The two predominant themes found in the Koran are Prophets and judgment. Allah has sent prophets to guide us on the way and.prepare us for Judgment Day. That means every Muslim that reads the Koran is paying close attention to the message of the Prophets in order to shape their lives in preparation to meet Allah.
What is the prophetic message of the Bible? What is it saying to every curious seeker?
Isaiah 40:3 says, "A voice cries in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert a highway for our Lord!"
This is the very message John The Baptist proclaimed to the people. The Bible's prophetic message to us is to prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah.
And The Messiah came over 2,000 years ago. The Koran declares that Jesus is the Messiah, but teaches that He was only a prophet. Yet The Bible teaches that we need more than a prophet, more than a message of warning. We need a Savior to save us from God's Judgment.
And That Savior came!
The Angels joyfully proclaimed to the weary band of Shepherds that first Christmas night, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
This Savior was Jesus Christ. He came to bring us life and hope and healing and forgiveness. He came to save us from God's judgment and his message to all of us, including Muslims is one of love and forgiveness. He boldly declared, "Whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and does not come into the Judgment but has passed out of death into life." (John 5:24)
This Christmas, God has a special message of Hope to all Muslims. He has sent a Savior from heaven that all of the Biblical prophets prophesied about. This Savior bore our judgment and invites us to His banquet table for a feast. He has the words of eternal life and His words are worthy of paying close attention to.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The sacrifice
Muslims worldwide participate in The eid-al-adha celebration which takes place after the hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The celebration of Eid is based on Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. God however intervenes and provides a ram for the sacrifice and thus spares Ishmael's life. The story of the sacrifice is found in the Quran, chapter 37, verse 107, "Then when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said, "O my son son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view (the son) said: O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou wilt find me If Allah so wills one practicing patience and constancy.
So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah) and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice) We called out to him, O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled the vision! thus indeed do we reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial and we ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice.
It is worth noting that the Quran uses the words sacrifice and ransom in this story. Ironically, the Bible uses the very same words to explain the atonement of Christ: For example, "The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28) Christ our passover lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7) The point is the words that the Quran uses to describe God providing a sacrifice for Ishmael, are the same words used to describe Christ's death on the cross.
God has provided the ultimate sacrifice by sending Jesus from heaven to ransom us from spiritual death and lay down his life as a holy sacrifice .Christ's sacrifice on the cross removes all of our guilt and cleanses us from all sin. If God can intervene by providing a sacrifice and sparing the life of Ishmael, one person, what then would prevent him from providing a sacrifice to save the entire human race.
This is exactly what God did in sending Jesus from heaven. "This is real love-not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
(1 John 4:10)
So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah) and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice) We called out to him, O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled the vision! thus indeed do we reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial and we ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice.
It is worth noting that the Quran uses the words sacrifice and ransom in this story. Ironically, the Bible uses the very same words to explain the atonement of Christ: For example, "The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28) Christ our passover lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7) The point is the words that the Quran uses to describe God providing a sacrifice for Ishmael, are the same words used to describe Christ's death on the cross.
God has provided the ultimate sacrifice by sending Jesus from heaven to ransom us from spiritual death and lay down his life as a holy sacrifice .Christ's sacrifice on the cross removes all of our guilt and cleanses us from all sin. If God can intervene by providing a sacrifice and sparing the life of Ishmael, one person, what then would prevent him from providing a sacrifice to save the entire human race.
This is exactly what God did in sending Jesus from heaven. "This is real love-not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
(1 John 4:10)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Respect
I Peter 3:15 exhorts us as Christians, "And If someone asks you about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way."
Respect, this seven-letter word is sadly neglected. Recently, a Christian pastor made the headlines all over the world, threatening to have a Koran-burning party. Instead of respecting those he disagreed with , he introduced another word other than respect,, SHAME. He brought shame to Christ and shame to himself.
I have a very important question. Where is the respect for Muslims these days? Muslims have come to America to fulfill their dreams and to have freedom and instead of treating them to the Christian ideal of "Loving your neighbor as yourself," we treat them with contempt and ridicule. So, my next question goes right to the point of the matter. Who is behaving like the terrorists? This should shame all of us..
The big controversy this day is where should the location of the mosque in New York be? I would suggest this answer. The deeper question God is asking each of us is, Where is the location of your heart? I would like to see more respect and dignity shown to our Muslim friends. When we do, they may even listen to what we believe and then we can share our hope in a respectful way.Our problem is we are too eager to preach and not listen.
In closing, Be respectful to our Muslim friends. This is the ultimate human apologetic. Who knows? You may even develop a friendship with them that will be life-changing and pleasing to God.
I am interested in your thoughts and comments, so please scroll down the page and let me hear from you! Thank you. I respect your right to your opinion.
Respect, this seven-letter word is sadly neglected. Recently, a Christian pastor made the headlines all over the world, threatening to have a Koran-burning party. Instead of respecting those he disagreed with , he introduced another word other than respect,, SHAME. He brought shame to Christ and shame to himself.
I have a very important question. Where is the respect for Muslims these days? Muslims have come to America to fulfill their dreams and to have freedom and instead of treating them to the Christian ideal of "Loving your neighbor as yourself," we treat them with contempt and ridicule. So, my next question goes right to the point of the matter. Who is behaving like the terrorists? This should shame all of us..
The big controversy this day is where should the location of the mosque in New York be? I would suggest this answer. The deeper question God is asking each of us is, Where is the location of your heart? I would like to see more respect and dignity shown to our Muslim friends. When we do, they may even listen to what we believe and then we can share our hope in a respectful way.Our problem is we are too eager to preach and not listen.
In closing, Be respectful to our Muslim friends. This is the ultimate human apologetic. Who knows? You may even develop a friendship with them that will be life-changing and pleasing to God.
I am interested in your thoughts and comments, so please scroll down the page and let me hear from you! Thank you. I respect your right to your opinion.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Jesus will satisfy your hunger and thirst
The cross in the desert represents hope and healing in a land that is dry and parched.
If you are thirsty, come to the living waters:
"Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:14)
If you are hungry, come and feast and be filled:
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)
God desires to satisfy your life with Himself. Come and drink
and eat and be filled with Him today!
"O God, you are my God.
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirst for you:
My whole body longs for you
In this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself.
How I praise you!
(Psalm 63: 1-4)
If you are thirsty, come to the living waters:
"Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:14)
If you are hungry, come and feast and be filled:
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)
God desires to satisfy your life with Himself. Come and drink
and eat and be filled with Him today!
"O God, you are my God.
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirst for you:
My whole body longs for you
In this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself.
How I praise you!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
This is a page reserved for Muslims. If you are a Muslim, you are welcome here. You will not be stereotyped or discriminated against here. I am the author of the book entitled, "Beyond The Veil" It is the story of a friendship between Christian Musician and a young Muslim girl. In the first chapter, Nadia, the young Muslim girl has a dream and a vision of Jesus. Many Muslims report having similar experiences. Have you heard of this? Please share with me your opinion and I will get back with you.
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