₦airaland Forum

November 20 Proverbs 20v 4

Pro 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Thomas Edison,the inventor of the electric light bulb and more than 1000 other inventions once said "Oppurtunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work".Little wonder he was named 'genius of invention'
It is said that when Edison died,the U.S government considered turning off all electric current in the country for a minute or two in tribute to him.What an hard worker!There's no gain in being lazy.
Poverty is a terrible thing.The passage says he will beg in harvest and have nothing.It doesn't pay to be lazy.Lazy people are always loaded with excuses for not doing.They may even quote the Bible.Imagine! Laziness is not encouraged in the Word of God.In fact, the verse above threatens lazy loafers (IMHO).No Christian should be LAZY.Be diligent and do not back out, You're the light of the world,an example to others.You are always a potential blessing waiting to happen, so work hard dear and whatsoever you do shall prosper.

challenging post kunle.Good to see it coming from you.More of that.

@funkilicious
Hello,now you’ve given a better perspective of what you’re going through. Its quite easy for me to start criticizing your pastor but I’ll also want to ask you,hope you are born again? I ask because of your zeal to serve in church. Its good to serve in church and to serve God but we should make sure that we’re not just wasting time serving if our hearts aren’t right with God.So 1stly, hope you are born again? Then next,what you should do is to try to correct the situation on ground.Make an effort to brighten your corner.Leaving chuch or quitting church work may not be the panacea, such a thing might still repeat itself some other time in some other form,so if you have a problem deal with it now.As they say, ‘tough times don’t last but tough people do’. You need to try and meet with yoer pastor and explain things to him.He should see reason with you.You shouldn’t be afraid to see(approach) your pastor.He’s supposed to be your spiritual father.
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
That’s standard practice. If that fails, you can report him to his superiors (senior pastors or your headquarters in Lagos).That way, he would be corrected, others will not be hurt like you were and you all will be happy and blessed.
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Jam 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
He’s probably being spoiled by his members because I can’t imagine any body going to church to fry puffpuff for pastor here in Nigeria not to talk of Great Britian.So bring him back to reality in LOVE, Much blessings

November 19 Matthew 19 v11,12

Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Man is a free moral agent.We're not all forced into making the same decisions in life.That is one of the things that makes us higher than the animals.you decide what to eat and drink.We have different appetites unlike the animals.
Thats why every man may not be agreed on the same thing but it is up to you as an individual to decide what you agree on.It can be given to you.Applying verse 12, some people truly follow God because they were born into a godly environment (Now of course we've seen some terrible sinners who were raised in a godly environ.It's all your choice).Some follow God because of their exposure.They've listened to the right people, gone to the right churches,read the right books and tracts.Made of men.Others have made themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake.i.e despite their negative background and lack of exposure, they've not sat down in darkness giving excuses.Instead, they've made themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake.He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.You can decide to follow God today.
You can accept Jesus today irrespective of your present circumstance,upbringing or belief.Today,if you will hear His voice, receive eternal life and it will be given to you.


Sorry I'm late.Your[b] edifying [/b] contributions are welcome

@funkilicious
Well,it difficult to give a one solution because the same circumstance may not apply at all cases.But still always remember your primary purpose which is serving God, not serving your pastor or yourself as a christian.When you're serving God,its in His perfect will that you do well in your academics.He's not going to jeopardize your academic dream.So my advice is that you plan your time (many students spend hours working parttime,playing games or watching football,hanging out with friends& so on and some still manage to do well @ school) and you can try to explain your dilemma to your local pastor in a convincing way.that way, he should see reason with you.Don't be tempted to murmur against him.Also, more than all, ask God with sincerity for his widom to deal with the situation

November 18 2nd Kings 18 v5
He trusted in Jehovah, the God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him. (ASV)


He trusted int the Lord God of Isreal.Do you? He lived during the old covenant,you live in the period of a better covenant.Yet,do you trust God?Do you trust His word( the Bible)? All of it.Do you trust it when it says
'and the Word was God'.Do you trust every verse,every book, every chapter?Do you trust in the Word more than you trust in your opinions and tendencies? Do you trust in the Lord God more than you trust your pastor or is it the other way round?Do you trust in God enough to believe His promises for today,His plans for tomorrow and His perspective about yesterday?
Trusting in the Lord sets you apart.it makes you like the king we're reading about in our passage, peculiar, different.So that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.Do you trust in the Lord God of Israel?

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Rom 1:19 because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them.
Rom 1:20 For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse.
Rom 1:21 Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools

Your love is deep
Your love is high
Your love is long
Your love is wide

Your love is deeper than my view of grace
higher than this worldly place
longer than this road I travel
wider than the gap you filled
Thank you Jesus for loving me so.God loves you too

@Gamine
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV)
Just want to encourage you not too be tired or 'sick' of being a child of God.Thats the devil's vision.pls don't give in.You know what,brighten the corner where you are.Be a light

November 17 Luke 17 v 4-6
Luk 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Luk 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Jesus wants us to forgive.verse one of today's passage makes it clear to us that He is talking to disciples.If you are a disciple of Christ, then forgive.Many people, like the disciples usually demand for more faith to forgive, more grace to forgive etc. But Jesus says it's not a big deal, you do not need increase in faith to forgive.If you have faith as small as a GRAIN of , , you can forgive.It all depends on you.As a child of God, you already have enough faith to forgive.
See, you believe God, you believe Jesus, you believe there are many many mansions prepared for the saints.There are some people who do not believe this things. You have some faith.Go ahead and forgive from today.
And then it says, you can decide to say (whatsoever you choose to say) to that problem in your life and it should obey you.If you're a disciple of Christ, try it today.It works.

Quote from: Pastor AIO on Yesterday at 08:36:18 PM
ps. before I go, why hasn't image 123 who started the whole John 5:39 fiasco returned to contribute to the debate?

Lol, Pastor AIO. . I may not speak for anyone; but I don't think Image123 wanted a 'fiasco', just as it doesn't seem justcool has come back to set us straight on what he started.

All the same, enjoy.

lol
As pilgrim.1 has said, I didn't mean it as a debate.I replied I think on page 8 but maybe you were busy battling wit greek.Kunle asked if the Scriptures were still relevant to Christ’s followers. That was what I answered to by quoting about 5 passages that suggested that the scriptures were still relevant.Unfortunately,the other 4 passages quoted were thrown aside and you guys started giving lectures on John 5.
Meanwhile the crux of the verse itself attests to it that the scriptures are relevant.Jesus said "they testify of me".Same verse!search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.If something bears witness/testifies/or has some truth to say about Christ, i think its reason that followers of Christ would want to look at such a witness, a more sure word of prophecy.Unfortunately,it seems many are just more focused on criticising one version or the whole of the various translations as a whole. I suggest that if they feel that they can give us a better translation,then go ahead.There's really no point criticizing the word on ground.I can assure you,it Works.People are getting saved and blessed and transformed by reading the Bible(s) daily.It seems God is not that concerned with the "inaccuracies" as many are.Talk about crying more than the bereaved.He backs up/certifies the Word with signs following.I think thats the substance that we should hold on to, not just busy ourselves and the pages of nairaland chasing shadows.God be with you.

November 16 Romans 16 v20
Rom 16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.


This is a glorious plan, a perfect prayer and a good promise.Jesus Christ has already defeated the enemy on our behalf.Known fact.We walk in that victory and we are more than conquerors already because Jesus has won already.Every follower of Jesus is a winner.Every attack by satan is a waste of his time.Every trial and temptation is another step to higher ground.We walk in the excellency of power by God.
And then we have this promise. God shall bruise satan under your feet shortly (speedily). It is a promise of personal victory. It means the devil will feel pains particularly because of U. He will be disappointed.He'll be perplexed and greatly troubled because he cannot have dominion over U.His agents can't touch U.Sin or sickness is no longer part of U.Instead, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. Amen.Happy Sunday

@dayokanu
sure, I heard it from you 1st.maybe someone's threatened him

Fabregas seems not to be giving his all.He's either tired or confused.He's gone through a lot in the past 3 years you know.So much responsibility,past hopes and no results for such age.its beginning to tell on him.I like to see arsenal play but looks like the manager is the cause of the whole mess.He hardly learns.There's more probability of Fergie or Scolari buying good players in january than Arsene buying any player.Thats absurd.At the end of the day, you really can't blame the boys

[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]Sorry oooo arsenal fans[/font]

Is clichy truely being blackmailed?Interpol should please look into that.How could he score such a lovely goal and still be clapping and smiling.

@pilgrim
Hello, you know I was beginning to feel sorry for you because of the negatives coming from everyside.Then I looked into the Scriptures to see if I could get some words of comfort to give.But blimey, right now,I'll like to be in your shoes.See some of what i saw
2Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
1Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
And the one that blew my mind,

1Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
The Spirit of Glory! The Spirit of Glory!I hate to concede to this but I'm envious of you this moment.Always remember,It is well

Deuteronomy 15 v 10
You shall surely give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing Jehovah your God shall bless you in all your works, and in all that you put your hand to. (MKJV)

Can I ask you, when last did you give?Hope you care for the needy around you? Or you can't even see them.Open your eyes,think clearly and give.Make a deliberate decision to give something.You have
money?give it.Give even of that little that you say you have.You have a smile?give it.A word of advice?give it. Time?give it.Give to the needy.This verse makes it a "voluntary command".Thou shalt surely give him and thine heart shall not be grieved.Friend, you must give.you must be cheerful and you must give.As usual with every command of God,there is an advantage,a blessing to keeping such commands.Because for this thing, God shall bless thee in all thy works.
That is 'expo' to sure blessings.It works for everybody.It is a law.Believer or unbeliever, anybody that jumps up must come down,anybody that is generous will be blessed by God.Believer, this has being in the Bible for a long time,you have no excuse.Obey this law.

@chrisbenogor
The lawgiver can't be the law breaker.He is the law
@justcool
Please, stop picking my words. And I don't remember mentioning 'catholicism'.Just check up the word catholic in the dictionary or somewhere.It doesn't have to belong to the roman catholic church as we have it today.The word had been used by the church fathers before the so called Catholicism started.The early Christians considered themselves irrespective of their location as brethren and fellow labour men.Thy were the body of Christ having need of each other.They need consider themselves as local but worldwide and having the same mind.Lets not get into endless word debate.Be matured in understanding.Thats Bible injunction

Maybe na winch commot the battery abi boyz don tap into the power supply for personal use

Luke 14 v1-24
Luk 14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
Luk 14:2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
Luk 14:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
Luk 14:4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;
Luk 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
Luk 14:6 And they could not answer him again to these things.
Luk 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
Luk 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him;
Luk 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
Luk 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
Luk 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luk 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
Luk 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luk 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Luk 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Luk 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
Luk 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Luk 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Luk 14:21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Luk 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
Luk 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luk 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.


That is a long passage, I'll try to be brief here.Jesus was invited to a function by one of the chief Pharisees.Well once in a while, we might come across such an event where you want to be or have to be there at such invitation.Lets learn from the attitude of Jesus here.He literally was in charge.Firstly, He healed a man in the midst of opposition, then He began to teach and instruct in parables.
If you have to be at a social gathering, you do not have to compromise to/with ungodliness at such an event.Go everywhere with Jesus today and bear His mark on your body.If things seem to be going out of your control or starts getting ungodly, please you may courteously leave the place.They may ridicule you but I think it will keep you pure and undefiled.you should rather disappoint them than disappoint God.God bless you.

Actually John 5:39 does not encourage people to search the scriptures. Here is the same verse from other translations
Could you please point out exactly what it is that Justcool or myself said that is false and in the process let us also know the correct position of things with facts to back it up
Actually John 5:39 does not encourage people to search the scriptures. Here is the same verse from other translations:

 
International Standard Version (©2008)
"You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me. But you are not willing to come to me to have life."

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life."

I didn’t want to reply to this as I was wondering why you picked a verse out of about 5 passages that I quoted and closed your eyes on all the other verses, Is it not obvious from the verse that Jesus said the Scriptures testified of Him? Why are we chasing shadows? The Scriptures are Jesus’ witnesses. If you want to know more about Christ, look into the Scriptures, they testify of Christ. Every follower of Jesus should want to know more of Christ. The Scriptures is a good source.thats what the verse says. You were the one asking if the Scriptures were still relevant to Christ’s followers. I'll like to stop here for now. Please, its not a debate, just consider or reconsider the truth. And please try to get the best from these discussions.Don’t just be looking for holes (in Scriptures and in replies).Be positive at least a little bit. God bless you

Wonderful lesson above.I hope we all can gain something from it for our edification.


I asked for you to verify from reliable sources because it’ll not suffice to just go through some article or similar forum on the internet and then begin to base the truth solely on that.Are your deductions from unbiased and original veritable sources?examples of popular veritable sources are wikipedia and the encyclopedia Britannica.The information on this types of sources are scrutinized and unbiased. Also, what are your sources on church history?
After the church began, differing doctrines (heresies) began to come in.This were usually settled by councils.There were already sects within the church.The term "catholic" was already being used increasingly to denote the true faith laid down by the apostles and to distinguish between true and false.The earliest evidence available of the use of the term dates as far back as AD110 in a letter by Ignatius of Antioch.
200 years later,Christianity had grown to a significant state that could not be ignored by the world powers i.e the Roman empire. They had tried to wipe out Christianity but it seemed to thrive on persecution,so then they embraced Christianity (the if you can’t beat them, join them condition).
In 380, emperor Theodosius published an edict ordering that the faith taught to the Romans by Peter should be accepted by all nations.The title "catholic" was then reserved for those type of churches worldwide and it became the legal religion of the romans.Is that right or I’m lying? Its years after this that the roman catholic church split into the orthodox, protestants and the R.Catholics. All the factions today technically belong under one of these 3. The point here is, when they "collated" the today’s Bible, we were all together. The Ethiopian church can trace its Christian origins to around AD330 when they had their first bishop.Thats before the split.Due to spread of i slam and church growth decline, Ethiopian Christians became "boxed in" by m uslim countries (communication gap). During this time they among other things embraced monophysitism. I believe that they’ve now being updated.
The old testament is made up of 39 books, the Hebrew bible used in Judaism attests to that FACT.There’s no point adding to it. That was what Jesus used and He didn’t complain about it.Of course there were other good books written by men of God during the OT period.e.g c 2nd Chronicles 9v29.God chose these 39. There’s no major truth that any of this other books may contain that are not already revealed in the 39 books. If you choose to, you can access this other books and read,I don’t think it’s a crime, but don’t force them into the bible. B T W, you're yet to finish reading the Bible oo, don't be greedy/ covetous, friend.
Coming to the New Testament, many books were written by disciples and followers of Christ, but God has divinely ordained and permitted 27. Others simply could not make it. They’ve probably passed away or are going and coming, which is uncharacteristic of God’s Word that ENDURES throughout the ages. This 27 books have faced uncommon ordeals to be exterminated.They’ve stood the test of time. Many of this 27 books were considered as Scripture by the apostles themselves.And as said earlier, there’s nothing missing in them, nothing. Not all of Paul’s writings are there, not all the 12 disciples’ books are there. Just what we need is there. With what we have on ground, we can get to heaven.That’s the important thing to see/note. That’s the purpose of God’s Word. This 66 achieve that purpose no matter the amount of “errors” and “incompleteness” that we may claim that it has.I'm hoping this can be of help to you

Nehemiah 13:27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

Opinions and ideas are always going to differ.We shouldn't base our major decisions and lives on opinion polls.It would be dangerous to do that.People will come to tell us what to do.Some will do that subtly and softly, some boldly, some even forcefully, some through their glossed lifestyle but 'Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress?' Lets be more thoughtful before we do, lets not transgress or do evil simply because somebody else does it or encourages us to do it.
In Today's passage, marrying strange wives is in consideration.Think carefully before going into a relationship or a marriage.Many of us may think 'it doesn't matter' but it does. The verse says It is a transgrssion 'against our God'to marry outsiders (strange wives).It is not just some denominations' doctrine or some legalistic pastor's view.It is the Word of God.See if there be ANY wicked way in me and lead me God.Look before you leap,my friend.

My sincere apologies to all who have being expecting today's rhema.Sorry for being late.By the way, your contributions are welcome.God be with you.

Justcool.Please go and re-verify your informations from reliable sources please.

@pilgrim.1
Hope Kunle would not mind you abi na us cos many have being accused.keep praying o.Takia

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man.
To live a purposeful life, a life well spent, a to God be the glory life, these are the things to achieve.Every other thing achieved without this, will amount to nothing.To fear God and to keep His coomandments, that is what will make all other achievements to matter.
Whatever you may do, do this two as well.This is the whole duty of man.Sometimes,you might be reading a passage or a book in the scriptures and it seems like you're not understanding it well.This verse is telling us that the moral lesson behind it all is thatyou should fear God and obey (keep) His commandments.John the beloved says His commandments are not grievous.That, is the conclusion of the whole matter.And that is what will make you to matter before God the creator of all matter.

@ KunleOshob
Hi, kunle. Just want to contribute a little to help you.I really hope you can gain from this. Please do not be offended by the ‘Kunle syncre’ diagnosis by pilgrim.1 and odas. Sorry, don’t mind them/us.

some questions i would like to as those screaming about the perfection of the bible are these:
What if the catholic church had not included the old testament in the bible (like they decided to exclude several other books regarded as scripture by the early christians) would you still be defending the old testament if you came across them outside christian literature?

The catholic church you’re probably referring to here is not the same catholic church as we have it today. Then, there were no protestants. The word catholic just meant universal i.e the universal body of Christ.
I believe God guards His word. The scriptures affirm that. If you’ve studied your history as well as you claim, you’ll notice that major attempts have being made by several individuals and groups and even governments to make the bible extinct.They’ve all failed. The Word says Psa 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever. I believe that to mean that there is no part of the word of God that man can make to cease.It endures forever,no matter the storms.
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
No manipulation is enough, no council is sufficient to delete it or not include it.If it is not included, then its because its not scripture because the word of God cannot pass away. Do you believe that?

The other question i would also like to act is this: on what premise do you assume that the catholic church did a divine Job of compiling the bible under the guidiance of Emperor constantine who had political motives?

As I said earlier, what you refer to here as the catholic church was the only church at that time.There was no church outside it yet. The council of Nicaea which you refer to wit Constantine the great had nearly 300 bishops in attendance. The attendance represented all the churches in existence at that time.The major issue discussed wasn’t compilation of books.And the decisions of the council were made by the church reps (bishops) not by Constantine. Of all the issues discussed, there was 1 disagreement made by 2 out of nearly 300 BISHOPS. Compilation of bible wasn’t the issue disagreed on.

Did jesus christ promise us a canon of scripture or the holy spirit to guide us?

Jesus encouraged His followers to use the Word (the scriptures).He is refered to as the Scriptures. Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Joh 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
The early Christians depended on the scriptures for guidance.They rated it as equal to the Holy Spirit.
1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

What evidence do we have why did Martin luther have to edit the bible to produce the one commonly used today?
Why is the ethopian bible substantially different from the one that originated from the catholic church? ( Christianity was practiced and accepted in ethopia centuries before the roman catholic church).

Same as your 1st and 2nd questions.God cannot allow/permit His word to be tampered with.He loves us too much than to allow that happen. B T W, Luther or whoever had their translation sources and they are still available. Even earlier manuscripts like the dead sea scrolls and the Septuagint are available today.you can always check up.

Like I said,earlier manuscripts are still available.Try to access them if you please and verify which one is more 'accurate'.I think instead of complaining, we should eulogize these heroes of faith (translators and co) who gave their all to give us what we have today.Some paid with their blood thru persecution.Some spent decades etc.Consider the Authorized Version(KJV) for instance,it was done by about 54 translators. These were men of honesty and unusual philology.They were extremely accurate and pain-staking people.they were scholars and masters of languages.They were Christians and most of them never married.If you or any one feel more consecrated than that or more qualified than them to translate or publish,please do and give us a better translation.As I said,the manuscripts are still available.

Why did Jesus say all those that "all who came before me where robbers and thieves"? John 10:8

Because He meant it.

Why do we have so many versions and interpretations of the bible?

Because we have many languages.We live in a literate world friend.We have the printing press.The Bible wasn’t originally written in English.So no particular press has exclusive privileges to translation.Anybody dissatisfied with present translations may go ahead to translate, The manuscripts are available. This is not to take any thing away from any of the versions.Most have being honest with their translations.the translations differ mostly due to purpose and method of translation.There are different types of the English language for example.There’s American English, there’s Welsh,there’s Canadian, there’s Australian,there’s pidgin, there’s contemporary etc.Also,some translations are word for word, some are phrase for phrase while some try to capture what thy feel the passage is saying in a most suitable grammar to them.It also depends on manuscript available to the translators. All the same,the Lord still demonstrates His power and uses this Word irrespective of the versions to touch and change lives. That I think is the more important thing friend.

Why do we have so many church denominations all claiming to be divinely inspired?
Why is the church not one?
Why is the greatest commandment of Jesus christ (Love your neigbhour as your self) not being preached or actively encouraged and practised by most so called christian (chrsit like) churches?

Because wolves and false christs have entered into the sheepfold.We’ve being warned of these things ahead by Christ.There is trouble in the world,but as believers, we are expected to be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world.We’re not expected to be confused and discouraged.We knew it was coming already.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
What we need to do is WATCH, watch well and watch hard. And pray so that you’re not deceived.Let not your heart be troubled. If you believe in God, Believe also in Christ the Word made flesh.Hope I was able to help you a lidu

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. KJV

Jesus Christ poses a challenge to us.He says 'Take my yoke upon you.'In sincerity,without twisting anything or bringing any known doctrine into the phrase,everybody understands this to mean what it says.
'Take my yoke upon you'.Have you carried Christ's yoke upon you today?,If yes,what is that yoke?Can you list some?What are you bearing for Christ's sake?Not exactly for your church's sake or for the position you hold's sake
but for Christ's.What I mean is,today,you find some believers that immediately they leave a church to another, they just change completely in lifestyle, or if they don't get a position in church (lets say they do not get to sing again or minister again), they no more remain as righteous as before or committed to God.
Today, we remember whose yoke we're to bear.Take Jesus' yoke and learn of Him.Don't remain the same,let Christ's ways renew/change you.Let biblical examples correct you.And permit me to say this,'let the church direct you in the Lord's way.'Learn from Christ to be meek (find out what that word 'meek' means in the dictionary).That is the way to rest both now and forever (eternally).If you believe, this yoke is easy and the burden is light.

@wirinet

I am shocked by your statement that Of all the above so called 'virgin births' and even the ones unmentioned.Jesus birth has proven to be the most useful,most valid and most believed. It is amazing you are looking at the world though your tiny pin-hole. Are you saying that the over 1.5 Billions buddhist in the world (yes there are more Buddhists in the world than Christians)do not believe the virgin birth of their Buddha? or that the hundreds of millions of hindus do not believe in the Virgin Birth of their saviour Chrishna?

While I do not particularly enjoy discussing stats (cos they aren't as important as they seem),I'll do that here for now.
I do not intend to slight you but your statistics above are invalid.What are your sources by the way?They are plain wrong.Buddha was not said to be born of virgin birth.He is said to have earlier in life, displeased his father, who wanted him to be a warrior and ruler rather than a religious philosopher.Also there are about 150 to 300 million buddhists around the world today.(do a reliable research on the net or somewhere to verify this figures).
There are about 900 million hindus in the world today while there are by far much more professed christians.I've never heard of 'Chrisna' but if you're refering to krishna,its a small sect under hinduism.
I said "Jesus birth has proven to be the most useful,most valid and most believed."
The stats prove that His birth is the most believed both now and from the ages past.His birth and life is the most historically valid.His virgin birth is the most useful.That is the centre of the Christian faith.(that Jesus was the spotless stainless lamb acceptable to God and sacrificed for not just the sin of his locals but for the sin of the whole world).Now that is a useful virgin birth.The other acclaimed 'virgin births' do not serve as much use.
The purpose of Jesus coming to the world is to save you.all you need to do is believe it.There's no harm believing.Make a bold step of faith.

@Gamine and friends
Although there may not appear to be a big deal in clapping of hands but definitely, it is not wrong practice.And it did not start from Africa neither is it only found among blacks.My advice is just that you try to be of one mind with the people you worship with ( I think htat is in the Bible).There's no harm or worldliness in clapping sister.

Num 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.[color=#990000][/color] KJV

The passage says it best.You can read it again.Jesus has promised His followers today of a place called the heavenly city.friends, if you are not a follower of Jesus,we invite you.Come thou with us, we will do you good.Jesus Himself will do you good.Join us! Believe with us.Consider eternal life
even if you believe you have this present life in your control.There's nothing to lose by joining us.Jehovah has spoken good things about us.All you need to do is come with us.
Come to Jesus Christ, he is able to do you good.Friends, nairalanders, you are all welcome

Of all the above so called 'virgin births' and even the ones unmentioned.Jesus birth has proven to be the most useful,most valid and most believed.The effects and purpose of Christ have worked and is still working today.Jesus came to pay for the sins of the world.Many who have put their belief in Him have had their sins and its guilt taken away.He remains the Lamb of God that Takes away the sin of the world.He's willing to fulfil that purpose in you today.All you need to do is belive.Do not doubt.There's no harm in believing.You could have your sins cwashed from you today.