"The Scripture's Sure Witness"

 

John 5:39 "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of ME." 

     In an earnest study of the life of CHRIST, one always comes away with a deeper appreciation for WHO HE really is. The only inspired and infallible source of information that we have concerning JESUS' earthly life and ministry is the Holy Scriptures (2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured above) -- though to most people in the world today, that record appears to be a myth or legend. JESUS' teachings and HIS statements concerning HIMSELF and HIS purpose shocked those who heard HIM (Luke 4:14-28). In JESUS' day, some responded with hostility and a determined intent to murder HIM while others came to HIM in simple faith.

      The account of our SAVIOR's time here on earth not only provides the means to eternal life but also direction concerning how we ought to deal with life and ministry in our own day (e.g.Matthew 4:1-10, "It is written. . ."). All that being human entails, HE personally experienced -- sin excepted (Hebrews 4:15 pictured above). Both by example as well as precept, we can learn of HIM how we ought to live and serve others (John 13:15 pictured above). This reality should greatly deepen our love and appreciation for HIM and inspire us to become more emboldened in our determination to follow CHRIST in every aspect of life (Philippians 3:10 pictured below).

     The infinite GOD became a human being WHO was born, lived, died, and rose again from the dead. HE looked like any other mortal human (Isaiah 53:2). Yet we know that JESUS was far more than just another man -- HE was, of course, the wrath-removing SACRIFICE for our sins. Yet, HE also gave us the instruction necessary to guide us through life in the here and now. As you read the Bible, especially the Gospels, appreciate the Scriptures for what they are: GOD's perfect revelation concerning HIS beloved SON.GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Life Has Purpose Now !"

 

2nd.Corinthians 5:14-21 "For the love of CHRIST constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then we're all dead: and that HE died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto HIM which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known CHRIST after the flesh, yes now henceforth know we HIM no more. Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of GOD, WHO hath reconciled us to HIMSELF by JESUS CHRIST, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the WORD of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for CHRIST, as though GOD did beseech you by us: we pray you in CHRIST's stead, be ye reconciled to GOD. For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, WHO knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM."

     "And that HE died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto HIM which died for them, and rose again" (v.15). We once lived unto ourselves and for ourselves. Our main purpose was to "please ourselves" (Romans 15:1 pictured above). We were very busy serving sin, self, and Satan: "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed ?" (Romans 6:20-21). All of our unsaved life was squandered wasting our time on ourselves: "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries" (1st.Peter 4:3).

     Thankfully, GOD wonderfully intervenes: "For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). If HE died for me, how can I not live for HIM ? HE rose again that I might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4), no longer duplicating my past sinful lifestyle. Pleasing myself and doing only what I want ought to be a thing of the past: "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of GOD" (1st.Peter 4:2). If I were my own, I could live for myself, but I am not (1st.Corinthians 6:19-20 pictured above)."For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the LORD; and whether die, we die unto the LORD: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the LORD's" (Romans 14:7-8). At last, my life has purpose ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used with permission.       www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Looking unto JESUS"

 

". . .Unto them that look for HIM shall

HE appear the second time. . ."

Hebrews 9:28

The next great event on GOD's calendar of events is the coming of the LORD JESUS for HIS own. The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I go and prepare a place for you. . ." (John 14:3). HIS coming is closer today than it has ever been. HE is coming for those who have put their trust in HIM.

Dear Friend, have you put your trust in HIM ? Will HE come for you or will you be left behind ?

You may ask, "What does it mean to put your trust in HIM ?"

FIRST, trust GOD when HE says that every person is a sinner.

Romans 3:10 reads:

". . .There is none righteous, no, not one."

And again, in Romans 3:23, the Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD."

Our sins have separated us from GOD. Before a person can know that he has eternal life and that he will go to Heaven, he must first know and believe that he is a sinner.

SECOND, trust GOD when HE says that sin must be paid for.

Romans 6:23 reads:

"For the wages of sin is death. . ."

According to GOD's WORD, we are all sinners, and our sin must be paid for. If we fail to trust GOD in this life, we will die without CHRIST and spend eternity separated from GOD.

THIRD, trust GOD when HE says that CHRIST died for our sins.

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

The best news that anyone could ever tell you is that JESUS died for your sins. HE paid our sin debt in full.

FOURTH, trust GOD when HE says we must pray and receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

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

A person can believe that GOD loves him. He can believe that he is a sinner and that sin must be paid for. BUT if he is not willing to trust GOD by receiving the LORD JESUS as his own personal SAVIOR, he will die in his sin without CHRIST.

Let us review for a moment:

1. Do you realize that GOD loves you ?  (John 3:16)

2. Do you believe that all men are sinners ?  (Romans 3:23)

3. Do you agree with the Bible that sin must be paid for ?  (Romans 6:23)

4. Do you believe that CHRIST died for you ?  (Romans 5:8)

5. Do you see that you must pray and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR ?  (Romans 10:13)

The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leadeth thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer:

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.

NEW LIFE

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "He that believeth on ME hath everlasting life" (John 6:47)

If you have received the LORD JESUS as your personal SAVIOR, please contact us or plan to visit us. We would like to rejoice with you in your newfound faith.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

". . .Unto them that look for HIM shall

HE appear the second time. . ."

Hebrews 9:28

KEEP  LOOKING  UP !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gulf Coast Baptist Church

Pastor Tom Sexton, Pastor Emeritus

Pastor Robert Butz

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 574-1000

www.GulfCoastBaptistChurch.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The REST of the STORY"

 

The story of our LORD JESUS CHRIST did not end with HIS death on the cross. The Bible says that after three days, He arose again from the grave. The angel of the LORD said, ". . .I know that ye seek JESUS, which was crucified. HE is not here: for HE is risen, as HE said, Come, see the place where the LORD lay" (Matthew 28:5-6).

The Gospel, according to the Bible, is that CHRIST died for our sins, HE was buried, and most importantly, HE rose from the dead on the third day. ". . .I declare unto you the Gospel. . .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 15:1-4).

CHRIST's resurrection and life complete the Gospel story. We are saved not by the life and death of the SON of GOD, but by the death and life of the SON of GOD. ". . .We were reconciled to GOD by the death of HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by HIS life." (Romans 5:10)

The rest of the story is that JESUS rose from the grave and gave us the promise of HIS return.

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN.

In Acts 1:11, the angel of the LORD said, ". . .this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen HIM go into Heaven."

The next great event on GOD's calendar of events is the rapture of the church, when the LORD JESUS will come again for those who have put their trust in HIM.

Dear Friend, have you put your trust in GOD ?

You may ask, "What does it mean to trust GOD ?"

FIRST, trust GOD when HE says that every person is a sinner.

Romans 3:10 reads: ". . .There is none righteous, no, not one."  And again in Romans 3:23, the Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD."

Our sins have separated us from GOD. Before a person can know that he has eternal life and that he will go to Heaven, he must first know and believe that he is a sinner.

SECOND, trust GOD when HE says that sin must be paid for.

Romans 6:23 reads: "For the wages of sin is death. . ."

According to GOD's WORD, we are all sinners, and our sin must be paid for. If we fail to trust GOD in this life, we will die without CHRIST and spend eternity separated from GOD.

THIRD, trust GOD when HE says that CHRIST died for our sins.

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

The best news that anyone could ever tell you is that JESUS CHRIST died for your sins. All our sins were laid on HIM. HE paid our sin debt in full.

FOURTH, trust GOD when HE says we must pray and receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

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

A person can believe that GOD loves him. He can believe that he is a sinner and that sin must be paid for; but if he is not willing to trust GOD by receiving the LORD JESUS as his personal SAVIOR, he will die without CHRIST.

Let us review for a moment.

1. Do you realize that GOD loves you ? (John 3:16)

2. Do you believe that all men are sinners ? (Romans 3:23)

3. Do you agree with the Bible that sin must be paid for ? (Romans 6:23)

4. Do you believe that CHRIST died for you ? (Romans 5:8)

5. Do you see that you must personally pray and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR ? (Romans 10:13)

The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leadeth thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer:

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.

NEW LIFE

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." (John 10:28).

THE REST OF THE STORY IS. . .

JESUS says to those who receive HIM, ". . .because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19).

Now that you have received the LORD JESUS as your personal SAVIOR, please contact us or plan to visit us. We would like to rejoice with you in your newfound faith.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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

Gulf Coast Baptist Church

Pastor Tom Sexton, Pastor Emeritus

Pastor Robert Butz

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL   33990

239-574-1000

www.GulfCoastBaptistChurch.com

(C) Five Star Christian Publications (239) 574-STAR 

info@5scp.com    www.5SCP.com

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Compassion of JESUS CHRIST"

 

John 8:10-11 "When JESUS had lifted up HIMSELF, and saw none but the woman, HE said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers ? hath no man condemned thee ? She said, No man, LORD, And JESUS said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

     As Christians, we have a compassionate SAVIOR. Never let anyone tell you that you serve a GOD of hate. JESUS desires to see all come to HIM (2nd.Peter 3:9), and HIS lovingkindness is clearly evident in today's text. Some claim that CHRIST condoned sin by not requiring the woman to face physical punishment, but nothing could be further from the truth ! Why ? First, HE had just finished rebuking the sin and hypocrisy of the religious leaders; and second, HE told the woman to "go, and sin no more" (v.11). The LORD never disregards sin. However, we must understand that JESUS came to earth to fulfill the Law; HE left Heaven to pay the penalty for our sin. HIS purpose was to save, not condemn (John 3:16-18 pictured below). All who trust JESUS CHRIST as their SAVIOR have been graciously forgiven of their sin. They no longer live under condemnation.

     The woman in today's text experienced the compassion and grace of GOD. It appears that she believed on JESUS CHRIST, for HE told her to "sin no more." Certainly, an unbeliever would not possess the ability or strength to eradicate sin from his or her life. JESUS even told the woman that HE did not condemn her -- what glorious compassion and forgiveness ! As believers, we must likewise live a life that reflects our freedom from the bondage of sin, realizing that we now live "under grace" (Romans 6:1-15). GOD has forgiven us and shown us infinite mercy, just as HE did to this woman who was caught in the act of adultery (a crime punishable by death by stoning). May we always remember that "it is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is THY faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23 pictured above) -- a precious promise indeed ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Conviction of the Sinners"

 

John 8:9 "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and JESUS was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

     JESUS' WORDs left the Scribes and Pharisees speechless. They thought they had trapped HIM. They presumed that HE could not possibly answer their question and pass their test without indicting HIMSELF, either in the eyes of the Jewish people or the Roman government. Yet CHRIST's response could only have come from the mouth of GOD HIMSELF. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (v.7 pictured above). How could JESUS utter these WORDs ? It is because HE knew their innermost thoughts and actions. Yes, these religious leaders were certainly hypocrites, and they knew it. They had absolutely nothing to reply to CHRIST's challenge. Convicted of their sin and pretense, they left JESUS' presence, starting from the oldest on down to the youngest.

     Even today, we need to realize that unbelievers have a conscience and know what is right and wrong. They may reject the divine Standard of righteousness, but in their heart, they know that GOD exists, and HE will exact judgment upon wickedness (Romans 1:19-25,28,32). What is our responsibility to these individuals who are dead in trespasses and sins ? We must tell them of their need for a SAVIOR and of the wonderful provision of salvation made for them through the finished work of JESUS CHRIST on Calvary's cross. They can reject or disregard our message, but their conscience will be pricked by the HOLY SPIRIT as we present to them the WORD of GOD and ITs glorious message of the Gospel (John 16:7-11 pictured above). We, ourselves, are not able to convict another's conscience; we must allow GOD's SPIRIT and the WORD to do their work of conviction. However, we are certainly responsible to share the good news with them. Are we doing our job ? MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Consistency of the SAVIOR"

 

John 8:1-2 "JESUS went unto the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning HE came again into the temple, and all the people came unto HIM; and HE sat down, and taught them."

     What makes today's text so amazing is the context in which the LORD JESUS calmly sat and taught the people in the temple. In the previous chapters of John's Gospel, the Jewish leaders persecuted JESUS and even plotted to arrest and kill HIM (John 7:1 pictured above, 32, 45-53). The religious leadership hated JESUS and HIS message, for HE claimed to be GOD, HE revealed their hypocrisy, and HE rejected their vain traditions. Yet despite the harassment HE continually faced, once again we see JESUS back to work doing the will of HIS FATHER. HE was always willing to teach those who took the time to hear HIS message; HE certainly was not afraid of the opinions or the schemes of men. JESUS CHRIST consistently followed GOD the FATHER's plan, regardless of the cost.

     CHRIST's remarkable consistency compels us, as HIS followers, to ask ourselves, "How consistent are we ?" Do we allow our life and service to be dictated by the world around us ? Are we afraid of what people may think and thus alter our behavior or lifestyle in order to avoid their scorn ? The endeavor to please men is crippling the church today. Satan wants believers to be incapacitated by apprehension, causing them to modify their beliefs, conduct, and actions as a result. Why do so many professing Christians today twist GOD's WORD and change their ministries ? It is because they dread the derision of men and want to be accepted by everyone. Our SAVIOR, however, continued to proclaim the truth and to live a life that honored the FATHER because HE did not fear what others thought (2nd.Timothy 1:7-8 pictured above). Let us, like JESUS, remain "steadfast [and] unmovable" (1st.Corinthians 15:58), consistently carrying out GOD's work GOD's way. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianminisries.com/salvation