierced. This is God talking, telling us that in the future the Jewish people would look on him and recognize that He, Jesus Christ, is the promised Messiah. Then, they shall realize that the one they were following is not God but the Antichrist. The Jewish people who trust in the Messiah during the Tribulation will be saved and enter the Millennial Kingdom.

That of course is a totally different topic. For now let me also explain that one of the problems Muslims have is with the Trinity. Well, that word is not in the Bible but God had is. The Godhead is used in Colossians 2:9, where we see that Jesus Christ is God because in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

The Godhead is simple. We worship one God, just like them. However, God in the Bible is a personal God, a loving God who desires a personal relationship with His creatures. Yes, He hates him but He loves the sinner. He does not want to always be condemning. That is the error that Muslims make, they don't realize that Jesus Christ is God in flash and that he loves them and WANTS a relationship with them so he can forgive their sins and make them new inside.

So, what is the Godhead? It is simple. I am a male. I am hungry, so I plan to have a small snack of a few strawberries. I am also a blogger right now. So, I am a male blogger who is hungry for some strawberries. Does this make me three different people? Of course not, I am one person who is relating to you in three ways. In the same way, God manifests Himself in three persons - God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The page is in a different context, refuting another false doctrine, but this is an excellent site to explain how all three are equal persons in the Godhead and still God is one God.

Sure, people have claimed to be Christians and done bad things, but if I claim to be King of Norway and do a bunch of horrible things does that have any impact on the real King of Norway? Of course not. God promises to punish those who do wickedly in His name. Meanwhile, the Koran promises blessings to those who do wickedly in Allah's name.

But, which is God? Jesus Christ, God in flesh, is the Creator and sustainer of this universe. You can find many other great sites showing more about why the God of this universe, a personal, loving God who sees all as equal and who desires a relationship with each of us if we'll only turn to Him to forgive us of our sins, is the true God. Here is a good one. Also, here is a great end times site by someone who knows the Islamic faith and midnset intimately.

But, remember, too, to use the King James Bible, because it has thigns that make it much clearer for Muslims to realize that Jesus is God. For instance, the word "Begotten" in John 3:16 means more than just "only," it means a perfect likeness. Just like that Arabic ibn. Also, another great example is found in Genesis 22:8. "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." Notice the wording - it's not saying God will provide one Himself, it says "God will provide Himself." Meaning God himself will be that lamb, as John 1:29 says, "Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world."

God himself provided the way for all people to be saved. he is calling on those of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation to repent of their sins and call on Him. You are only a single, sincere prayer of repentance to Jesus Christ away from eternal life. Simply admit you're a sinner - and we've all sinned and come short o the glory of God - believe that Jesus Christ, God in flesh, died for your sins and rose from the dead, and call on Jesus, choosing to trust Him to save you and come into your heart and make you new inside.

Then, you can grow in Him and talk to him anytime, anywhere, about anything. I recommend going to Godlife.com - though their verses aren't KJV it's a good study and you can contact someone in the online missions team who will answer questions, pray with you, etc.. A great site with the simple Gospel message is Godlife.com/gospel or en espanol http://www.godlife.com/es or in Arabic http://www.godlife.com/ar