" GOD Loves YOU ! "

 

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life."  ~ John 3:16

     This great Bible verse revels four truths from the heart of GOD for all people.

We are loved.

     GOD wants us to know that we are loved. The LORD JESUS said, "For GOD so loved the world. . ." You are part of this world, and GOD loves you. HE gave HIS SON for you, and HE wants you  ". . .to know the love of CHRIST. . ." (Ephesians 3:19).

We are of worth.

     The LORD also wants us to know that we are of worth. We are so dear to GOD ". . .HE gave HIS only begotten SON. . ."

     The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23)

     And sin must be paid for. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." (Romans 6:23a).

     But the Bible also teaches us that ". . .CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3). GOD demonstrated HIS love for us, and our worth to HIM, when HE sent HIS SON to die in our place.

     The good news is that the LORD JESUS paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us. . . ." (2nd.Corinthians 5:21). CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF for us as payment for our sin.

     You may ask,  "How can GOD forgive my sin ?" HE can because of what JESUS did.  ". . .While we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8).

We can have hope.

     GOD wants us to know that we can have hope. JESUS said ". . .that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish. . ."

     Life is fragile, and people are perishing. But CHRIST came ". . .that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

     In a world where so many have lost hope, GOD wants us to know that the ". . .LORD EJSUS CHRIST. . .is our hope" (1st.Timothy 1:1).

     HE rose from the dead, and HE said, ". . .Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19).

We can have purpose.

     GOD wants us to know that we can have purpose in life. HE desires that we ". . .should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

     "And this is the promise that HE hath promised us, even eternal life" (1st.John 2:25.

     You may ask,  "How can I receive GOD's promise of eternal life ?

Acknowledge that you are a sinner, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23).

Believe that the LORD JESUS died for you, for  "CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3)

Call upon the LORD to save you, "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 and faith, pray this simple prayer, or one like it, 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,  ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ."  (John 10:28).  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Now that you're a Christian:

*  Share your new-found faith with your family and friends (Acts 16:31-33).

*  Identify with CHRIST through believer's water baptism and become part of a local, Bible believing church (Acts 2:41, 47)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

GULF COAST

BAPTIST CHURCH

312 SE 24th Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 574-1000

Dr. Tom Sexton, Pastor

www.GulfCoastBaptistChurch.com

" GOD's Message to YOU ! "

 

After being a born again believer for over 40 years, I've heard many preached messages. But, you will never hear a greater message than the one contained in this post ~ GOD's Message to YOU !

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

1. ALL HAVE SINNED

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" Romans 3:23

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ?" Jeremiah 17:9

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

2. SIN'S PENALTY

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." Romans 6:23

"And Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:14

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

3. SIN'S PENALTY WAS PAID

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which 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.Cointhians 15:1-2a,3-4

"But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." Romans 5:8

"For CHRIST also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that HE might bring us to GOD, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the SPIRIT:" 1st.Peter 3:18

THE BIBLE DECLARES

4. WE MUST REPENT

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2nd.Corinthians 7:10

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for HE will abundantly pardon" Isaiah 55:7

If we are truly sorry for our sins and willing

to turn from them, we can be saved.

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

5. WE MUST RECEIVE CHRIST

"But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name." John 1:12

We need to exercise our faith by receiving JESUS as our LORD and SAVIOR. Faith and repentance (turning to GOD from your sin) are both necessary for salvation.

THE BIBLE DECLARES

6. YOU CAN BE SAVED TODAY, IF YOU WANT TO BE

"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." Romans 10:9

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10:13

GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS

YOU TO EXPERIENCE PEACE

AND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN

WITH HIM !

I hope you noticed the caption at the top of the post that reads "GOD'S MESSAGE TO YOU." Scripture is GOD's WORD - HIS message to us - and not our "theory." I pray that after reading these passages from GOD's WORD that you believe the message GOD has given to you. HE gives free pardon of sin, and a "know-so" salvation. You don't have to hope that GOD will save you, or hope that someday you will go to Heaven. The Bible says in 1st.John 5:13  "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."

Do you know where you're going when you die ?

WHAT YOU MUST DO:

1. Admit your need to be saved (I am a sinner).

2. Be willing to turn to GOD from your sin (repent).

3. Believe that JESUS CHRIST died for you on the cross.

4. Through prayer, invite JESUS to come into and control your heart and life (receive HIM as your SAVIOR and LORD).

If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it with all your heart:

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,  ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish . . ."  (John 10:28).  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

"Is There Something MISSING in YOUR Life ? "

WHAT IS MISSING ?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Friend, are you dead or alive ? Do you ever feel that there is something important missing from your life ? A vital part of your existence that isn't there, and has never been there ? An empty void and longing, deep within the depths of your soul, crying out to be filled ?

If you do not know the LORD JESUS CHRIST on a personal basis, that is the problem. GOD, the GIVER and SUSTAINER of life, is missing from your life. The Bible says that without JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, you are "dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1b)

HOW DID IT HAPPEN ?

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In the Garden of Eden, before man's fall, Adam and Eve were alive, that is they were "spiritually" alive. They walked in perfection, and oneness with GOD. "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)

On that day, when they disobeyed GOD and ate of the fruit, they died a "spiritual" death. Sin entered in, and they were separated from GOD. Since then, every one of us has been born into sin. "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)  "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)  "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10)  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23)  The results of sin are a spiritual death, a physical death, and if you die without JESUS CHRIST, and eternal death. This is eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell fire !

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT ?

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JESUS CHRIST, the GOD-man, was not a partaker of man's sinful bloodline. HE was perfect, sinless, righteous, Holy, born of a virgin, and GOD in the flesh. "In the beginning was the WORD (JESUS), and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3)  "And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

HE came to seek and to save that which was lost. HE offered HIMSELF the perfect, sinless sacrifice unto GOD, to redeem man from the sin which separates him from GOD.  "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)

HE came to give life back unto men.  ". . .I AM come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the SON of GOD: and they that hear shall life." (John 5:24-25)

NOW IT IS UP TO YOU !

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Friend, do you hear HIS voice calling you through these Scriptures ? HE wants to breathe life into you. This receiving of new life from JESUS CHRIST is what HE called being "born again." We see this in the Bible when JESUS tells Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD . . . That which is born of flesh (the first birth) is flesh; and that which is born of the SPIRIT is spirit (the 2nd birth)." (John 3:3,6)

My Friend, Repent ! Turn to GOD from your sin, and embrace the LORD JESUS CHRIST by faith and be born again of GOD. GOD promised in Romans 10:9  "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."  When you turn to GOD, the missing link will be found, and the empty void will be filled. You will be one with GOD. HE will be your FATHER, and you will be HIS son/daughter. If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

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.

You can rejoice with us in this great truth forever, AMEN. "He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON of GOD hath not life." (1st.John 5:12)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

 

" Pardon Me ! "

 

PARDON ME ! Since I may never meet you in person, would you read this friendly message I have for you ?

     Our connecting this way is not altogether by chance. Although we have not had time to become acquainted, may I share with you something most wonderful ?

     Some time ago I met a remarkable PERSON, so great and outstanding, that it has become a joy to introduce HIM to others. The great tragedy is that so many know about HIM, but so few know HIM personally. Perhaps you have already guessed that I am speaking of JESUS CHRIST.

     To some HE is little more than a word of blasphemy, and to others a source of embarrassment, but to those who know HIM, HE is wonderful !

     You recall that the Apostle Paul persecuted the early Christians, but after he met JESUS, his life was transformed. He wrote,

"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

     It hurts our pride to admit that we are sinners, but it is wonderful when we experience the power of JESUS CHRIST to forgive our sins and heal our hearts.

     When once we accept HIM as our SAVIOR, we make an amazing discovery. JESUS did not come to make us stuffy saints or miserable mortals, but HE came to give us LIFE -- the very fullest and richest. Listen to JESUS' OWN WORD's:

"I AM come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more 

abundantly."          John 10:10

     Dear Reader, whatever may have been your disappointment with people, disillusionment with life, and confusion with religion, let me assure you that this is not the fault of JESUS CHRIST. HE has been misrepresented, betrayed, denied, and neglected, but HE stands majestically, in love pleading with everyone of earth's billions,

"Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are

heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

     HE speaks to you today. Do you personally know HIM ? Repent of your sins; believe that JESUS died on the cross to pay for them, and make HIM the LORD of your life. Read the following Scriptures carefully. Then believe it and act upon it:

"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: . . .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." 1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4;Romans 10:9,13)

     If you want to know more of this wonderful SAVIOR, get a copy of the Gospel of John and read it. Talk to a committed, born again, Bible believing Christian; go to a church where the "Good News" of salvation is clearly explained. If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

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 life for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     All things are planned by GOD -- also your reading this post. Do not harden yourself against HIS call. Pray that the HOLY SPIRIT will open your heart and mind of understanding to let JESUS in. It will be going from death unto life. JESUS said,

"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."           John 5:24

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" My Amazing SAVIOR ! "

 

John 6:28-40 "Then said they (the people) unto HIM, What shall we do, that we might work the works of GOD ? JESUS answered and said unto them, This is the work of GOD, that ye believe on HIM WHOM HE has sent. They said therefore unto HIM, What sign showest THOU then, that we may see, and believe THEE ? what dost THOU work ? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, HE gave them bread from Heaven to eat. Then JESUS said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but MY FATHER giveth you the true BREAD from Heaven. For the BREAD of GOD is HE which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto HIM, LORD, evermore give us this bread.

And JESUS said unto them, 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 LORD JESUS CHRIST was born in Bethlehem that I might be born again (John 3:3-7).

HE became poor that I could be rich (2nd.Corinthians 8:9).

HE was stripped that I may always be clothed in HIS salvation and righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

HE WHO knew no sin was made sin so that I might receive HIS righteousness (2nd.Corinthians 5:21).

HE died so that I would never taste death (John 8:51-52).

HE was the MAN of sorrows so that I might have fullness of joy (John 15:11; Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 53:3).

HE was hungry and thirsty that I may be satisfied forever (John 6:35).

HE had nowhere to lay HIS head (Luke 9:58) so that I could dwell in eternal mansions (John 14:1-3).

HE was bound that I might have perfect liberty (John 8:36).

HE humbled HIMSELF so that I can be lifted up from the pits of sin (Philippians 2:5-11).

HE became a SERVANT that I might be a son forever (Hebrews 2:9-10).

HE was forsaken so that I could have an ever-present COMPANION (Hebrews 13:5-6).

HE was weary so that I may have rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

HE will come down so that I can go up (1st.Thessalonians 4:13-18).

HE wept, and yet in the future HE will wipe away my tears (Revelation 21:3-4).

As one author so beautifully put it:

"There's not a craving of the mind

which JESUS cannot fill;

There's not a pleasure I would seek

aside from HIS dear will.

From hour to hour HE fills my soul

with peace and perfect love,

while rich supplies for ev'ry need

HE sendeth from above . . .

JESUS is my SAVIOR dear,

My ROCK, my STRENGTH,

my SONG, my WISDOM

and my REFUGE safe - 

To JESUS I belong. 

HE is my ADVOCATE with GOD,

my WAY, my LIFE, my LIGHT,

my GREAT PHYSICIAN and my FRIEND, 

my GUIDE by day and night."

(M. W. Knapp)

What an amazing SAVIOR we have ! GWZ

Your servant in Christ,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" Simple Instructions ! "

 

1st.Corinthians 2:1-2  "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of GOD. For I determined not to know anything among you save JESUS CHRIST, and HIM crucified."

     Have you ever noticed that, in trying to make things easier, the instructions for new appliances or electronic gadgets have actually, at times, been made more difficult ? Is it just me who has trouble discerning what the "simple" drawings are trying to tell me concerning how to set up and use the particular item I have purchased ? Do you find yourself scratching your head as you read and reread the written instructions that were obviously prepared by someone for whom English was a second language ? When it comes to the Gospel message, you will never have that problem !

     In today's text, the Apostle Paul reminded the believers at Corinth that the message he had preached to them was a simple communication, "not with excellency of speech or of wisdom." However, he warned them that the Gospel of "CHRIST crucified" was a "stumblingblock" to the Jews and "foolishness" to the Gentiles (1st.Corinthians 1:23 pictured above). Yet, in this matter, the problem was not with the instructions. They were straightforward: CHRIST paid the penalty for the sins of mankind on the cross, HE died, HE was buried in a tomb, and HE rose triumphantly from the grave - the CONQUEROR over death and sin; now, just follow the directions: Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). The information is clear and precise. The words are not tangled and difficult to understand. CHRIST died for you - HE died as your substitute in your place; HE bore your sins upon HIMSELF; HE took your rightful place on that cross. Just believe and receive what HE has done on your behalf (See picture below). The message is clear that " whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

"Proclamation of the Gospel, NOT Modification !"

 

Galatians 1:6-12  "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from HIM that called you into the grace of CHRIST unto another gospel: [of] which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of CHRIST. But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or GOD ? or do I seek to please men ? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of CHRIST. But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of JESUS CHRIST."

     Only one true Gospel exists. According to our text, anyone who proclaims any other "gospel" is under GOD's curse (vv.6-9). In the Apostle Paul's day, false teachers were confusing the believers in Galatia by insisting that it was essential for them to keep various "works of the Law" in order to "perfect" their salvation (Galatians 3:1-3 see pictures below). This teaching was so dangerous that those who had been deceived by it were said to be "bewitched" (Galatians 3:1 pictured below). A study of this entire epistle clearly reveals that any modification (adding water baptism, speaking in tongues, sacraments, works of any kind, etc.) of the Gospel whatsoever is an extremely serious matter in GOD's eyes. The word "accursed" is used twice in this section and is the Greek word "anathema", which is the very strongest form of the word "accursed."

     In our day, many evangelical leaders are joining with Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Charismatics, Pentecostals, and liberal Protestants, saying, "Unless we all forget our differences and work together, we can never fulfill our responsibility to evangelize the world." But we must recognize that GOD has already doomed to failure any evangelistic endeavor that unites true believers with those who preach a false gospel. In fact, such an unscriptural union will only incur that LORD's disapproval and eventual judgment.

     Although Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and liberal Protestants use far more evangelical language today than they have used in the past, all such groups still preach an "accursed false gospel" by adding some form of works to the Bible's sole requirement for salvation: Faith alone in the person and work of CHRIST. Water baptism, sacraments, speaking in tongues, or good works are notoriously a part of their errant message. Since the heart of the true born again believer is understandably drawn to the evangelization of the lost, it is vital that we use discernment and beware of the danger of uniting with any who proclaim a false gospel. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org