"No Other Name !"

 

Acts 4:10-13 "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, WHOM ye crucified, WHOM GOD raised from the dead, even by HIM doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the STONE which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the HEAD of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with JESUS."

     We live in a day in which everyone tries to pave his own path to GOD. People from all walks of life invent their personal theologies concerning GOD, salvation, and the human condition, and they proclaim their beliefs to be just as true and valid as every other religious creed that exists. These unbelievers fail to agree among themselves concerning the way to truth or even the existence of truth, yet they piously frown upon anyone who declares that truth does, in fact, exist and that it can be known only through one PERSON. To the unsaved culture in which we live, anything goes - except exclusivity. Our "tolerant" society does not tolerate absolutes regarding GOD, salvation, or the state of fallen mankind. Yet this sad situation is not new. The believers in the early church experienced a similar set of circumstances. How did they respond ? They boldly and unashamedly proclaimed that truth does exist and that JESUS CHRIST is, indeed, the only path to GOD the FATHER- the only way to be saved (v.12 pictured above) !

     Peter and John, "unlearned and ignorant men" from the world's perspective (v.13), boldly declared that salvation comes only through the person and work of JESUS CHRIST. The late Bible teacher Keith L. Brooks once wrote:

"There is just one way - CHRIST (John 14:6);

There is just one name - CHRIST (Acts 4:12);

There is just one foundation - CHRIST (1st.Corinthians 3:11);

There is just one entrance - CHRIST (John 10:1); 

There is just one atonement - CHRIST (Hebrews 9:12,22,28);

There is just one saving power - CHRIST (John 6:44; Romans 1:16);

There is just one Gospel - CHRIST (Galatians 1:8-9)."

The Bible firmly declares that JESUS is the One and Only way to GOD. Let us declare this truth to the world ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Where Idolatry Begins"

 

Ezekiel 14:3-7 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them ? Therefore speak unto them and say unto them, Thus saith the LORD GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from ME through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the LORD GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from ME, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning ME; I the LORD will answer him by MYSELF:"

     Me ? An idolater ? No, never ! Would that not be the response of most people in our country if they were to be confronted with such an accusation ? Many a person today would insist that they could never be an idol worshiper, bowing before an image of wood or stone ! Yet, JEHOVAH GOD, in today's text, definitively addresses the starting point of idolatry. It begins when a person "setteth up his idols in his heart" (v.4). That is the place where idolatry takes root - in the heart. The prophet Jeremiah recorded that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ?" (Jeremiah 17:9 pictured above). Before idolatry ever becomes outwardly tangible, it first manifests itself within the individual. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . ." (Proverbs 23:7).

     Matthew Hery wrote, "We are that really, both to GOD and to man, which we are inwardly." Paul the Apostle spoke of those who did not want to keep GOD in their knowledge, leading them to change the "glory of the uncorruptible GOD into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things" (Romans 1:23). It is not a long journey from setting up idols in the heart to the actuality of visible, tangible objects beginning to be the attraction of our life. This can happen before we even comprehend that it is taking place. While we may not bow down to wooden carvings or bring our offerings to statues made of stone, as the pagans do, our personal idols include anything that turns us away from faithful service to the ONE TRUE GOD. Out of the heart proceeds all kinds of evil, including "covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). "Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen." (1st.John 5:21 pictured above). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.     www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"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