I wrote this article because the term Christian debt consolidation is highly searched on the likes of google and yahoo. Now I’ve got to be straight and say I am no fan of consolidation loans. They are often “sold” as the answer to our prayers but many times there is a less costly solution that better suits our needs. Don’t get me wrong Christian debt consolidation loans have their place but they should form part of a debt reduction plan and not be seen as the only available answer.

First of all lets start by examining why we may think a Christian debt consolidation plan may be worthwhile.

Some debts are good e.g. home loan and others are bad e.g. loan to pay off credit card. Experts argue over the definition of good and bad debt and usually fail to reach agreement. Why is that? Well it’s because debt is a personal thing and what one person classes as a good or worthwhile debt, another perceives as bad.

Let me suggest that debt only becomes bad when it causes you financial hardship and you find it difficult to keep up the payments. This could simply be the result of borrowing too much but for many it is due to a change in financial circumstances such as medical bills or the loss of a job.

In such situations a Christian debt consolidation loan can look like a great option. It offers the promise of rolling our debts into one payment. Often the payment is lower than the total before because it may be possible to secure a lower interest rate. However, payments are most often lowered by extending the number of years over which the loan is repaid. Did you know that in the long term this is actually much more expensive?

So, if your struggling to make ends meet and sadly, millions of Christians around the world are then your way out of debt starts by asking for and accepting help.

Now before we continue, please bear in mind that there are many different Christian debt consolidation solutions out there in the market place. Often, because of media advertisments the first thing we hear is the term Christian debt consolidation loan and we automatically assume that could help us. Often times we take up an offer without fully exploring all the options.

Always seek the advice of professional Christian debt consolidation service before entering into any form of agreement with creditors or restructuring finances.

Christian Debt Consolidation Services include:

Debt Consolidation Loans

Credit Repair

Debt Payment Plans

Credit Card Consolidation

Credit Counseling

Creditors Negotiation

Bankruptcy

Snowball Payment Plans

Any one of these services could be right for you and often, a combination of different options can prove to be most effective.

My message then is don’t accept a Christian debt consolidation loan as the answer to your prayers. With the information provided here you are now better placed to explore the other available options.

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Are spiritual ideas useful in everyday life? Spiritual ideas or truths are eternal and so are practical when you apply them daily. As we have a desire to grow spiritually or demonstrate the power of Spirit over the matter in our everyday activities, ideas and truths reveal themselves from the Bible and from the healing book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy. Consequently, we find the way to our freedom from any disorders.

Joyously accepting and obeying those principles in our hearts and minds helps our human beliefs and knowledge to yield to the supreme all-knowing Mind. Focusing our consciousness on spiritual truths, recognising, and maintaining them steadfastly in our thoughts as the only true ones which we should follow, liberates our minds and consequently bodies from any disharmony.

We feel joy and happiness when we clearly realise that the divine truths described in the bible are so pure and powerful that they cannot be belittled or diluted by any humanly educated knowledge, dogma, theories or traditions. Only by acknowledging in our hearts moral and ethical laws, we are enabled to regain health and harmony as it was during Jesus Christs time. We are able to prove for ourselves the practicality of metaphysical Science and Christian Science prayers.

• Principles Used in Christian Science Prayers and Treatments

• God is the only creator of the universe including man;

  Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

  And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them. Jer. 25:6

• God, being divine good, made All and All that He made was good;

  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Gen. 1:31

• God is eternal Spirit or Mind, so all things created by Him are spiritual;

  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

  By the word of the Lord were the heavens made;…He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6

• The real man is not made of matter but of Spirit and man was made only good;

  God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him. Gen. 1:26

• NEVER be afraid of any medical diagnoses or any mental suggestions that are negative. God is omnipotent Love which dissolves any fear;

  Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage. Joshua 10:25

  There is no fear in Love; but perfect Love casteth out fear. 1 John 4:18

• ALWAYS be grateful to God for His wondrous works.

  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Ps. 30:12

  O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Ps.136:26

Copyright 2010 Ed Bagley

It is altogether fitting that my first original writing of the new year should be a prayer to Jesus Christ, my Savior and promise keeper.

I am a converted Roman Catholic, and believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, is both my Savior and redeemer. I am a Christian. You may be a follower of Judaism, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism or Confucianism among others. It does not matter to me.

I am just happy that you recognize a power greater than yourself. Whatever your choice of religious belief, become a better member of your faith.

Despite the current problems of the Roman Catholic faithin particular its egregious, unconscionable handling of those relatively few pedophile priests who have abandoned Christ’s teachingsthe life and message of Jesus Christ remains unchanged, and His church on Earth endures after more than 2,000 years.

The Catholic religion, like all religions, has had its good and bad keepers of the faith. There have been popes who have been no better than common criminals, and other popes who have been great examples of keepers of the faith, including Pope John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli), and Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla), two of the most popular popes in the history of the papacy.

Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), the current reigning Pope, is the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

I wrote the following prayer in honor of Jesus Christ, and wish to share it with you at this time.

Prayer of Gratitude to Jesus Christ, My Savior and Promise Keeper

All praise and glory to you, Heavenly Father, and to your son Jesus, the living Son of you, my Father in Heaven, a living God who sees all, hears all and knows all.

Thank you, Father, for sending Jesus to me so I might see Him and learn His loving ways. I understand that my faith does not literally require me to see Jesus in the flesh to receive and benefit from His message of unconditional love, understanding, acceptance and redemption. Only you, Father God, would have the patience to send your Son among us when faith would have sufficed. Let those who have not seen yet believe share in your promise of redemption.

I thank you Father for reaching out to me with your words of compassion and comfort. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to your message of service to others. Let not my heart be troubled by the cares of the world, so that I can be of service to you with no misgivings.

Guide me and direct me in all that I do and say so that your glory may be manifest in my service to others. Help me to appreciate that my life has little purpose without service to others, and grant to me an understanding heart and wise judgment so that I can better recognize those who are troubled and in need.

Let kindness and genuine concern be my greeting to all of your children. Let a gentle smile be my first words spoken. Without you Lord I am but an empty vessel waiting to be filled. With you, let me bring living water to those thirsty for your Word. Speak through me Lord so that your message remains clear, concise, and convincing.

Let my life be one of gratitude for the opportunity to serve with a willing and cheerful heart. I understand that while service to others will enrich my life, it is only through your grace that I will be saved, and be with you in Heaven.

I ask all of this, Father God, in the name of your son Jesus, my Savior and promise keeper.

The entire construction of the institution of Christianity is built over the foundation of faith, which promises to deliver every ardent and true follower from the clutches of temptation and evil. Carrying forward the flame of this religion by fighting all external aggression is one task that asks for more than simply devotion. It is understanding the integrity and the sanctity of the religion to great depths that fills in a follower with enough confidence to stand ground at all costs. Christian ministries around the globe are working feverishly to restore the faith of the straying followers through religious services, Bible reading and other activities. Even followers who are a little vague about the idealism of the religion are receiving guidance from Christian personals engaged in the cause through churches and associations.

Attending workshops and various programmes organised by the active Christian ministries throughout the globe has been seen to offer great guidance to the needy followers. These congregational teachings instruct Christians to follow the good path and make a good living out of their lives. To spread the message of the Lord, Christian personals are also appointed by churches and ministries to engage in the good work at the local levels. Citing parables from the Bible or inspirational readings, they go about their task helping you decipher the goal of your life as a true Christian.

Readings from the holy book has shown us that the only way to truly understanding the Christian way of life is by engaging in regular prayers and upholding the law of the Lord. In achieving this task, Christian ministries have contributed a great deal by organising prayer services at public gatherings and even through personal visits. It is only when you understand the seriousness and the righteousness of the faith will you be graced with the gravity of Gods will in all wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. So far, the persistent and noble efforts of Christian personals engaged in the Lords service have lifted the veils of ignorance from many followers. The task is enormous, but the progress is inspiring enough to carry on.

The idea that we can change the world because God is in us can sound a little scary if we’re serious about. It’s a lot to take in if we really mean it. We are connected to God and that connectedness is prayer. As a pastor, I probably hear more questions about prayer than just about any other subject. The two most frequently asked questions: why should we pray and how should we pray?

Jesus gave his disciples a model prayer when they requested him to teach them how to pray. You and I often say these words as our own prayer. Jesus also gave them a model for prayer, sort of a “thumb-nail” sketch of the content and attitude of prayer. When you pray, these words can serve as a guide. They are probably very familiar to you. It seems a little obvious, but the prayer reminds us that, when you pray, pray to God. God is intimate and holy, our divine and heavenly parent. To hallow God’s name means that we keep a reverent attitude with regard to the ultimate reality the name God represents.

The request your kingdom come is a plea for God’s ways and will to become the reality of this world and of our lives. Give us daily bread points to being aware of the needs in us and around us, and have the ability to distinguish needs from wants. Forgiveness is a two-way street. Being forgiven by God doesn’t depend on our forgiving others because we can’t earn God’s love. Our forgiving others, however, indicates awareness of having been forgiven – that there is in us a core of grace. And regarding the time of trial or temptation, God don’t bring us there. Keep us from falling away. Give us the ability to hang on and hang in, to find ways to believe and trust.

Beyond this, then, how should we pray? Do you notice something curious in Jesus’ prayer? Almost every statement is imperative, like a command. Hallowed be your name! Kingdom, come! Give daily bread! Forgive our sin! Don’t bring us to trial! It’s almost as though we are ordering God!

The Lord’s Prayer seems to contain statements that give God instructions. Theologian Walter Wink suggests that God commands us to command God, orders us to insist on these things. How can we order God? This idea only really makes sense when we remember that ours is not the first voice in prayer. Our prayer is a response to the movement of the Spirit who urges us to be urgent in prayer. Our role is central because our passion and commitment are crucial. Our faithfulness in prayer is irreplaceable.

How does this work? One of the ways prayer works is by changing us. Our openness to the Spirit connection and the faithfulness with which we pray affects our approach to living. Prayer opens spaces within our lives for God to act and God acts along the lines of our prayer. Another way prayer works is in our partnership with God. We are partners with God. Naturally, God is the senior partner whose vision and will are determinative for us. God works with and through each person according to our unique giftedness, our unique focus, and our willingness to pray.

We live in a world full of need – for healing, for justice, for meaning, for truth, for food and medicine, for inclusion and for love. As we allow ourselves to become aware of these overwhelming needs, they move through our minds and hearts. They are impossible for us to fix. All we can do is send them all to God in prayer. And we let them go, trusting God to be God. And God sends back to each of us the particular dimension of need and possibility that exactly corresponds to our unique identity and giftedness – the need that’s got our name on it.

There are risks in prayer. This risk factor goes up as our prayers get more specific. Each of us will have to answer for ourselves how specific we are willing to be in prayer. I am finding the willingness to be very concrete and specific in my praying is bringing a new intensity to my prayer life. Prayer is not a magical grab bag for wishes. Sometimes I wish it were. Sometimes the things we pray for don’t happen. Sometimes I understand why and sometimes I don’t. I believe that prayer is a mystical connection through which God is changing the world. There is power and understanding that is not ours.

How we pray, our ability and talent in prayer, is not a factor in prayer’s effectiveness. It doesn’t really matter whether or not we use the right words or that we’re good enough or spiritual enough. What is vital is that we do pray. Any amount of faith that we bring to prayer is enough for God to use. God’s nature, God’s power, and God’s faithfulness are all that matters in whatever space we open.

What about those other images Jesus used? There was the friend at midnight who doesn’t want to help you. With persistence on your part, he will help, but God is more faithful. So be persistent in prayer. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking and doors will open. When a child asks for food, some may give snakes or scorpions, but God is much more faithful. God always gives the Holy Spirit. The Spirit always brings healing and wholeness. It’s not our ability or piety that makes prayer effective, but rather our willingness to pray. What really matters is God being God-like.

Why, then, should we pray? Prayer is the power of a connectedness with God that can change the world. Prayer affects the life of the one who prays. Your prayer opens a space in your life for the Spirit to move to transform the world, to transform individual lives, and to transform you and me. We help bring the Kingdom of God from invisible to visible reality. It happens little by little through individual people of faith.

The Christian faith tradition out of which I come believes that God respects human initiative and the free exercise of human will. This means that God acts only when we open the space. Praying, then, is inseparable from doing and doing is inseparable from praying. The results of praying are growth and transformation. For individuals, praying brings transformation and spiritual growth. For humanity, prayer brings social transformation and reform.

Prayer is life beyond our understanding. It is a mystical connection. Prayer is action, a mystical channel through which God touches and transforms the world. When you pray, first listen and then speak in words that reveal themselves through the open channel of your life. The Spirit moves through you and into you and there is prayer. God’s kingdom comes in you and through you, and prayer continues, and God’s will is done.

Christian therapy as a profession is relatively new, having been practiced only over the last few decades. While many in the Christian community adhere to a strict code of Bible-based, scriptural, prayer-focused means of helping individuals, additional methods have proven beneficial. The fear many have who are consider Christian counseling is that they would jeopardize their faith or somehow be disobedient to God or contradict the Bible.

How to Choose a Christian Counselor

Yet through the wise choosing of a Christian therapist, one can find the help they need while still maintaining a Biblical basis for faith and incorporating Scripture and prayer into their personal growth process. Christian counseling is best done by someone with an advanced (Master’s) degree trained in the principles of psychotherapy and grounded in the essentials of Christian teaching. Through this combination, they will be able to discern behavioral or relational patterns that are both consistent with the Bible and lead to healthy spiritual and emotional growth.

Emotional and Spiritual Growth Essential

What many Christian counselors have come to believe over time is that emotional and spiritual growth are not mutually exclusive. In other words, one cannot be spiritual growing while emotionally bankrupt or relationally out of integrity. So while much of the time spent in the therapy room discussing your particular issue will focus on how to solve the primary issue you’re facing, the ultimate goal of most Christian therapists is to lead you to a greater aware of tools you can develop to increase both your spiritual and emotional health.

How to Select a Christian Therapist

In order to choose the right Christian therapy professional for you, it’s best to focus on:

their education and training
the role they believe therapy plays in the lives of their clients
the way they plan to integrate biblical and relational truths into therapy
their personal Statement of Faith or statement of a relationship with Christ
whether you feel a connection with them
how much you believe their expertise and personal character will help them in the practice of therapy

Choosing the right Christian counselor is an important consideration on your way to continued emotional and spiritual growth.

??…What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.? — Mark 11:24.

Jesus Christ makes it very simple, whatever things that are necessary to satisfy our spiritual and earthly needs will be given according to the measure of our faith. Please notice He is not talking about our wants, He is referring to our needs! With these inspirational words of Jesus, He is showing us that He has obligated Himself to satisfy the continual and persistent needs or desires of His praying people. His words plainly leave no doubt in our minds concerning His eagerness to answer our requests.

Look again at the words that are written above; we must obey this basic law of faith. We must by genuinely believing that we receive the things desired when we pray. Otherwise, very simply, they will not be given to us. It is essential that we do some clear thinking in regards to our Lord??s promise of giving us the things desired when we pray in faith.

There are some very unwise people who have interpreted Jesus as saying, ??When ye pray, believe that you have the things desired, and you have them.? Once more please look at what Jesus says above. It is hard to believe this idea that the Master is teaching about the prayer of faith. But look at it this way. No intelligent person can believe that they have received the things desired unless they actually have received them. Would it not be ridiculous to make such a claim in the light of this truth?

It is very deceptive and misleading to tell a person who is sincerely seeking and desiring a pure heart to believe that the blessing has been received when that person knows in their heart that it is not at all true. This absurd teaching leaves a person completely confused and very disappointed. A person must receive this from the Holy Spirit to validate the work of grace performed in the heart. An honest person cannot verify that they have been granted the things desired unless they know that they have received them from God.

We must never take for granted that we have the things we desire. Our faith does not rest on an assumption; our faith rests on the guarantee communicated to us by God??s Spirit of Truth. When Jesus showed us His terms to satisfy our desires, He communicated the reason for us to pray. He is saying, ??Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that God has provided them, and you will have them.?

We must first have faith that the resources of God are made available to us through prayer. If we entertain the slightest doubt in our hearts regarding this fact, we cannot obtain the things desired to satisfy us in life.

While we are sincerely thinking on these incredible words of Jesus regarding the things we desire in prayer, let us not fail to notice the fact that He is talking about the mountain being removed at the word of command. If it is God??s purpose to eliminate all the sin and the misery from this earth at His word of command, then would it not be true as well, that everything that is necessary to accomplish His purpose for His people is made accessible to them for the condition of redeeming grace? Of course! We have everything we desire to do His will, not ours, but His will be done.

When we truly look at this truth we can easily understand God??s purpose in creating the throne of grace. Are we not told to come boldly to the throne of grace in our time of need? We can enthusiastically understand the real incentive to praying when we know that our rightful desires will be granted when we pray for the things that are appropriate to the plan of redemption as we have discovered in Christ. There is no provision made to humor our worldly desires, unless of course these things that we desire are honestly connected to Christ??s plan of salvation. Quite simple really; His will be done. His will is that no one will parish, but that everyone will have everlasting life with Him.

The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran (12)

This is the 12th article of the series:” The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran”.

In the Bible, the Lord Jesus said: for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. And the Lord is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him; He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive

In the Quran, Allah, the Almighty Creator has no son, no children and no partner. Also, the sons of the resurrection are not either the sons of God nor they are like the angels. The Angels are created from pure clear, plain, splendid and noble light. In addition, Allah is the God of the living and the dead and He is the God of everything.

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The Sons of the Lord God in the Bible (10)

Some of the Sadducees, who deny and say that there is any resurrection, came to the Lord Jesus with a question. The Sadducees said to the Lord Jesus, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must take (marry) the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second took her to wife, and he died childless; and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? since the seven brothers were married to her?”

the Lord Jesus said to the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection; and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him; He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

Now, there are some questions:

How come that a single women marry seven brothers? What if she does not like of them? Was she an inheritance without having any decision about her special life?

How come that the Angels are like the sons of the resurrection although the physical features of both are very different?

If God is only the God of the livings, then who is the God of the dead?

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Luke 20:27-40 in four different versions of the Bible:

New International Version

27Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.

28″Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother.

29Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30The second

31and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children.

32Finally, the woman died too.

33Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.

35But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,

36and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

37But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”

40And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

New American Standard Bible

27Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection),

28and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES, having a wife, AND HE IS CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER.

29″Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless;

30and the second

31and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.

32″Finally the woman died also.

33″In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.”

34Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage,

35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

36for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

37″But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB.

38″Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”

39Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

40For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.

English Standard Version

27There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a mans brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

29Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30And the second

31and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died.

32Afterward the woman also died.

33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,

36for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.

38Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

39Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

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The Sons of the Lord God in the Quran (10)

On the other hand, the Quran makes it very clear and says that Allah, the Almighty Creator, has neither a son nor a partner.

The Quran decisively forbids saying that Allah has a son.

It is not befitting for the Majesty of Allah to take to Himself a son.

Allah has not taken any son either from the Children of Adam or from the angels.

if there were a god along with Allah, each god would have taken away what he created, he would have made it exclusively his and prevented the other [god] from having any mastery over it; and some of them would surely rise up against others, in challenge, just as the kings of this world are wont to do.

Allah is the Knower of the Unseen and the visible, what is hidden and what is observed. And exalted, magnified, be He above what they associate!, with Him of son or partners. Allah is far transcendent above all that they ascribe unto Him!

In Islam, this point is very important faith wise.

1. Again, it is unforgivable sin to say or to believe that the One Almighty Creator [who is Allah or God or the Lord or Jehovah or whatever name(s) you are giving Him] has a son or Sons.

From the Islamic point of view, the conclusion of this essential topic that may establish or destroy the faith is that:

Any one who believe that the Almighty Creator has a son or Sons; he messes his faith up and is considered as a disbeliever and in the afterlife he will end up as an eternal inhabitant of the hell.

Any one who believes that the Almighty Creator has neither a son nor a partner he has a good faith and is considered as a believer and in the afterlife he will end up as an eternal inhabitant of the paradise.

Verses 17:110-111 make the topic of the son(s) of God clear.

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The meanings of verses 17:110-111

The meaning of verse 17:110

The Prophet Muhammad would often say, O Allah, O Compassionate One.

So the disbelievers said, He [Muhammad] forbids us to worship more than one god, and yet he calls upon another [god] together with Him [God].

The verse was then revealed:

Say, to them: Invoke Allah or invoke the Compassionate One, that is to say, invoke Him by either of these [Names] or call upon Him by saying, O God! O Compassionate One!, whichever of these two [Names], you invoke, is beautiful to Him, to the One called by these two [Names], belong the Most Beautiful and Perfect Names, these two [Names] being from among them.; and they [the other Names] are [the following] as [mentioned] in Hadith:

Allah, there is no god except Him, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Securer, the Controller, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Sublime, the Creator, the Maker [out of nothing], the Fashioner, the [ever] Forgiving, the Almighty, the Bestower, the Provider, the Deliverer, the Knower, the Seizer, the Extender, the Lowerer, the Raiser, the Glorifier, the Abaser, the Hearer, the Seer, the Arbiter, the Just, the Subtle, the Aware, the Forbearing, the Tremendous, the Forgiver, the Thankful, the High, the Great, the Preserver, the Conserver, the Reckoner, the Majestic, the Generous, the Watcher, the Responsive, the Embracing, the Wise, the Loving, the Glorious, the Resurrector, the Witnessing, the Truth, the Guardian, the Strong, the Firm, the Patron, the Praiseworthy, the Numberer, the Initiator, the Restorer, the Life-giver, the Death-maker, the Living, the Eternal Sustainer, the Originator, the Magnificent, the One, the Single, the Everlasting Refuge, the Powerful, the Omnipotent, the Advancer, the Deferrer, the First, the Last, the Outward, the Inward, the Ruler, Exalted, the Benign, the Relenting, the Avenger, the Pardoning, the Gentle, Master of the Kingdom, One of Majesty and Munificence, the Equitable, the Gatherer, the Independent, the Availing, the Restrainer, the Harming, the Benefactor, the Light, the Guiding, the Innovator, the Enduring, the Inheritor, the Reasonable, the Patient.

The meaning of verse 17:111

And say:

Praise be to Allah, Who has neither taken a son, nor has He any partner in sovereignty, in divineness, nor has He taken any ally, to assist Him, out of, because of any, weakness, That is to say, He would never become weak and thus need an assistant.

And magnify Him with the magnifications worthy of Him; extol Him with a perfect extolling above that He should have taken a son or a partner, and above any weakness and above all that does not befit Him.

He is the One worthy of all praise, because of the perfection of His Essence and the fact that He alones possesses those attributes (and Names) of His.

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Verses 17:110-111 of the Noble Quran in four different translations:

Verse 17:110

QARIB: say: ‘call upon Allah, or call upon the merciful; whichever (name) you call upon, to him belong the most beautiful names. ‘ pray neither loudly nor to quietly, rather, seek a middle course between them.

SHAKIR: say: call upon Allah or call upon, the beneficent Allah; whichever you call upon, he has the best names; and do not utter your prayer with a very raised voice nor be silent with regard to it, and seek a way between these

PICKTHAL: say (unto mankind): cry unto Allah, or cry unto the beneficent, unto whichsoever ye cry (it is the same). his are the most beautiful names. and thou (Muhammad), be not loud-voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein, but follow a way between.

YUSUFALI: say: “call upon Allah, or call upon rahman: by whatever name ye call upon him, (it is well): for to him belong the most beautiful names. neither speak thy prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between.”

Verse 17:111

QARIB: say: ‘praise be to Allah who has not taken a son; who has no associate in the kingdom; nor out of humility any guardian. ‘ and exalt him repeatedly with exaltations.

SHAKIR: and say: (all) praise is due to Allah, who has not taken a son and who has not a partner in the kingdom, and who has not a helper to save him from disgrace; and proclaim his greatness magnifying (him)

PICKTHAL: and say: praise be to Allah, who hath not taken unto himself a son, and who hath no partner in the sovereignty, nor hath he any protecting friend through dependence. and magnify him with all magnificence.

YUSUFALI: say: “praise be to Allah, who begets no son, and has no partner in (his) dominion: nor (needs) he any to protect him from humiliation: yea, magnify him for his greatness and glory!”

==================================================

Back to my question to the smart and interested reader:

Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?

It’s difficult meeting other available singles. Ever wonder where Christian Singles meet other single Christians for dating and/or courtship? I know some lonely Christian single guys in one of the small groups I lead who sure do. A typical question in our support group goes along these lines: “So how do I go about meeting a nice Christian girl?”

Since we we were curious ourselves (aren’t you guys?), we decided to do some research on the Internet. What we found was quite interesting. For example, In 2003 American Demographics surveyed over 1500 engaged couples to find out how they found each other. Here are the results:

Top Ways Singles Meet for Dating

Friends/Relatives…65%

Online Dating …20%

Common Interest Activities…10%

Other…5%

So what are Christian singles supposed to do with these findings?

Start by noticing that each one of the top ways singles meet other singles is through them doing something.

In Matthew 7, Jesus encourages us to practice a proactive type of faith when he stated “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Of course, our Lord could answer a single Christian’s simple prayer, and supernaturally drop their perfect match into their laps. That would be cool! But more often than not, He wants us to stretch our faith by putting us into a position of prayerful “seeking and knocking”.

I realize there are some Christians who feel that by their inaction they are being spiritual and submissive to the Lord’s will for their lives. But our God is a God of action, and He calls us to imitate Him, as long as we do so in faith and humility.

Therefore, in light of the above singles dating survey here are some practical faith-filled steps a Christian single interested in dating could take:

Circulate your stock. Let your family and friends know you are seeking a mate, and ask them to keep an eye open for you. Don’t be embarassed, but just step out in faith. Unless you express your needs they can’t help you. Remember that they know you the best, and may be able to spot a good match for you.

Step out of your comfort zone. Each year more and more single Christians are using online Christian dating services. Consider doing the same, and as you go remember most of the top Christian Matchmaking sites offer free trial memberships. Another neat positive about online dating is that you can search databases for the exact type of person you are seeking to meet, all in your own local area. Just make sure you read about online saftey dating tips before venturing out.

Take time to join in on some fun activities that you enjoy. This could be as simple as attending a church singles group, hobby club, fitness club or sporting event. These are natural ways to meet other singles in your area of passion and interest.

Don’t put all your eggs in one Easter basket. Diversify your efforts by putting all of the above into action.

Keep a positive attitude. In part, this means claiming God’s wonderful promises for blessings and provision in your life (Psalms 37:4, Jer. 29:11, Prov. 3:5,6). Remember, He is in control and knows exactly what you need, when you need it. Has He ever failed you in the past? It’s a done deal then!

Overall, putting into action the following Christian singles dating tips should help you “break the ice” toward meeting other available single Christians.

The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran (12)

This is the 12th article of the series:” The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran”.

In the Bible, the Lord Jesus said: for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. And the Lord is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him; He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive

In the Quran, Allah, the Almighty Creator has no son, no children and no partner. Also, the sons of the resurrection are not either the sons of God nor they are like the angels. The Angels are created from pure clear, plain, splendid and noble light. In addition, Allah is the God of the living and the dead and He is the God of everything.

Also, the Quran says that it is an unforgivable sin when you say or believe that the Almighty Creator has a son or sons; this major sin will lead to the Eternal Fire in the Hereafter.

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The Sons of the Lord God in the Bible (12)

Some of the Sadducees, who deny and say that there is any resurrection, came to the Lord Jesus with a question. The Sadducees said to the Lord Jesus, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must take (marry) the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second took her to wife, and he died childless; and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? since the seven brothers were married to her?”

the Lord Jesus said to the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection; and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him; He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

Now, there are some questions:

How come that a single women marry seven brothers? What if she does not like of them? Was she an inheritance without having any decision about her special life?

How come that the Angels are like the sons of the resurrection although the physical features of both are very different?

If God is only the God of the livings, then who is the God of the dead?

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Luke 20:27-40 in four different versions of the Bible:

New International Version

27Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.

28″Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother.

29Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30The second

31and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children.

32Finally, the woman died too.

33Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.

35But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,

36and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

37But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”

40And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

New American Standard Bible

27Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection),

28and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES, having a wife, AND HE IS CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER.

29″Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless;

30and the second

31and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.

32″Finally the woman died also.

33″In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.”

34Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage,

35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

36for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

37″But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB.

38″Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”

39Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

40For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.

English Standard Version

27There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a mans brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

29Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30And the second

31and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died.

32Afterward the woman also died.

33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,

36for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.

38Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

39Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

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The Sons of the Lord God in the Quran (12)

On the other hand, the Quran makes it very clear and says that Allah, the Almighty Creator, has neither a son nor a partner.

The Quran decisively forbids saying that Allah has a son.

It is not befitting for the Majesty of Allah to take to Himself a son.

Allah has not taken any son either from the Children of Adam or from the angels.

if there were a god along with Allah, each god would have taken away what he created, he would have made it exclusively his and prevented the other [god] from having any mastery over it; and some of them would surely rise up against others, in challenge, just as the kings of this world are wont to do.

Allah is the Knower of the Unseen and the visible, what is hidden and what is observed. And exalted, magnified, be He above what they associate!, with Him of son or partners. Allah is far transcendent above all that they ascribe unto Him!

In Islam, this point is very important faith wise.

1. Again, it is unforgivable sin to say or to believe that the One Almighty Creator [who is Allah or God or the Lord or Jehovah or whatever name(s) you are giving Him] has a son or Sons.

From the Islamic point of view, the conclusion of this essential topic that may establish or destroy the faith is that:

Any one who believe that the Almighty Creator has a son or Sons; he messes his faith up and is considered as a disbeliever and in the afterlife he will end up as an eternal inhabitant of the hell.

Any one who believes that the Almighty Creator has neither a son nor a partner he has a good faith and is considered as a believer and in the afterlife he will end up as an eternal inhabitant of the paradise.

Verses 17:110-111 make the topic of the son(s) of God clear.

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The meanings of verses 17:110-111

The meaning of verse 17:110

The Prophet Muhammad would often say, O Allah, O Compassionate One.

So the disbelievers said, He [Muhammad] forbids us to worship more than one god, and yet he calls upon another [god] together with Him [God].

The verse was then revealed:

Say, to them: Invoke Allah or invoke the Compassionate One, that is to say, invoke Him by either of these [Names] or call upon Him by saying, O God! O Compassionate One!, whichever of these two [Names], you invoke, is beautiful to Him, to the One called by these two [Names], belong the Most Beautiful and Perfect Names, these two [Names] being from among them.; and they [the other Names] are [the following] as [mentioned] in Hadith:

Allah, there is no god except Him, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Securer, the Controller, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Sublime, the Creator, the Maker [out of nothing], the Fashioner, the [ever] Forgiving, the Almighty, the Bestower, the Provider, the Deliverer, the Knower, the Seizer, the Extender, the Lowerer, the Raiser, the Glorifier, the Abaser, the Hearer, the Seer, the Arbiter, the Just, the Subtle, the Aware, the Forbearing, the Tremendous, the Forgiver, the Thankful, the High, the Great, the Preserver, the Conserver, the Reckoner, the Majestic, the Generous, the Watcher, the Responsive, the Embracing, the Wise, the Loving, the Glorious, the Resurrector, the Witnessing, the Truth, the Guardian, the Strong, the Firm, the Patron, the Praiseworthy, the Numberer, the Initiator, the Restorer, the Life-giver, the Death-maker, the Living, the Eternal Sustainer, the Originator, the Magnificent, the One, the Single, the Everlasting Refuge, the Powerful, the Omnipotent, the Advancer, the Deferrer, the First, the Last, the Outward, the Inward, the Ruler, Exalted, the Benign, the Relenting, the Avenger, the Pardoning, the Gentle, Master of the Kingdom, One of Majesty and Munificence, the Equitable, the Gatherer, the Independent, the Availing, the Restrainer, the Harming, the Benefactor, the Light, the Guiding, the Innovator, the Enduring, the Inheritor, the Reasonable, the Patient.

The meaning of verse 17:111

And say:

Praise be to Allah, Who has neither taken a son, nor has He any partner in sovereignty, in divineness, nor has He taken any ally, to assist Him, out of, because of any, weakness, That is to say, He would never become weak and thus need an assistant.

And magnify Him with the magnifications worthy of Him; extol Him with a perfect extolling above that He should have taken a son or a partner, and above any weakness and above all that does not befit Him.

He is the One worthy of all praise, because of the perfection of His Essence and the fact that He alones possesses those attributes (and Names) of His.

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Verses 17:110-111 of the Noble Quran in four different translations:

Verse 17:110

QARIB: say: ‘call upon Allah, or call upon the merciful; whichever (name) you call upon, to him belong the most beautiful names. ‘ pray neither loudly nor to quietly, rather, seek a middle course between them.

SHAKIR: say: call upon Allah or call upon, the beneficent Allah; whichever you call upon, he has the best names; and do not utter your prayer with a very raised voice nor be silent with regard to it, and seek a way between these

PICKTHAL: say (unto mankind): cry unto Allah, or cry unto the beneficent, unto whichsoever ye cry (it is the same). his are the most beautiful names. and thou (Muhammad), be not loud-voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein, but follow a way between.

YUSUFALI: say: “call upon Allah, or call upon rahman: by whatever name ye call upon him, (it is well): for to him belong the most beautiful names. neither speak thy prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between.”

Verse 17:111

QARIB: say: ‘praise be to Allah who has not taken a son; who has no associate in the kingdom; nor out of humility any guardian. ‘ and exalt him repeatedly with exaltations.

SHAKIR: and say: (all) praise is due to Allah, who has not taken a son and who has not a partner in the kingdom, and who has not a helper to save him from disgrace; and proclaim his greatness magnifying (him)

PICKTHAL: and say: praise be to Allah, who hath not taken unto himself a son, and who hath no partner in the sovereignty, nor hath he any protecting friend through dependence. and magnify him with all magnificence.

YUSUFALI: say: “praise be to Allah, who begets no son, and has no partner in (his) dominion: nor (needs) he any to protect him from humiliation: yea, magnify him for his greatness and glory!”

==================================================

Back to my question to the smart and interested reader:

Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?