"Do You REALLY BELIEVE GOD's WORD ?"

Philippians 1:19-26 " For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also CHRIST shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is CHRIST, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with CHRIST; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in JESUS CHRIST for me by my coming to you again."

     Why would anyone ask a truly born again Christian if he really believed GOD's WORD ? Why would any truly saved person question the authority and absolute truthfulness of what the LORD has said ? HIS WORD is forever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:55 pictured above). Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but HIS WORD's will never pass away (Matthew 25:35). Yes, we may accept this intellectually, but do we sincerely embrace this truth and demonstrate it by our actions ? Take the subject of death, for example, Paul actually wanted to die -- he had "a desire to depart, and to be with CHRIST" (v.23), noting that death for the believer was "far better" and viewing it not as loss but as "gain" (vv. 21,23). Do we genuinely believe this ? Do we have a strong yearning to be with CHRIST ? Are we looking forward to it with joy unspeakable, or are we so attached to this world that we are quite comfortable remaining here longer ? Do we dread our appointment with death, fearing it even though JESUS CHRIST has removed it sting (1st.Corinthians 15:55 pictured below).

     Consider the matter of the Rapture. Is it actually our "blessed hope" and joyous expectation ? Do we love HIS appearing ?  "The Rapture is a wonderful event, but hopefully it will happen later. I have an amazing vacation planned."  "My team might be in the Super Bowl this year, and I would hate to miss that."  "I'm going to be married next year; I'd like that to happen first."  "I'm greatly looking forward to retirement soon."  Do we honestly believe that being with the ONE WHO loved us and gave HIMSELF for us is "far better" ? Detachment from the world's pleasures can only be solved by attachment to JESUS CHRIST. The closer we are to HIM, the more we will want to be with HIM. GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"FINAL Orders"

 

     During my 26 years of military service, I often awaited my next orders. As a military professional, I was aware that orders from a higher headquarters could come at any time.

     The Bible teaches that life is no different ! As a matter of fact, it states that your final orders are coming from Heaven. Eventually, GOD will stop your breathing, and you will die. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27).

     If you have not accepted the LORD JESUS as your personal SAVIOR, your final orders will send you to a Devil's Hell for all eternity. The LORD states in Revelation 20:15, "And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire."

     The good news is ". . .GOD hath not appointed us to wrath (punishment in Hell), but to obtain salvation (eternity in Heaven) by our LORD JESUS CHRIST." (1st.Thessalonians 5:9).

     Knowing exactly where your next assignment will take you is a dream come true ! Your final assignment in life will be determined by the decision you make after reading this post. If you choose Hell as your final assignment, do nothing ! You have already done enough ! "The wicked shall be turned into Hell. . ." (Psalm 9:17). If you desire Heaven to be your final assignment, there are several steps you must follow:

     FIRST, you must understand that you are a sinner. The Bible states, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23). All people are born sinners and do not deserve to go to Heaven.

   SECONDLY, you must realize that your sin has deadly consequences. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death. . ." Here, death refers to an eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell.

     THIRDLY, you need to recognize that your sin debt has been paid. The Bible states, "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8). JESUS CHRIST, the SON of GOD, took your punishment and died in your place !

     FOURTHLY, you must repent (a turning to GOD from your sin) of your sins. ". . .GOD. . .now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30). Repentance is a change of heart which causes you to turn toward GOD and away from your present sinful way of life.

    FINALLY, you must take action to ensure higher headquarters knows your intentions. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10). This passage lists two parts of salvation. You are required to both ask JESUS to save you and also to believe GOD's WORD. If you ask for salvation, yet you do not believe with your heart, you are still on your way to a Devil's Hell.

     When you agreed to serve your country, you believed the promises made to you by the recruiter, and you acted upon those promises. To become a Christian, you must believe GOD's promises and act upon them by asking HIM to save you. GOD cannot lie ! Here is HIS promise to you: "He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him." (John 3:36).              

              by   Sergeant Major Doug Carragher, U.S. Army Retired

     If you will accept JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, please pray this simple prayer or one similar to 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.

     The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." (John 10:28). Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministrires.com/salvation

"The Millennial Kingdom Established"

 

Zechariah 14:9-21 "And the LORD shall be KING over all the Earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and HIS name one. All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Timmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepress. And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the KING, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the Earth unto Jerusalem to worship the KING, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts."

     Today's text describes when JESUS CHRIST finally establishes HIS millennial kingdom on Earth. What is detailed in Zechariah 14 cannot possibly be explained away as historical or metaphorical or as fanciful imagery pertaining to the spread of Christianity in the world. No, the reality of CHRIST ruling from HIS throne in Jerusalem is prophetic and literal, and it will surely come to pass in the future. "In that day" the LORD JESUS "shall be KING over all the Earth" (v.9 cf. Isaiah 2:2 pictured at the top of post; Daniel 2:34-35; Daniel 7:14 pictured above). Jerusalem will be elevated and enlarged far beyond its present dimensions (v.10). In that day, peace and safety will hold sway in a land where strife and injustice have reigned for centuries (v.11). What makes the difference ? The divine KING governs "with a rod of iron," Satan is bound, and righteousness rules (Revelation 2:27 pictured below; 12:5; 20:1-4).

     GOD will judge those countries that perpetually trouble Israel, and only a portion of them -- "every one that is left of all the nations" (v.16, those who, likewise, have received the KING with a right heart) -- will enter into the glorious reign of JESUS CHRIST (vv.12-16). All unbelievers will be taken away in judgment (Matthew 24:30-51). Notice also that Jerusalem will be the focal point of all worship throughout the Earth. No ecumenical movement will exist in the millennial kingdom. The Earth will only have "one LORD, and HIS name one" (v.9), and no other "faith groups" will remain. The people of every nation will go up yearly to the feast of tabernacles, and if they do not, they will be chastened accordingly (vv.16-19). "HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD" is the theme of this righteous, perfect, and glorious future administration (vv. 20-21). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"MESSIAH"

 

     The holiest day in the Jewish year is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It is known as "the Sabbath of Sabbaths." This is the day that the Jews ask the LORD to forgive them of their sins for the past year.

     However, what does the LORD want from us for the forgiveness of sins ? The answer can be found in the Bible, GOD's Holy WORD. "For on that day shall the Priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD." (Leviticus 16:30). "And he shall wash his flesh with water in the Holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people." (Leviticus 16:24). "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11). A sacrifice is needed for our transgressions, and it was instituted to cover our sin.

     The Bible spoke of lambs, rams, turtledoves, pigeons, goats, or cattle being given for a sacrifice. In more recent times, the only form of animal sacrifice has been a chicken, even though the Bible never speaks of chickens as an acceptable sacrifice.

     We must now ask ourselves, " Why don't we sacrifice today ?" Is it possible that a perfect sacrifice has already been offered for the atonement of our sins. . .once and for all ? If this is the case, where does the Bible speak of such things ? In the book of Isaiah, the Bible states, "But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM, and with HIS stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all. . .Yet it please the LORD to bruise HIM, HE hath put HIM to grief: when THOU shalt make HIS soul an offering for sin, HE shall see HIS seed, HE shall prolong HIS days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in HIS hand." (Isaiah 53:5-6,10).

     Who is the LORD our GOD speaking about ? It is the MESSIAH ! "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the FATHER in SPIRIT and in truth. The woman saith unto HIM, I know that MESSIAS cometh, which is called CHRIST: when HE is come, HE will tell us all things. JESUS saith unto her, I that speak unto thee AM HE."  (John 4:22-26). Therefore, if JESUS CHRIST were the perfect sacrifice for our sins, there is no need for the sacrificial system today.

     What must you do to have this sacrifice applied to your heart, thereby cleansing you from all your sins forever by the MESSIAH's blood ? First, the Bible says that you must repent (a turning to GOD from your sin) of your sins. "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the LORD GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel ? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the LORD GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." (Ezekiel 18:30-32).

     Secondly, you must believe. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on HIM shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon HIM." (Romans 10:9-12). "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to GOD by the death of HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by HIS life. And not only so, but we also joy in GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST, by WHOM we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:10-11).

     Thirdly, you must pray and ask the MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST, into your heart. You can pray this simple prayer:

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.

HE will forgive your sins, once and for all. GOD gives you this promise, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). 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). Come to MESSIAH JESUS today !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"And the LORD My GOD Shall Come"

 

Zechariah 14:1-8 "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the housed rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

And HIS feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my GOD shall come, and all the saints with THEE. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be."

     "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our GOD, we have waited for HIM, and HE will save us. . ." (Isaiah 25:9). That prophetic prayer will be answered when JESUS, "the LION of the tribe of Juda" (Revelation 5:5), returns from Heaven to bring to pass every promise HE has made to Israel. GOD's unconditional covenants regarding a people, a land, and a kingdom in which CHRIST sits upon the throne will be fulfilled. "HIS feet shall stand . . . upon the Mount of Olives" (vv.1-4). Just as HE actually, literally sat upon the colt, even so "in that day" Jerusalem shall rejoice and shout because the KING is coming (Zechariah 9:9 pictured above). The LORD JESUS CHRIST will deliver the waiting, watching remnant from the armies marshaled by the Antichrist against Jerusalem, and then HIS dominion, HIS earthly kingdom, will extend "to the ends of the Earth" (Zechariah 9:10).

     The long persecution of Israel will finally come to an end when this ultimate battle destroys every satanically inspired foe (vv.2-3 cf. Zechariah 12:2-3; Zephaniah 3:8 pictured above; Daniel 11:41-45). Notice also the physical changes in the topography of the land when "the LORD my GOD shall come, and all the saints with THEE [the Raptured church is among this number !]" (v.5): The Mount of Olives will divide in half, mountains will move out of their places, a valley will marvelously form, the duration of daylight will supernaturally extend, and the waters flowing from Jerusalem will greatly alter (vv. 4-8). So many other prophetic texts likewise reference this same day -- all of these precious promises of our LORD will, indeed, come to pass ! These literal events are going to take place, and the millennial kingdom of CHRIST will be established, just as the Scriptures declare. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"A Remnant Shall Be Brought Through"

 

Zechariah 13:7-9 " Awake, O sword, against MY SHEPHERD, and against the MAN that is MY FELLOW, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the SHEPHERD, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on MY name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is MY people: and they shall say, The LORD is my GOD."

     This final section of Zechariah 13 speaks of the blood-washed remnant, those of the twelve tribes of Israel who will survive the entire seven-year Tribulation and will, therefore, be alive and prepared to receive their MESSIAH when HE returns to destroy every foe and inaugurate HIS millennial reign upon the Earth. The SHEPHERD-KING, the GOOD SHEPHERD WHO was smitten by the sword of GOD's judgment on behalf of the sheep who had gone astray (John 10:11), is now the ONE WHO promises to "turn [HIS] hand upon the little ones" (v.7). How ? HE exercises HIS chastening hand that will prepare HIS chosen people for the promised blessing of the kingdom to come. "It shall come to pass, that in all the land" two thirds of Israel will fall by the sword, by martyrdom, and by the plagues of the Great Tribulation (v.8). The stiff-necked Israelite will be destroyed (Amos 9:10; Isaiah 1:9 both pictured above) while the Jew who trusts in JESUS CHRIST will become a Tribulation saint. If he is slain for his faith during this time, then he will await resurrection at the coming of CHRIST the KING (Revelation 6:9-11; 12:11,17).

     Only one third of Israel will "endure unto the end [of the Great Tribulation and] . . . shall be saved," or delivered, when the DELIVERER returns to Mount Zion (read the entire context of Matthew 24:13 pictured above, from which this quote was taken). This verse does not mean, as so many errantly teach today, that believers in the church age need to "endure unto the end" by their good works lest they lose their salvation in CHRIST. No, this text is speaking of the one-third remnant of the Jews who will be brought through the refining fire (v.9), at which time "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:25-27). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"A Great Mourning in Jerusalem"

 

Zechariah 12:9-14 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the SPIRIT of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon ME WHOM they have pierced, and they shall mourn for HIM, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for HIM, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimel apart, and their wives apart; all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart."

     One aspect of "that day" (v.9) --the day of the LORD --is the supernatural, SPIRIT-anointed way in which GOD will enable the redeemed residue of Israel, having survived the cataclysmic sufferings and the Antichrist's wrath during the Tribulation (Revelation 12), to gain the victory over every enemy at CHRIST's return. Notice that even the most feeble will go forth to battle with more might than King David did at his best, "and the house of David shall be as GOD, as the angel of the LORD before them" (v.8). Now that is an imposing force ! It is no wonder that the blood of the enemy runs bridle deep throughout the valley of Megiddo. The HOLY SPIRIT is also poured out upon all the surviving saints in that day (v.10). This is the fulfilment of the prophecies of Joel 2:28-32, Ezekiel 39:29, and Isaiah 32:15, all of which definitely have a "day of the LORD" context that includes the military exploits over the host of the Antichrist as well as the spiritual and physical blessings associated with CHRIST subsequent reign.

     The terrible time of judgment is paving the way for the ensuing blessing of GOD. One of the greatest benefits that arises from "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7) is the heartfelt repentance in the remnant that comes through the horrors of the Great Tribulation alive. When their MESSIAH returns in glory, they will "all . . . be saved" (Romans 11:25-27 pictured above) and prepared to receive their KING. Imagine the anguish felt by those who "looked upon [HIM] WHOM they have pierced" (vv.9-14) ! The HOLY SPIRIT will bring forth a true fruit of repentance far transcending what John the Baptist witnessed during his ministry (John 1:19-37), for Israel will now have a new heart (Ezekiel 36:25-27 pictured above). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation