" You Can Be Saved ! "

Luke 19:1-11   " And JESUS entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans (tax collectors), and he was rich. And he sought to see JESUS WHO HE was; and could not for the press (crowd), because he was little of stature (short). And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see HIM: for HE was to pass that way. And when JESUS came to the place, HE looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,  ' Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.'  And he made haste, and came down, and received HIM joyfully.

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That HE was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the LORD; Behold, LORD, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And JESUS said unto him,  ' This day is Salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the SON of MAN is come to seek and to save that which was lost.'  And as they heard these things, HE called and spake a parable, because HE was nigh (close) to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of GOD should immediately appear.

     JESUS, having entered Jericho, was passing through it. Many people had gathered to be with HIM, but one man in the crowd particularly wanted to see WHO JESUS was. Yet because he was  "little of stature"  (v.3), he could not see through or above the crowd. So, he climbed into a sycamore tree in order to see JESUS. JESUS spoke to him and called him by his name:  "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house" (v.5). Now, this man was someone whom people hated. He was a despised tax collector hired by the Roman government to collect taxes from his fellow Jews. Even worse, he was "the chief among"  the tax collectors; and, as a result,  "he was rich" (v.2). He was basically rejected by his own people; his only  "friends" would have been others in the same profession. Nobody had anything to do with him. So, when JESUS invited HIMSELF to the house of this man, Zacchaeus  "made haste, and came down, and received HIM joyfully"  (v.6). The people, however, "murmured, saying, That HE was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner" (v.7).

     JESUS came to seek and save the lost  (v.10). The crowd should have said, "LORD, come also to my house," for they, too, were sinners - but they did not think they were. As a result, they lost out on the blessing of Salvation and fellowship with the LORD. Zacchaeus, however, repented of his sins, made restitution, and received Salvation  (v.9).  No one is  "too sinful"  for the LORD JESUS CHRIST to save.  Others may reject you, but not GOD.  Trust JESUS CHRIST today and experience HIS Salvation and forgiveness. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" WHO is Over All, GOD... "

Romans 9:5   " Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, WHO is over all, GOD blessed for ever. AMEN. "

     Is JESUS CHRIST truly GOD in human flesh ? Does it actually matter whether we believe that HE is or is not ? The simple and biblical answer to both questions is  "YES." In fact, if JESUS CHRIST is not GOD incarnate, then the punishment for our sins was paid by a completely inadequate individual. This would mean that we still owe the penalty for our sins and that we are condemned for eternity, and, thus, no one is redeemed nor ever can be. If CHRIST is not GOD in human flesh, then we are still dead in trespasses and sins. If HE was/is not GOD, then much of what HE said about HIMSELF was a lie. But the truth is, HE is  GOD, very GOD.  Everything that it means to be GOD, everything that makes the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT "GOD," is found in the person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST - in equal and eternal amount and extent. (Colossians 2:9).

     This truth should bring us, as believers, unspeakable joy and hope. It is a truth that resonates from within the heart and mind and shapes the external expressions of our conduct, our manner of life. Like the Trinity, this is a truth that we cannot possibly grasp. We have become accustomed to hearing the words,  "JESUS is GOD,"  to the point that the depth of this truth really does not sink into our minds as it should. The fact that JESUS claimed to be GOD was stunning to first century Jewish minds. Yet HIS claim was proven through the testimonies of the Scriptures and of GOD the FATHER, as well as by the many miracles that only GOD HIMSELF could do, including HIS bodily resurrection. This truth is no less spectacular today as well. That JESUS CHRIST is GOD remains an essential biblical truth that must be proclaimed to all who will listen.GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Not Ashamed of the Gospel "

Romans 1:16   " For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST:  for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation to every one that believeth;  to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. "

     The Gospel is no embarrassment to the Christian. The message of the Gospel is wonderful news:  Sinners can be saved if they trust in the person and finished work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross on their behalf and believe that HE arose from the dead. All their sins are eternally forgiven.  The biggest problem man faces in this world is the need to be reconciled to the CREATOR. Sin has completely severed the relationship HE desires HIS creatures to have with HIM. When we look around at so many unsaved family, friends, and acquaintances, how can our souls not be burdened to present the message to them - that JESUS came into the world to save them from sin.

     At the same time, we also realize that most to whom we present this wonderful Good News will reject and perhaps even mock us, ridiculing the very thing that would deliver them from their sin and the eternal judgment they face. Should such negative responses deter us ? Should we simply give up and move on to someone else ? At the very least, we must continue to pray for such souls. GOD is unwilling that they perish (2nd.Peter 3:9), and HIS followers should have the same desire. Why is it that we are sometimes so reticent to share the Gospel when, in fact, there is no shame in the reality that JESUS died for sinners and certainly none in the verity that HE conquered death when HE arose from the grave. That is the greatest moment in all of human history. Nothing surpasses it. So, why would the message of Christianity ever be shameful to us? Do not let the contempt of unbelievers dissuade your evangelistic efforts. For the world, the Gospel may be foolish, but for the Christian, it reveals GOD's sovereign love. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Willingly Ignorant "

2nd. Peter 3:3-9   " Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying,  'Where is the promise of HIS coming ? for since the fathers fell asleep (died), all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the WORD of GOD the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same WORD are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The LORD is not slack (slow) concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. "

     We live in the period of history referred to in the Bible as  "the last days." Following the example of JESUS (Luke 17:26-27), Peter likened  "the last days" to the days of Noah's flood.  Prior to the flood, GOD had sent prophetic messages through Enoch declaring that the evil course of those wicked days was going to result in worldwide judgment.  Noah preached for 120 years, warning that prophesied destruction was soon to come.  But the preacher's words fell upon deaf ears.  The rains came, the fountains of the deep opened up, and  "the world that then was"  disappeared, with its inhabitants perishing under the water and debris-laden mud that covered the globe (v.6). Left behind is the testimony of flood-deposited sediment, sometimes thousands of feet in depth, bearing a fossil record of the destruction of the world that once was.

     In today's text, the apostle Peter warned that in the last days scoffers would arise and, through willful ignorance, deny the judgment of Noah's day and the soon coming judgment of GOD in  "the last days."  We must remember that "the LORD is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance"  (v.9).  HIS judgment is delayed for a time, but it will , indeed, come.  Those who lived in the days of Noah and ignored his warning have the excuse (though of no merit) that such destruction had never before occurred.  In our day such is not the case.  As men stand upon the sedimentary record and deny the flood that was and the soon coming day of judgment, they confirm the Scripture's WORD's that they are  "willingly" ignorant. JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: The Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with   permission.   www.feasite.org

" Redeemed by the Blood "

1st. Peter 1:1-21   " Peter, an apostle of JESUS CHRIST, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of GOD the FATHER, through sanctification of the SPIRIT, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of JESUS CHRIST: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, which according to HIS abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST:

WHOM having not seen, ye love; in WHOM, though now ye see HIM not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  Searching what, or what manner of time the SPIRIT of CHRIST which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of CHRIST, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the HOLY GHOST sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as HE which has called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written,  'Be ye Holy; for I AM Holy.'  And if ye call on the FATHER, WHO without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; BUT with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: WHO verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by HIM do believe in GOD, that raised HIM up from the dead, and gave HIM glory; that your faith and hope might be in GOD. "

     The Apostle Peter wrote his epistle to Christians - those saved through  "the blood of JESUS CHRIST"  (v.2).  He sought to encourage them to the trial of their faith, which was  "more precious than of gold that perisheth"  (v.7). He also exhorted them to live Holy lives motivated by their Holy GOD (v.16) and reminded them that they were redeemed  "with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot"  (vv.18-19). There is no Salvation or remission of sin without the shedding of blood (Heb.9:22).  In the Old Testament, lambs without any defect were offered on the altar in order to cover the sin of the people.  But when CHRIST came, announced by John the Baptist as  "the LAMB of GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world"  (John 1:29), the Old Testament sacrifices came to an end when HE laid down HIS life upon the cross and said,  "IT  IS  FINISHED" (John 19:30).  No one is redeemed by corruptible or perishable things, such as silver and gold or anything else this world has to offer.  Redemption is exclusively found in JESUS CHRIST through HIS shed blood.

     The blood of CHRIST is precious - HE poured it out upon the cross for you and me, as our substitute, so that we might be redeemed.  HIS blood was literal, NOT hypothetical, mythical, figurative, or allegorical.  JESUS, GOD in the flesh, was sinless.  HE was without blemish and without spot.  HE paid the ultimate and final price for our redemption.  To reject HIS sacrifice is to reject Salvation. Good works, baptism, charity, confirmation, repeated prayers, church attendance or membership, or any other perishing thing cannot purchase freedom and forgiveness from sin.  Redemption is solely by the blood of CHRIST ! PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Vital Salvation Truths "

John 5:24   " Verily, Verily, I say unto you, he that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM WHO sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. "

     When a verse begins with  "Verily, Verily,"  we must watch for a great packet of truth. twenty-five times this double  "Verily" occurs in the bible and, then, only in John's Gospel. It indicates the solemnity of the ONE WHO speaks and the certainty of that which is spoken, always introducing a truth of immense importance. Its meaning is simply this:  "Truly, Truly; without any possibility of controversy."  It is as though JESUS is saying,  "Pay attention to this ! What I AM about to say is important ! "

     What could be more important than the message unfolded in this verse ? "HE that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life... " These are vital Salvation truths - "heareth, believeth." Have you heard HIS WORD ?  GOD has spoken and is speaking today through the WORD of GOD. Many people hear with the outward ear, but they do not hear in the heart.  JESUS speaks of hearing in the sense of receiving into the heart. This is not mere listening; it is hearing with faith.  "MY sheep hear MY voice" (10:27). Clearly one needs to hear with faith and love, with a heart ready to do CHRIST's will; this is hearing that saves. Coupled with this hearing, however, is belief. HE is not speaking of a vague faith in the existence of GOD. What is required is belief on GOD as the ONE WHO sent JESUS CHRIST to save sinners - belief on GOD as the FATHER of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO planned and has provided redemption by the blood of HIS SON. In this sense, the FATHER is just as much the object of saving faith as the SON. GOD calls us to believe on CHRIST JESUS as SAVIOR with the same faith with which we believe in GOD as our FATHER to WHOM we are reconciled (Romans 5:10). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org