“The Chain Reaction”

“The Chain Reaction”

 

We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.   Romans 5: 3-5

 

It is human nature to look at our PROBLEMS and TRIALS in a NEGATIVE light.  We might wring our hands and fret over the problem or trial that we are facing.  But the Apostle Paul tells us that we can REJOICE when we run into PROBLEMS and TRIALS, because we KNOW that they HELP us DEVELOP ENDURANCE. ENDURANCE is especially IMPORTANT to the TRUE BELIEVER, who is facing PROBLEMS and TRIALS, because ENDURANCE gives them SPIRITUAL STAMINA to be able to work through the PROBLEM or TRIAL they have encountered.  

 

This begins the CHAIN REACTION, ENDURANCE develops STRENGTH of CHARACTER, and this STRENGTH of CHARACTER EXEMPLIFIES the CONFIDENT HOPE of OUR SALVATION.  And this CONFIDENT HOPE will NOT LEAD to DISAPPOINTMENT.  For we have the KNOWLEDGE and have EXPERIENCED how DEARLY GOD LOVES US.  And we KNOW this because He has GIVEN us the HOLY SPIRIT who FILLS our HEARTS with His LOVE. 

 

But, why must we have to SUFFER? SUFFERING brings about PERSEVERANCE.   And only a TRUE BELIEVER can develop, this type of PERSEVERANCE.  When they face PROBLEMS and TRIALS, they are able to REMAIN under the DIFFICULTIES without GIVING IN.  They are STEADFAST and this STEADFASTNESS develops CHARACTER, not just ANY TYPE of CHARACTER, but a PROVEN CHARACTER, which in turn brings about a STEADFAST HOPE. 

 

We can REJOICE in KNOWING that GOD is in CONTROL.  And when we TRUST in Him, He will see us through those PROBLEMS and TRIALS.  KEEP IN MIND, what the Apostle Paul says: “Yet what we SUFFER NOW is NOTHING compared to the GLORY that God will reveal to us later.”  (Rom. 8:18) And verse 17 says: “Since we are His Children, we are His HEIRS. In fact, together with Christ we are HEIRS of GOD’S GLORY.  But if we are to SHARE His GLORY, we MUST also share His SUFFERING.”  

 

Are you an HEIR of GOD’S GLORY?   Do you have what it takes to SUFFER with CHRIST?  NO matter, who you are or what you do, at some POINT of your LIFE you will FACE PROBLEMS and TRIALS. Will you face them ALONE?  Or will you be able to put your FAITH and TRUST in the ALMIGHTY GOD to get you through the SUFFERING?  ARE YOU A PROVEN CHARACTER?  The BEST WAY to face what this SINFUL, WRETCHED WORD throws at us, is to TRUST GOD with your PROBLEMS and TRIALS.  He may NOT REMOVE THEM FROM YOU, but He will get you THROUGH them, if you are a TRUE CHILD of HIM.  To be able to become His TRUE CHILD, you MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED, DIED and RAISED from the GRAVE, in order to SAVE MANKIND from their SINS, and from an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once THEY are there. You MUST BELIEVE that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before GOD.  You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.   You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART and RECEIVE HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, as your ETERNAL HOME.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and ALLOW GOD to help you WORK through this CHAIN REACTION in order to make you a PROVEN CHARACTER, with an ENDURANCE and a CONFIDENT HOPE.  Do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!! 

“Christ Died for the Ungodly, why?”

 “Christ Died for the Ungodly, why?”

 

…God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  And since we have been made right in God’s Sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.    Romans 5:8-9

 

WHY would the ALMIGHTY, EVERLASTING GOD send His OWN SON to pay the debt, that was OUR debt and there was NO WAY we, the UNGODLY, could PAY it?  We have been born with a SINFUL NATURE, meaning we have the desire in us to do what this SINFUL, WRETCHED WORLD wants us to do.  And therefore, while we were YET SINNERS, God sent His ONLY SON to SUFFER, BLEED and DIE for those who are/were the ENEMIES of GOD.  Those who REBEL against God and His Son. Those who had NO HOPE, because of the LACK of a RELATIONSHIP with God.

 

And so, God with His EVERLASTING, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for MANKIND, SACRIFICED His OWN Son, JESUS CHRIST to PAY the DEBT that WE OWE, because He LOVES us when there was NOTHING to LOVE about us.  A LOVE that this WHOLE WORLD cannot COMPREHEND.  A LOVE that was demonstrated through Jesus’ SUFFERING, BLEEDING, and DYING for those who choose to REBEL against Him and His Father God.

 

This act of REDEMPTION and FORGIVENESS from GOD the FATHER, through GOD the SON to the SINNERS (US) shows us the MEASURELESS LOVE, that GOD has for MANKIND.  It is this UNFAILING, EVERLASTING LOVE that sent JESUS to the CROSS, and it makes the STATEMENT that:  “Even when we were yet SINNERS, CHRIST DIED for US.  In order for US to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with GOD.  And He has done that!! But SOME of mankind still REBELS against GOD and His SON.  And they WILL face the CONDEMNATION of GOD. Their ETERNITY NOW looks like it will be spent in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once they are there.  

 

But God in His INFINITE MERCY and His AMAZING GRACE, is giving them ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY to COME to JESUS for the FORGIVENESS of THEIR SINS and to be able to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with GOD.  If you are one who is STILL REBELLING against GOD, His SON, and the Word of God, you NEED to DO this IN ORDER to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with GOD and to receive an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.   First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who PAID in FULL your DEBT, that HE did NOT owe.  And you MUST BELIEVE that JESUS DIED for YOU and that HE is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before God.  You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS.  YOU must be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFE-STYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and LET the BLOOD of JESUS make you RIGHTEOUS in GOD’S SIGHT.  Do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!   Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!

 

“ Power In the Name of Jesus Christ”

 “Power In the Name of Jesus Christ”

 

I am writing to God’s Church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be His Own Holy People.  He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, Just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.    1 Corinthians 1:2

 

In Acts 4:12, it says: “There is salvation in NO ONE ELSE!  God has given NO OTHER NAME under Heaven by which we MUST BE saved.  Now that is POWER!  When you can CALL ON the NAME of JESUS CHRIST, to have the REDEMPTION of your SINFUL SOUL by having your SINS FORGIVEN and to do it by CALLING on the NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, because you BELIEVE that He is the Son of the LIVING GOD, and that He has provided you with an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. 

 

He is the ONE who made YOU and ME HOLY.  And He was ABLE to do that because some of us have CALLED on the NAME of His ONLY SON for the FORGIVENESS of our sins.  JESUS did that by SACRIFICING Himself on an OLD RUGGED CROSS.  He SUFFERED HORRIBLE BEATINGS, He BLED profusely, and it is THAT BLOOD that CLEANSES us of ALL our WRONG-DOING, (sins).  When He breathed His last breath, they took Him off the CROSS and BURIED Him in a borrowed tomb.  But He did not stay in that TOMB!!!  In three days, the HUGE ROCK that sealed the opening to the TOMB BURST WIDE OPEN, out walked our RISEN LORD.  Who had just DEFEATED SATAN and DEATH. 

 

And because of this REDEMPTIVE ACT, those who SINCERELY CALL on the NAME of JESUS will be SAVED from having an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there.  They will be made HOLY and will become the TRUE CHILDREN of the LIVING GOD.  This is POSSIBLE because of the UNFAILING LOVE of our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the RIGHTEOUS, REDEMPTIVE ACT of His SON and OUR LORD.

 

It is by the AMAZING GRACE of our Heavenly Father, and His RIGHTEOUS, PLAN of SALVATION for ALL MANKIND.  No matter, who YOU are, or where you are from, He is WILLING and ABLE to SAVE your soul and make you HOLY because you have CALLED on the NAME of His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  

 

This is what you MUST DO, if you have NOT CALLED on the NAME of JESUS.  You COME to HIM, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and you ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.  You MUST 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 CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And YOU MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION, and be made HOLY, because YOU have CALLED on the NAME of JESUS. REMEMBER: “There is SALVATION in NO ONE ELSE!  God has given NO OTHER NAME, under HEAVEN by which WE MUST BE SAVED.” (Acts 4:12) So, if you have NOT done the above, DO IT NOW while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!   Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!

 

 

“ATTENTION : WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD!”

 “ATTENTION:  WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD!”

 

So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine.   It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.  So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor in the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.   1 Peter 1:6-7

 

There are many Christians who face TRIALS and PERSECUTION every day.  And some of them even lay down their lives to protect the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.  When we are faced with these trials and tribulations, we wonder WHAT DID I DO WRONG?  And we THINK and THINK, trying to come up with some REASONS why we are SUFFERING.  

 

The Apostle Peter was writing to God’s Chosen People who were scattered from PONTUS, GALATIA, CAPPADOCIA, ASIA, and BITHYNIA. And because of God’s UNENDING LOVE, and His GREAT MERCY they, just as we are, able to RECEIVE His SALVATION and the HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, so, we LIVE with GREAT EXPECTATION of the PRICELESS INHERITANCE, one that is KEPT in HEAVEN for us.  It is PURE and UNDEFILED, beyond the REACH of CHANGE and DECAY.  It is PROTECTED by GOD through His MIGHTY POWER until the LAST DAY when it will become, as we say:  A DONE DEAL!!!

 

Even though we MUST endure many TRIALS for a while, we NEED to BE TRULY GLAD because there is WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD.  The TRIALS we must endure shows that our FAITH is GENUINE.  It, like GOLD, is TESTED and PURIFIED by FIRE. And when your FAITH REMAINS STRONG through those trials, it will bring you MUCH PRAISE and GLORY and HONOR on the DAY when JESUS CHRIST is REVEALED to the WHOLE world.  Are you READY?  How has your FAITH helped you COPE with the TRIALS you have faced already?

 

The INHERITANCE that is in the WAITING mode, FAR OUTWEIGHS any of the TRIALS you may face.  NO MATTER HOW HARD or HURTFUL they may be.  So, with GREAT EXPECTATION, REMEMBER there is WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD.  Now, in order to RECEIVE this INHERITANCE and EXPERIENCE the WONDERFUL JOY that awaits ALL of GOD’S TRUE CHILDREN, you MUST COME to HIM through His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and ACCEPT Him as your SAVIOR and LORD.  You do that by:  First, ADMITTING that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED, DIED, and was RESURRECTED to LIFE with VICTORY OVER, DEATH and the GRAVE.  You MUST 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 CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST be WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and LOOK FORWARD to the WONDERFUL JOY that is WAITING for YOU, in HEAVEN.  And be able to ESCAPE HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there.  So, do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!

“Living In God’s Love”

 “Living In God’s Love”

 

…As we live in God, our love grows more perfect.  So, we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.       1 John 4:17

 

God is LOVE, and ALL who LIVE in LOVE LIVE in God, and God LIVES in them.  And as we LIVE in God, the LOVE that He has put in us GROWS more perfect.  NOTICE, that the word GROWS indicates that it is in a CONTINUAL GROWING PROCESS.  And the LOVE that God gives us is GROWING into a MORE PERFECT LOVE.  

 

This LOVE is PERFECTED in our CHRISTIAN SERVICE for our LORD, and therefore, we will NOT be AFRAID on the DAY of JUDGMENT.  EVERY BELIEVER will STAND before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This JUDGMENT is an EVALUATION of your CHRISTIAN LIFE and the WORKS you have done.  It is NOT to DETERMINE your SALVATION, but it is to EVALUATE your CHRISTIAN LIFE.  Regardless of your SINS and SHORT-COMINGS, if you LIVED your LIFE seeking to MINISTER in LOVE to God’s Family, just as JESUS did, while He was on EARTH, then you SHOULD NOT be AFRAID of the Day of Judgment.  REMEMBER:  PERFECT LOVE drives OUT FEAR! (V18). 

 

Our ABILITY to LOVE like JESUS is ONLY POSSIBLE because HE FIRST LOVED US. (V19) And the LOVE of JESUS caused Him to DIE for those who don’t LOVE HIM.  Those who continually REBEL and REJECT HIM and HIS SACRIFICE for their WRETCHED, SINFUL LIVES.  It is a LOVE that is SO INTENSE, a LOVE that is SO COMPASSIONATE and a LOVE that is SO PERFECT.  IT is the UNFAILING LOVE of the ALMIGHTY GOD.  IT is PERFECT in EVERY ASPECT.  And as we LIVE in GOD’S LOVE our LOVE grows MORE PERFECT.  

 

Therefore, we can have CONFIDENCE on the Day of JUDGMENT, knowing that we have LIVED like JESUS here in this WRETCHED, SINFUL, WORLD.  A WORLD without HOPE for the FUTURE.  On the DAY of JUDGMENT, MANY will be CONDEMNED to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once they are there.  These will be those who have REBELLED and REJECTED God’s LOVE, through His ONLY SON, who SUFFERED, BLED, DIED, and RESURRECTED for their SALVATION.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one that has been REJECTING GOD’S LOVE.  In order to become a part of GOD’S FAMILY, and to be able to LIVE in GOD’S LOVE and have NO FEAR, this is what you NEED to do:  First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. And you MUST BELIEVE that JESUS died for YOU, and that HE now, is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. Then you MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and start LIVING in GOD’S LOVE and SHARING it with others.  So, do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!

“The Judgment Seat of Christ”

“The Judgement Seat of Christ”

 

For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.   2 Corinthians 5:10

 

In Hebrews 9:27; the Bible tells us that it is appointed ONCE for mankind to DIE and then comes the JUDGMENT.  In Ecclesiastes 12:14, it tells us that God will judge us for everything, whether GOOD or BAD.  And in our Scripture, today, the Apostle Paul says that WE ALL MUST appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, in order to receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether GOOD or BAD.  

 

The Judgment Seat of Christ will follow the RAPTURE and is the JUDGMENT of the DEEDS done by the TRUE BELIEVERS, whether GOOD or BAD.   They ALL will be tried by FIRE, in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 the Apostle Paul says this: “But on the Judgment Day, FIRE will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.  The FIRE will show if a person’s work has any value.  If the work SURVIVES, that builder will receive a REWARD.  But if the WORK is BURNED UP, the builder will SUFFER GREAT LOSS.  The builder will be SAVED, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” The builder is the BELIEVER who does deeds for the WRONG REASONS, maybe, even to BOOST their OWN EGO, and they are NOT done under the DIRECTION of the HOLY SPIRIT. Those DEEDS will be BURNED UP, and NO REWARDS will be given for them.

 

Like Paul, some of us are hoping that we are PLEASING our LORD JESUS CHRIST and doing HIS Will.  And when we stand before Him, we might be able to hear Him say: “WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.”  This Judgment Seat is NOT for SALVATION, it is NOT to determine one’s ETERNAL DESTINY. SALVATION comes by FAITH and the DEEDS done by that FAITH will be EVALUATED and TRIED by FIRE. 

 

However, there is another JUDGMENT SEAT, for those who have REJECTED and REBELLED against God and His Son the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  They have REFUSED time and time again, to COME to Christ for their SALVATION. This Judgment Seat is called THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT, and they will be JUDGED, and CONDEMNED to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE ONCE THEY are THERE.  Is this what awaits YOU?

 

IF you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then you are facing The GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT and you will be WITHOUT EXCUSE.  However, you can change that NOW.  This is what you MUST DO:  First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED, DIED and was RESURRECTED from DEATH and the GRAVE. So, YOU might have EVERLASTING LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Then you MUST 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 CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION, and be OBEDIENT and PLEASING to JESUS CHRIST, so you might be able to HEAR HIM SAY: “WELL DONE, My GOOD and FAITHFUL SERVANT.”  Do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!  

“The Substitute”

 “The Substitute”

 

For God made Christ, who never sinned to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.   2 Corinthians 5:21

 

RECONCILIATION is the process of being made ACCEPTABLE.  And that is what the ALMIGHTY GOD has done for mankind.  There is a stipulation to this process, and that is; you MUST COME to GOD through the REDEMPTIVE WORK of His Son JESUS CHRIST, who God made to be the SIN OFFERING for those who will come to Christ with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then the PROCESS of RECONCILIATION begins.

 

By the GLORIOUS GRACE of our LOVING GOD, He offers MANKIND the DEAL of a LIFETIME.  And because of our SIN, EVERYONE OWES a DEBT to GOD that they CANNOT PAY.  ONLY the PRECIOUS BLOOD of the LIVING LORD JESUS, can make OUR DEBT “PAID in FULL!”  And when we ACCEPT this part of the RECONCILIATION process, we can be ASSURED of our DEBT being “PAID in FULL!”

 

God acted of our BEHALF.  The Apostle Paul says: “The One who did NOT KNOW SIN became SIN for US.  He took on HIMSELF the SINS of ALL MANKIND.  The SINLESS SON of GOD became our SUBSTITUTE on the CROSS.  He took OUR PLACE and PAID OUR DEBT in FULL!! And all we MUST DO is to COME TO HIM with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, BELIEVING, with ALL our HEART that JESUS DIED for US, He became YOUR and MY SUBSTITUTE.  And we MUST COME CONFESSING our SINS to HIM and ASK HIM for His FORGIVENESS.  We MUST COME WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM our SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, DESIRING to be made RIGHT with GOD, through the SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH and RESURRECTION of HIS ONLY SON.  

 

The FINAL part of this RECONCILIATION PROCESS is for US to ACCEPT GOD’S GIFT of SALVATION and to be ABLE to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with ALMIGHTY GOD, through the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  And to receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to be ABLE to ESCAPE an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once YOU are there.  So, won’t you ACCEPT this DEAL of a LIFETIME?  Do it NOW, while you STILL CAN.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!

“Living As Citizens of Heaven”

“Living As Citizens of Heaven”

 

Above all, you must live as citizens of Heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.   Philippians 1:27

 

The Apostle Paul, at the time of his letter to the Christians in Philippi, was in bondage, possibly in Rome, and he was facing either a RELEASE from his BONDS or MARTYRDOM.  And the Christians in Philippi, were on his heart. It was evidently because of problems in the Church that bothered Paul, and so, he wanted them to KNOW how IMPORTANT it was to LIVE like a CITIZEN of HEAVEN.  Now, you are probably wondering how this applies to us, in the time in which we are living.  Stay tuned, because I’m about to tell you.

 

The first thing that CAN and DOES apply to the CHRISTIANS of TODAY is for us to LIVE AS CITIZENS of HEAVEN, CONDUCTING OURSELVES in a MANNER that is WORTHY of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.  The Apostle Paul was ADMONISHING them to HONOR and GLORIFY the LORD.  This ADMONISHMENT is definitely APPLICABLE to the CHRISTIAN BODY of BELIEVERS today.  The ADMONISHMENT was to REMIND them that they were CITIZENS of HEAVEN, and that they WERE to CONDUCT themselves in the MANNER WORTHY of the GOOD NEWS about Christ.  This is another very important matter that is APPLICABLE to the CHRISTIANS of today, because we are to CONDUCT OURSELVES in a MANNER WORTHY of the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST, which is the GOSPEL of CHRIST. And the word WORTHY means to be DESERVING of such an HONOR!  

 

The Apostle Paul also wanted them to be STRONG and FAITHFUL in their CONDUCT, no matter what happened to him.  They were to STAND TOGETHER in ONE SPIRIT and ONE PURPOSE, and they were to FIGHT TOGETHER for the FAITH, which is the GOOD NEWS.  We Christians of today, must do the SAME THING; We too MUST STAND STRONG and TOGETHER, in ONE SPIRIT, and ONE PURPOSE, FIGHTING for the FAITH, the GOOD NEWS that there is SALVATION in JESUS CHRIST, and HIM ALONE.  We MUST let the WORLD see our CONDUCT, our FAITH, our UNITY and our LOVE for each other. 

 

Whenever there is STRIFE, ENVY, and DISSENSION within the CHURCH FAMILIES, then there is NO UNITY, or CONDUCT WORTHY of the GOSPEL of CHRIST.  But it SURE is the DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND.  This is NOT LIVING LIKE a CITIZEN of HEAVEN.  Nor is it HONORING or GLORIFYING the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  We, as God’s Children MUST BEHAVE LIKE HIS CHILDREN, and NOT LIKE the DEVIL’S PLAYTHINGS.   Are YOU WORTHY to BE a CITIZEN of HEAVEN? OR are YOU one of the DEVIL’S PLAYTHINGS, CAUSING DISSENSION among the BODY of CHRIST?

 

If you are TRULY a CHILD of the LIVING GOD make SURE your CONDUCT is WORTHY of being ONE of HIS CHILDREN, and of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.  But if you have NOT TRULY given your HEART and LIFE to Him, then you are NOT HIS but you are one of the DEVIL’S PLAYTHINGS.  In order to BECOME a TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD, YOU MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  And YOU MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU, and that HE is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for YOU, before God. Then CONFESS your SINS to HIM and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and LIVE like a CITIZEN of HEAVEN and NOT the DEVIL’S PLAYTHING.  Then you will be ABLE to have an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  Do this NOW, while you STILL can!!!  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!

  

“The Love of God”

 “The Love of God”

 

We know how much God Loves us, and we have put our trust in His Love.  God is Love, and ALL who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.   1 John 4:16

 

The LOVE of God has been shown to us through His PLAN of SALVATION for ALL of MANKIND.  It is a RICH and PURE LOVE.  And it was clearly demonstrated to us through JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S ONLY SON, The ONLY ONE who became the SACRIFICIAL LAMB, because without the SHEDDING of BLOOD, from a SPOTLESS, SINLESS LAMB, there could NOT BE the FORGIVENESS of the SINS of MANKIND. 

 

And because GOD IS LOVE, we SHOULD LOVE each other and having this KNOWLEDGE, we SHOULD WILLINGLY put our TRUST TOTALLY in HIS LOVE.  And since God LOVED US that much, we surely OUGHT to LOVE one another. You see, God doesn’t LOVE US because WE FIRST LOVED HIM, but His LOVE for US stems from HIS UNENDING, UNFAILING, LOVE for the CROWN of His CREATION—MANKIND.  MANKIND is born with a SINFUL, REBELLIOUS NATURE, with a DESIRE to SIN. Yet He STILL LOVES US and wants to be able to SPEND ALL of ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with US. So, He had a PLAN to give mankind the opportunity to be able to have HEAVEN as their ETERNAL HOME.  And to be ABLE to ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there.  And the SUFFERING, DEATH, and RESURRECTION, of His ONLY SON, JESUS, made it POSSIBLE for those who will COME to JESUS, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART seeking FORGIVENESS. 

 

In order, for YOU to have that ETERNAL LIFE, in HEAVEN with GOD the FATHER and JESUS CHRIST, His SON, and our REDEEMER, YOU MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, (who is the ONLY WAY).  You MUST BELIEVE that JESUS DIED for YOU and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and spend your ETERNITY in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Now, if that ISN’T LOVE I don’t KNOW what is.  So, do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!

“No Longer Living for Yourself”

 “No Longer Living for Yourself”

 

He died for everyone so that those who receive His New Life will no longer live for themselves.  Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.   2 Corinthians 5:15

 

If Jesus Christ gave His Life for us, then our lives are no longer our OWN.  Some people believe that they can just CONTINUE to live the way that they are accustomed to, and they don’t need to CHANGE one thing about their lifestyle.  However, when a person comes to Christ for the SALVATION of their SOUL, and they are TRULY serious about that decision.  And that they have been CONVICTED of their SINFUL LIFESTYLE, by the HOLY SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD, then they should be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM that SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  ANYONE who belongs to Christ has become a NEW PERSON.  The OLD LIFE is GONE; a NEW LIFE has begun!  (V17)  

 

Christ DIED and was RAISED from the GRAVE, so that mankind, those who will come to Him for their SALVATION, and to be able to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with FATHER GOD, WOULD be WILLING to SERVE the ONE who has DIED and was RESURRECTED from DEATH and the GRAVE.  The ONE who REDEEMED them and has PROVIDED an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN and to be ABLE to ESCAPE an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once they are there.  

 

What GREATER OPPORTUNITY is there, than to SERVE Him, during this BRIEF time we have on earth.  Our LOVE and SERVICE for HIM is OUR RESPONSE for HIS UNFAILING, FAITHFUL, SACRIFICIAL LOVE that HE and the FATHER have for mankind. And for those who are DEDICATED to LIVING for Him and NO LONGER LIVING for THEMSELVES.  Have you been called by God’s Spirit to COME to JESUS CHRIST for the SALVATION of your SOUL?   If NOT, you will be, the BIBLE tells us that: “God so LOVED the world that He GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whoever BELIEVES in HIM should NOT PERISH but have EVERLASTING LIFE.”

 

GOD is a FAIR, COMPASSIONATE, IMPARTIAL JUDGE, who gives ALL MANKIND the OPPORTUNITY to be CALLED BY HIS SPIRIT, and to RESPOND to His INVITATION, with a FIRM, RESOUNDING “I ACCEPT and BELIEVE that JESUS DIED for ME!” And to be WILLING to NOT LIVE for YOURSELF, but to COMMIT to LIVING for the LORD.  Right now, we are LIVING on BORROWED TIME.  SOON and I BELIEVE VERY SOON JESUS will come in the clouds and will CALL ALL GOD’S CHILDREN HOME.  SO, if you have been under CONVICTION for your sinful lifestyle, you NEED to COME to CHRIST for your SALVATION.  First, You NEED to ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.  You MUST BELIEVE that JESUS DIED for YOU and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and LIVE for HIM, and NOT for YOURSELF.  So, do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!