"The Tie-Breaking Vote"

 

Being elected to a public office is truly a GOD-ordained position, but there is a higher office which you must obtain. Here is how:

HOW TO QUALIFY.

You must accept this fact: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10).

HOW TO VIEW YOURSELF.

You are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23).

YOUR OPPONENT.

Sin hinders your race, "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).

THE COST TO WIN THE RACE.

The cost is much higher than your personal efforts or campaign funds could ever cover. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done. . ." (Titus 3:5a). "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. . ." (Isaiah 64:6a).

A LEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION 

HAS BEEN MADE.

Even though you are unable to pay the price to win this race, SOMEONE has paid it for you ! "For when we were yet without strength, in due time CHRIST died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6).

THE ONLY WAY TO PAY THE DEBT.

"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 with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on HIM shall not be ashamed . . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-11,13).

THE TIE-BREAKING VOTE.

Satan has voted against you ! "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1st.Peter 5:8).

JESUS CHRIST has voted for you ! "Greater love hath no man than this, that a MAN lay down HIS life for HIS friends." (John 15:13).

You cast the tie-breaking vote ! If you have never trusted the eternity of your soul to JESUS CHRIST, you haven't really believed on HIM. Your vote is now with Satan, and you stand condemned. If you are concerned enough about the eternal destiny of your own soul, right now where you are, cast your vote with JESUS CHRIST by putting your complete faith and trust in HIM as your personal SAVIOR:

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 CHOICE IS YOURS !

"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).

Will you accept the office of a Christian ? Will you serve the true and only living GOD ? The office is yours if you will repent (a turning to GOD from your sin) and turn to JESUS CHRIST to forgive your sins, and you will put your complete trust in HIM to save your soul. Take GOD at HIS WORD and claim HIS promise for your own salvation: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). If you will accept JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR and LORD, please pray the simple prayer shown above with all your heart. GOD's WORD says, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b) Don't put it off and accept the office of a Christian today.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Nevertheless, GOD . . ."

 

2nd.Corinthians 7:1-7 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless GOD, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more."

     The word nevertheless and a similar word, notwithstanding, frequently appear in both the Old and New Testaments. These two words express the precious truth that no matter how difficult or even impossible certain situations may appear to be, GOD has the solution if we will only believe HIS WORD and walk by faith, not by sight. Our FATHER allows hindrances and trials so that we will learn to trust HIM.

     In today's text the HOLY SPIRIT sets before us some of the difficult situations that the Apostle Paul faced in his life and ministry. Paul writes, "Our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears" (v.5). Nevertheless, GOD had special comfort and help for Paul - first in the person of a dear fellow helper, Titus, and second, by the word brought to him concerning the believers in Corinth who had compassion and were prayerfully concerned about Paul's heavy burdens (vv.6-7). How often do we stop and consider the comfort that GOD has given to each of us in the midst of our own times of difficulty and sorrow ? These blessings from the LORD that Paul experienced are promised to obedient believers who separate from unrighteousness (2nd.Corinthians 6:14 pictured above) and refuse to touch "the unclean thing" (2nd.Corinthians 6:17 pictured above). Yes, obedience often comes with a price, such as rejection from those who were once close friends, but GOD promises that HE will receive us and manifest HIMSELF to us as a wonderful, all-powerful heavenly FATHER (2nd.Corinthians 6:14-18 pictured above). Paul's "nevertheless" experiences will be ours as well if we practice biblical separation and walk in holiness and in the fear of GOD, for we, also, possess "these promises" from our loving LORD (v.1). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Unforsaken People"

 

Judges 6:11-16 "And there came an Angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor. And Gideon said unto HIM, Oh, my LORD, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us ? and where be all HIS miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt ? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee ? And he said unto HIM, Oh my LORD, wherewith shall I save Israel ? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."

     In this account we read of the Angel of the LORD coming to Gideon to appoint him as the next Judge of Israel in order to deliver the people from their oppressors. As he conversed with the Angel of the LORD, however, Gideon made a typical accusation against GOD about Israel's situation - namely, the people were under tyranny, and he felt that, while GOD had led them out of Egypt with many miracles, as recounted to them by their fathers, now the LORD was abandoning Israel. In fact, Gideon believed GOD was to blame for the people being in bondage to the Midianites (v.13).

     Sadly, many miss an important factor when reading this and similar biblical accounts: GOD had not forsaken them and, in fact, that is why Israel was in their difficult situation when this conversation occurred (v.1 cf. Hebrews 12:6 pictured above). Earlier, the people had repented of their disobedience, and the LORD used Deborah and Barak to deliver them. But once again, Israel fell into sin despite the fact that they had GOD's stern warning that rebellion would not be tolerated (Deuteronomy 28:15-66). HE was patient with them but given the revelation HE had entrusted to HIS people, their disobedience was something HE needed to address. It is remarkable that the LORD endured with them for so long, especially during the days of the Judges when the characteristic of the time is described as everyone doing "that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25 pictured above). However, we cannot sanctimoniously condemn Israel, for we today possess GOD's completed revelation (the Bible) and have no excuse for not serving HIM out of love and gratitude for the deliverance we have experienced. May we live in humble, sincere obedience to the written WORD of GOD ! GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"CHRIST IS COMING !"

 

1st.Thessalonians 1:10 "And to wait for HIS SON from Heaven, WHOM HE raised from the dead, even JESUS, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

     The timing of the Rapture of the church (the body and bride of CHRIST), and whether or not it will actually happen, is the subject of a great deal of discussion among Christians. The majority seems to think either that it will never occur or that it will take place during or at the end of the tribulation period. Indeed, for many Bible teachers, the doctrine of the "blessed hope" has become something over which to ridicule other believers. Even some of our fellow brethren are asking, "Where is the promise of HIS coming?" (2nd.Peter 3:4 pictured above), as if it were not promised in Scripture but merely a wishful desire because we do not want to endure the prophesied "wrath to come." Yet, a faithful minority still maintain that it will occur prior to the Tribulation period (1st.Thessalonians 5:1-10; 2nd.Thessalonians 2:1-9).

     Reading the prophetic portions of Scripture consistently and literally leads the Christian to believe in the Pretribulational return of CHRIST for HIS church, the body and bride of CHRIST, which, in turn, provides incentive for godly living and service in this present life (1st.John 2:28 pictured above; 1st.John 3:2-3). The Rapture is not something believers ought to fear or dread, nor is it an event that should cause anxiety. The Apostle Paul referred to it as the "Blessed" expectation in Titus 2:13 and used it to encourage and comfort believers who had lost loved ones in death with the promise that body and soul would be reunited when it occurs (1st.Thessalonians 4:18). Even JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF communicated the expectation of HIS return in order to reassure and calm the disciples' hearts during a time of fear and turmoil resulting from the impending events that were about to happen to them and HIM (John 14:1-3 Main picture at top of post). JESUS IS COMING, and the Rapture could take place at any moment. ARE YOU READY ? GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Race That is Set Before Us"

 

Hebrews 12:1-3 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith; WHO for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM that endured such contradiction of sinners against HIMSELF, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

     During the last several days, we have considered the reality of the race of life - spiritually speaking - as well as the rules of this race and the need to persevere and keep our eyes on the goal: the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith. But before we leave this text, it is vitally important to remember that GOD HIMSELF is the ONE WHO has laid out the parameters of this race for each individual Christian ("the race that is set before us," v.1). While all of us must patiently endure and face the pitfalls that are a part of life, we must realize that our individual problems and trials will vary. We are all different. At the same time, however, we are all, without exception, called and empowered to run the race by looking unto JESUS CHRIST in faith. Our LORD has given us the necessary tools to victoriously prevail. No one is exempt from running the race, from adhering to the rules, or from focusing on the finish line. Keep in mind - the race is not about us; it is wholly about bringing glory to our GOD !

     Ultimately, this race is run and endured by faith. We look to the ONE we cannot physically see, but we prove our faith and "[see] HIM WHO is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27 pictured above) when we press forward and rest in HIS promises, just as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, and other men and women of faith did (Hebrews Chapter 11). The author of Hebrews lifts up the LORD JESUS CHRIST as the perfect example of what it means to start and finish strong. When we begin to feel the natural tendency to become weary and faint because of the difficult race set before us, we must look to our SAVIOR and remember HIM. HE is the ONE WHO ultimately "endured," and we can and must do the same (v.3). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvatin

"Run With the Finish Line in View"

 

Hebrews 12:1-3 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith; WHO for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM that endured such contradiction of sinners against HIMSELF, let ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

     As we run life's race, we must remember to keep our eyes on the finish line. "Looking unto JESUS" (v.2) - the word "looking" means to fix our eyes in trust upon JESUS. HIS role is summed up in two ways: First, HE is the "AUTHOR" of our faith - the word author means HE is the originator and the rule; HE is the founder, leader, and prince of our faith. Without HIM we have, and we are, nothing. Second, HE is the "FINISHER" of our faith - the word finisher means a completer or perfecter, one who brings something through to the goal. JESUS is the ONE WHO will see us through. Philippians 1:6, pictured above, reminds us to be confident in the truth that "HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of JESUS CHRIST." First Peter 1:3-5, pictured below, notes that since our GOD is all-powerful, we are "kept" in the unfailing grasp of HIS hand.

     "Consider HIM" (v.3) - JESUS is not only at the finish line, but HE has already run the race and is present with us right now ! HE has lived and died for us, and HIS life was marked by patient endurance as HE fulfilled HIS FATHER's will. The phrase "consider HIM" is a command that means to seriously and perceptively contemplate JESUS CHRIST. As Christians, we are called to live a "CHRISTocentric" life rather than an "egocentric" life. We must match everything up to CHRIST, not to ourselves or to some other standard. When our life is CHRISTocentric, then all our problems and trials will pale in comparison not only to what JESUS endured but to WHO HE is right now ! Take some time not only to think about the words "JESUS died for me" but also to meditate upon what HE went through for you. Keep your eyes on the LORD until the end ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Follow the Rules of the Race"

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith, WHO for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD."

     Every believer who is persistently running the race of life must exercise patience while running. This is the first "rule of running." Yet patience is not enough. The author of Hebrews gives us a second rule: Run without hindrances. Just as a marathon competitor would never run a race encumbered by heavy clothing or a weight belt, every believer who is running the spiritual race of life must be sure he is not spiritually weighed down. We find two particular categories of hindrances listed.

     First, we must remove every "weight"; they may not be inherently sinful, but they can prevent us from running the race effectively. These encumbrances can be people or relationships; they can be hobbies or interests - whatever we spend our time doing at the expense of our spiritual well-being. They can also be beliefs or passions - something we feel strongly about such as politics or social issues. Even if a weight is not intrinsically wrong, it becomes a sin whenever it keeps us from faithfully, patiently, and effectively moving forward in the Christian life and making the LORD our priority.

     Second, we must lay aside any "sins" that "so easily beset us" (v.1). The visual picture being painted by the author of Hebrews is that of a person becoming ensnared or tangled up by something that clings to him. These transgressions can be particular beliefs, such as embracing false doctrines that lead to ungodly behavior. Or they can stem from our own pride and laziness. They can entail passions such as lust, covetousness, or idolatry. All of these sins can easily entangle us and keep us from running as we should. Let us put off sins and hindrances for our good and for GOD's glory ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation