"From EVERLASTING to EVERLASTING!"

 

“From EVERLASTING to EVERLASTING!”

 

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear Him, and His Righteousness with their children’s children.    Psalm 103:17

 

Just what does the word EVERLASTING mean? And is it even plausible?  Well, I’m going to give you the definition of the word, and MY opinion of whether it is plausible or NOT.  EVERLASTING is:  Lasting FOREVER, ETERNAL, meaning; it has NO END, but continues ON and ON.  Is it PLAUSIBLE or BELIEVABLE?  In MY opinion, it is MOST DEFINITELY BELIEVABLE, because The ALMIGHTY GOD promises us EVERLASTING LIFE, if we will COME to Him and ask Him for it, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, He WILL provide it for us, and we will LIVE with Him throughout ETERNITY, which is EVERLASTING!

 

This is made possible to us, because of His EVERLASTING LOVE which is from EVERLASTING to EVERLASTING.  The EVERLASTING GOD, gives EVERLASTING LIFE because of His EVERLASTING LOVE.  I want to tell you that this word, FEAR means to have REVERANCE or RESPECT for God.  So, those who COME to Him with REVERANCE or RESPECT, are those who will BENEFIT from GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE.  And they will be able to have EVERLASTING LIFE, because of what JESUS did for their SALVATION, by GIVING His own LIFE on an OLD RUGGED CROSS, DYING in OUR place, for OUR sins, then being RESURRECTED from DEATH and the GRAVE. He placed US in a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with the ALMIGHTY, EVERLASTING GOD, so that we MIGHT have EVERLASTING LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to be able to ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. And this ACT of SALVATION gives our children and their children HOPE for RIGHTEOUSNESS and EVERLASTING LIFE.

 

But, in order for YOU to be EVERLASTING and LIVE an EVERLASTING LIFE in HEAVEN, along with the EVERLASTING FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT.  You MUST be WILLING to COME to JESUS, with a WILLING HEART to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.   And BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before the EVERLASTING GOD.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and RECEIVE your EVERLASTING LIFE in HEAVEN.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

"Seek and Call!"

 

“Seek and Call!”

 

Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.   Isaiah 55:6

 

I love this chapter of Isaiah; it holds within it a LOT of HOPE for those who will respond in a POSITIVE manner, and at the PROPER time.   Those who are UNREPENTANT, are COMMANDED to SEEK and CALL upon the LORD while He may be FOUND.  When the JUDGMENT COMES it will be TOO LATE!  NOW is the TIME to COME to the ALMIGHTY GOD, through His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED and DIED, and then was RESURRECTED from DEATH and the GRAVE, in order for ALL of mankind to have EVERLASTING LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS and to ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. 

 

If you will LISTEN and HEED the CALL of God’s Holy Spirit.  And you SEEK and you CALL upon the NAME, which is above ALL names, the PRECIOUS NAME of JESUS, and TRUST in Him for your SALVATION, you will be SAVED from an ETERNITY in HELL.  God will have MERCY and GRACE upon those who are WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM their sinful ways and TURN to HIM, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.   CONFESSING their sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS. And BELIEVING, with ALL their HEART, that JESUS died for THEM, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God.  They MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION, and RECEIVE HEAVEN as their ETERNAL HOME. 

 

If you have NOT done this, you NEED to DO it NOW, before it’s too LATE.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

"The FULLNESS of God's GRACE"

 

“The FULLNESS of God’s GRACE”

 

Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness.       John 1:16

 

GRACE:  Receiving blessings we don’t deserve.

 

God’s MARVELOUS GRACE which is made possible to EVERYONE, who will come to JESUS CHRIST, for the SALVATION of their souls.  JESUS, God’s ONLY SON, whom He sent to SUFFER, BLEED and DIE for the WRETCHED SINS of ALL mankind.  Jesus who is RIGHTEOUS and HOLY, took on ALL the sins of ALL mankind, PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.  The One who knew NO SIN, became SIN, and was TORTURED, HUNG on an OLD RUGGED CROSS to DIE, and to PAY the PRICE for the REDEMPTION of mankind, so that mankind might EXPERIENCE the FULLNESS of God’s AMAZING GRACE.

 

This GRACE is NOT a ONE-TIME thing, but it is a CONSTANT RECEIVING of the EVIDENCES of God’s AMAZING GRACE.  It is EVIDENCED not only in mankind’s REDEMPTION, but in the BLESSINGS that ACCOMPANY the GIFT of REDEMPTION.  Such as, the ETERNAL INHERITANCE, of RECEIVING HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME, which comes along with BLESSINGS of its own.  And also, the FULFILLMENT of GOD’S PROMISES for the TRUE BELIEVER. 

 

Many times, the ABUNDANCE of GOD’S GRACE on mankind, especially the TRUE BELIEVERS, goes unnoticed, and we take many things for granted.  The TRUE BELIEVER needs to STOP and meditate on the ABUNDANCE of GOD’S AMAZING GRACE, and just exactly what it means to them and their DESTINY.  One very IMPORTANT ACT of GOD’S GRACE, is that for the TRUE BELIEVER, they are SAVED from an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE after you are there.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, through His Son, JESUS CHRIST, then that is your ETERNAL DESTINY.  But you NOW have the OPPORTUNITY to CHANGE your DESTINY from an ETERNITY in HELL, to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with all your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and the FULLNESS of His GLORIOUS GRACE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

"Where Do You Place Your CONFIDENCE?"

 

“Where Do You Place your CONFIDENCE?”

 

So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you NEED endurance, so that after you have done God’s Will, you may receive what was promised.      Hebrews 10:35-36

 

CONFIDENCE:  Full TRUST, TRUSTWORTHINESS in a person or thing.

 

So many times, we place our CONFIDENCE in other people, or in ourselves.  We may even put our CONFIDENCE in our possessions or our circumstances.  Now, this is not good, because we tend to NOT put our CONFIDENCE, FULL TRUST in the ALMIGHTY GOD, it’s as if we DON’T BELIEVE that HE is our CONFIDENCE, and we can put FULL TRUST in Him, over MANKIND, Psalms 118:8, says; “It is BETTER to TRUST in the LORD, than to put CONFIDENCE in mankind.”

 

Placing your CONFIDENCE in things or other PEOPLE, and NOT even considering GOD is like THROWING AWAY your CONFIDENCE.  The ALMIGHTY GOD is OMNISCIENT, or ALL-KNOWING, meaning He KNOWS what is the very BEST for you and He KNOWS what His Will is concerning your LIFE.  He KNOWS what you will have to face in the FUTURE, and exactly what your NEEDS are NOW and THEN.  SO, who else in your circle of people, to whom you place your CONFIDENCE in, has that ability?  I would rather put my CONFIDENCE in the ALMIGHTY GOD, and His WISDOM, than a THOUSAND PEOPLE, who are NOT OMNISCIENT, or OMNIPOTENT, (all powerful).  

 

Your CONFIDENCE in the ALMIGHTY GOD, brings with it a GREAT REWARD.  But, to be ABLE to receive this REWARD, you will NEED ENDURANCE to be ABLE to carry out the Will of God, in FULL CONFIDENCE; That He who has begun a GOOD WORK in you will COMPLETE it UNTIL the Day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) He will provide what we NEED to ENDURE, so that we might be able to RECEIVE what He has PROMISED, an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to be ABLE to ESCAPE an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then your CONFIDENCE is, more than likely, NOT FULLY in Him.  And you are NOT living a life, according to His Will.  You are being INFLUENCED by the Devil, who will lead you down the path to Hell, and will do ALL in his power to KEEP your CONFIDENCE away from GOD.  In order to CHANGE this scenario, you MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and CONFIDENCE in Him.  CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and put your FULL CONFIDENCE in HIM!!  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

"The Bridge"

 

“The Bridge”

 

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile ALL things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in Heaven, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross.       Colossians 1:19-20

 

Mankind was/is born with a SINFUL NATURE, this gives them the DESIRE to REBELL against the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS God, and therefore, mankind is ALIENATED or SEPARATED from God and are His ENEMIES in their MINDS, WICKED WORKS and EVIL HEARTS.  They are in DESPERATE NEED of RECONCILIATION, in order to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with the ALMIGHTY GOD.  And God in His INFINITE MERCY and His AMAZING GRACE, has a PLAN to bring mankind over to His side of ETERNAL LIFE.  It is ONLY through His Only Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who is the BRIDGE that spans the GAP, which SEPARATES MANKIND from His CREATOR GOD. 

 

Mankind is DESTINED to spend ETERNITY in ONE of two places, either HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, or in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY TO ESCAPE, after you are there.  If you will come to the BRIDGE (JESUS) and ACCEPT HIM as your SAVIOR and LORD, you can CROSS OVER the BRIDGE to GOD, with a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  And be RECONCILED to Father God, and have an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, but if you CONTINUE to STAY AWAY from the BRIDGE or REJECT JESUS, you will be spending your ETERNITY in HELL.  God gives EVERYONE the CHOICE, to ACCEPT Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD and be able to CROSS the BRIDGE, and  spend their ETERNITY in HEAVEN, or to STAY AWAY from the BRIDGE, (Jesus), and spend their ETERNITY in HELL.  Which will you CHOOSE?

 

In order to CROSS the BRIDGE, and to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God, you MUST BE WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and let JESUS be your BRIDGE across the GAP that SEPARATES you from GOD and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  ONLY JESUS can get you there, NOT your GOOD LOOKS, NOR your GOOD DEEDS, ONLY JESUS.  So, Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

"Hold on to Your HOPE!"

 

“Hold on to Your HOPE!”

 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.    Hebrews 10:23

 

Our HOPE is in the REDEMPTIVE WORK of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who SHED His OWN BLOOD on an OLD, RUGGED, ROMAN CROSS, in order for MANKIND to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with our HEAVENLY FATHER, God, who is FAITHFUL in ALL His Ways and in the KEEPING of His PROMISES.  And WHATEVER He PROMISES He will do! 

 

When we come to Him for the SALVATION of our SOUL, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, He CLEANSES our HEART and DELIVERS us from an EVIL CONSCIENCE.  And when the inside is CLEANSED, then we can CLEAN-UP the OUTSIDE, in order to be an OUTWARD WITNESS of an INWARD CHANGE.  Our HEART should have FULL ASSURANCE of our FAITH in CHRIST.  And we can have the ASSURANCE that GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES.  

 

One of the PROMISES is that His Son, Jesus, will RETURN, to get ALL of God’s TRUE CHILDREN, those who have TRULY GIVEN their HEARTS and LIVES to Him, and to take us to our ETERNAL INHERITANCE, HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  But, until He comes, we are to ENCOURAGE and MOTIVATE one another, with acts of LOVE and GOOD WORKS as an expression of our RELATIONSHIP with our HEAVENLY FATHER, and we are NOT to NEGLECT our meeting together, because there is STRENGTH in numbers, and when we GATHER together our FAITH, HOPE and LOVE are STRENGTHENED, and we can STAY HOPEFUL, and ENCOURAGED until the Day of JESUS’ RETURN.  And it COULD be ANY DAY, maybe TODAY!!  Are you READY?

 

You can be READY for His RETURN, if you will STOP RUNNING FROM GOD, and REJECTING His Gift of SALVATION.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Him, then your DESTINY is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  I am COMPELLED to tell you this, because there is HOPE for a MUCH BETTER DESTINY, IF you have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with GOD.  And the ONLY WAY to do that is through His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  You MUST COME to Him, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and you MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and HOLD ON to your HOPE of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS. 

And REMEMBER to GO to CHURCH and GATHER with other BELIEVERS, and ENCOURAGE each other with LOVE and GOOD WORKS, until the Day of the LORD’S RETURN.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

"The Act of REDEMPTION"

 

“The Act of REDEMPTION”

 

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His Love, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins.     Colossians 1:13-14

 

REDEMPTION:  Deliverance from sin; salvation

 

The act of the REDEMPTION of mankind for the SALVATION of their soul, has a few different facets to it.  One is the DELIVERANCE from the POWER of DARKNESS, ALL mankind is born with a SINFUL NATURE, they are under the POWER of DARKNESS.  And their lives are being CONTROLLED by the PRINCE of DARKNESS, the Devil.  They will remain under his control, UNTIL they come to JESUS for their DELIVERANCE.

 

Another is, the DELIVERANCE from ones SINS.  The ACT of REDEMPTION is the ACT of SALVATION, when a person comes to JESUS for the FORGIVENESS of their sins, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, they are FORGIVEN for ALL their sins, PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.  Their sins are FORGIVEN and FORGOTTEN, by GOD, as FAR as the EAST is from the WEST, NEVER to be REMEMBERED again.  This DELIVERANCE is also an ATONEMENT for GUILT.

 

Then there is the DELIVERANCE from an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  In order to receive this DELIVERANCE, you MUST be WILLING to take a few actions to be able to be brought into God’s ETERNAL KINGDOM of LIGHT, the KINGDOM of the SON He LOVES.  The One who SHED His OWN BLOOD for the FORGIVENESS of MANKIND’S SINS.  YOU MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and RECEIVE this ACT of REDEMPTION and be DELIVERED from the POWER of DARKNESS, your SINS, and an ETERNITY in HELL and RECEIVE an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

"The Beauty of Forgiveness"

 

“The Beauty of Forgiveness”

 

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven; whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does NOT count against them and in whose spirit is NO deceit.      Psalm 32:1-2

 

I believe that this Psalm, which was penned by King David, gives us a BEAUTIFUL picture of GOD’S FORGIVENESS, for those who are willing to come to Him for His FORGIVENESS, and to be DELIVERED from the GUILT of their TRANSGRESSIONS and to have their SINS COVERED by the PRECIOUS BLOOD of our REDEEMER, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who PAID in FULL the PRICE for the SALVATION of mankind, with His OWN Life.

 

David says: “BLESSED is the ONE whose TRANSGRESSIONS are FORGIVEN.”  God’s FORGIVENESS is FULL and COMPLETE, it does NOT HOLD animosities against those who have TRANSGRESSED, but it COVERS, the SINS and they are NO LONGER COUNTED against those who are SEEKING GOD’S FORGIVENESS. When David ACKNOWLEDGED his SIN and didn’t try to HIDE it from God, but he CONFESSED his transgressions to God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, God FORGAVE not only the TRANSGRESSIONS but also the GUILT of those TRANGRESSIONS.

 

God’s FORGIVENESS, for the SINS of MANKIND, is a TRUE EXAMPLE of His UNFAILING LOVE, which has PROVIDED ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  God’s UNFAILING LOVE was the CATAPULT for His FORGIVENESS. He sent His ONLY SON, JESUS to be the ONE and ONLY SACRIFICE for a LOST and DYING world, a world without HOPE, a CORRUPT, WICKED and DEPRAVED world, that does not POINT anyone to GOD and His FORGIVENESS, but it DRIVES mankind further AWAY from GOD.  And this leads MANY to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE after you are there. 

 

Many REJECT GOD’S FORGIVENESS, and REFUSE His Gift of SALVATION, through the SHED BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST.  They are NOT BLESSED, but they are DOOMED to PERISH, because of their UNBELIEF and their REJECTION of God and His Son. 

 

Now, the BEAUTY of GOD’S FORGIVENESS, is that it is FREE to those who will come to Him, and are willing to have their SINS FORGIVEN and NOT COUNTED AGAINST them ever again.  And to

be able to spend their ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to experience God’s AMAZING GRACE, ABUNDANT MERCY, and UNFAILING LOVE, you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and ENJOY the BEAUTY of GOD’S FORGIVENESS.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

"The Name"

 

“The Name”

 

He humbled Himself by becoming OBEDIENT to the point of death---even to death on a cross.  For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the NAME that is above EVERY name.  Philippians 2:8-9

 

God gave the NAME of JESUS to His ONE and ONLY Son, who HUMBLED HIMSELF and was OBEDIENT to His Heavenly Father, even to the POINT of His DEATH on the CROSS of CALVARY.  This NAME, was and is the ONLY NAME under Heaven given to people by which we MUST BE SAVED.  For ANYONE who CALLS on the NAME of the LORD will be SAVED.  That NAME is JESUS!

 

God gave His Son the NAME of JESUS, so that at the very MENTION of His NAME, EVERY knee should bow---and EVERY tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD to the GLORY of GOD the FATHER.  And it WILL HAPPEN on the LAST DAY, whether it is done WILLINGLY or not. 

 

For those who are TRUE BELIEVERS, who have, at some point in their lives, CALLED on the NAME of JESUS for their SALVATION, the NAME brings PEACE, JOY and ASSURANCE to their TROUBLED HEARTS.  For they KNOW that God LOVES them and that He will KEEP His PROMISE of an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS. 

 

However, for the UNBELIEVER, those who have NOT CALLED on the NAME of JESUS for their SALVATION, the NAME of JESUS has very LITTLE if any meaning or significance to them.  And they are content with their SINFUL LIFE-STYLE, because they live in DARKNESS and are INFLUENCED by Satan.  They are NOT CONCERNED with their ETERNITY, because they do NOT BELIEVE in GOD, JESUS or SALVATION.  They FOLLOW LIES, instead of BELIEVING the TRUTH, and therefore, they are DESTINED for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE after they are there.  Is that your DESTINY?  

 

If you have NOT CALLED on the NAME of JESUS for the SALVATION of your soul, and you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then I’m afraid that that is EXACTLY your DESTINY.  In order to change your DESTINY, you MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that HE is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION by CALLING on that NAME that is ABOVE ALL NAMES, the NAME of the LORD JESUS for your SALVATION, and to RECEIVE an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  PLEASE, do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

"A LIFE-CHANGING Moment"

 

“A LIFE-CHANGING Moment”

 

“Rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”      Acts 26:17-18

 

Paul, had a LIFE-CHANGING experience one day, while on his way to Damascus to PERSECUTE the TRUE FOLLOWERS of JESUS CHRIST.  He met JESUS on the road to Damascus, and Jesus confronted PAUL with why he was PERSECUTING Him.  Paul was without words, and so Jesus explained to Paul, why He was there. Jesus said: “Get up, and stand on your feet; I have appeared to you, to APPOINT you a MINISTER and a WITNESS to the things which you have seen, and what I will show you in the future; RESCUING you from the JEWISH people and from the GENTILES (non-Jewish) to whom I am sending you, to OPEN their eyes so that they may TURN from DARKNESS to LIGHT, and from the DOMINION (rule) of Satan to GOD.” This is REPENTANCE!  And is NEEDED in order to receive FORGIVENESS of their sins and an INHERITANCE of an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  So, this was Paul’s SALVATION experience, along with his COMMISSION to God’s Service, which was his SANCTIFICATION process. 

 

Of course, this incident, definitely made a LIFE-CHANGING moment for this FAITHFUL APOSTLE. SALVATION and SANCTIFICATION requires FAITH in GOD and His BELOVED SON, JESUS CHRIST, who gave His LIFE so that ALL mankind might be SAVED and SANCTIFIED, and able to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and to have ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.  Have you ever had a LIFE-CHANGING moment, when you gave your HEART and LIFE to God, through coming to the Cross of Calvary and ACCEPTING the REDEMPTIVE WORK of CHRIST?  And have you TRULY GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to Him, and been SET APART (sanctified) for God’s GOOD PURPOSES?  Do you POSSESS the PROMISE of His INHERITANCE?  OR are you facing JUDGMENT and an ETERNITY in HELL, because you continually REJECT God’s Gift of SALVATION? 

 

In order to have a LIFE-CHANGING experience, you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. And COMING OUT of the DARKNESS and INTO the LIGHT, BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and experience that LIFE-CHANGING moment NOW and throughout ETERNITY.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

 

"God Working in You"

 

“God Working in You”

 

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your SALVATION with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.             Philippians 2:12-13

 

The Apostle Paul in a letter to the BELIEVERS in Philippi was ENCOURAGING them, with the POSITIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of their OBEDIENCE, not ONLY, when He was present, but MORE so in his absence.   He ENCOURAGED them to WORK OUT their SALVATION, this did NOT mean that they should WORK to GAIN SALVATION, but more like a farmer or gardener WORKS the SOIL, in order to bring about the FRUIT of their LABORS.  They were to take their SALVATION, which was GIVEN to them and MAKE it bring forth FRUIT.  Not the EDIBLE kind of FRUIT, but we are talking about SPIRITUAL FRUIT.  Things that exemplify our RELATIONSHIP with God our Heavenly Father. 

 

The Fruit of the Spirit, LOVE, JOY, PEACE, FOREBEARANCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTROL, are the things that are Christ-like attributes that each TRUE BELIEVER should WORK towards with a GODLY FEAR and TREMBLING, when they ACKNOWLEDGE the HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS of God and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and realize their OWN WEAKNESSES and the TEMPTATIONS they face EVERY DAY.

 

 Human beings make their OWN choices, and they will be RESPONSIBLE for those choices.  But ULTIMATELY it is GOD, Who is in CONTROL. And when the TRUE BELIEVER comes to that bit of KNOWLEDGE, they NEED to REALIZE that it is GOD who WORKS in them, to ACCOMPLISH His Will and to ACT in order to FULFILL His GOOD PURPOSE.  So that they might SUCCEED in this TRANSFORMATION from UNRIGHTEOUS to RIGHTEOUS in His Sight. He has given them the Gift of His HOLY SPIRIT, who HELPS them, WORKING in them to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE of His SON. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then He is NOT WORKING in You, but the DEVIL sure is.  And the Devil will lead you AWAY FROM GOD and into an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  God loves YOU so MUCH that He GAVE His ONLY SON to SUFFER, BLEED and DIE for YOU, so that YOU might be SAVED from that DESTINY.  ALL you have to do is to be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and LET GOD WORK in YOU to FULFILL His GOOD PURPOSE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

"The Security of the Sheep"

 

“The Security of the Sheep”

 

“My Sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them ETERNAL LIFE, and they shall NEVER perish; no one will SNATCH them out of My Hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is GREATER than ALL; no one can SNATCH them out of My Father’s Hand.            John 10:27-30

 

The Pharisees and some other Jews were listening to Jesus, as He was telling a PARABLE of the GOOD SHEPHERD and His Sheep.  Now, Jesus, would use parables, a lot of times, to EXPLAIN His lessons in a way that everyone could UNDERSTAND what He was trying to convey to them, concerning His MISSION and His RESPONSIBILITIES.  He was the GOOD SHEPHERD, and the TRUE BELIEVER, those who had given their HEARTS and LIVES to GOD, and BELIEVED in Jesus Christ as their MESSIAH, and the TRUE SON of GOD, were His SHEEP.

 

As the GOOD SHEPHERD, He was WILLING to lay down His Life for His SHEEP.  NO one takes His LIFE from Him, but He WILLINGLY GIVES it on His OWN accord.  His Sheep knows His voice and FOLLOWS Him.  They have a LOVING and TRUSTING relationship. Those who have received Jesus as their SAVIOR and LORD, may stumble and sin, but JESUS, the GOOD PERFECT SHEPHERD, is FORGIVING and He will NOT lose ANY of His Flock. 

 

He has given them the GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE, and that means that IF they TRULY BELONG to Him they POSSESS this GIFT for ALL ETERNITY.  He gives them the SECURITY of the GOOD SHEPHERD, which means that they will NEVER PERISH.  This SECURITY of the SHEEP is because of the ABILITY of the GOOD SHEPHERD, to DEFEND and KEEP His Flock.  THANK GOD that this SECURITY is NOT DEPENDENT on the ABILITY of the vulnerable, frail sheep. 

 

NO ONE can SNATCH them out of the HAND of the GOOD SHEPHERD!  This gift of ETERNAL LIFE, from the GOOD SHEPHERD, is ETERNAL, and the SHEEP are a GIFT from the FATHER to His SON, and the GIFT is SECURE because they are in the VERY HAND of the ALMIGHTY GOD, and WHO is STRONGER than GOD?

 

So, if you are a TRUE BELIEVER, your ETERNAL LIFE is SECURE in JESUS CHRIST and you are SEALED by His HOLY SPIRIT, until the DAY that SALVATION is COMPLETED.  And you have an ETERNAL LIFE, in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS, SAFE and SECURE.  But if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, through the SHED BLOOD of His ONLY SON, who, being the GOOD SHEPHERD laid down His LIFE for YOU, then you will spend your ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  However, because of His GREAT LOVE for YOU, God has a PLAN for YOU to become ONE of His PRECIOUS SHEEP.  You MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, and become ONE of His PRECIOUS SHEEP, with the SECURITY of the GOOD SHEPHERD.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

"Unless You Repent"

 

“Unless You Repent”

 

“Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?”  Jesus asked.  “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, UNLESS you REPENT of your sins and TURN to GOD.  And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them?  Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?  No, and I tell you again that UNLESS you REPENT, you will perish too.”     Luke 13:2-5

 

Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.  And His reply was the verses of Scripture we are looking at today.  He wanted the people to KNOW that HEARTACHE and DESTRUCTION can happen to ANYONE, because we are all human.  And He cited two instances about the DESTRUCTION.  He wanted them to KNOW that whether they were KILLED or NOT KILLED, that was NOT a measure of their UNRIGHTEOUSNESS or RIGHTEOUSNESS.

 

DEATH is part of LIFE, we are born and we die, and UNLESS YOU REPENT, you will PERISH.  ONLY REPENTANCE, which is TURNING AWAY FROM your sins, and TURNING TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, will bring ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, but if you DO NOT REPENT you will PERISH, meaning that you will spend ALL of your ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there. 

 

This LIFE is a PREPARATION time for the TRUE BELIEVER to prepare to ENTER the KINGDOM of God, and to bear the FRUIT of our LABORS, which is our REASONABLE SERVICE to our LORD and KING.  In verses six through nine Jesus tells a Parable of a FRUITLESS FIG TREE, and this Parable is an illustration, that JUDGMENT comes on those who do NOT REPENT and when REPENTANCE takes place, there MUST BE FRUIT present in the LIFE of the TRUE BELIEVER.  A VISIBLE change MUST be SEEN in the LIFE of those who CLAIM to TRUST in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, and have NOT CONFESSED your sins to Him with a WILLINGNESS to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style (repentance), and have, in your HEART NOT to do this, then you WILL face the JUDGMENT. UNLESS you REPENT, you too will PERISH.  In order to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and to GAIN an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY from your sins, and TURN to GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and become a FRUIT-BEARER, with HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

"Who Are the TRUE Children of GOD?"

 

“Who Are the TRUE Children of GOD?”

 

This is how we know who the Children of God are and who the children of the devil are:  Anyone who does NOT do what is RIGHT is NOT God’s Child, nor is anyone who does NOT love their brother and sister.      1 John 3:10

 

The reason the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared was to DESTROY the work of the devil.  And by the REDEMPTIVE WORK of Jesus on the cross, to REDEEM mankind from the devil’s hold on us, He also brought us into God’s Family, and made the way for us to become GOD’S TRUE CHILDREN.  And in that process, He also appeared to TAKE AWAY our sins, so we might LIVE in Him.  And in Him is NO SIN.  And if you do what is RIGHT in His sight, you become RIGHTEOUS in God’s Sight, just as Jesus is RIGHTEOUS.   

 

However, the ones who do what is SINFUL is of the devil, because the devil is EVIL and has been sinning from the beginning.  So, NO ONE who is BORN of God will CONTINUE to sin, they won’t PRACTICE it.  Because the seed of God remains in them, and His HOLY SPIRIT is in them to CONVICT, COUNSEL, GUIDE and to TEACH us the paths of RIGHTEOUSNESS.   And our NEW NATURE is to do what is RIGHT, and to LOVE our Brothers and Sisters in the LORD.  All of this tells us who the TRUE CHILDREN of GOD are.  Are you a TRUE CHILD of God?

 

Have you given your HEART and LIFE to God?  If NOT, you are of the DEVIL, and continuing to do his bidding.  Your ETERNAL DESTINY is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  In order to become a TRUE CHILD of GOD, you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and be adopted into His Family as a TRUE CHILD of GOD, with an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

"Do You BELIEVE This?"

 

“Do You BELIEVE This?”

 

Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the World.”       John 11:25-27

 

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, were sisters and brother, and they were close friends with Jesus, who stayed at their home on many occasions.  When Lazarus took sick and died, Martha couldn’t understand why Jesus didn’t come to see Lazarus, before he died, in HOPES of Jesus HEALING their brother.  But Lazarus was in the tomb for four days, before Jesus came.  Martha met Jesus and said: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even NOW God will give you whatever you ask.”

 

 Jesus said to Her, “I am the RESURRECTION and the LIFE,” meaning that He is the SOURCE of RESURRECTION and ALL LIFE.  And for the one who BELIEVES in Him they will LIVE, even though they DIE, they will still receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  It is ONLY in this PHYSICAL LIFE that you have the OPPORTUNITY to receive this ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, and to ESCAPE an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  And you MUST BELIEVE in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and GIVE your LIFE to Him. 

 

Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again.”  And Martha’s reply to Jesus was: “I know he will rise again in the Resurrection at the Last Day.”  Martha BELIEVED in the Resurrection of the Saints of God, but she and Mary were hoping that Jesus would come and HEAL Lazarus before he died.

 

When Jesus said to her, “Whoever LIVES by BELIEVING in Me will never die.  Do you BELIEVE this?”  Her answer was “Yes, Lord, I BELIEVE that YOU are the MESSIAH, the SON of GOD, Who is to come into the world.”   Martha BELIEVED that JESUS was WHO HE claimed to be.  DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?

 

If you have given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then you will have an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, because you LIVE by BELIEVING in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  But if you have NOT given your

 HEART and LIFE to GOD, then YOU are an UNBELIEVER, and your destiny is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, unless you are WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and BELIEVE that JESUS is the RESURRECTION and the LIFE, and ONLY through Him is SALVATION. So, do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!       “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

"The Day of SALVATION"

 

“The Day of SALVATION”

 

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the Day of Salvation I have helped you.”  Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the Day of Salvation.                                2 Corinthians 6:2

 

The Day of Salvation is the PRESENT AGE of GRACE. NOW is the DAY, not TOMORROW or TEN YEARS from NOW.  You don’t have an OPTION, it SHOULD happen whenever the Holy Spirit of the LIVING GOD convicts you of your SINS and brings you to the foot of the CROSS of JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED and DIED, but was RESURRECTED from DEATH and the GRAVE, in order for YOU to be able to spend your ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  YOU have the opportunity to ACCEPT or REJECT God’s Gift of SALVATION. It is NOT your call, as to WHEN you will receive that opportunity to ACCEPT or REJECT it.

 

The work of God’s Spirit in the REGENERATION process is a pretty AWESOME thing for each TRUE BELIEVER to be THANKFUL for.  When you hear the message of TRUTH, the GOSPEL of your SALVATION, and when you TRULY BELIEVE in Him, you are also SEALED with the PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT, who is the DOWN PAYMENT of our INHERITANCE. (Ephes. 1:13) NOW, that is SOMETHING to SHOUT ABOUT!!!

 

It is the TIME for US to WAKE UP! The time is NEAR and the FINALITY of our SALVATION is NEARER to us than when we FIRST BELIEVED.  We SHOULD behave PROPERLY, in these Last Days, which is to LIVE by the SPIRIT and NOT by the FLESH.  (Rom. 13:11)

 

Are you READY to FLY AWAY at the sound of the TRUMPET?   You can be, because THIS may be, when the HOLY SPIRIT begins to DEAL with your HEART, about your SINFUL life-style.  And when He does, will you RESPOND to Him, by ACCEPTING God’s Gift of SALVATION, and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, or will you REJECT God’s Gift, and spend your ETERNITY in HELL.  To be able to ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION, you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. And CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, because this is THE DAY of SALVATION (GRACE).  So, do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"A Confident Faith that Doubted"

 

“A Confident Faith that Doubted”

 

“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”  “Come!” He said.  And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid.  And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”       Matthew 14:28-31

 

Do you, sometimes, feel like Peter, when there are times that call for COURAGEOUS FAITH, and you START out with CONFIDENCE that JESUS will help you accomplish, whatever you MUST do?  Peter’s FAITH was pretty CONFIDENT and COURAGEOUS, at first, when he said: “Lord, if it is YOU, command me to COME to YOU on the water.”  Now, a little background of this scenario, is: after the feeding of the FIVE THOUSAND people, Jesus sent his disciples away in a boat, and He went up into the hills ALONE to PRAY.  And His Disciples out on the sea, sometime between 3 and 6 in the morning, encountered a STORM.  Jesus when He was through praying went to join them.  He began WALKING on TOP of the WATER.  And the Disciples were about 3 miles out, in a pretty intense storm, when they noticed a FIGURE coming towards them, without a boat, WALKING on TOP of the WATER, they were SCARED OUT of their SANDALS, because they thought it was a GHOST, and they cried out in fear.  Immediately JESUS spoke to them.  “Have COURAGE! It is I.  DON’T BE AFRAID.” 

 

 But Peter, who was known for his IMPETUOUS NATURE, with CONFIDENCE that if this was TRULY JESUS, then He could do the MIRACLE of allowing PETER to WALK on the WATER, just like Him.  So, Peter COURAGEOUSLY asked Jesus to command him to COME to Him on the WATER.  Jesus said, “COME!” And Peter climbed out of the boat and started WALKING on the WATER, coming towards Jesus.  Then Peter, made the BIG MISTAKE, of taking his eyes OFF of JESUS, and putting them on his surroundings, NOTICING the STRENGTH of the WIND, Peter became AFRAID, his CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS FAITH turned into DOUBT.  Peter DOUBTED the ability of the ONE who is the MASTER of the SEA, and is in CONTROL of ALL SITUATIONS.  So, Peter began to SINK, and he CRIED OUT, “LORD, SAVE ME!”  IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out His Hand, caught hold of him, and said to him; “You of LITTLE FAITH, why did you DOUBT?”

 

So, do you DOUBT the ABILITY of GOD or His Son, when you are facing difficult times?  Is your FAITH CONFIDENT or are you like PETER and DOUBT the POWER of the ALMIGHTY GOD and His Son, JESUS to DELIVER you from your DIFFICULT situations?  If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, you can be ASSURED that GOD’S Hand is on you, and He WILL see you through to the end.  But if

 you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then more than likely, your faith is in the WORLDLY THINGS or WORLDLY PEOPLE, and you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  In order to HAVE a CONFIDENT FAITH without DOUBTS, and to be SAVED from an ETERNITY in HELL, You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful life-style, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESS your sins to Him, and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVE with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before GOD.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and have a CONFIDENT FAITH that doesn’t DOUBT.  And receive His promise of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!