Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
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¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - 1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world
Escritura del día - 1 Juan 4,1
Amados, no creáis a todo espíritu, sino probad los espíritus si son de Dios; porque muchos falsos profetas han salido por el mundo.
Bibelstelle des Tages - 1 Johannes 4,1
Geliebte, glaubet nicht jedem Geist, sondern prüfet die Geister, ob sie von Gott sind! Denn es sind viele falsche Propheten hinausgegangen in die Welt.
Commentary on Judges 9:53-54: The Bible On Keeping Up Appearances And Saving Face
In the ninth chapter of the book of Judges, we read of a man named Abimelech. He was wicked, very wicked. But it is not his wickedness that is cause for amazement, but rather a very different, and awful characteristic he had.
What could that awful characteristic of Abimelech possibly be? The answer: The importance he placed on keeping up appearances. Reputation was everything to Abimelech. Even in the face of imminent death, reputation was more important to Abimelech than being in right standing with God. And that conclusion is not guesswork. It is revealed in the Scriptures of Judges 9:53-54
We read, "And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died."
Now, Scripture reveals the great wickedness that Abimelech did, and for which he met an untimely and violent death. However, we still see God's mercy toward him in that he did not die suddenly. He lingered a little while before dying. Long enough to repent. Nevertheless, what was his primary concern? His reputation. Keeping up appearances. He gives these things priority over the harrowing thought of dying without being at peace with the Creator.
Amazing. Abimelech shows no remorse for the murders he committed. No remorse for his wrongdoing. His only concern is that it not be said that a woman managed to kill him. His reputation is more important even than salvation. What is worse is that that part of his reputation was a lie. The truth is that a woman did manage to kill him. But Abimelech prefers a lie that makes him look good in the eyes of others over the truth, which does not.
Today, there are people with the spirit of Abimelech. They would rather go to their grave with a good reputation built on lies, rather than humble themselves, and face truth. When we face truth, we must repent to God. we must acknowledge our wrong against others, and ask for their forgiveness. There is no salvation beyond the grave. So, let us not be like Abimelech. Let us not keep up appearances built on lies to protect a good, but false, reputation. And let us not lie to ourselves so long that our lies become a false truth. A good reputation built on lies is not worth missing out on so great a salvation that Jesus offers us.
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
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