What Does Islam Believe?

Over the past year I have studied in depth the Islam religion and how it compare to Christianity. Three sources were used in my study: “Neighboring Faiths-Introduction to World Religions by Winfried Corduan”, (Liberty University Textbook), “The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions by John Bowker” and the “Quran” which is believed to have be dictated to Mohammed by God.

             Islam is fundamentally different from Christianity. Islam is a works-oriented religion, while Christian faith is based on salvation by grace through faith as a result of the shed blood of Christ. Christianity recognizes the necessity of shedding of blood for forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22)“ As a works oriented religion, Islam requires that its followers earn their way to heaven by performing the five pillars of the faith. 1. Say the confession of faith. There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the prophet of God. 2. Pray Muslims are to pray five times a day, shortly before sunrise, mid-morning noon, mid-afternoon and after sunset. 3. Give alms, Muslims are to give about 2,5 percent of their wealth. 4. Fast during Ramadan. For the lunar moth, from sunrise to sunset. They are not allowed to have anything pass down their throat. From sunset to sunrise they are permitted to eat as much as they what. 5. Make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Every Muslim who is able must travel to the birthplace of Islam.

            All Muslims believe Jesus was born of a virgin and that he was prophet but he was only a man. The believe Jesus , healed the sick and raised the dead, The Quran refers to Jesus as the breath of God, the spirit of God, the life of God and the word of God. Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified on the cross. God took him back to heaven. The Quran speaks of Jesus as a prophet, “"When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. ( Quran 43:63-64)

            The average Muslim around the world has a tremendous misunderstanding of Christianity, They get their beliefs from movies, music and television. They believe Christianity has three gods: God the Father, God the Son and God the Mother (Mary). They believe that Christians and Jews have changed the Bible; therefore Although the Quran acknowledges the Gospel of Christ, the Torah of Moses (first 5 books in the Bible), to Psalms of David, the existing copies can’t be trusted. Shiites tend to be more radical, the Quran directs them, “Your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs” (Quran 8:12) There are many passages in the Quran that commands the Muslim to kill, murder and behead the non-believer. It is these passages that clearly contradicts that Islam is a religion of love.” These passages could influence an average Muslim to become radical  But,as I visit with Muslims I find that the average Muslim are much like Christians they know enough to call themselves Muslims. They are materialistic, want a job and hope to live a good life.

            Finally, Muslims believe in Satan, Judgement Day of God, Heaven and Hell. In contrast to Christianity they do not know if they are going heaven, They hope their good works out weigh their bad works.  Christ calls us to love everyone. “I give you a new command: Love one another.” (John 14:34-35) We must reach out to all people groups with the true message of Christ. We cannot allow ourselves to stereotype people by the way they dress, their culture, religion. My friend we have a mission field here in Palestine. May we as Christians follow Paul’s teaching, “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” The Gospel of Christ Salvation is for anyone, Let us go forth in love and share Christ in our post-modern society with boldness. May God bless and may He give you opportunities to share Christ.

           

God Is Calling....."Where are You?"

 “Where are You?” Turn to Psalms127:1, it 

reads, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its 

builder’s labor over it in vain; unless the Lord

  watches over a city, the watchman stays alert 

in vain.” The Hebrew word, “shav” is used in 

“the Psalms to state that all activities such as 

laboring, guarding, rising early and toiling for food were useless without God’s assistance.” 

(Hebrew Dictionary) To have a strong family its foundation must be in Christ. We must take time 

for our loved ones. If we what our household to be blessed they must be Christ Centered   Bible 

history tells us Solomon was selected to build the Temple and he knew that building was not an

easy task. Building a marriage and family is the hardest task I can think of. We want to have time

 for family but time slips away.” How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. 

 \December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so 

soon?” (Dr. Seuss) Think about that statement. Many of you are watching your children and 

grandchildren graduate this year. “How did it get so late so ]soon?.” That time with the kids will 

never come again. Make time in your busy schedule for your family. I heard a quote months ago 

and the truth of it touched my very soul. “A Christian home is never defined by what the children

  are doing…it is defined by what the parents are doing.” a Christian home is never defined by 

what the children are doing. Your child could read the Bible every day, listen only to Christian 

music, watch only Christian videos, read every missionary biography in the library, know a zillion

memory verses, have only Christian friends, and never miss Sunday School or Bible Study, and 

yet still not live in a Christian home”. Your child could read the Bible miss Sunday School or Bible 

Club, and yet still not live in a Christian home.” (Patrick and Ruth Schwenk)

            God said, “It is not good that man should be alone.” He performed the first marriage: Adam and Eve, the “first family” a man and woman.  Despite their sin their Creator sought them out because he loved them. He said, “Adam where are you?” God calls to us “Where Are You.” God wants to transform your family. “Where are you?” When the people of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses charged them as parents, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7a). In essence, Moses was saying, “You cannot impress upon your children’s hearts truth that is not first impressed upon your own heart.” Seek out God for your family. You might need a loving pastor or I invite you to email me. If you are unchurched, bring your family back to Christ. If you are parents that have not had a salvation experience please call. I would be humbled to assist you in coming to Christ.

            There are America’s making concerted effort to destroy family life and totally destroy biblical foundation. Our society in general is mocking morality and belittling the institution of marriage. God has given us the Bible, His inspired Word and it contains principles, precepts and promises which if followed will provide a strong family foundation. But, despite all our worries and frustrations we can trust that our Sovereign God is in control. 

STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN

If you are a Baby Boomer like me you can remember our teachers and parents reminding us at railroad crossing we were to Stop, Look and Listen. (This was before the blinking red lights and road barriers)

This month is the anniversary of my father's death. I have come to realize that he left me more than I have ever known. James Turner and his father Willie Turner had a gift. They had a gift of Stopping, Looking and Listening to people. I must also say they had the gift of sharing. They loved to share in the lives of others and because of the love that people sensed from them, they would open up to them. Without pride I humbly share that they left me that gift.

 Psalms 61:5-8

^"5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. ⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.⁷ On God my salvation and my glory rest;The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.⁸ Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah." (NASV)

We hurry so fast through life. In that rush we pass by hurting people. We go to church and give a warm hand shake to others. Not knowing that person is falling apart inside. We must stop and give the Holy Spirit time to work. How many times have I rushed by a stranger that the Holy Spirit could have used me right at that moment.

Recently, I came in contact with an elderly woman. As she pusher her walker toward her car, I offered to open her door and place her walker in the back seat. It was then that the Holy Spirit would place me right where He wanted me. She shared, "I just lost my husband four months ago and I just had to go to the grave and let him go. I was sitting at home weeping and missing him." Enter the Holy Spirit. I was lead to tell her of my fathers death and how my mother experienced the same thing. How I too had lost a wife to cancer. The Holy Spirit spoke to her of how she can say, goodbye but at the same time remember and celebrate the lives they had together.

Each day we should be finely tuned into the Holy Spirit. Luke writes, "¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” Luke 12:12. So trust in God. He will give you the words to say to a total stranger and those words will be those of the Holy Spirit. Stop, Look and Listen to your heart it is the Holy Spirit longing to speak through you to say exactly what that hurting person needs to hear. Amen.

Mother's God's Gift

A mother is the Bible’s most honored woman. The word “mother” or “mother’s” appears in the Word of God, 356 times and mother-in-law appears 11 times. A mother’s influence is stressed in Ezekiel 16:44 “As is the mother is, so is the daughter.”

Despite the cultural differences and passage of time, the principles that the mothers of the Bible set continue to be meaningful today. The stories are a rich tapestry of life, love, labor, and loyalty. Today’s mother need the timeless wisdom found in the Bible.  In our society mother’s take on many roles. The mother of our day is the soccer mom, the financial planner, a wife friend and lover. She has the ability to navigate through an array of issues that only a mother would understand. The Bible is filled with stories of Mother’s, stories of faith, inspiration and strength. Let’s take a moment and look at a few Mothers of the Bible.

Eve - Probably the most famous mother of all is sometimes seen as the woman that got tricked by a serpent. But there are things that the today’s mother can learn from her. In our society a mother might be in charge of financial matters. Today’s mother can learn the importance of being aware of the enemy. She should always be alert for her children’s safety as well as own.

A mother should never doubt or question God’s character or His Word. She must be discerning and filter life’s challenges through the Scriptures. Satan is always standing ready to overwhelm her. Satan came to Eve when she was alone and vulnerable; From Eve a mother can learn the importance of Church fellowship and the importance of keeping godly women close for support. Proverbs speaks of the mother’s wisdom “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

Mary – Mary watched her Son die on the cross, a pain so intense I am sure she felt as though the nails were piercing her heart as surely as they were piercing Christ’s hands and feet. Mary grieved, but she kept on living. Mary stands as an example of faith, strength and love for Mothers today. Perhaps you’re a mother who has lost a child. Maybe you’re the mother that is waiting for that phone call from that prodigal child who left months ago. No matter your situation you have the promises of Christ. Promises of love and guidance. Paul writes, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Zarephath Widow – A widow of Zarephath struggled every day as many mothers do. Economic hardship keeps many moms stressed and worried about keeping food on the table as well as dealing with family issues. The widow in Zarephath was asked by God to take the little bit that she had and give it to someone else. (1 Kings Chapter 17) She trusted God and was blessed for her faith. I close today with a prayer for each mother.

Father,

We thank you for our mothers and it is our prayer that you would send your Holy Spirit to love each one with your love. Lord our mothers have comforted us, protected us and given their unconditional love to us. We lift our prayer to you and ask that you would provide each mother her individual needs and bless her in a mighty way as they have blessed us and we pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.