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Welcome to WikiChristian A encyclopedia and discussion forum for all Christians to share their faith with 350,005 pages and over a million edits. Statement of Faith | Vision Special Links: Bible Referencing | Page Layout & Writing Guide | Senior Editors | WikiChristian Needs Your Help! What is Christianity? Christianity is about God reaching out his hand in friendship to mankind. Christians believe that the whole world and everything in it was created by God. God is a personal being, a living God who is three, yet one: Father, Son and Spirit, just as we human beings have body, mind and soul! (see the Trinity). The Bible says God created people in his image, to love him. Yet every person has rebelled against God and sinned. Yet instead of turning his back on us, God became a man, Jesus, who most scholars believe was born about the year 4 BC and lived among us. He taught a message of love throughout Palestine but public opinion turned against him and he was executed as a young man. He died because of us - the death that we should have died. He was crucified on a cross, but he rose from the dead, and now calls us to trust him, to love him and to repent of our rebellion. If we do this, then we our relationship with God becomes restored and we will live forever with God. Many non-Christians may think that being a Christian is about belonging to a particular church or following a certain set of rule. Most Christians however would agree that at its root, being a Christian means to be in a living relationship with Jesus. Who is God? God | Jesus Christ | Holy Spirit | Essence of Christianity | Trinity Current Projects Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary In the News Video of the Week WikiChristian Contents - Christianity Bible > Old Testament Genesis | Exodus | Leviticus | Numbers | Deuteronomy | Joshua | Judges | Ruth | 1 Samuel | 2 Samuel | 1 Kings | 2 Kings | 1 Chronicles | 2 Chronicles | Ezra | Nehemiah | Esther | Job | Psalms | Proverbs | Ecclesiastes | Song of Solomon | Isaiah | Jeremiah | Lamentations | Ezekiel | Daniel | Hosea | Joel | Amos | Obadiah | Jonah | Micah | Nahum | Habakkuk | Zephaniah | Haggai | Zechariah | Malachi > New Testament Matthew | Mark | Luke | John | Acts | Romans | 1 Corinthians | 2 Corinthians | Galatians | Ephesians | Philippians | Colossians | 1 Thessalonians | 2 Thessalonians | 1 Timothy | 2 Timothy | Titus | Philemon | Hebrews | James | 1 Peter | 2 Peter | 1 John | 2 John | 3 John | Jude | Revelation Christian literature, art, music and media | Christian Songs Index Church | Church history | Denominations People: Famous Christians | Media Workers and Volunteers Christian doctrine and debates | Grace | Love Current issues | News Science and Technology Other religions Places | Mission | World-wide church directory Devotion Of The Day Girl Praying October, 7 - Daily Devotions October Scripture Portion: Matthew chapter 1 - Luke chapter 22 including the Gospel according to Mark. Matthew: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 Mark:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Luke: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 The key lesson in chapter 16 is Peter's confession of faith. The confession was made at the climax of the months of retirement. From that point on, Christ openly teaches the disciples about His crucifixion, and begins to make His way to Jerusalem. Chapter 17 presents the transfiguration of Christ; one of the key events in His earthly ministry. This was the only time His glory, veiled in human flesh, was allowed to shine forth. The Word "transfigure" is the same as our Word "metamorphosis" and means "a change from within." This glory was not the reflection of outward light; it was the revelation of inward holiness. The same Word is used in Romans 12:2 (transformed) and 2 Corinthians 3:18 (changed--referring to the Christian's growth in holiness). Lessons taught by the transfiguration are as follows: (1) We will know each other in glory--the disciples knew Moses and Elijah. (2) Jesus was praying when He was transfigured--prayer brings the glory of heaven into our lives. (3) This was the first time, to our knowledge, that Moses set foot in the Promised Land. (4) Peter, James, and John were all to go through suffering for Christ; but this suffering only led to glory. Any time you and I, as Christians, suffer for Christ, there will be glory added to our lives. Never question, never rebel against the opportunity of suffering for Christ, because He is faithful and just to overrule all suffering with His marvelous glory. Chapter 18 presents the teachings of Christ concerning the Church and the Kingdom. In verse 1 the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus knew their hearts and gave them an object lesson in verses 2-6 by using a little child as an illustration of greatness. He pointed out that honor comes from humility. We must go down before God will lift us up (5:5,6). All great saints have been humble servants. Even though a child is not sinless or perfect, he does have the characteristics necessary in every Christian's life. He is teachable; he is simple in his desires; he has an expectant attitude; and he depends on his father to meet his needs. We might question how one can become as a little child. This is accomplished through the second birth. If you have been born into God's family, you were born as a child, and began again to learn how to live; only this time you are living as God's child, rather than as His creation. In chapter 18:15-35 God deals with the relationship between Christian brethren. If all Christians were perfect, there would be no need for any instruction. However, because we fail and sin, we need to know how to keep the church family happy and holy before God. In verses 15-20 God gives us a clear pattern of church discipline. First, a private interview with the one who has offended; then bring two or three witnesses; then take it to the church. Note the purpose of discipline. "Thou hast gained thy brother." The motive for church discipline is love. We are seeking to help the sinning brother. Our attitude should not be that of a policeman out to arrest the wrongdoer; but rather as a physician seeking to heal a wound in the body of Christ. We must note, however, that discipline is absolutely necessary. A lesson on forgiving is given in verses [[21-35. The Jewish Rabbis had said a person should be forgiven three times. Peter thought he was extra-spiritual, offering to forgive seven times; but Jesus pointed out that there is no limit to forgiveness. True forgiveness comes from a heart of love, and love keeps no records. One evidence that a person is saved is that he loves the brethren (3:10-17). Christians who cannot forgive others have forgotten what Christ did for them on the cross. MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY: Man now can be: Reconciled. Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Daily Devotions - Commentary on The Entire Bible in 365 Days