"Have the SON - Yes or No ?"

 

1st.John 5:12 "He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON of GOD hath not life."

     In today's text, we encounter a simple declarative statement that describes whether or not an individual has eternal life. The beloved apostle John penned, "He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON of GOD hath not life." It could not be more straightforward and clear: have the SON, have life; have not the SON, have not life. The portion of the LORD JESUS CHRIST's prayer recorded in John 17:3, pictured above, reiterates this truth that eternal life is ours only through the SON of GOD: "And this is life eternal, that they might know THEE the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU hast sent." 

     This fundamental truth is further buttressed by the declaration from CHRIST in John 5:24, pictured above. "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." One cannot fail to ascertain the critical nature of this message that decides our eternal destiny. It is the difference between eternity in Heaven or a Devil's Hell, everlasting life or eternal death, being forever condemned or forever redeemed.

     Dear Friend, GOD sets before you today a choice: JESUS CHRIST and redemption or the Devil's lies and condemnation. If you are a child of GOD, rejoice that you are forever safe "in CHRIST" and have moved from death unto life; old things have passed away (our former bondage to sin and death), and all things have become new (2nd.Corinthians 5:17 pictured above). Those who are secure in CHRIST, through faith in HIS shed blood for the remission of sin (Romans 3:25 pictured below) can rest peacefully now in the salvation HE has provided and you have received.

     Yes, if you have the SON, you have life; but if you do not have the SON of GOD, you have not life. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Consider Your Ways !"

 

Haggai 1:1-10 "In the second year of Darious the King, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the WORD of the LORD to Haggai the prophet unto Zerubabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD's house should be built. Then came the WORD of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in you cieled [finished] houses, and this house [tabernacle] lie waste ? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why ? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit."

     It is easy to become so occupied with "things" that we forget to consider our "ways" (v.5 pictured above). When this happens, we may not experience a decrease in our physical activity (because we are so busy satisfying the flesh), but we will certainly see a great decline in our productivity for the LORD. Seeking only after our material well-being causes us to place GOD at the bottom of our priorities and, thereby, become spiritually lethargic. Two things happen to those who fail to evaluate their choices in the light of GOD's will and WORD: First, they lose the help that the LORD gladly would have given them (v.8); and Second, they make it necessary for GOD to chasten them by "blowing" upon their feeble efforts (vv.9-10). They suffer double the loss as a result.

     "Consider you ways" (v.7 pictured above) - does this command from the LORD to HIS people in the Old Testament apply to us today ? Indeed, it does ! Various new, attractive, and innovative strategies for doing GOD's work besiege the believer on every hand. Millions of dollars and thousands of work hours give many of these programs an appearance of immediate success. Impressive statistics, some of which are fabricated, provide further enticement for the church to become occupied with "things" about which one can boast rather than "ways" that the LORD can and will bless. Let us not forget that the weapons the LORD provides for HIS children to use "are not carnal, but mighty through GOD" (2nd.Corinthians 10:4). We are not dependent upon the assistance and the approbation of institutions or men. If we consider our ways and make sure that they conform to GOD's way, only then can we have the guarantee of our heavenly FATHER's approval and blessing. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www. featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"NOT Today !"

 

Haggai 1:1-6 "In the second year of Darius the King, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the WORD of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD's house should be built. Then came the WORD of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled [finished] houses, and this house [tabernacle] lie waste ? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."

     The old adage "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today" is sound advice, especially when it involves doing what we can for the LORD. In our day, however, just as in the days of Haggai the prophet, most seek to do exactly the opposite when it comes to serving GOD; they prefer the saying "Don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow." In our text, we see the sad picture of a people who had plenty of time to construct their own houses, but who postponed building for the LORD. Perhaps their intentions were good, but their priorities were definitely wrong.

     We should view each new day as another opportunity to do as much as possible for the LORD, whether it is through serving, giving, praying, studying, or witnessing for HIM. We have no guarantee of tomorrow (James 4:14 pictured above). Each one of us can always find something to do for the LORD with the days HE has given to us. Time is so valuable, and we can never recover the moments we have wasted. Open doors of service may suddenly close ! Whenever GOD gives us the opportunity to do something for HIM, no matter how humble or menial it might seem, we should never lose the blessings the LORD intends for us by using the feeble excuse, "The time is not come. . ." (v.2). Furthermore, we should recognize the costly and disappointing results of failing to put GOD's work first: "Ye have sown much, and bring in little" (v.6). Earthly rewards are only temporary and can never fully bring satisfaction. It is no wonder, then, that the LORD instructs believers to lay up treasure in Heaven and not on Earth (Matthew 6:19-20 pictured above). You will never be sorry when you make each earthly moment count for eternity. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Someday You Will Stand Before GOD . . ."

 

ETERNITY DEPENDS ON IT !

     Dear Soul, the Bible declares that one day you will die and then stand face to face with GOD to be judged. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT:" Hebrews 9:27. Nothing in your entire life could be more important than to be ready for that day, for it will determine whether you will spend eternity in Heaven or a Devil's Hell.

     This judgment will be based on "righteousness"; which means to be absolutely perfect and without sin. The Bible says, "HE hath appointed a day, in the which HE WILL JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS by that MAN WHOM HE hath ordained;" Acts 17:31a. The MAN spoken of in this verse is JESUS CHRIST. This means that your righteousness must match that of JESUS CHRIST. Can you make it through your entire life without committing one single sin ? JESUS CHRIST did, and HE is the ONE that you will be compared with at your judgment.

NONE HAVE IT !

     Nobody but JESUS CHRIST, could ever lead a life without one single sin. The Bible says, "For ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of GOD." Romans 3:10. If you claim to be righteous, you are only deceiving yourself and making GOD a liar. The Bible says, "If we say that we have not sinned, WE MAKE HIM A LIAR, and the truth is not in us." 1st.John 1:10. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1st.John 1:8.

WITHOUT IT YOU GO TO A DEVIL'S HELL !

     The Bible says, "Know ye not that THE UNRIGHTEOUS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD ?" 1st.Corinthians 6:9a. If you're not going to Heaven, that leaves only one other place. "The wicked shall be TURNED INTO HELL. . ." Psalm 9:17a.

YOU CANNOT WORK FOR IT !

     The Bible says, "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us," Titus 3:5a. If you could "earn" the righteousness of GOD, then JESUS CHRIST would not have had to come and die on the cross. The Bible says, "I do not frustrate the grace of GOD: for IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN." Galatians 2:21.

     Dear Soul, you cannot earn the "righteousness of GOD" by leading a good life, church membership, sacraments, water baptism, or anything that YOU DO. If you do something for it, then it is Self-righteousness. 

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT !

     Faith is a "complete" trust or dependency upon someone. The Bible says that JESUS CHRIST died to pay for your sins and purchase the "righteousness of GOD" for you. You must stop trying to "earn" it, and "put your complete faith in JESUS CHRIST" to receive it. The Bible says, "But TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, but BELIEVETH ON HIM that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:5. "Even the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD which is BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them THAT BELIEVE:" Romans 3:22a. Then, you will not have to fear your judgment day, because in your heart you know that you will "Be found in HIM, NOT HAVING MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is of the Law, but THAT WHICH IS THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH:" Philippians 3:9.

WILL YOU TRUST COMPLETELY IN JESUS CHRIST TO SAVE YOU ?

     Dear Soul, JESUS CHRIST has already paid for eternal life, you need only to receive it as a "gift", by putting your faith in HIM. The Bible says, ". . .the GIFT of GOD is eternal life THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD." Romans 6:23b. GOD cannot lie, and HE has promised to give you eternal life. The Bible says, "In hope of eternal life, WHICH GOD, THAT CANNOT LIE, PROMISED before the world began;" Titus 1:2.

     Will you right now believe GOD's promise ? Will you right now stop trusting in "your own righteousness", and put all your faith in JESUS CHRIST and receive "HIS righteousness" ? If you will repent (a turning to GOD from your sin) and call on JESUS CHRIST, and put all your faith in HIM, HE will save you right now. The Bible says, ". . .CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners;" 1st.Timothy 1:15b. The Bible also says, "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 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.

     Eternity is real, and Hell is real. If you want JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR, then pray this prayer or one like it from your heart. "IN THEE, O LORD, DO I PUT MY TRUST; LET ME NEVER BE ASHAMED: DELIVER ME IN THY RIGHTEOUSNESS." Psalm 31:1.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"GOD Says Please DO NOT Go to Hell !"

 

     "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after GOD." (Romans 3:11). Man does not seek after GOD, but in HIS love, GOD seeks man, so that he will not go to a Devil's Hell.

     "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;" (Isaiah 53:6a). "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8). "Seek ye the LORD while HE may be found, call ye upon HIM while HE is near:" (Isaiah 55:6). While HIS SPIRIT works in your heart, please listen and do not go to Hell !

     "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1). You cannot go to Heaven by church membership, water baptism, or good works, but only through the blood of JESUS, so please do not go to Hell !

     "JESUS saith unto him, I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by ME." (John 14:6). Here GOD says again, if you go to Heaven, you must go through HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. There is no reason for you to go to Hell.

     "No man can come to ME, except the FATHRE which hath sent ME draw him and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44). Once we see ourselves as a sinner in GOD's sight and realize that JESUS CHRIST is the only way to Heaven, the HOLY SPIRIT says, "Please do not go to Hell."

     "All that the FATHER giveth ME shall come to ME; and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37). We cast things away when we no longer need them, but GOD will never cast us out when we come to HIM by faith. HE begs us not to go to Hell !

     "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27). "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of GOD." (Romans 10:17). After we hear the WORD of GOD, we must accept HIM, because after death it will be too late. Please do not go to Hell !

     "GOD forbid: yea, let GOD be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That THOU mightest be justified in THY sayings, and mightest overcome when THOU art judged." (Romans 3:4). Regardless of what man may say, GOD's WORD is true; therefore, please do not go to Hell !

     "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 1:5). Repentance is seeing ourselves as GOD sees us, and turning to GOD from your sins, coming to JESUS CHRIST and trusting HIM for your salvation. If you do not repent, but reject JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, you will not enter into Heaven. But GOD says, Please do not go to Hell !

     If you will accept JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR, please pray this simple prayer 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, "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). Don't put off coming to JESUS in repentance and faith. We are only promised the moment that we are in. GOD's WORD says, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). Please do not go to Hell !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"What's the Use ?"

 

Jeremiah 20:7-13 "O LORD, THOU hast deceived me, and I was deceived: THOU art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. First since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the WORD of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of HIM, nor speak any more in HIS name. BUT HIS WORD was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. 

For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. But the LORD is with me as a MIGHTY TERRIBLE ONE: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see THY vengeance on them: for unto THEE have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for HE hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers."

     Jeremiah stands out in Scripture as one of the great prophets of GOD, yet, at the same time, he was also one of the most disdained. As he decried Judah's sin and prophesied of pending judgment, he faced vehement opposition. He stood virtually alone. If there was ever an unpopular preacher who represented a despised minority opinion, it was Jeremiah ! The false prophets he warned against and the inhabitants of Jerusalem who were blinded by their lies did everything they could to malign Jeremiah's stalwart testimony (Jeremiah 14:14 pictured above; 17:18-20). The very ones he was trying to help, in turn, scorned him: "Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words" (Jeremiah 18:18b). Talk about a belligerent audience ! Although this faithful prophet proclaimed to the people exactly what GOD knew they needed to hear, he eventually came to the point in his life that he declared in despair, "I will not make mention of [the LORD], nor speak any more in HIS name. . ." (v.9a).

     The dedicated pastor or Christian worker who finds himself or herself discouraged by rough circumstances likewise may think of quitting and wonder, "What's the Use ?" Jeremiah certainly knew the feeling. Notice, however, what kept the prophet on the firing line: "But HIS WORD was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay [quiet]" (v.9b). GOD's WORD, not our personal honor or reputation, is what is at stake. Regardless of how it is received, "preach the WORD. . ." (2nd.Timothy 4:1-4 pictured above) ! Even in our most trying hour, we can say along with Jeremiah, "But the LORD is with me" (v.11); that is all that really matters. 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 Comfort Series: Our COMFORTER - WHO is this HOLY SPIRIT ?" (Final in Series)

 

John 13:36-14:18 "Simon Peter said unto HIM, LORD, whither goest THOU ? JESUS answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow ME now; but thou shalt follow ME afterwards. Peter said unto HIM, LORD, why cannot I follow THEE now ? I will lay down my life for THY sake. JESUS answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for MY sake ? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied ME thrice. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in ME. In MY FATHER's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto MYSELF; that where I AM, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Thomas saith unto HIM, LORD, we know not whither THOU goest; and how can we know the way ? JESUS saith unto him, I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER but by ME. If ye had known ME, ye should have known MY FATHER also: and from henceforth ye know HIM, and have seen HIM. Philip saith unto HIM, LORD, show us the FATHER, and it sufficeth us. JESUS saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known ME, Philip ? he that hath seen ME hath seen the FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Show us the FATHER ? Believest thou not that I AM in the FATHER, and the FATHER in ME ? the WORDs that I speak unto you I speak not of MYSELF: but the FATHER that dwelleth in ME, HE doeth the works. Believe ME that I AM in the FATHER, and the FATHER in ME: or else believe ME for the very works' sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on ME, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto MY FATHER. And whatsoever ye shall ask in MY name, that will I do, that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON. If ye shall ask any thing in MY name, I will do it. If ye love ME, keep my commandments. And I will pray the FATHER, and HE shall give you another COMFORTER, that HE may abide with you for ever; even the SPIRIT of truth; WHOM the world cannot receive, because it seeth HIM not, neither knoweth HIM: but ye know HIM; for HE dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

     JESUS comforted HIS disciples by promising to send them the HOLY SPIRIT WHO would be "in" them. Prior to the Day of Pentecost, the HOLY SPIRIT abode "upon" believers as GOD willed, but after Pentecost, the SPIRIT indwelt all who trusted in CHRIST (John 14:17). This HOLY SPIRIT abides "for ever" with GOD's OWN (John 14:16).

     So WHO, exactly, is this HOLY SPIRIT WHO resides inside every believer ? 

First, HE is our ADVISOR -- the SPIRIT instructs us by enabling us to understand the Scriptures (1st.John 2:20 & 27 pictured above) and by aiding us concerning those things for which we need to pray (Romans 8:26 pictured below). 

Second, HE is our EXHORTER -- the HOLY SPIRIT encourages us as HE "comes alongside and admonishes, urges, beseeches us" to live in a manner that conforms to the will of our GOD (Acts 20:28). 

Third, HE is our COMFORTER -- HE consoles and helps discouraged, downhearted believers (Acts 9:31 pictured above).

Fourth, HE is our GIVER of strength -- the HOLY SPIRIT emboldens and empowers us to live the Christian life as we should (Acts 4:29-31; Romans 8:9,13-14;15:13).

Fifth, HE is our INTERCESSOR -- HE intervenes on our behalf whenever we do not know what to pray for as we should (Romans 8:26-27 pictured below).

     In addition to these descriptive terms, today's text also reveals the HOLY SPIRIT's nature -- HE is divine, and HE is TRUTH. The word "another" in John 14:16 means "another of the same kind" as CHRIST. JESUS was soon going to depart to HIS FATHER's house, but the HOLY SPIRIT would take HIS place on Earth. Only GOD could take GOD's place. Yet not only is the SPIRIT divine, but HE is also TRUTH. As GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT cannot but declare that which is true, for HE is TRUTH (John 14:17). What a comfort our COMFORTER is ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https:www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation