Biblia Inasema nini kuhusu uhusiano na Mapepo au Majini

Mungu ametuonya kutokuwa na uhusiano na pepo. Imeandikwa, Mambo ya Walawi 19:31 "Msiwaendee wenye pepo wala wachawi, msiwatafute ili kutiwa unajisi na wao mimi ndimi BWANA Mungu wenu."

Ilikuwa kawaida ya watu wa zamani enzi za Biblia kusali pepo. Mungu aliwaonya wana wa Israeli kuhusu uombaji wa pepo na uchawi. Imeandikwa katika Kumbukumbu la torati 18:9-12 "utakapokwisha ingia katika nchi akupayo BWANA Mungu wako usijifunze kutenda kwa mfano wa machukizo ya mataifa yale asionekane kwako mtu ampitishaye mwanawe au binti yake kati ya moto wala asionekane mtu atazamaye mbao wala mtu atazamaye nyakati mbaya wala mwenye kubashiri wala msihiri wala mtu alogaye kwa kupiga mafundo wala mtu apandishaye pepo wala mchawi wala mtu awaombaye wafu kwa maana mtu atandaye hayo ni chukizo kwa BWANA kisha ni kwa sababu ya hayo BWANA Mungu wako anawafukuza mbele yako."

Biblia yatupa mwanga kuhusu hali ya pepo. Imeandikwa, katika Matendo ya mitume 16:16-18 "Ikawa tulipokuwa tukienda mahali pale pa kusali kijakazi mmoja aliyekuwa na pepo wa uaguzi akatukuta, aliyewapatia bwana zake faida nyingi kwa kuagua akamfuata Paulo na sisi akipiga kelele akisema watu hawa ni watumishi wa Mungu aliye juu wenye kuwahubiria njia ya wokovu akafanya hayo siku nyingi lakini Paulo akasikitika akageuka akamwambia yule pepo nakuamuru kwa jina la Yesu Kristo mtoke huyu akamtoka saa ili ile."

Pepo ni wale malaika waliomwasi Mungu kule mbinguni na kutupwa hapa duniani. Imeandikwa katika Ufunuo 12:7-9 "Kulikuwa na vita Mbinguni Mikaeli na malaika zake wakapigana na yule joka naye akapigana nao pamoja na malaika zake nao hawakushinda, wala mahali pao hapakuonekana tena mbinguni. Yule joka akatupwa yule mkubwa nyoka wa zamani aitwaye Ibilisi na Shetani adanganyaye ulimwengu wote akatupwa hata nchi na malaika zake wakatupwa pamoja naye."

Sheria ya Mungu

Sheria za Mungu ni pamoja na amri kumi. Imeandikwa, Kutoka 20:1-17 "Mungu akanena maneno haya yote akisema.[1] Mimi ni Bwana Mungu wako niliye kutoa katika nchi ya misiri katika nyumba ya utumwa usiwe na miungu mingine ila mimi.[2] Usijifanyie sanamu ya kuchonga wala mfano wa kitu cho chote kilicho juu mbinguni wala kilicho chini duniani wala kilicho majini chini ya dunia usivisujudie wa kuvitumikia kwa kua mimi, Bwana, Mungu wako, ni Mungu wenye wivu nawapatiliza wana maovu ya baba zao hata kizazi cha tatu na cha nne cha wanichukiao, nami nawarehemu maelfu elfu wanipendao na kuzishika amri zangu.[3] Usilitaje bure jina la Bwana Mungu wako, maana Bwana hatamuhesabia kuwa hana hataia mtu alitajaye jina lake bure. [4] Ukumbuke siku ya sabato uitakase siku sita fanya kazi utende mambo yako yote; lakini siku ya sabato ni ni ya Bwana, Mungu wako siku hiyo usifanye kazi yo yote wewe, wala mwana wako, wala binti yako, wala mtumwa wako, wala mjakazi wako, wala mnyama wako wa kufuga, wala mgeni aliye ndani ya malango yako. maana kwa siku sita Bwana Mungu alifanya mbingu na nchi na bahari, na vyote vilivyomo, akastarehe siku ya saba; kwa hiyo Bwana akaibaria siku ya sabatu akaitakasa.[5] Waheshimu baba yako na mama yako; siku zako zipate kuwa nyingi katika nchi upewayo na Bwana, Mungu wako.[6] Usiue.[7] Usizini.[8] Usiibe.[9] Usimshuhudie jirani yako uongo.[10]Usiitamani nyumba ya jirani yako, usimtamani mke wajirani yako, wala mtumwa wake, wala mjalkazi wake, wala ng'ombe wake wala punda wake, wala cho chote alicho nacho jirani yako."

Je! kiini cha sheria ni nini? Imeandikwa, Warumi 13:10 "Pendo halimfanyii jirani neno baya; basi pendo ndilo utimilifu wa sheria."

Sheria za Mungu ni upendo. Imeandikwa, Mathayo 22:37-40 "Akamwambia mpende Bwana Mungu wako kwa moyo wako wote na kwa roho yako yote na kwa akili zako zote hii ndiyo amri iliyo kuu tena ni ya kwanza na yapili yafanana nayo, nayo ni hii mpende jirani yako kama nafsi yako katika amri hizi mbili hutegemea torati yote na manabii."

Kupitia kwa Yesu amri za Mungu zime dhibitishwa. Imeandikwa, Mathayo 5:17-18 "Msidhani ya kuwa nilikuja kuitangua torati au manabii, la, sikuja kutangua bali kutimiliza kwa maana amin nawaambia mpaka mbingu na nchi zitakapoondoka yodi moja wala nukta moja ya torati haitaondoka hata yote yatimie."

FAHAMU UWEZO WA DAMU YA YESU KRISTO

Ukweli ni kwamba katika damu ya Yesu Kristo kunapatikana zaidi ya mambo manne nitakayokushirikisha humu; lakini kwa sasa naona nianze na haya manne:-

1. Uwezo wa Damu ya Yesu Kristo katika kuondoa dhambi. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha 1Yohana 1:9 kuwa; “Tukiziungama dhambi zetu, Yeye ni mwaminifu na wa haki hata ATUONDOLEE dhambi zetu, na kutusafisha na udhalimu wote”.

2. Uwezo wa Damu ya Yesu Kristo katika kupatanisha. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha Waefeso 2:13-16 kuwa; “Lakini sasa, katika Kristo Yesu, ninyi mliokuwa mbali hapo kwanza mmekuwa karibu kwa damu yake Kristo. Kwa maana yeye ndiye amani yetu, aliyetufanya sisi sote tuliokuwa wawili kuwa mmoja; akakibomoa kiambaza cha kati kilichotutenga. Naye akiisha kuuondoa ule uadui kwa mwili wake; ndiyo sheria ya amri zilizo katika maagizo; ili afanye hao wawili kuwa mtu mpya mmoja ndani ya nafsi yake; akafanya amani. AKAWAPATANISHA wote wawili na Mungu katika mwili mmoja, kwa njia ya msalaba, akiisha kuufisha ule uadui kwa huo msalaba”

3. Uzima wa Milele katika Damu ya Yesu Kristo. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha Yohana 6:53-54 kuwa; “Basi Yesu akawaambia Amini, amini, nawaambieni, msipoula mwili wake mwana wa Adamu nakuinywa damu yake, hamna uzima ndani yenu. Aulaye mwili wangu na kuinywa damu yangu anao UZIMA WA MILELE…..”

4. Uwezo wa Damu ya Yesu Kristo katika kutulinda. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha ufunuo wa Yohana 12:11a kuwa; “Nao wakamshinda (shetani) kwa damu ya mwana-Kondoo….” Mtihani mkubwa sana kwetu sisi wakristo ni kuyaweka katika matendo yale tunayofahamu katika Biblia. Nakushauri kwa Jina la Yesu Kristo kuwa uwe mtendaji wa neno, na usiwe msomaji tu. Ni maombi yangu kwa Bwana ya kuwa Roho wa ufahamu wa Bwana atakuwa juu yako unaposoma na ketenda neno lake.

Imeletwa kwenu na

Max Shimba 

Isaac (Christian) or Ishmael (Islam)

Bible = Genesis 17:18,19 “And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him”.

Koran = 19:54 “Also mention in the Book [the story of] Ishmael: He was [strictly] true to what he promised, and he was a messenger [and] a prophet”.

Bible = Genesis 16:12 “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him”.

The Bible called Ishmael a wild man; the Koran called him messenger and a prophet.

Jews, Christians and Moslems follow the steps of Abraham as a father of faith. Abraham was the first human being who was so much in love of God that he was called “the friend of God” (James 2:23). He had such faith and trust in God that he became the first person with whom God make an everlasting covenant; as it is written, “I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee” (Genesis 17:7).

Sarah also received the blessing and the promise along with her husband; as it is written, “And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her [Isaac]: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her” (Genesis 17:16).

Because Sarah was old and had no children, “Abraham said to God, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael [the son of the slave Hagar] might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (Genesis 17:18,19)

Jews and Christians believe according to the scriptures that the promise was given to Isaac who became the father of the Israelites, father of Moses who received the Torah, father of king David who ruled in righteousness upon God’s people and who also received the promise that from his descendents would come the king who would rule the world for ever and ever (Psalm 89:29) As it is written concerning Jesus Christ, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32).

Unajimu na Kutafsiri Nyota

Je? Mungu anasema nini kuhusu wao wanao tafsiri nyota kuweza kujua jinsi maisha yao yatakavyokuwa? Imo katika Biblia, Isaya 47:13-15 "Umechoka kwa wingi wa mashauri yako basi nawasimame hao wajuao falaki, wazitazamao nyota watabirio kila mwezi mambo ya mwezi huo, wakakuokoe na mambo yatakayokupata. Tazama watakuwa kama mabua makavu; moto utawateketeza hawatajiokoa na nguvu za mwali wa moto; hautakuwa kaa la kukota moto, wala moto wa kukaa karibu nao ndivyo itakavyokuwa mambo hayo uliyojitaabisha nayo; wale walio fanya biashara nawe tangu ujana wako watatanga-tanga mbali nawe, kila mtu akienda zake; hapatakuwa na mtu wakukuokoa." 

Unajimu ni imani ambayo yafundisha kuwa uwambatano wa mwezi, nyota na jua waweza kuleta tukio katika maisha ya mtu. Katika lugha ya kiebrania neno unajimu ni kutabiri mbingu, kuweza kutoa siri, kutabiri jambo litakalotokea. Imo katika Biblia, Walawi 19:26 "...... Msifanye kuloga, wala kutumia utambuzi." 

Kabla ya wana waisiraeli kuingia katika nchi ya ahadi, walionywa kutofanya unajimu, imo katika Biblia, Torati 18:9, 12, 14 "Utakapokwisha ingia katika nchi akupayo Bwana, Mungu wako usijifunze kutenda kwa mfano wa machukizo ya mataifa yale 12- kwamaana yule atendaye hayo ni chukizo kwa Bwana; kisha ni kwa sababu ya hayo Bwana Mungu wako anawafukuza mbele yako 14 maana mataifa haya utakaowamiliki huwasikiliza wanao shika nyakati mbaya na kutazama bao; bali wewe Bwana, Mungu wako, hukupa ruhusa kutenda hayo." 

Is Jesus the Creator God?

Is this even an important question? Absolutely! If Jesus is not God, and therefore the Creator, then He is a created being. If Jesus is created, then how could He have been an adequate sacrifice to atone for sins committed against an infinite God? Jesus must have been God to adequately atone for our sins, which bring upon us unlimited guilt and cause us to deserve an eternal hell.

But does it really matter whether or not we believe that Jesus is God? Yes! If one places faith in a false Christ, one that is not described in Scripture, then can this false Christ save them? Truly, the identity of Christ is of utmost importance. And yet, in today’s culture there are people teaching that Jesus was a created being. They are leading people astray.

What sets biblical Christianity apart from cults and other world religions? It is the person of Jesus Christ—who He is. In Islam, Jesus was a messenger of God, but not the Son of God. In many cults, the deity of Jesus Christ is negated, and in many world religions and personal views, Jesus is just another wise teacher. But the Bible says that all things were created by Him and for Him:

For by Him [Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).¹

Hebrews indicates that God calls Jesus, the Son, God:

But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Hebrews 1:8–9).

We should expect Satan, the adversary of God and the father of lies, to advance many variants of the person of Jesus Christ. Satan would want all the false views to succeed in some measure to lead people away from the true Jesus.

One may recall the temptations of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11). The great deceiver even attempted to use Scripture to trick Jesus into sinning (Matthew 4:6). The tactic of the serpent in the garden was to deceive the woman by distorting the plain meaning of the Word of God (Genesis 3:1–6). Satan, through the serpent, quoted the words of God and abused their meaning. We must be aware of the devil’s devices (1 Corinthians 2:11).

Bible Verses that say “Jesus is God”

Some people claim to believe that Jesus was a “good prophet”, but they deny that Jesus is God. If that is you, I would like to encourage you to consider some of these Bible verses:

Matthew 1:23 - “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 43:10,11 - “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.”
Revelation 1:17-18; Revelation 2:8 - (Jesus is the First and the Last)

Isaiah 44:6 - (God is the Redeemer)
2 Peter 1:1 (Jesus is the Redeemer) - “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”

Isaiah 44:24 - (God created the world by His self alone)
John 1:3; Colossians 1:16 - (Jesus made all things)

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

John 5:17,18 - “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 5:23 - that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

If there is a God, why is there evil?

Agnostics ask: If God is all-powerful and all loving, then why does He permit evil and suffering in the world? Another agnostic asked, If there is a God, why is there evil? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much needless suffering in the world, from natural disasters and such? Why would a loving God do this? Numerous and various answers have been given but permanently settling the issue is impossible because so many of our answers raise further questions. Nevertheless, the lack of ability to answer the question perfectly does not mean that we cannot offer solutions. Of course, I do not assume to be able to answer these questions definitively, but I can offer some solutions.

I will begin by saying let us first consider the meaning of the word “evil”.  

What is evil?

Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary, as does the analysis of its root motives and causes; however, evil is commonly associated with conscious and deliberate wrongdoing, disobeying the commandments of God or gods or the rules of society, discrimination designed to harm others, humiliation of people designed to diminish their psychological well-being and dignity, destructiveness, motives of causing pain or suffering for selfish or malicious intentions, and acts of unnecessary or indiscriminate violence, in contrast, there can be no such thing as evil apart from the existence of God. Why not? Without God, without a moral law giver, we would not have any objective (real) standards (laws) by which we might deem something to be evil. We would not be able to conclusively say, “Kidnapping children and murdering them is evil.” We could say, "We don't like these things." But we could not call that kind of behavior evil (that which is morally wrong). It would just be a matter of opinion (one man's opinion against another's).

In non theistic universe, where no moral laws really exist, there could be no such thing as evil. And yet evil does exist! The existence of evil is the number one reason most non theists give as to why they don’t believe in God. They are convinced that there is evil. They point to things like slavery, racism, rape, kidnapping, molesting children, murder, and they say, “These things are truly evil.” And rightly so! These things are evil!

Well, it is this evil that actually exists that verifies there is an actual, objective, real moral law in the universe. But there can be no such thing as an objective moral law apart from a moral law giver, God.

So as complex as this might sound, the reality of evil is actually evidence for the existence of God, not against it.

There are two kinds of evil:

Moral and physical. Moral evil is willful sin, while physical evil is natural harm. Examples of moral evil are murder, adultery, fornication, theft, sorcery, abortion, etc. Examples of physical evil are famine, illness, natural disasters and death. Now evil is not something in itself, but a lack of something that should be present, e.g. a lie lacks in truth. God does not create evil since it is not a thing to be created. Evil is an imperfection, lack or void in God's creation.

What Does the Bible Say About Victorious Life?

Deuteronomy 1:21

 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

Psalm 44:6-8

I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Mark 14:38

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Luke 10:19

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Luke 22:40

On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

Luke 22:46

"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:35.37

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Principles of Christian Suffering

1. True faith will be tested. Christians, because they are Christians, will inevitably undergo constant testing.

"Christians do not court suffering, but we do expect it.
A disciple, after all, is not above His master." Dr. Norbert Mueller, The Lutheran Witness, July 1995

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

2. The stronger the potential faith, the greater the testing one should expect.

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil....
He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.Job 1:1,2 (NIV)

3. Testing and suffering reminds us who really is Lord of our life...and it's not us!!!

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body. 
I Corinthians 6:20 (NIV)

For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.
So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14;7-8 (NIV)

4. The hardest thing about suffering is remembering the central focus of the test: to keep our faith strong.. If we lose this focus, we fail the test. Failure is never final; God is always forgiving and will restore us even when we have failed.

5. For this reason, as the Christian regularly and daily prays for a stronger faith, he can also expect that the strengthening of one’s faith may best be accomplished through the experience of testing.

Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

"And lead us not into temptation"

What does this mean?
"God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us
so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us not seduce us I
into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them,
that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory."From Luther’s Small Catechism

6. Our Christian faith is never so strong that it is ever exempt from or immune to testing and, at times, failure. Even when we fail, Jesus never forsakes us; He constantly prays for us before, during, and after testing.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon,
that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will
deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:31(NIV)