"I'm A Pretty Good Person"

 

     It is true; most people are pretty good. However, contrary to popular opinion not all good people go to Heaven. In fact, you do not have to be a bad person to go to Hell. Notice what the Bible says in Titus 3:5: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us. . ." The Bible also states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast." You can see that even if you are a good person, GOD's WORD declares that your goodness is not sufficient to merit a home in Heaven.

     Another interesting fact found in the Bible is that you are not really as good as you think you are ! Ecclesiastes 7:20 states, "For there is not a just man upon the Earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. . . As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:10,23).

     It is true that you must have goodness to get to Heaven, but the truth is you do not possess that goodness in and of yourself. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid HIS face from you, that HE will not hear."  (Isaiah 59:2). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." (Romans 6:23). You see, everyone deserves to die and go to a Devil's Hell because of their sin; however, JESUS loved us so much that HE shed HIS sinless blood and died in our place. Three days later, CHRIST arose from the grave, proving that HE had conquered death and Hell, and establishing that HE alone has the power to give us eternal life. "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8).

     Think about this. If your goodness could save you, JESUS would have died in vain. The fact is no one can possibly get to Heaven on their own. JESUS HIMSELF stated in John 14:6, "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by ME." The Apostle Paul also gave us a short and to the point Gospel of salvation in 1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:"

     Perhaps by now you are wondering how you can obtain JESUS CHRIST's goodness for yourself. It is really very simple. First, you must be genuinely sorry for your sin. Luke 13:3 states, ". . .except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."  True repentance (a turning to GOD from our sin) produces a new way of living. "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto THY (GOD's) testimonies." (Psalm 119:59).

     Secondly, you must believe that JESUS died for you. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10).

     Finally, ask HIM to forgive you and to come into your heart to save you. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). Please call on HIM today. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). What a tragedy it would be for a good person like you to die and go to a Devil's Hell !

     Why not ask HIM to save you right now ? You can pray from your heart a simple prayer like this one:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     If you have decided to trust JESUS CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR, after reading this post, please let us and your family know of your new life in CHRIST.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"JESUS Saves !"

 

Perhaps you have seen these words on a

billboard or on a banner in a stadium.

JESUS SAVES

is not just a phrase made up by some

religious fanatic. They come from the 

Bible. The words save, saved, 

SAVIOR, and salvation are

found hundreds of times

in GOD's WORD.

JESUS is the SAVIOR, the ONE WHO saves.

"And she shall bring forth a SON, and thou shalt call HIS name JESUS: for HE shall save HIS people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, which is CHRIST the LORD." Luke 2:11.

JESUS came to save lost sinners.

"For the SON of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1st.Timothy 1:15.

JESUS is the only one who can save.

"Be it known unto you all . . . that by the name of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, WHOM ye crucified, WHOM GOD raised from the dead, even by HIM doth this man stand here before you whole . . .Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" 1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4.

JESUS gives us the faith we need to be saved.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

JESUS saves only those who believe on HIM.

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through HIM might be saved. He that believeth on HIM is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD." John 3:16-18.

JESUS saves anyone who asks HIM.

". . .believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10:9,13.

JESUS saves now and forever.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us . . . That being justified by HIS grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5,7.

JESUS wants you to be saved today.

". . .BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." 2nd.Corinthians 6:2b

"There is no GOD else beside ME; a just GOD and a SAVIOR; there is none beside ME. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I AM GOD, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:21,22.

If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Peace & Holiness Are Inseparable"

 

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD;"

     Peace is a subject widely discussed by both the saved and unsaved alike. However, failure to consider what the Bible says about peace results in much wanted time and effort and will only cause shattered dreams for many in the future. GOD's WORD states that "there is no peace . . . to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:21 pictured above); yet millions today put their hopes for peace on political agreements and treaties with the wicked. Our text indicates that the LORD links the concepts of peace and holiness together to the extent that they are inseparable. Without both, "no man shall see the LORD" -- the PRINCE of PEACE. Apart from JESUS CHRIST, man cannot possess peace in his heart, and until the SAVIOR returns, the world will never realize genuine, lasting peace.

     "Peace talks" are common today in the political and religious realms, but how often does the subject of holiness ever enter into that same discussion ? Most people, even many Christians, find the subject of holiness distasteful. Those who declare what GOD's WORD says on this important subject and seek to practice it (1st.Peter 1:15-16 pictured above) face ridicule and scorn; they find themselves labeled with terms of derision such as "prudish," "Victorian," "legalistic," or "holier-than-thou." Of course, a Bible -taught believer will realize that he must expect such verbal abuse from those whose minds and lives have been captivated by worldliness, for holiness and worldliness cannot coexist. CHRIST said no one "can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). It is time for believers to stop dreaming of a phony world peace and begin proclaiming the Gospel of peace (Romans 10:15 pictured below), which alone can meet man's needs today, tomorrow, and forever. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Is a Person Saved by Coming to CHRIST ?"

 

John 6:35-45 "And JESUS said unto them [the people], I AM the BREAD of life: he that cometh to ME shall never hunger; and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen ME, and believe not. All that the FATHER giveth ME shall come to ME; and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of HIM that sent ME. And this is the FATHER's will which hath sent ME, that of all which HE hath given ME I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of HIM that sent ME, that every one which seeth the SON, and believeth on HIM, may have everlasting life: and I will raise HIM up at the last day.

The Jews then murmured at HIM, because HE said, I AM the BREAD which came down from Heaven. And they said, Is not this JESUS, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know ? how is it then that HE saith, I came down from Heaven ? JESUS therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to ME, except the FATHER which hath sent ME draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the FATHER, cometh unto ME."

     "I AM the BREAD of life: he that cometh to ME shall never hunger; and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst" (v.35 pictured above). "All that the FATHER giveth ME shall come to ME; and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out" (v.37). "JESUS saith unto him, I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by ME" (John 14:6). "Wherefore HE is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by HIM, seeing HE ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). "And ye will not come to ME, that ye might have life" (John 5:40). Yes, to have eternal life, a person must "come" to CHRIST. Those who refuse to come to HIM will be lost eternally. It is important to note, however, that when the first verse listed and pictured above, John 6:35, is read carefully, it clearly is obvious that coming to CHRIST is synonymous with believing on CHRIST. Those who have believed on CHRIST have come to HIM, and those who have come to CHRIST are those who have truly believed on HIM.

     When a person comes to a skilled surgeon, he does so because he knows he has an urgent problem and believes that the surgeon can help him. When a lost soul comes to the GREAT PHYSICIAN, it is because he knows he has a great need requiring SOMEONE WHO can take care of his enormous sin problem. He comes to the GREAT PHYSICIAN because he believes that HE is the only ONE WHO can cure him of his heart disease (Jeremiah 17:9 pictured above).

     Have you come to the SAVIOR for salvation and forgiveness ? If you come to HIM, HE promises HE will never cast you out and will never turn you away (v.37). Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST today (Acts 16:31 pictured above) ! "O LAMB of GOD, I come, I come !" GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Struggling With Assurance of Salvation ?"

 

1st.John 5:9-15 "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of GOD is greater: for this is the witness of GOD which HE hath testified of HIS SON. He that believeth on the SON of GOD hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not GOD hath made HIM a liar; because he believeth not the record that GOD gave of HIS SON. And this is the record, that GOD hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON. He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON of GOD hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the SON of GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the SON of GOD. And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us: And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM."

     Charles Spurgeon well stated, "Remember, sinner -- it is not thy hold of CHRIST that saves thee -- it is CHRIST; it is not thy joy in CHRIST that saves thee -- it is CHRIST; it is not even faith in CHRIST, though that is the instrument -- it is CHRIST's blood and merits; therefore, look not to thy hope, but to CHRIST, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to CHRIST, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of thy faith; and if thou doest  that, ten thousand devils cannot throw thee down. . . .Is it not prayer, it is not faith, it is not our doings, it is not our feelings upon which we must rest, but upon CHRIST, and on CHRIST ALONE. . . .We are apt to think that we are not in a right state, that we do not feel enough, instead of remembering that our business is not with self, but CHRIST."

     John Bunyon, the author of Pilgrim's Progress, described when his agonizing doubts about his salvation were finally overcome: "One day as I was passing into the field, this sentence fell upon my soul. Thy righteousness is in Heaven, I saw with the eyes of my soul JESUS CHRIST at GOD's right hand; there, I say, was my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, GOD could not say of me, 'He lacks MY righteousness,' for that was in front of HIM. I also saw that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, 'the same yesterday, today, and forever.' MY chains did fall off my legs indeed. O was loosed from my afflictions and irons [doubts about HIS standing with GOD]. . . .I went home rejoicing for the grace and love of GOD." Today's text provides all the assurance we need ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"JESUS CHRIST Is . . . Series Part 8 of 8"

 

John 6:47-51; 8:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on ME hath everlasting life. I AM that BREAD of Life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the BREAD which cometh down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I AM the living BREAD which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this BREAD, he shall live for ever; and the BREAD that I will give is MY flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. . .Then spake JESUS again unto them, saying, I AM the LIGHT of the world: he that believeth ME shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the LIGHT of Life."

     The BREAD of Life - In John 6:35, pictured above, JESUS told the multitude who followed HIM and desired physical sustenance, "I AM the BREAD of Life." HE elaborated on this statement in John 6:47-51. While the people came to JESUS only because they wanted to have their stomachs filled (John 6:26 pictured below), HE encouraged them to accept the gift of "Meat which endureth unto everlasting life" (John 6:27 pictured below). In other words, the LORD JESUS offered these hungry people spiritual nourishment, which was far more important and satisfactory than physical food. All they needed to do was believe in HIM in order to possess eternal life. "I AM that BREAD of Life," CHRIST declared (John 6:48). Like the manna consumed by the Israelites in the wilderness, JESUS CHRIST came down from Heaven. But unlike the manna, this BREAD of Life would bring eternal satisfaction. As believers today, we can be thankful for the assurance that our spiritual hunger is fully satisfied in the perfect person, finished work, and all-sufficient WORD of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

     The LIGHT of the World - In John 8:12, JESUS called HIMSELF "the LIGHT of the world." Those who believe in HIM no longer walk in darkness but possess the "the LIGHT of life." Darkness is bleak and confusing, for it prohibits men from seeing things as they really are. Those who live in spiritual darkness do not understand their true depravity and need for a SAVIOR. They work the works of darkness and serve the god of darkness, Satan himself. But the LIGHT of the World, JESUS CHRIST, illuminates the path of those who believe in HIM. Our past, present, and future is perfectly clear. We know where we are going and what we need to do. What a vast difference the LIGHT makes ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"JESUS CHRIST Is . . . Series Part 7 of 8"

 

Colossians 1:18 "And HE is the HEAD of the body, the church: WHO is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things HE might have the preeminence."

     The HEAD of the Body - Physically, the human head is the "control center" of the entire body. Our head processes information, tells the rest of our body what to do, and is absolutely essential for our survival. Although we could exist without an arm or a leg, we could not survive without our head. In Colossians 1:18, the Apostle Paul calls JESUS "the HEAD of the body, the church." Everyone who has trusted in JESUS CHRIST is a part of HIS body, the church. As the HEAD of the body, HE is our source of life. Therefore, in order for the body to function properly, we must take all our orders directly from HIM and faithfully and fearlessly execute those commands for our own good as well as for the good of the whole body. The church exists because the LORD JESUS paid the ultimate price for it - HE died as our substitute and rose again for us. We are "in" HIM, and we are to be wholly subject unto HIM as our HEAD.

     The KING of Kings and LORD of Lords - Notice 1st.Timothy 6:15 pictured above; for in this text, we find that JESUS is sovereign over HIS entire creation. While Kings, President, and other Rulers exercise dominion over their mortal subjects within their geographical boundaries, JESUS is the KING above all earthly Kings and LORD above all earthly Lords. HE alone brings men to power and dethrones those whom HE will (Romans 13:1 pictured above). We can rest in the fact that JESUS executes complete control over all the affairs of men, despite the fact that many evil and wicked rulers today appear to prosper in their ungodly ways. One day, CHRIST will physically rule and reign over HIS earthly kingdom. But even today, we can find peace in the fact that HE is in control of all things. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation