"Repetitive Actions"

 

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3; 12:13 "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, King in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun ? . . . Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear GOD, and keep HIS commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

     Today I mowed the lawn. The reality is that I also mowed it last week and each week before that, starting sometime in March. By my calculations, I will probably continue to mow it every week until around the middle of November. I filled the gas tank of my car this past week, but soon I will have to fill it again. My wife placed a meal before me today, but tomorrow that deed will be repeated. Countless recurring activities are necessary in order to simply maintain life - heading off to work, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, going to bed, etc. - all is part of the wearisome course of living spoken by King Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes.

     When we go through life without seeking GOD's purpose and plan, when we live only for the temporal satisfaction of what we can gain and enjoy in this life without eternity in view, then, yes, "the words of the Preacher, the son of David, King in Jerusalem" (v.1) take on significant depth when he says, "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun ?" (v.2-3). The Preacher informs us that riches and power and pleasures and the amassing of knowledge will not sustain us in the end. When the time comes to stand before the LORD, those things will avail us nothing and will not serve to secure for us a place with GOD in Heaven. It is with this understanding coursing through Solomon's heart, soul, and mind that he then concludes: "Remember now thy CREATOR in the days of thy youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1 pictured above). Seek and find the LORD early in life. HIS counsel ? "Fear GOD, and keep HIS commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13 pictured above). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"GOD's Cleansing Agents"

 

Psalm 119:9-11 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to THY WORD. With my whole heart have I sought THEE: O let me not wonder from THY commandments. THY WORD have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE."

     You have seen the commercials touting the cleaning and stain fighting abilities of dish soap or laundry detergent. "Industrial strength" cleaners are hawked as being able to eliminate the most difficult of marks. But not even one of the most powerful detergents or industrial cleansing agents in this world can erase the blot of sin. Only the blood of JESUS CHRIST and the WORD of GOD are able to remove sin's otherwise indelible stain. The Apostle John declared that "the blood of JESUS CHRIST [GOD's] SON cleanseth us from all sin" (1st.John 1:7 pictured above). It is surely with this truth in mind that the hymnwriter, Robert Lowry, wrote these words: "What can wash away my sin ? Nothing but the blood of JESUS; what can make me whole again ? Nothing but the blood of JESUS." Have you experienced that cleansing power of the blood of CHRIST ? If so, rejoice evermore; if not, you can right now if you will but receive HIM by faith.

     But even as blood-washed sinners saved by grace, we know we must clean up daily through GOD's WORD. The psalmist asked, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to THY WORD" (v.9). To HIS disciples, JESUS declared, "Now ye are clean through the WORD which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3 pictured at top of post). Paul said that "CHRIST. . .loved the church, and gave HIMSELF for it; That HE might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the WORD" (Ephesians 5:25-26 pictured above). Just as surely as we had to be purified from the guilt and penalty of sin through the blood of CHRIST, we also need continual washing from the defilement of sin as we live and walk in this wicked world. Lay hold of GOD's powerful cleansing agents today ! JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Murder by Royal Decree"

 

1st.Kings 21:1-16 "And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab King of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house; and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife (the Queen) came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread ? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel ?  arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry; I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: and set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme GOD and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him; and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people saying, Naboth did blaspheme GOD and the King. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it."

     Scripture is brutally honest when addressing the sins of both believers and unbelievers. It never glosses over the reality of sin or its consequences, and it gives particular attention to some of the atrocities committed by the leaders of Israel. Sometimes, we wonder how they could have turned out to be so wicked. What caused them to blatantly reject GOD's Law ? Given all the advantages they possessed, what were they thinking to sin so grievously against the LORD ? Certain kings such as Ahab, along with his wife Jezebel, made the people of Israel to sin in despicable ways. Archeology, history, and the Bible itself inform us of some of the wicked, idolatrous practices into which they plunged the people of GOD. In today's text, we read of Queen Jezebel conspiring with the civic leaders concerning the murder of Naboth - all because he would not forsake the Law of inheritance in order to appease the wicked King. The seared consciences of this royal couple are startling. Their lives abounded with such an utter disdain for GOD's commands that they callously murdered an innocent man.

     Sadly, it seems, many believers are slow to learn the lessons of history. Some "Christian" leaders today are bent on guiding their followers into compromise that, in turn, will ultimately result in spiritual idolatry and GOD's sore displeasure. We may not know the condition of their heart or what they are thinking when they lead fellow believers astray, but GOD's WORD is clear concerning the inevitable end of compromise and sin. We must heed the Bible's warnings and follow its principles if we are to avoid repeating the sins of the past that now plague GOD's children in this present age. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Whose Fault Is It ?"

 

Genesis 2:15-17 "And the LORD GOD took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the Garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

     Everything was going well. Work was steady and profitable; the kids were actually behaving themselves and doing well in school; the mortgage was paid off; and, overall, life was progressing just as hoped. But then suddenly everything began to go wrong. The car broke down; junior needed to have an emergency appendectomy; and, on top of it all, Grandma died. What happened ? "GOD, why did YOU do this ?" It is interesting that when things go our way, we tend to take the credit for it and ignore GOD, but when something out of our control comes along, we quickly accuse the LORD. "GOD, why do YOU allow innocent people to suffer ?" "Why did YOU let Grandma die ?" "Why didn't YOU answer my prayer like I had asked ?" The truth is that HE is not to blame. Human beings are always trying to find someone else to impugn when things go wrong, and the LORD is the convenient choice. But is it really HIS fault ?

     In the Garden of Eden, the LORD told Adam and Eve HIS clear guidelines for living. Can you imagine, they had just one rule ! HE gave them freedom to eat of every tree of the Garden except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (vv.16-17 pictured above). But Adam and Eve chose to disobey GOD's way, and the result was both immediate spiritual death and eventual physical death. It is man's fault that weeds, crime, pain, sickness, and death exist, not GOD's. It is because of man's sin that all these terrible things happen. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12 picture above). We all have a choice - either choose the LORD and HIS way and live, or blame GOD, reject HIS salvation, and die. The fault is ours alone if we make the wrong choice ! PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Life's Greatest Decision"

 

CAREER                                         Yes___  No___

MARRIAGE                                 Yes___  No___

BUYING A HOME                   Yes___  No___

INVESTMENTS                        Yes___  No___

RETIREMENT                           Yes___  No___

LIFE INSURANCE                   Yes___  No___

     The greatest decision you will ever make is to accept or reject eternal life ! To have peace with GOD and the assurance of Heaven, you must have eternal life !

     You see, when GOD created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden, they knew nothing about sin. GOD visited them in the cool of the day, and they enjoyed sweet fellowship with their CREATOR. GOD only made one restriction. "And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the Garden thou mayest freely eat; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17). 

     In spite of GOD's blessings, Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD and ate of the forbidden tree. That day they died spiritually. "For the wages of sin is death . . ." (Romans 6:23a). By their own choice, they were separated from GOD, WHO loved them. They were driven from the Garden, and mankind has been separated from GOD ever since. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12). So, you and I, like Adam, are sinners. We have not obeyed all of GOD's commandments. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10a) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23).

     Some people think they can earn GOD's acceptance by doing good works. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. . ." (Isaiah 64:6). GOD says your good works are not good - in HIS sight. You are still a sinner separated from GOD ! My Friend, there is a terrible penalty for sin. If you die in your sins, you will spend eternity in the flames of a burning Hell ! "And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:15) "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever . . ." (Revelation 14:11).

     The good news is that the LORD JESUS CHRIST has paid the full penalty for your sin. GOD has made a way for you to be reconciled to HIM. "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8). "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." (John 3:16). The Bible states, ". . .HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities . . ." (Isaiah 53:5a).

     Because JESUS shed HIS precious blood for all of your sins, GOD will free you from the guilt, the power, and the penalty of sin, if you will only "repent. . .and believe the Gospel." (Mark 1:15). The Apostle Paul preached to all ". . .that they should repent and turn to GOD. . ." (Acts 26:20). The Gospel is "that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day. . ." (1st.Corinthians 15:3,4). ". . .Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou halt be saved. . ." (Acts 16:31)

     Neither your family, water baptism, church membership nor any good works can save you. "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 said, ". . .I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by me." (John 14:6). ". . .the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." (Romans 6:23b)

     My Friend, if you reject GOD's free gift of eternal life, not only will you remain separated from GOD now, but also when you die without CHRIST, you will be eternally separated from GOD in the flames of a Devil's Hell. Please don't wait until it is too late. Have you made the right decision ? Even though you are not worthy of GOD's mercy, HE wants to save you ! Right now, will you pray to GOD, asking the LORD JESUS CHRIST to forgive you and to give you eternal life ? "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).

     If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance (a turning to GOD from your sin) 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.

     The LORD JESUS said, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of MY hand." (John 10:28). PLEASE, do not put off your decision; no one is promised any more time than the moment he is in. HE says, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). Come to JESUS today !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"A Good Fight to the End"

 

2nd.Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD the righteous JUDGE, shall give me at that Day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love HIS appearing."

     Shortly before his death, the Apostle Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy. Even as he penned this epistle, Paul knew that his time on Earth was coming to a close. Therefore, he exhorted Timothy to be a faithful and effective minister of JESUS CHRIST, just as Paul himself had been an obedient, bold testimony for the SAVIOR. Notice the Apostle's exact words at the end of his life: "I have fought a good fight." Did we read that correctly ? Is the Bible actually advocating the need to fight ? Yes, it is if such conflict entails a battle for truth. Today, many unbelievers and professing Christians encourage spiritual pacifism. They oppose any form of contending for the truth or warring against doctrinal error. But is such an understanding of Christianity correct ? Absolutely not ! Throughout his life, Paul suffered at the hands of unbelievers as well as fellow believers who were disseminating false doctrine and slandering his faithful work. Yet this great man of GOD continued unreservedly to preach and teach the WORD and defend the faith despite so many seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

     Elsewhere in the New Testament, the Greek word translated in our text as "fight" is rendered "conflict" (Philippians 1:30; Colossians 2:1 pictured above) and "contention" (1st.Thessalonians 2:2 pictured above). The Apostle fought a good conflict. He contended. How did he accomplish this ? First, he "finished [the] course" the LORD had set before him. He completed GOD's work GOD's way and refused to cut corners. Second, he "kept the faith." The term keep not only means "to guard" but also "to observe and do." Paul guarded the truth and obeyed it. Are you fighting for GOD's WORD, or are you allowing the enemy to gain the upper hand ?

     The Apostle Paul also realized that the Christian life involves a battle between good and evil, truth and error. In fact, he exhorted Timothy in a previous letter to "war a good warfare" (1st.Timothy 1:18). Any believer who fails to realize that he is involved in a battle is automatically handing the enemy a clear advantage. But because Paul knew that he was continually wrestling against spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12 pictured above), he earnestly contended for the faith. At the end of his life, the aged Apostle could tell Timothy that he had "fought a good fight" by finishing the course the LORD had set before him and by keeping the faith (guarding the truth and obeying the WORD of GOD).

     So how, exactly, did Paul fight a good fight and keep the faith as required by the LORD ? First, the Apostle was never reluctant to share the WORD. He boldly declared to the believers in Rome, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST" (Romans 1:16), even though he had suffered greatly as a result of the doctrines he preached (2nd.Timothy 1:11-13). Second, Paul never feared the opinions of men (2nd.Timothy 1:7-9). He knew the world would increase in wickedness, yet he still exhorted Timothy to "preach the WORD" despite the fact that most people would vehemently hate his message (2nd.Timothy 3:1-5 cf. 4:1-5). Third, Paul never allowed the world to dictate his standards for ministry. He remained steadfast and unmovable in the LORD's work (1st.Corinthians 15:58 pictured above) and never changed GOD's message or allowed pragmatism to characterize his ministry. Finally, Paul never tolerated error or complacency (2nd.Timothy 2:1-7). Are we emulating the Apostle Paul's warfare strategy in our own life ? If not, we cannot expect to receive the LORD's approval in the end (v.8).MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"GOD's Last Name is NOT Damn !"

 

Many people strive to make a name for themselves. A person's name symbolizes not only what they have accomplished in their lifetime, but it also reveals their character, whether good or bad. The Bible states, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. . ." (Proverbs 22:1). In fact, GOD values HIS name so much that HE gave the following command: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh HIS name in vain." (Exodus 20:7).

The Bible is the record of GOD's love for mankind. Throughout the Bible, many names referring to GOD are given, and each name gives a different aspect of GOD's character. For instance, Isaiah 9:6 states, "For unto us a CHILD is born, unto us a SON is given; and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder: and HIS name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE of PEACE." These names refer to the precious SON of GOD, and each name gives a glimpse of GOD's character.

Not only does the Bible show the character of GOD, but it also reveals the depravity of man. Romans 3:12 states, ". . .there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Also, Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." Your sin has earned you spiritual death, separation from an all-HOLY GOD, and an eternity in a Devil's Hell. "For the wages of sin is death . . ." (Romans 6:23a). "And Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:14-15). Without the mercy of GOD, you and I would be lost and without hope forever.

The good news is that GOD's love for you gives you a way of escape. This way is revealed in HIS name. Matthew 1:21 states, "And she shall bring forth a SON, and thou shalt call HIS name JESUS: for HE shall save HIS people from their sins." GOD loves you so much that HE sent HIS SON to pay the penalty for your sins. "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8). JESUS' death on the cross paid your sin debt in full, if you will only believe in HIM. JESUS stated in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

The Bible was ". . .written, that ye might believe that JESUS is the CHRIST, the SON of GOD; and that believing ye might have life through HIS name." (John 20:30-31). There is no other way to obtain salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Doing good deeds will not earn your salvation. PLEASE do not believe that your good deeds will outweigh your bad deed - that is nowhere in the Bible. It is an evil lie of the Devil. GOD said, "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 3:18). Being saved and going to Heaven has absolutely nothing to do with doing good works.

Obtaining salvation and an eternity in Heaven is so simple. "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 y 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). GOD gives you this promise: "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).

If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance (a turning to GOD from your sin) 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.

What's in a name ? Philippians 2:9-11 says that the name of JESUS is ". . .above every name: That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow . . . And that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER." One day, you will believe in GOD, but will you be too late ? GOD says in HIS WORD, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). Tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone. Receive JESUS today !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation