" Pardon Me "

 

PARDON ME . . . Since I may never see you in person, would you please read the friendly post below !

     You reading this post today is not altogether by chance. Although we have not had a chance to meet in person, may I share with you something most wonderful ?

     Some time ago I met a remarkable PERSON, so great and outstanding, that it has become a joy to introduce HIM to others. The great tragedy is that so many know about HIM, but so few know HIM personally. Perhaps you have already guessed that I am speaking of JESUS CHRIST.

     To some HE is little more than a word of blasphemy, and to to others a source of embarrassment, but to those who know HIM, HE is wonderful !

     You may recall that the Apostle Paul persecuted the early Christians, but after he personally met JESUS, his life was transformed. He wrote in 1st.Timothy 1:15  "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

     It hurts our pride to admit that we are sinners, but it is wonderful when we experience the power of JESUS CHRIST to forgive our sins and heal our hearts.

     When once we accept HIM as our SAVIOR, we make an amazing discovery. JESUS did not come to make us stuffy saints or miserable mortals, but HE came to give us LIFE - the very fullest and richest. Listen to JESUS' own WORDs:

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

     Dear Reader, whatever may have been your disappointment with people, disillusionment with life, and confusion with religion, let me assure you that this is not the fault of JESUS CHRIST. HE has been misrepresented, betrayed, denied, and neglected, but HE stands majestically, in love pleading with everyone of Earth's billions,

"Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

"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

     HE speaks to you today. Do you personally know HIM ? Repent, turn to GOD from your sins; believe that JESUS died on the cross to pay for them, and make HIM the LORD of your life. Read the following Scripture carefully. Then believe it and act upon it:

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."  Romans 10:9-10,13

     If you want to know more of this wonderful SAVIOR, get a copy of the Gospel of John and read it. Talk to a committed born again Christian; go to a church where the Good News of the Gospel of Salvation is clearly explained.

     All things are planned by GOD - also you reading this post. Do not harden yourself against HIS call. If you would be willing to turn to JESUS in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of  salvation or one like it with all your heart:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. Come into my heart and save me and help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Pray that the HOLY SPIRIT will open your mind and heart to let JESUS in. It will be going from death to life. JESUS said,

"He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" Be Watching ! "

 

2nd.Peter 3:12-14  "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of GOD, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat ? Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless."

     The future destruction of this Earth and everything in it not only should motivate us to live godly holy lives, but it also should impel us to watch continually for the any-moment return of JESUS CHRIST. In today's text, Peter tells us that we are to eagerly anticipate the reality of a new Heaven and a new Earth "wherein dwelleth righteousness" (v.13). Of course, prior to the destruction of this sin-cursed Earth and the creation of a new, righteous Earth, CHRIST must return to catch away HIS saints. The blessed reality of the rapture is the next big event to occur on GOD's prophetic timetable. Anticipating CHRIST's return not only will cause us to look forward to a new Heaven and new Earth but also will serve as a purifying factor in our lives right now. We should diligently seek to be "without spot" at CHRIST's appearing (v.14). Blamelessness comes through abiding in CHRIST and living a holy, righteous lifestyle.

     As believers who know that GOD will one day destroy this Earth and its contents with fire, we should eagerly await and anticipate the coming of JESUS CHRIST for HIS saints. We can rejoice in the fact that we will not endure the judgment that GOD has reserved for the world and the lusts therein. We know we will be spared this coming Day because GOD has promised it (v.13). Yet our future salvation should not cause us to be lethargic now. If we anticipate CHRIST's return and live each moment as though it could be our last, we will naturally desire to do that which will enable us to be "blameless" at HIS appearing (v.14 cf. 1st.John 2:28 pictured above). Does JESUS CHRIST's imminent return motivate you to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-14 pictured below) ? MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Saved, Sure and Serving ! "

 

NOW I AM A CHILD OF GOD.

"But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name:"  (John 1:12)

NOW I HAVE ASSURANCE.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on ME has everlasting life."  (John 6:47)

"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. . ."  (1st.John 5:13)

NOW I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO TEACH ME.

"Hereby know we that we dwell in HIM, and HE in us, because HE has given us of HIS SPIRIT."  (1st.John 4:13)

"Howbeit when HE, the SPIRIT of TRUTH, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of HIMSELF; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will show you things to come."  (John 16:13)

NOW I AM KEPT BY MY SAVIOR.

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of MY hand. MY FATHER, which gave them ME, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of MY FATHER's hand."  (John 10:28-29)

I WILL BE EMMERSED (WATER BAPTIZED) AND WILL UNITE WITH A BIBLE PREACHING CHURCH.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST:"  (Matthew 28:19)

"Then they that gladly received HIS WORD were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."  (Acts 2:41)

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching."  (Hebrews 10:25)

I WILL STUDY GOD'S WORD DAILY.

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the WORD, that ye may grow thereby:"  (1st.Peter 2:2)

"Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of TRUTH."  (2nd.Timothy 2:15)

"THY WORD have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE."  (Psalm 119:11)

I WILL PRAY DAILY.

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and HE shall hear my voice."  (Psalm 55:17)

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD."  (Philippians 4:6)

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in MY name, that will I do, that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON."  (John 14:13)

"Pray without ceasing."  (1st.Thessalonians 5:17)

I WILL SURRENDER MY ALL TO SERVE CHRIST.

BODY:  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of GOD, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is your reasonable service."  (Romans 12:1)

TIME:  "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."  (Ephesians 5:15-16)

TALENTS:  "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of GOD; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which GOD gives: that GOD in all things may be glorified through JESUS CHRIST. . ."  (1st.Peter 4:11)

MONEY:  "But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for GOD loves a cheerful giver."  (2nd.Corinthians 9:6-7)

I WILL WITNESS TO OTHERS DAILY.

"And HE said unto them, GO ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."  (Mark 16:15)

"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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth."  (Acts 1:8)

"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the WORD."  (Acts 8:4)

REMEMBER GOD'S PROMISE !

"Therefore, MY beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always  abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD."  (1st.Corinthians 15:58)

Your servant IN CHRIST,

Julie

" Is There Something MISSING in YOUR Life ? "

 

What is missing ?

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My Friend, are you dead or alive ? Do you ever feel that there is something important missing from your life ? A vital part of your existence that isn't there, and has never been there ? An empty void and longing, deep within the depths of your soul, crying out to be filled ?

If you do not know the LORD JESUS CHRIST on a personal basis, that is the problem. GOD, the GIVER and SUSTAINER of life, is missing from your life. The Bible says that without JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, you are "dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1b)

How did it happen ?

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In the Garden of Eden, before man's fall, Adam and Eve were alive, that is, they were "spiritually" alive. They walked in perfection, and oneness with GOD. "And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17)

On that day, when they disobeyed GOD and ate of the fruit, they died a "spiritual" death. Sin entered in, and they were separated from GOD. Since then, every one of us has been born into sin. "Wherefore, as by one man 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)  "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10).  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23).

The results of sin are a spiritual death, a physical death, and if you die without JESUS CHRIST, and eternal death. THis is eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell fire.

What has been done about it ?

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JESUS CHRIST, the GOD-MAN, was not a partaker of man's sinful bloodline. HE was perfect, sinless, righteous, Holy, born of a virgin, and GOD in the flesh. "In the beginning was the WORD (JESUS), and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3)  "And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER), full of grace and truth." (John 1:19)

HE came to seek and to save that which was lost. HE offered HIMSELF the perfect, sinless sacrifice unto GOD, to redeem man from the sin which separates him from GOD. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and where in 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). HE came to give life back unto men. ". . .I AM come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the SON of GOD: and they that hear shall live." (John 5:24-25)

Now it is up to you !

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My Friend, do you hear HIS voice calling you through these Scriptures ? HE wants to breath new life into you. This receiving of new life from JESUS CHRIST is what HE called being "born again" in John 3:3. We see this in the Bible when JESUS tells Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. . .That which is born of the flesh (the first birth) is flesh; and that which is born of the SPIRIT (the 2nd.birth) is spirit." (John 3:3,6)

My Friend, repent ! Turn to GOD from your sin, and embrace the LORD JESUS CHRIST by faith and be born of GOD. You can pray this simple prayer or one like it 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.

GOD promised in Romans 10:9, "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." When you turn to GOD, the missing link will be found, and the empty void will be filled. You will be one with GOD. HE will be your FATHER, and you will be HIS son or daughter. You can rejoice in this great truth forever:  "He that has the SON has life; and he that has not the SON has not life." (1st.John 5:12).

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" New Testament Teaching on Labor "

 

Ephesians 4:22-32  "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members of one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the Devil.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD for CHRIST's sake hath forgiven you."

1. Sinners must labor to partake of eternal life. Eternal life is not earned by man's efforts or by the performance of good works, but each person must labor to ensure that one's spiritual, eternal needs are met only by way of GOD's free gift (See picture above John 6:27).

2. Believers should always labor and make it their ambition to please GOD: "Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted (well-pleasing to) of HIM" (2nd.Corinthians 5:9 pictured above).

3. A wonderful balance exists between my laboring and GOD's mighty working in me: "Whereunto I also labor, striving according to HIS working, which worketh in me mightily" (Colossians 1:29 pictured above).

4. Wholesome, diligent labor provides for our own needs and also for the needs of others: "Let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" (v.28 pictured at the top of the post)

5. GOD knows our labor and will reward us accordingly: "I know thy works, and thy labor"; "every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor" (Revelation 2:2; 1st.Corinthians 3:8 both pictured above).

6. The labor that pleases GOD is motivated by a love for GOD and for others: "Remembering without ceasing your. . .labor of love"; "for GOD is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward HIS name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (1st.Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:10 both pictured above).

7. Our labor is not in vain: "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD" (1st.Corinthians 15:58 pictured above). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" Born Twice, Die Only Once "

 

John 3:1-7  "There was a man of the Pharisees, name Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to JESUS by night, and said unto HIM, RABBI, we know that THOU art a teacher come from GOD: for no man can do these miracles that THOU doest, except GOD be with HIM. JESUS answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. 

Nicodemus saith unto HIM, How can a man be born when he is old ? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born ? JESUS answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee Except a man be born of water (the first birth) and the SPIRIT (the 2nd.birth), he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh (the first birth) is flesh; and that which is born of the SPIRIT (the 2nd. birth) is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

     "If you are born only once, you will die twice; but if you are born twice, you will die only once." That is an expression I heard my father use many times. But some might say, "I don't understand. What does it mean ?" It really is not that difficult to understand. When GOD created man, it was with the capacity for reproduction. You came into this world through physical birth, and you will some day die just as the writer of Hebrews states: "It is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27 pictured above). However, the verse just quoted continues with "but after this the judgment." GOD will bring us into judgment for our sins UNLESS we have come to HIM through faith in JESUS CHRIST and HIS shed blood. As a result of GOD's judgment, the unsaved will experience what the Bible calls "the second death" when "Death and Hell [are] cast into the Lake of Fire" (Revelation 20:14 pictured below) --eternal separation from GOD in eternal suffering. Yes, if we are born once (physically), we will die twice (both physically and eternally).

     But take heart ! JESUS told Nicodemus he needed to be "born again" (V.3) --He needed a second birth, a spiritual birth into GOD's family. It is in the context of that conversation with Nicodemus that JESUS promised, "Whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 pictured below) -- born twice, die once (physically but not eternally).

If you have trusted JESUS as your own personal LORD and SAVIOR, then you have the blessed assurance of being "absent from the body, and . . . present with the LORD" (2nd.Corinthians 5:8 pictured below) when your time comes to die physically. If you have never come to CHRIST for salvation, I urge you to trust HIM today while there is still time -- "ye must be born again" (v.7 pictured at the top of the post). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" I MUST Tell YOU This ! " (Lion)

 

     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:

     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 loves you. If that doesn't astonish you, remember, that when GOD loved you, HE loved a sinner ! The Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." (Romans 3:23). 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 own sins, and that would mean spending eternity in a Devil's Hell (Revelation 20:15 pictured below).

[] THE SECOND GREAT FACT IS, "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.

     You see, someone must pay the penalty of sin, either you or a sinless substitute. "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) 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.

[] AND NOW THE THIRD TREMENDOUS FACT IS, "Whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" ! Think of it ! GOD gave eternal life to those who believe in JESUS CHRIST. 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 you sins, and then receive HIM as your 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 in HIM, or refuse HIM ? Think of it once again:

You may ask, "How can I receive GOD's promise of eternal life ?"

ACKNOWLEDGE that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23 above).

BELIEVE that the LORD JESUS died and rose again for you (1st.Corinthians 15:3-4 above)

CALL upon the LORD to save you, "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 or one like it:

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, and come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     The LORD JESUS said, ". . . I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish . . ." (John 10:28)  Your time on earth is so very short, but your decision for CHRIST lasts for eternity. Will you receive JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR and be confident of everlasting life ? Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie