Today's narrow understanding of “science” or “knowledge,” which only looks at what can be observed in the physical realm, is now equated with “truth,” and is considered by modern society to be more valuable than any other kind of knowledge. It has become the religion of modern man. But there is much knowledge in our world that cannot be observed in the physical realm, or “proven” by scientific discovery!
Does Jesus "know" you? According to his words recorded by Matthew, if he doesn't know us, we're in big trouble. Since Jesus created us (see Colossians 1:16), he obviously knows everything about us. Therefore, Jesus is not talking here about knowing who we are, but about "knowing" us through a personal relationship.
by Brian Shilhavy
In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to […]
The subject of "authority" and health is one that affects every living person on the planet today, and everyone reading this article. Here in the 21st Century, various government agencies regulate "health" and operate under laws and regulations as to just who has the authority to practice healing. This would include the World Health Organization (WHO) internationally, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. "Health" of course is generally defined today as "practicing medicine," and the authority given by government to "practice medicine" is tightly controlled through government licensing. Someone not licensed, or using unapproved products for healing, face arrest and imprisonment. A similar situation existed during the First Century. Jesus and his disciples did not follow the laws set forth by the government body of their day, and their system of healing was far superior. When common people outside the educated ruling class dared to oppose their authority and implement healing in Jesus name, they faced arrest and even execution in the First Century. The authority of Jesus is still in place today, as is his healthcare plan. Just as there was during the days and times of Jesus’ earthly life and immediately afterward, there is a competing health care system in place today that denies the authority of Jesus, and would feel threatened if enough people started being healed through Christ’s healthcare plan. To oppose the authority of today’s medical system and their approved cures is to risk punishment and even imprisonment. The current healthcare system is not a “healthcare” system at all, but a “medical” system designed to bring great profit to the pharmaceutical companies and others who profit from treating sick people. If enough people started exercising the authority of Jesus to see cures without having to pay for medical care, it would threaten their business, and opposition would be just as fierce as it was during the days of Jesus and the early disciples. But will that ever happen?
The name “Christian” carries a wide range of meaning and understanding today, as it has throughout history. It is obviously related to “Christ,” which is from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for “Messiah,” and refers to the person of Jesus Christ. A general definition of “Christian” then would be someone who follows the teachings or doctrine of Jesus Christ. The teachings of Jesus Christ are contained in the Bible, but how they are understood and what kind of people should bear the name “Christian” is highly debatable, and by no means universally accepted or understood. It is interesting to note that the followers of Jesus during his lifetime on earth and shortly after did not refer to themselves as “Christians.”
Very few things in life are determined as "true" strictly through the scientific method. Most of the time we rely upon credible testimony. There are many things we base our lives on today as truth that are not learned through scientific discovery. If you want to prove your birth, for example, you produce a birth certificate which is based on testimony, usually the testimony of a physician or person who helped your mother with your delivery. If you want to prove your marriage, you produce a marriage certificate, which is based on testimony, usually the testimony of the person officiating your wedding ceremony, etc. These are examples of the many things we hold true that can NOT be proven through scientific discovery.
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
by Brian Shilhavy
Created4Health.org
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must […]
What Kind of Sign is Your Life?
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his […]
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20) The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, provides a wonderful illustration of the truth that while life is not fair, God is in control at all times, working things out to accomplish his purposes. Life may not be fair, but God is, and he has the last say in every matter.
Before and After Pictures
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has […]
by Brian Shilhavy
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: […]
What is Your Goal in Life?
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the […]
Who is Your Head Pastor?
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of […]
When we use the word “health” in the English language today, we think primarily of physical health, and how our body is functioning. If we want to communicate something besides physical health, we generally add another word as an adjective, such as “mental health” or “emotional health.” But the word “health” itself is mainly used in terms of physical health, and the domain of “health” in western culture today is the domain of a large medical system which is called “healthcare.” It is an extremely influential and powerful system in most countries, controlled by pharmaceutical companies and licensed physicians, and regulated by the government. Such a concept of “health” however, is a recent development in human history. So when we read ancient texts such as the Bible, and read the English word “health” which is used to translate words from the original languages of ancient cultures, it is very helpful to study how these words were understood in those languages and cultures. Otherwise we read our own cultural understanding of English words into ancient texts, and that can result in an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of the meaning of these texts.
Why is there Thanksgiving?
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us […]
Your Purpose in Life
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a […]
Fear vs. Hope
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts […]
What is Perfect Knowledge?
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I […]
Are those producing your food producing it correctly as God intended? Is there a "right" way and a "wrong" way to produce food?
