"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

"How to Be SAVED and KNOW It !"

 

IF YOU SHOULD DIE TODAY,

WHERE WOULD YOU SPEND ETERNITY ?

No one likes to think about death, but death comes to everyone. GOD tells us in HIS WORD, "And it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). Since death is so certain, you must prepare to meet GOD. According to GOD's WORD, you will spend eternity in one of two places - either in Heaven or in a Devil's Hell. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment [Hell]; but the righteous into life eternal [Heaven]." (Matthew 25:46).

EVERY PERSON CONCEIVED INTO THIS
WORLD INHERITS A SINFUL NATURE.

". . .and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (Ephesians 2:3b). "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). "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

THIS SINFUL NATURE PRODUCES

ALL SORTS OF EVIL DEEDS.

"For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these things come from within, and defile the man." Mark 7:21-23. You must admit you are a sinner. Admit it not only to yourself but also admit it to GOD. There is absolutely no chance for you to be saved from a Devil's Hell unless you know that you are a sinner and need to be saved. GOD's WORD declares it and you must believe it ! Because you are a sinner, you are destined for Hell for all eternity. "For the wages of sin is death . . . " (Romans 6:23a). ". . .and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:15).

THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO

TO SAVE YOURSELF.

You cannot be good enough. ". . .there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Romans 3:12). You cannot be saved by keeping the Law, joining the church and being water baptized will not even help save you. ". . .by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16). You are helpless. You cannot save yourself.

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL:

In spite of your sin, GOD loves you and has done everything necessary for your salvation. "For when we were yet without strength [helpless], in due time CHRIST died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6). "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). "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). 

JUST BELIEVING INTELLECTUALLY THAT YOU

ARE A SINNER, THAT GOD LOVES YOU, AND 

THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU IS NOT ENOUGH.

You must apply this to yourself personally by repenting (a turning to GOD from your sin) and receiving the LORD JESUS CHRIST as your own personal SAVIOR. Repentance is a "change of mind" brought to your heart by the HOLY SPIRIT through the WORD of GOD. It causes you to turn to GOD from your sin, dead religions, and your own good works to trust CHRIST alone. ". . .all men. . ." (Acts 17:30) are commanded to repent and therefore can. Don't put this off - do it now ! Because GOD says in HIS WORD, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). "Seek ye the LORD while HE may be found, call ye upon HIM while HE is near." (Isaiah 55:6). "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). ". . .all men. . ." (1st.Timothy 2:4,6) can be saved. Wherever you are right now, tell GOD that you are a lost sinner, ask HIM to forgive you of your sins, and receive the LORD JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR. Claim salvation by faith. "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).

YOU MAY PRAY THIS SIMPLE PRAYER,

MEANING IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe that 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). The promise of eternal life, which cannot be lost or taken away, is yours if you receive JESUS as your personal LORD and SAVIOR. "And this is the record, that GOD hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON. He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON of GOD hath not life. 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." (1st.John 5:11-13). Receive JESUS today, there is no guarantee of tomorrow for any of us.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Where is the Fire of GOD Today ?"

 

2nd.Kings 1:16-18 "And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Beelzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no GOD in Israel to enquire of HIS WORD ? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. So he died according to the WORD of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat King of Judah; because he had no son. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel ?"

     The real fire of GOD today is manifest whenever a Bible based ministry serves the LORD humbly and faithfully according to the absolute truth of HIS WORD. Notice 1st.Corinthians 2:1-13. The "speech" and the "words" of the Apostle Paul were, as stated in verse four, the "demonstration of the SPIRIT and of power." GOD's WORD alone defines HIS work and power today (Romans 1:16 pictured above; 1st.Thessalonians 2:13 pictured below), we walk by faith according to the light of the Scriptures, not by sight and extrabiblical display.

     The LORD requires HIS servants to look to HIS WORD alone for answers. Ahaziah turned to false gods - but "not because there [was] no GOD in Israel to enquire of HIS WORD" (vv.16-17). The King fell not only from his upper chamber (v.2) but also eventually from his high opinion of himself. He learned too late that the ONE to WHOM he had to answer in the end was the same ONE he should have looked to in the beginning. Rebellion against GOD's WORD exacts a terrible price. We can count on the LORD to bring to pass all that HE has spoken, whether it is promised blessing or eventual judgment.

     The Bible - not only hearing it but understanding how to apply and obey its truths - will set us "on fire" for GOD. Think of the glory, the unspeakable display, on the Mount of Transfiguration, and yet 2nd.Peter 1:16-19, pictured above, tells us that, in comparison to this miraculous manifestation, "We have also a more sure WORD of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed. . ." According to the promises and precepts of the WORD, a faithful ministry will, in and of itself, be a SPIRIT wrought demonstration of the hand of GOD, for the "fire" of the LORD manifests itself through HIS holy 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

"Fire from Heaven !"

 

2nd.Kings 1:9-15 "Then the King sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of GOD, the King hath said, Come down. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of GOD, then let fire come down from Heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from Heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of GOD, thus hath the King said, Come down quickly. And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of GOD, let fire come down from Heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of GOD came down from Heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and sought him, and said unto him, O man of GOD, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold, there came fire down from Heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. And the Angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the King."

     The point of today's text is not the spectacular nature of this miraculous phenomenon - the fire coming down from Heaven and consuming the soldiers sent to apprehend, and thus silence, the prophet of GOD - but rather, it is the power of the prophet's message. The LORD wanted the King of Israel to understand that Elijah was simply HIS mouthpiece and that what was spoken by Elijah was, in fact, the WORD of GOD - all-authoritative and not to be taken lightly. And so it is in our own contemporary religious context. Today, GOD's "fire" is not in the form of signs and wonders, dynamic speakers, or ecumenical gatherings that impress nearly everyone. Notice that the "fire from Heaven" in our text came in response to the charge: "If I am speaking the very WORDs of the ALMIGHTY, then let fire . . ." The authority with which Elijah spoke revealed the true power of GOD; the fire merely authenticated the divine sanction behind what he said. The authority of GOD's WORD was, and still is, the issue (2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured above).

     Vain, proud, and sick Ahaziah reflected the attitude of the first two captains - oblivious to the danger of strutting before GOD and withstanding HIS decree (vv.9b,11b). So, who had the authority: the two captains that declared the King's command or Elijah, who spoke the WORD of ALMIGHTY GOD ? The answer was unequivocally revealed through great loss of life: 102 souls burned up ! Humble resignation to GOD's will was the only way to avoid judgment (vv.13-15). We today must "serve GOD acceptably with reverence and godly fear." Why ? "Our GOD is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:28-29 pictured above). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Is There Not a GOD in Israel ?"

 

2nd.Kings 1:1-8 "Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. But the Angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite. Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a GOD in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron ? Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shall surely die. And Elijah departed. And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are you now turned back ? And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a GOD in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalezbub the god of Ekron ? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shall surely die. And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words ? And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite."

     Ahaziah, Ahab's son, needed to learn a crucial lesson. Because he wanted to know if he would recover from his illness (v.2), he sent inquiry to Ekron where "the gods" were notoriously favorable in their answers. He knew he would hear a positive message from the prophets of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, even though they would be lies. But the King of Israel should have known that the GOD of Israel was, in fact, the only true GOD, as the Angel of the LORD made abundantly clear through Elijah (v.3). King Ahaziah paid the price for ignoring the word spoken by the faithful prophet of GOD. His arrogant disregard for the ONE TRUE source of help for GOD's people resulted in his death (v.4b cf. v.17).

     Although man's spiritual needs today are great, not many desire what the LORD says will suffice those needs: sound doctrine, straightforward warnings, and solemn exhortations (1st.Timothy 4:1-2 pictured above; 2nd.Timothy 3:1-5 pictured above; 2nd.Timothy 4:1-4 pictured below). Few want what is essential for a faithful fellowship of believers: sincere love for the true WORD Of GOD. Supposed "miracle services" and religious self-help programs are nothing more than contemporary "gods of Ekron." "Strange fire," like that offered by Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-3, abounds where superficial experiences and fleshly entertainment draw the crowds; these man-made religious "fires" by charismatics and compromisers are not from on HIGH (Isaiah 50:10-11 pictured below). Fidelity to the WORD is the only valid demonstration of the power of GOD.

     Ahaziah thought his antagonist was Elijah, but, in reality, it was the word of the LORD delivered by the prophet (vv.7-8). Keep in mind - when we faithfully warn against that which does not square with Scripture, we, too, will be considered "the enemy." DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Drifting Series: The Antidote for Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 " Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard HIM;"

     Over the last few days, we have looked at the danger of spiritually drifting, but let us consider those in Scripture who, rather than giving in, were continually "fighting the good fight" even amid hardship:

Daniel, from the beginning, "purposed in his heart" (Daniel 1:8) that he would not succumb to the culture or to the desires of the flesh but, instead, chose to be faithful to GOD. Scripture never records Daniel drifting away from a proper fellowship with the LORD; on the contrary, he continually made his relationship with GOD the priority of his life even when it meant he would face dire consequences for his faithfulness (Daniel 6:7-10).

Paul endured more trials in his ministry than we will ever suffer. Yet, when he came to the end of his life, he declared that he was ready to meet his SAVIOR because CHRIST was everything to him (2nd.Timothy 4:6-8).

JESUS declared, "I do always those things that please [the FATHER]" (John 8:29 pictured above).

     If you are currently drifting, STOP !  But if you are enjoying close fellowship with CHRIST right now and spiritual things are a priority in your life, then do not start to wander away. It is so easy to do, and we see it all around in the church today. This is why the New Testament writers use the language of labor, toil, warfare, and perseverance when referring to the Christian life. Slacking off never leads anywhere good ! The Bible clearly teaches that it is possible for believers to "be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming" (1st.John 2:28 pictured above). Our purpose in life is more than just "I'm saved and going to Heaven"; it is about living for GOD right now. The choice whether to drift or faithfully strive to put the things of GOD first is a continual decision - which do you choose ? 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 Drifting Series: Biblical Examples of Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard HIM;"

     GOD's WORD provides us with many examples of those who were at one time focused on HIM, but who fell away from proper fellowship with their LORD. Lot decided to take the land that looked good to him, even though it was not a spiritually beneficial choice. As a result, he became comfortable with the world to the point of spiritual ruin (2nd.Peter 2:6-8 pictured above). Elijah was one of Israel's most notable and important prophets of GOD, yet he was guilty of falling into despondency when he got his focus off GOD and onto himself (1st.Kings 19:9-18). David is notorious for the consequences of his spiritual carelessness - he committed adultery and even murder when he should have been waging war against the enemies of Israel (2nd.Samuel 11:1-5,14-15). Solomon, although the wisest man who ever lived, was foolish enough to drift away from the LORD when he chose to "go with the flow" of the surrounding nations and take wives and concubines in an effort to forge political alliances with the enemies of Israel (1st.Kings 11:1-10). The entire Old Testament records the Israelites' unfaithfulness to their GDO as they simply floated along with the world around them rather than "fighting the good fight of faith." They intermingled with the pagan culture and soon found themselves embracing it (Isaiah 1:4 pictured below). In Jeremiah 3, GOD continually describes Israel and Judah as a backsliding nation that drifted away from the LORD despite all HE had done for them.

     Drifting always starts with a focus on self, which leads to inactivity and then to a moving away from GOD. May we labor in our faith and relationship with GOD rather than choosing to take the easy path of succumbing to our flesh and doing nothing. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation