" CHRISTmas In Your Heart "

 

     Christmas is a special time around the world. Young and old alike eagerly anticipated exchanging gifts and spending time with family. The gifts exchanged at Christmas serve as a reminder of the greatest gift ever given. That gift is JESUS CHRIST, GOD's SON, WHO was born to bring salvation to all who will receive HIM.

THE REASON FOR THIS GIFT.

Often, a gift given at Christmas is based on what a person needs. The gift GOD gave to the world met the need of every person that has ever lived. The Bible states that we are sinners, separated from GOD, and deserve eternal death. "As it is written, There is NONE righteous, no, not one. . .For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:10,23). "But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid HIS face from you, that HE will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2). "For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23b).

     To meet our need of Salvation, GOD wrapped HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, and presented HIM to the World. "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). GOD gave HIS gift because of HIS great love for us.

THE REQUIREMENT OF THIS GIFT.

Webster's Dictionary defines a gift as something of value that is voluntarily given from one person to another without receiving anything in return. This is exactly what GOD did for us by giving HIS SON to die on the cross for our sins. 2nd.Corinthians 9:15 states, "Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable gift." This gift cannot be measured in value. It can never be destroyed or broken. This gift is eternal life. ". . .the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." (Romans 6:23b).

     JESUS willingly gave HIMSELF to meet our need of Salvation. "WHO gave HIMSELF for our sins, that HE might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of GOD and our FATHER:" (Galatians 1:4) "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).

     A true gift is given freely. GOD does not ask you to do anything to earn Salvation. It is a free gift. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD:" (Ephesians 2:8).

THE RECEIVING OF THIS GIFT.

We give gifts and expect them to be received. No one gives a present for it to be rejected. However, many people reject GOD's gift. Refusing to accept GOD's gift results in an eternity in a Devil's Hell. "He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides on him." (John 3:36).

     You can receive HIS gift by repenting, turning to GOD from your sin and accepting HIM as your personal LORD and SAVIOR. "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 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).

The Bible says that, "the goodness of GOD leads thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, please pray this simple prayer 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, come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "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." (John 5:24).

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" Biblical Race Theory "

 

Genesis 10:31-11:9  "These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the Earth after the flood. And the whole Earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and there dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let US go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the Earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the Earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the Earth.

     In these days of massive confusion and ignorance of GOD's truth, it is important to remind ourselves of these rock-solid facts:

1.) There is but one race of people, the human race, created by GOD with every human being derived from Adam, the first man (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4).

2.) Adam sinned and plunged the entire race into a fallen state of depravity (Genesis Chapt.3; Romans 5:12). Adam's fall is the root cause of all hatred and prejudice against people due to their background, skin color, etc.

3.) Because of the wickedness of man, the entire race was destroyed by a worldwide flood except for eight people (Genesis Chapts. 6-8; 2nd.Peter 3:6).

4.) Every person on earth today has descended from Noah and from one of Noah's three sons (Genesis 9:18-19; 10:1).

5.) The various nations and language groups began after the judgment on Babel described in Genesis 11.

6.) A detailed listing of the nations that came from Noah's three sons is given in Genesis 10.

7.) GOD chose one nation, the descendants of Shem, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to point to the one true GOD and to be a witness to all nations (Isaiah 43:10; Romans 9:3-5).

8.) It was through this nation that GOD sent HIS incarnate SON to be the SAVIOR of the world and to die for the entire human race (John 4:42; Hebrews 2:9; 1st.John2:2).

9.) Today GOD is visiting the nations, calling out "a people for HIS name" (Acts 15:14), and in HIS church there are no racial barriers (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).

10.) GOD's plan of redemption includes people of "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9).

May we share GOD's love for all people (John 3:16) and HIS desire that they might be saved and come to the full knowledge of the truth (1st.Timothy 2:3-6). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST, 

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used with permission.    www.featoday.org

" GOD Is Not Racist ! "

 

Acts 17:22-31 "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. WHOM therefore ye ignorantly worship, HIM declare I unto you. GOD that made the world and all things therein, seeing that HE is LORD of Heaven and Earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though HE needed any thing, seeing HE gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

That they should seek the LORD, if haply they might feel after HIM, and find HIM, though HE be not far from every one of us: for in HIM we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also HIS offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of GOD, we ought not to think that the GODHEAD is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance GOD winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent: because HE has appointed a day, in the which HE will judge the world in righteousness by that MAN WHOM He has ordained; whereof HE has given assurance unto all men, in that HE has raised HIM from the dead.

     We live in a nation that is often sharply divided along racial lines. People are being judged based on the color of their skin rather than the content of their character. Today, Martin Luther King Jr. might be considered an extremist for suggesting that we treat people of all races equally ! Those who have the courage to say that "all lives matter" are condemned for hate speech. In the midst of this toxic political and media-driven environment, it is important to understand that GOD is not a racist. HE has a wonderful message of Good News (the Gospel) for people of every color. "[GOD] hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth" (v.26).

     Biblically, there are not many races but one race of people: the human race. All people are derived from Adam, and all are made in the image of GOD. "For GOD so loved the world" (John 3:16a), which certainly includes people of every racial and ethnic background. The Gospel is to go to "all men every where" (v.30) and is to be preached to "every creature," that is, to every created person (Mark 16:15). Godly missionaries have given their lives to reach out to indigenous peoples of every race, color, and tribe. In GOD's living organism, the church, "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but CHRIST is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:11 above). The Bible teaches that the color of a man's skin cannot be changed any more than can a leopard's spots (Jeremiah 13:23 above), and men must never be blamed for what they cannot change. Heaven is not for racists, for gathered in that Heavenly throng are the redeemed "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9 above). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used with permission.   www.featoday.org

" Is JESUS CHRIST Your SAVIOR ? "

 

THE ONE SAVIOR

My Friend, are you saved ? Saved is a Bible word, not a term thought up by man. I have been a Christian for almost 50 years, and I find that most people still do not have an understanding of GOD's message of Salvation.

First, you must believe there is ONE TRUE GOD. Secondly, you must believe that GOD can do something for you, and HE has recorded HIS plan of redemption in the Bible. The only GOD that can save souls is the GOD of the Bible. HIS name is the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The Bible says in Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

A person is saved by putting their complete trust in JESUS CHRIST, not by doing something to earn Heaven. Trusting is believing. Believing must come from the heart, not the head. Do you love and trust your spouse with your head or with your heart ?

Plato, Aristotle, or Einstein could only think as far as their finite minds were able. They could not even solve the problems of this life, such as sickness, disease, pain, hunger, and death, let alone know anything about eternity. GOD knew we needed something to go by, so HE put everything there is to know in HIS WORD, the Bible.

THE ONLY SINNER

Have you ever sinned ? Just once ? One lie ? One theft ? Once is enough, for GOD says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" The Bible says in Romans 5:12, "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:" So you and I, like our Father, Adam, are born sinners. We have not obeyed all of GOD's Commandments. Your guilt as a sinner is shown by the fact that you will eventually die. The Bible states, "The soul that sins, it shall die. . ." (Ezekiel 18:20).

A saved sinner has their sins forgiven by faith in JESUS. An unsaved sinner still bears their sins when they die. No one gets into Heaven with their sins ! Nothing unclean gets into Heaven. This creates a problem ! How do you get rid of your sins ? Are your sins adding up day by day ? Are they too much to even keep up with anymore ? Are you saying, "What's the use"? JESUS says in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Could you say that to someone and mean it ? No ? Well, JESUS CHRIST can !

THE ONE SOLUTION

JESUS CHRIST was not conceived the same way you and I were. HE was born of a virgin. The Bible says in Matthew 1:23, "Behold, a virgin shall be with CHILD, and shall bring forth a SON, and they shall call HIS name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD with us." Because JESUS is GOD, HIS blood was sinless. JESUS died on a cross to pay for your sins. "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). ". . .while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8). "In WHOM we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:14).

The Bible says, ". . .without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin]." (Hebrews 9:22b). Our blood is polluted by sin, so it could not be shed to take away our sin. The blood of JESUS can take away all of your sins, because HE is sinless, and HIS blood is pure. HIS blood can remove your sins as far as the east is from the west. GOD said HE would remember them no more ! Isn't that the Good News of the Gospel ! Wouldn't you want that ?

THE ONE SIN

PLEASE hear this. People do not go to a Devil's Hell for their sins. They go to a Devil's Hell for rejecting JESUS CHRIST as their SIN BEARER, their SUBSTITUTE, and the ONE WHO died in their place for their sins. "He that believes on HIM is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD." (John 3:18). JESUS knew how many sins you would commit, but HE said HE loved you and died for you. Would you right now just pray to GOD and trust JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR ? Romans 10:9-10,13 says, "That 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."  IT IS YOUR DECISION !

The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leads thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer 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, come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "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." (John 5:24).

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" Are You Worried ? "

 

Matthew 6:25-34  "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment ? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly FATHER feeds them. Are ye not much better than they ? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature ? And why take ye thought for raiment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if GOD so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall HE not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat ? or, What shall we drink ? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed ? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly FATHER knows that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of GOD, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

     It is natural to become worried or anxious at different times in life. Many have been worried about the coronavirus pandemic and now the rise of the Delta variant. Are you worried about your health, financial situation, or employment ? Are you anxious about your family, possessions, or future ? Are you concerned about "climate change," government, violence, or world instability ? Humanly speaking, these are a great concern to many and can lead to unhealthy fear. When we worry, we are engaged in a form of self-harassment and vexation. It will wear us down and cause us to become blind to good things. Anxiety makes us afraid, restless, and unsettled.

     What are we to do about our worries ? Some advise us to think "positive thoughts." Many world religions tell us to empty ourselves of all thought. But why use a Band Aid when we possess the cure ? The LORD has given us HIS remedy in the Bible, but we must desire it and make it our own. Medicine left on the shelf is powerless to heal. Verse twenty-five of our text commands us to "take no thought for your life." This instruction does not necessitate that we go around in ignorance and apathy; rather, it means that we are not to be anxious or troubled by the cares of this life. Many times we worry about things that will never happen. GOD knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and how to go through it. We can rest in the fact that GOD will take care of us. When we worry, we remove GOD and set ourselves in HIS place. Let GOD do HIS job (Philippians 4:6 above). Do not worry about anything ! Be "casting all your care upon HIM; for HE cares for you" (1st.Peter 5:7 above). HE will exchange your worry for HIS peace (Philippians 4:7 above). PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" Where is YOUR Destination ? "

 

Where were you dispatched on your last trip ? Where are you going now ? Where will you be dispatched on your next trip ? As a trucker, your goal is to arrive safely at your destination. There is no certainty that you will arrive safely, but you will use all of your skills as a truck driver to attain this goal.

However, there is a final destination that you have total control over. At the end of your life, you will be dispatched either to Heaven or to a Devil's Hell. It is your choice to make. Your company dispatcher will have no say-so on this trip, because you are your own dispatcher, and you have the opportunity to choose your own destination.

You could choose to spend eternity in a Devil's Hell, where you would suffer pain, agony, and anguish forever. Wouldn't you rather live in a place of no pain, sorrow, worries, trials, temptations, and failures ? None of these exist in Heaven; instead, Heaven is a place of peace and happiness forever. The Bible says that Heaven has twelve foundations made of precious stones, streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and a refreshing river of life flowing through it. Wouldn't you regret missing a place like this for your final destination ? Sure you would ! JESUS, GOD's SON, does not want you to miss Heaven either. When HE spoke to HIS disciples, HE told them, "In MY FATHER's house are many mansions. . .I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2). JESUS will prepare a place for you as well, if you will simply accept the payment HE has already made for you. HE shed HIS blood and willing gave HIS life for you, so your eternal destination will be in Heaven. The GOOD NEWS or Gospel of CHRIST says:

"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).

As a truck driver, you follow a map to arrive at your destination. The Bible also gives a map which you must follow in order to become a Christian and live for all eternity in Heaven. 

ROMANS'  MAP  TO  HEAVEN 

The first stop is that you must realize you are a sinner. The Bible states, "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 second stop on the Romans' map is that you must realize that your sin has an eternal cost. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death. . ." This death is eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell.

The third stop is that you must know that you cannot save yourself or pay the cost of your sin. The Bible says, "Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in HIS sight. . . " (Romans 3:20).

Next, you must realize that GOD has provided the way for you to be saved. "But GOD commended HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8).

Your fifth stop on the Romans' Map is that you must place your complete faith in JESUS CHRIST alone. The Bible states, "Even the righteousness of GOD which is by faith of JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe. . ." (Romans 3:22). "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." (Romans 10:9).

Do you believe that JESUS CHRIST alone can save you ? HE will, if you will simply ask HIM. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). If you will accept JESUS CHRIST as your own personal SAVIOR, please pray this simple prayer 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, come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for you always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal LORD and SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "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." (John 5:24)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" You Have No Choice ! "

 

     In a free country you cannot be forced to choose any religion. You can go to any church you please or reject them all. There is no penalty.

     Actually, you have no such option. GOD has planned only one way of Salvation, and everyone is required to accept it. ". . .GOD commandeth all men everywhere to repent (turn to GOD from your sin)." Acts 17:30b

     GOD cannot tolerate sin and so HE sent HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, to die for man's sin. We are all born sinners, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10 HE now requires that everyone believe in JESUS and receive HIS merits and blessing in childlike faith. "He that believes on the SON has everlasting life; and he that believes not the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides on him." John 3:36

     Of course people reject and ridicule GOD's plan of salvation. They may say that there is no GOD, or that GOD will save everyone, or that sin isn't so bad, or that we are decent people and our good deeds should outweigh our bad deeds and that should make GOD happy enough.

     Man is in no position to dictate to GOD. Those who reject GOD's way are not in some neutral position. By their unbelief they have cut themselves off from the greatest joys of this life and the one to come. They have brought pain and judgment on themselves. "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the SON of GOD. . .It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD. " Hebrews 10:29,31

     All these warnings are written in love. GOD wants all to be saved. Because HE loves the world, HE paid an infinite price to save us, and freely offers us the wonderful gifts of Salvation and Eternal Life. "As I live, saith the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways." Ezekiel 33:11

"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

     "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  The word GOSPEL simply means GOOD NEWS. JESUS said, "Repent ye, and believe the Gospel." Mark 1:15  So HE urges all of you to turn to GOD from your sin and act on the GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL !  Do it today !

     The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leads thee to repentance" Romans 2:4 If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer 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, come into my hear and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "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." John 5:24

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie