"I Hate Religion - Religion Has NO ROOM for JESUS !"

 

     I hate "religion" because of its liturgies. I hate "religion" because of its pomp. I hate "religion" because it is sending more people to a Devil's Hell. I hate "religion" because it complicates something that is so simple even a little child can understand it. I hate "religion" because it lies, manipulates, demands, deceives, controls, and did I say it takes what belongs to JESUS and gives it to mere men. JESUS said that even a little child will understand HIM.

Mark 10:13-16 "And they brought young children to HIM, that HE should touch them: and HIS disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when JESUS saw it, HE was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer (Let) the little children to come unto ME and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of GOD. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of GOD as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And HE took them up in HIS arms, put HIS hands upon them and blessed them."

     Now unless you want to call JESUS a liar, HE said that even a little child can understand WHO HE is. Now what child or adult, these days, has any idea what "religion" has really done for them ?

Matthew 11:25-30 "At that time JESUS answered and said, I thank THEE, O FATHER, LORD of Heaven and Earth, because THOU hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and has revealed them unto babes. Even so, FATHER: for so it seemed good in THY sight. All things are delivered unto ME of MY FATHER: and no man knows the SON, but the FATHER: neither knows any man the FATHER, save the SON, and HE to whomsoever the SON will reveal HIM. Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I AM meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light."

     Do these WORDs describe your "religion"; easy, light, restful ? I'll bet not. How many people do you have to go to before you get your prayers answered, or not ? How many works do you have to do to get your sins forgiven, or not ? "Religion" is not simple, it's not easy and you have no rest nor forgiveness for your souls !

2nd.Corinthians 11:3 "But I (Paul) fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in CHRIST."

     The Apostle Paul feared for the flock. Paul feared that "false gospels" would come and those who were not grounded in the simplicity that is CHRIST would follow after them. He feared that wolves would come into the church and not spare the flock. He even said it again in Galatians 1:8-9 pictured above.

     Now I'll bet you are wondering what all this has to do with hating "religion" ? Because "religion" is a liar, it's a deceiver, it takes what belongs to JESUS and gives it to mere men. It blinds the eyes of those who are searching for GOD to the simplicity that is in the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

     A little child can know that he or she does bad things (sins). A little child can know that JESUS was put on the cross to pay for the bad things that they have done. A little child can know that 3 days later JESUS was alive again. A little child can know that if they pray to JESUS and ask HIM to forgive them and to come into their heart and love and be with them forever, that HE will. A little child can know the simplicity that is in JESUS.

     As an adult, can you know that you do bad things (sins) ? As an adult can you know that JESUS loves you ? As an adult can you know that JESUS was put on a cross to pay for the bad things that you have done ? As an adult can you know that 3 days later JESUS rose from the dead and was alive again ? As an adult can you know that if you pray and ask JESUS to forgive you and come into your heart and love you and be with you forever, that HE will ? The picture below is the simple Gospel of CHRIST that the Apostle Paul feared and warned that it would be corrupted by wolves in sheep's clothing:

     Toss out your man-made "religion" and replace it with a personal "relationship" with the GOD WHO created the Heavens and the Earth and You ! For more info on how to be saved please see the picture below and also the QR code which can be scanned into for a salvation message.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Ye Shall Be Witnesses"

 

Acts 1:6-11 "When they (HIS disciples) therefore were come together, they asked of HIM, saying, LORD, wilt THOU at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel ? And HE said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the FATHER hath put in HIS OWN power. But ye shall receive power, after that the HOLY GHOST is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth. And when HE had spoken these things, while they beheld, HE was taken up; and a cloud received HIM out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as HE went up, behold, two men (angels) stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven ? 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."

     Forty days after HIS resurrection, the LORD JESUS was about to ascend back to the FATHER in Heaven. The awe of HIS resurrection from the dead was not so startling now for the disciples, and their attention turned to the question of the coming kingdom - would it, at that time, be established for Israel ? Thus, JESUS instructed and assured them that the timing of the coming kingdom was under the FATHER's authority. However, they (the disciples) would receive power from GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT, to be witnesses, testifying of what they knew, telling of the redemption available in CHRIST JESUS, and carrying forth that message to "the uttermost part of the Earth." They were to present a systematic, simultaneous, and sustained proclamation of the truth of the Gospel to all the peoples of the Earth - both Jew and Gentile alike. Mark's record of the LORD JESUS' commission to HIS disciples is particularly compelling: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15 pictured above).

     We must not ignore the applicability to our own day of JESUS' command in Mark and HIS WORD's in today's text. We are to seek to be disciple-makers at every given opportunity - "Ye shall receive power. . .Ye shall be witnesses unto ME. . .unto the uttermost part of the Earth" (v.8). What have you done with that charge ? What effort have you made to proclaim the Gospel message (see pictured above) to the unsaved: JESUS died to bring lost sinners who trust in HIM to the FATHER; put your faith in the risen CHRIST alone and become a child of GOD - that is the message we are commissioned to carry to the ends of the Earth. JESUS decreed, "Ye shall be witnesses." Are you fulfilling your task ? JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Persuaded !"

 

Romans 8:31-39 "What shall we then say to these things ? If GOD be for us, who can be against us ? HE that spared not HIS OWN SON, but delivered HIM up for us all, how shall HE not with HIM also freely give us all things ? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GOD's elect ? It is GOD that justifieth. WHO is HE that condemneth ? It is CHRIST that died, yes rather, that is risen again, WHO is even at the right hand of GOD, WHO also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of CHRIST ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword ? As it is written, For THY sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD."

     Are you persuaded ? Persuaded that you are a sinner for whom CHRIST died ? Persuaded that your sins have been forgiven ? Persuaded that GOD is doing a marvelous work in you ? Persuaded that an inheritance is reserved in Heaven for you ? Persuaded that CHRIST is coming again to receive you unto HIMSELF ? Persuaded that GOD is in full control of this world and will fulfill HIS purpose concerning all things ?

     Paul was a man who was persuaded of all that and much more. He was persuaded that Timothy had unfeigned faith just like his grandmother and mother (2nd.Timothy 1:5 pictured above). He was persuaded that his GOD was "able to keep that which [he had] committed unto HIM against that day" - the day of the coming of CHRIST (2nd.Timothy 1:12). The Apostle was convinced (persuaded) that the saints at Rome were "full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Romans 15:14 pictured above). One of the most crucial doctrines of which Paul was persuaded was the doctrine of eternal security - he was "persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD" (vv.38-39).

     Paul was convinced - persuaded - of these things and so much more on the basis of the WORD of GOD. He admonished Timothy to teach others what he had been taught by the Apostle (2nd.Timothy 2:2). He challenged his young companion to study the WORD of GOD diligently, to know that it was GOD-breathed, and then to preach it with conviction and power (2nd.Timothy 2:15 pictured above; 3:16; 4:2). Are you persuaded of these realities as well ? JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"CHRIST's Public Prayer"

 

Luke 23:33-38 "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified HIM, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said JESUS, FATHER, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they parted HIS raiment, and cast lots. And the people around beholding. And the rulers also with them derided HIM, saying, HE saved others; let HIM save HIMSELF, if HE be CHRIST, the CHOSEN of GOD. And the soldiers also mocked HIM, coming to HIM, and offering HIM vinegar. And saying, If THOU be the KING of the Jews, save THYSELF. And a superscription also was written over HIM in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrews, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

     This prayer is the only public intercessory prayer JESUS spoke during HIS incarnation. All other times we read regarding the LORD's prayers, we discover that they were spoken privately between FATHER and SON. The LORD began the practice of solitary prayer early in HIS ministry (Mark 1:35 pictured above). HE prayed the night before HE was crucified, with only the disciples watching (Matthew 26:39-46). HIS practice was so frequent that HIS disciples begged HIM to teach them how to pray (Matthew 6:8-13).

     What do we learn from this intercessory prayer ? First, it is obvious that our LORD wanted the people to hear HIS attitude as HE approached HIS impending death. HE was not screaming HIS innocence or begging for clemency. Second, HIS prayer indicated HIS willingness to accept HIS fate. HE knew that the events being played out were determined before the "foundation of the earth" (Ephesians 1:4-5). HE came to Earth to do the will of the FATHER (Luke 2:49; John 5:30). Third, this prayer shows part of CHRIST's ministry because it is an intercession for HIS people. An ordinary, sinful man would have pleaded for retribution, but HE yearned for the forgiveness of these executioners. Fourth, HE presented to all the depravity of their actions in putting to death the SON of GOD. Even though HIS substitutionary death was divinely planned in ages past, it did not take away the LORD's standard for righteousness and dignity at that moment. Fifth, JESUS used this opportunity to declare one final time that HE was ONE with the FATHER. HE was declaring THEIR relationship with each other. And last, just as JESUS forgave HIS executioners, we too must forgive those who wrong us (Ephesians 4:30-32 pictured above). KGL

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Hearers and Doers"

 

Matthew 7:24-29 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of MINE, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a ROCK: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a ROCK. And every one that heareth these sayings of MINE, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when JESUS had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at HIS doctrine: for HE taught them as ONE having AUTHORITY, and not as the Scribes."

     The wise man not only hears what his LORD commands, but he also heeds what he is told to do (vv.24-25). He applies what he hears or reads from GOD's WORD because he is established upon the ROCK, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. How ? He has trusted CHRIST as his SAVIOR and has fallen on and yielded to "this STONE" (Matthew 21:44), the LORD JESUS HIMSELF. Such faith, built upon and centered in CHRIST, will withstand every trial. A wise man who knows CHRIST, in this saving way, has nothing to fear and everything to gain. Notice carefully that a dramatic change in his attitude toward GOD's WORD will take place. He not only has an ear that is open to the SHEPHERD's voice (John 10:27 pictured above) but also a heart that wants to obey HIM. Saving faith should bear evident fruit.

     The foolish man, on the other hand, hears the Gospel but does not obey it. He does not receive by faith the life GOD has graciously offered through HIS only begotten SON (John 3:16 pictured above). Rather than resting in faith, he foolishly builds on the shifting sands of self-effort and wishful thinking (vv.26-27). Like those discussed earlier in this chapter, he performs many works (his building looks fine for a time), but when the storms finally come, the destruction is great. A structure without a solid foundation will surely fall.

     We must be certain we are on the narrow way, trusting wholly in CHRIST. Also, let us be doers of the WORD and not hearers only, lest we fall prey to the same kind of foolishness that is attributed to the unsaved in this text. Blessings and rewards are promised to those who are grounded and building upon the ROCK. We must "take heed how" we build thereon (1st.Corinthians 3:9-13 pictured above) - by following the pattern of the WORD. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Many Will Say . . ."

 

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto ME, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY FATHER which is in Heaven. Many will say to ME in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in THY name ? and in THY name have cast out devils ? and in THY name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from ME, ye that work iniquity."

     In this concluding chapter of the LORD's Sermon on the Mount, JESUS warns of false prophets and false professors. HE describes unsound teachers and solemnly exhorts hypocritical hearers of the WORD to be doers also (James 1:22-25 pictured above). Oh, how these admonitions are needed today as well ! Only those who have traveled the narrow way will gain entrance through the strait gate (vv.13-14). The LORD clearly declared that HE is "the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" (John 14:6). In every dispensation, false teachers have invented religions that substitute man's works for biblical salvation, which is only by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). In the end, all will finally realize that only those who have been washed in the blood of the LAMB are worthy to be known and accepted of GOD the FATHER. All others will be without excuse (Romans 1:20) and cast into everlasting darkness and eternal torment in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).

     Our text for today reveals the sad truth that people who seem very religious and even those who supposedly work miracles in the name of CHRIST can be utterly lost and without hope. Never lose sight of the fact that what is believed in the heart, not what is done outwardly before men, is what determines whether or not one truly belongs to GOD. Some of the rotten fruit of unbelief can be easily discerned (vv.15-16), but sometimes it is disguised by deceptive demonstrations of allegedly divine power. GOD's WORD warns of "signs and lying wonders" (2nd.Thessalonians 2:9; 2nd.Corinthians 11:13-15 pictured above) - works that appear to come from the LORD but are not. Only sound doctrine determines what is truly of GOD, not one's personal experience or the external displays of others. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"GOD Loves You"

 

"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

     This great Bible verse reveals 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 a 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 ". . .that 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 6:23).

     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, in full, 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. ". . .that whosoever believeth 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 JESUS 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 (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, ". . .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 you family & friends (Acts 16:31-33).

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

     GOD says in HIS WORD, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). Don't put it off, accept CHRIST today, tomorrow may be too late.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Gulf Coast 

Baptist Church

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(238) 574-1000

Pastor Dr. Robert Butz

Pastor Emeritus Dr. Tom Sexton

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation