" I Must Tell YOU This "

Acts 1:8b  JESUS said unto them, ". . .ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." 

     I KNOW SOMETHING SO WONDERFUL that I must tell you ! It is so vital that it may change your entire future as it did mine. In fact, the decision you make about it will affect you both in life and death.
     Let me emphasize that this message is absolutely true, because GOD said it. When GOD makes a promise, you can rest upon it, because HIS promises can never fail. GOD will not make you believe this message, that is your choice, BUT HE will hold you responsible for having heard it.
     It is a very personal message, something you must decide. You must say either, "I will" or "I will not." Here is the message. It is an exact quotation from GOD's WORD, the Holy Bible:

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

     Did you ever hear such wonderful WORDs " Think for a moment what they say. They reveal three marvelous facts.

FIRST, "GOD so loved the world" ! Since you are in the world, HE loved you. If that doesn't astonish you, remember, that when GOD loved you, HE loved a sinner ! The Bible says that we all have sinned in Romans 3:23, "For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD:". If you are honest, you will agree.
     Although GOD loves you, HE still hates your sin. Since GOD is Holy, HE must punish sin. HE must make a Holy way of saving sinners. Otherwise, the sinner must pay for his sins, and that would mean spending eternity in a Devil's Hell, "And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." Revelation 20:15

SECOND, "HE gave HIS only begotten SON" ! GOD loved you so much, that HE sent HIS SON to earth to become a man and die on the cross of Calvary, so that you might be saved.
". . . I declare unto you the Gospel . . . 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 15:1a,2a,3-4
     You see, someone must pay the penalty of sin, either you or a sinless substitute. GOD gave HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, to be your sinless substitute. HE shed HIS blood so that your sins might be put away, so that you might have eternal life.

THIRD, "Whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" ! Think of it ! GOD gives eternal life to those who believe in JESUS CHRIST as their personal LORD and SAVIOR. The SAVIOR has "finished" the work. HE has died. HE has risen from the grave, and HE has gone back into Heaven. Now your part is to believe in HIM.
     This simply means that you must agree that you are a sinner, realize that CHRIST has paid the "full" penalty for your sins, and then receive HIM as your personal LORD and SAVIOR.

     This is the message which I had to tell you. Now you must make a decision. Will you accept HIM, or reject HIM ? Will you believe on HIM, or refuse HIM ? Think of it once again:

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

     Your time on earth is so short, but your decision for CHRIST lasts for eternity. Will you receive JESUS CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR and be confident of everlasting 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 the ye may BELIEVE on the name of the SON of GOD." 1st.John 5:13

If you have made a decision to receive CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR, please let me know so that I along with the angels in Heaven, can  REJOICE  over one sinner that repents.
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
The Gospel in 21 different languages @
www.theabalonekid.com/id187.html

" Is JESUS GOD ? "

John 8:58  "JESUS said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM."

Is JESUS GOD ? Is HE equal with GOD the FATHER ? That is, does HE have all the attributes that make GOD, GOD ?

     1. The testimony of the BIBLE.

"In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with GOD and the WORD was GOD . . . And the WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us . . ." John 1:1, 14a.

"WHO (CHRIST) being in the form of GOD thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD" Philippians 2:6.

     2. The testimony of the UNBELIEVING PHARISEES.

"The Jews answered HIM, saying, For a good work we stone THEE not; but for blasphemy; and because that THOU, being a man, makest THYSELF GOD" John 10:33.
(There was no doubt in their minds as to WHO JESUS claimed to be !)

     3. The testimony of the PROPHETS.

"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" Isaiah 9:6.

    4. The testimony of the APOSTLES.

Paul - "For by HIM were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL things were created by HIM and for HIM: And HE is before all things and by HIM all things consist" Colossians 1:16-17.
". . . GOD was manifest in the flesh . . ." 1st.Timothy 3:16b

John - says JESUS was ". . . that eternal life, which was with the FATHER and was manifested unto us" 1st.John 1:2b
". . . the true GOD and eternal life" 1st.John 5:20b

     5. The testimony of the ANGELS.

"They shall call HIS name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is GOD with us" Matthew 1:23b

     6. The testimony of CHRIST HIMSELF.

JESUS calls HIMSELF the great "I AM", John 8:58. This is the Hebrew word of Exodus 3:14 for GOD HIMSELF.
JESUS said, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish . . ." John 10:28a (GOD alone can give life.)
JESUS said, ". . . He that hath seen ME hath seen the FATHER . . ." John 14:9

     7. The testimony of GOD THE FATHER.

Speaking of CHRIST: "But unto the SON HE saith, THY throne, O GOD, is forever and ever . . ." Hebrews 1:8a

JESUS CHRIST is declared in the Bible to be GOD. As GOD manifest in the flesh HE died for your sins on the cross. 
". . . I declare unto you the Gospel . . . 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 15:1a,2a,3-4. Have you believed on HIM as your personal LORD and SAVIOR ? Will you right now repent (turn to GOD from your sin) ?

Perhaps you will say that you are not such a bad sinner. But the Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD." Also, in James 2:10 we read: "For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

Therefore will you not turn to GOD from your sins today and accept JESUS, GOD's only SON, as your personal LORD and SAVIOR ?
"But as many as received HIM (CHRIST), to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name" John 1:12 and receive the promise of eternal 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 (JESUS)." 1st.John 5:13

If you have made a decision to receive CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR, please let me know so that I along with the angels in Heaven can REJOICE over one sinner that repents.
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
The Gospel in 21 different languages @
www.theabalonekid.com/id187.html

" It Shall Come to Pass "

Isaiah 2:1-5   "The WORD that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob; and HE will teach us of HIS ways, and we will walk in HIS paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the WORD of the LORD from Jerusalem.

And HE shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD."

     Premillennialism is the belief that the LORD JESUS CHRIST will reign for 1000 years over a literal kingdom on this earth. The WORD also implies that this kingdom will not exist until the LORD HIMSELF returns to establish it. Today's reading reveals a number of interesting facts about this coming kingdom. First, it will occur "in the last days" (v.2), within GOD's program for the nation of Israel. Verse one declares that this WORD came to Isaiah "concerning Judah and Jerusalem." While today some would regard Israel as "an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword" (Deut.28:37), the prophet Isaiah states that Israel, during the kingdom, will be exalted above all the other nations, which will "go up to the mountain of the LORD" to worship HIM and learn of HIS commandments and precepts(v.3).

     Second, during the kingdom, "the WORD of the LORD" will go out worldwide "from Jerusalem" (v.3). All nations will be governed equitably and will have the same laws, ordinances, and commands (v.4a). Today, the world's nations spend enormous amounts of time and money devising military strategies for the purpose of defending themselves against their enemies or seeking to destroy other nations. The stockpiles of weapons developed and amassed by many of the world's governments in this present age will be unnecessary and even non-existent during the millennial kingdom when CHRIST rules in perfect righteousness and justice. This will be a glorious time of peace, prosperity, and equity for all people. It is little wonder that the disciples longed for this kingdom (Acts 1:6), as should we (Matthew 6:10, 33). GDF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.  www.feasite.org

" The Gospel of the Grace of GOD "

Ephesians 2:1-9  "And you hath HE quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But GOD, WHO is rich in mercy, for HIS great love wherewith HE loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved;) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS: that in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS.

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."

     What comes to mind when you think of the Gospel ? The word itself is easy to understand; it means "a good message." It finds its source in two words that mean "well or good" and "an angel or messenger." So this message is that of glad tidings, good news, a good message. What is it about this message that makes it "good news" ? According to 1st.Corinthians 15, the Gospel involves the crucifixion and burial of JESUS CHRIST as well as HIS resurrection (1st.Corinthians 15:1-8). Furthermore, 1st.Corinthians 15:12-19 powerfully expresses the importance of the resurrection, emphasizing the fact that if there had been no resurrection, the Gospel is meaningless and worthless. This good news (the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST) should fill us with wonder. It is a message of GOD's grace - HIS unmerited favor. HE gave us something we did not deserve, yet HE gave it freely (Romans 3:24). This amazing grace so fully permeates the "good news" that is literally called "the Gospel of the grace of GOD" (Acts 20:24).

     Nowhere is this grace more evidently displayed than in Ephesians 2:1-9. In this text the LORD takes us from the depths of depravity to the mountaintops of grace. The Apostle Paul begins with the pitiful biography of every single person - no exceptions (vv.1-3; Romans 3:23) ! He depicts man's natural tendency toward sin and rebellion. Then, He aptly introduces the second section (vv.4-9) with the words "But GOD." Those described in the first three verses are doomed to wrath -- But GOD ! The only explanation from what occurs in salvation is summed up with the word grace, explained here as "HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS" (v.7). This is very GOOD NEWS indeed ! (JED)
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide
Used  with  permission.  www.feasite.org

" Ye Shall Be Witnesses "

Acts 1:8   "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."

     As believers in JESUS CHRIST, we are to be witnesses of HIS person, HIS work, HIS saving power, and HIS ability to give victory over sin in the life. Sadly, many Christians today are poor witnesses. They are good witnesses of the world and all it offers but poor witnesses of the SAVIOR WHO delivered them from the power of the god of this world. The Bible is full of examples of good and bad witnesses. Consider Daniel and his three Hebrew Friends. They held true to their convictions by not defiling themselves with the food and drink of the Babylonians (Daniel 1:3-20). They testified, through their godly obedience to the LORD, of the goodness and power of their GOD.

     Notice once again the instructive words of the late T.C.Horton, a godly author and Bible teacher: "Our LORD is entitled to clean-cut testimony from the lives of HIS followers; and the needy world is also entitled to the testimony of GOD's power to sustain HIS followers in their separation from the things which defile and demean . . . . Who else can testify and witness for HIM if we who are redeemed by HIS precious blood and exalted to the position of sons of GOD, fail HIM ? The test of Daniel and his friends was a three years' test, and they stood it and proved the rightfulness of their claim. Oh, that the church might rise to the privilege which is hers and be able, by the lives of her members, to be saying, 'Here is the proof.' " Carefully read today's text once again. GOD is not asking us to be witnesses. We are HIS witnesses to a lost world. Are we accurately representing our SAVIOR and testifying of HIM when the opportunity arises ? Are we standing out from the world as lights in the midst of darkness ? MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Walking With GOD "

Genesis 5:18-24   "And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: and Enoch walked with GOD after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: and Enoch walked with GOD: and he was not; for GOD took him."

     To the average reader of today, Genesis 5 could easily be considered a chapter of nobodies - just names, nothing more. However, such a conclusion would unjustly underestimate these people. It has been said, "The best part of human history is never written." Many well-known names have graced the pages of our history books while simple, honest, godly men have not been known six doors down from their own house. No great, swelling words will ever describe their passage here on this earth; they have lived and died with little notice. However, be not too hasty in your journey along the "flat road" of Genesis 5. This road takes us from Seth to Jared with little more than the "begat(s)" and the repetitive "and he died." Ah, but then we are met with Enoch. "Enoch," you ask, "who is he?" His son (Methuselah), in the minds of some, is more important because of his long life. The noblest deeds are often forgotten, but Enoch is introduced as one of the few men in the Bible against whom GOD had nothing to say. In addition, the Scriptures note that "Enoch walked with GOD" (vv.22,24). Passed over by many, Enoch was not forgotten or ignored by the LORD.

     He "walked with GOD" - such a wonderful expression ! Does it not project the most extraordinary image ? The word walk signifies "the whole round of the activities of the individual life." He "walked with GOD" - imagine how difficult that was in a world filled with vice and violence during the years right before the flood, when only a remnant of people believed GOD (Genesis 6:5). Despite the obstacles, he walked in fellowship with GOD (vv.22,24), and by faith (Hebrews 11:5) he was taken to Heaven. What an example ! JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.    www.feasite.org

" Childlike Faith "

Matthew 18:1-3   "At the same time came the disciples unto JESUS, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven ? And JESUS called a little child unto HIM, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven."

     The Gospel, the Good News of Salvation, was wonderfully designed by GOD so that not only can a child understand it, but a child's mind receives it even more easily than the adult mind. The child's mind is not cluttered with thoughts of self-sufficiency and personal merit and is able to joyfully place dependence in JESUS.

     In today's text, the disciples had been discussing who would be greatest in the kingdom of Heaven (v.1). This arrogant attitude blinded the minds of these men to the true nature of the kingdom wherein the least is the greatest and little deeds bring grand rewards (Matthew 11:11; 25:40,45). JESUS ignored the disciples' question and went right to the heart of the issue of true conversion. No more important question exists than the one asked by the Philippian jailer: "What must I do to be saved ?" (Acts 16:30). Our LORD told them to listen and understand the fact that entrance into GOD's kingdom requires conversion. Conversion is a willful turn from our sinfully lost condition unto JESUS CHRIST. Then JESUS added that this turn needed to be in the spirit of a "little child" (v.2). One must shed any perceived merit and simply trust in CHRIST's provision for us.

     Many have attempted to clutter the simple Gospel passages with the baggage of various theological systems, but asking a child to plainly explain these Scripture texts often provides refreshing clarity. The Gospel, though its depths and heights will fascinate us throughout eternity, is also wonderfully simple. "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" - John 3:16 can be grasped by the reader of any age ! JMC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.    www.feasite.org