What’s In Your Sights??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #248

11 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by Blanche in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, By His Grace, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Grace, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Many or Few?, My Grace Is Sufficient, The Word, When Will You Bow?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Whom are you trusting?

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What’s In Your Sights??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #248

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

While Jesus makes it clear that He is the only way to God, Paul also reminds us that it’s our relationship with God through Jesus that saves, not works of any kind, no matter how hard we try to see ourselves as holy or right before God Almighty!

“But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10

Let’s look at this backwards, if you would, so we can understand that salvation is all of God, through Jesus; righteous works are a result of Jesus’ righteousness imputed (credited) to us when we come to the cross in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin! When we were lost in sin, Jesus paid the price, and because that price has been paid, we can have eternal life, but not apart from the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”! We are saved by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus’ payment for our sin. Works don’t bring us to salvation, rather real works of righteousness are the result of God’s work in us because of the blood sacrifice that Jesus became for me and you!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.” John 3:14-19

So the question isn’t what have you done, but who are you counting on for your salvation? Are you trying to do good things, positive things, being kinder, smarter, gentler? Are you being more religious, philosophical, quoting Bible verses, but not knowing the author? Are you counting on a childhood profession that has never brought forth any fruit in your life? Paul says it all in Romans chapter 5, and I simply want to let it speak to each of us. I pray that you will hear the voice of The Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, and you will respond as He leads. I played church for years, because I knew all the jargon, but until I met Jesus face-to-face my heart never changed. Yet just as Jesus says in Matthew 7, He knows those who are born again unto life in HIM; those who are truly transformed into the children of God; born of God, not just saying so!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:10-13

Jesus also said:

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:20-23

What will you say to Jesus? What will Jesus say to you? Have you experienced what Paul is describing to the Roman believers? I pray that if you don’t know Jesus, you will come to Him today! Please ponder Paul’s message—it’s a boat load of truth.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 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.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

Have you received the atonement? Have you bowed before Jesus? The question isn’t ‘will you bow’, but rather ‘when will you bow’? Will you bow before Him now in repentance and faith in His sacrifice for your sin and mine, and be born again? Or will you bow before HIM as your judge with no opportunity for grace or salvation? The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11

Paul says it better than I could, for God has already done the work at Calvary through His Son Jesus. If there’s no change in. your heart, you may want to re-examine what is in your sights as your salvation.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Amen and Amen!!!

Lies Are Still Lies??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

04 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Satan, Satan's lies., Saved by Grace Through Faith

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Lies Are Still Lies??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

“But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.” John 8:40-45

Jesus makes it clear that not all who claim to know Him, do! The Apostle John also said that if we belong to Jesus, we are to walk in the “light” not the dark/flesh, and Paul repeats it over and over again in his writings, as he calls those who claim the name of Jesus to live it. If we continually choose to walk with the world, we might want to examine what it is that we think has saved us. The author of the book of Hebrews said it clearly, if we claim to be God’s children and sin with no discipline from God, we are illegitimate—lying to ourselves as well as others.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8

Satan is a liar, as Jesus said, and if we believe his lies and refuse to see our sin and confess it as sin, we will die in our sin, and the lie will take us straight to hell.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

What have you done about your sin; not anyone else’s sin, but your sin? We must deal with our sin in the blood of Jesus or pay for it ourselves; which means death and hell. As Paul said, to the Corinthians, we are to examine ourselves and determine if we actually belong to Jesus and are living in the power of His Holy Spirit. We are made new through the blood of Jesus, by the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord as His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours! It’s the price that Jesus paid for sin—the only way to God. (See John 14:6)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

One of my favorite passages is Paul’s call to the Roman believers to live by the power of Jesus, as a living sacrifice unto our God. Are you measuring your life by the world or by The Word of God? Don’t let the lies of the devil lead you astray. As Jesus said above:

“He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it…”

Are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth, or fall for the lies? It’s your call, but there is a test. Choose the holy life rather than the conformity to this world.

“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.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

Jesus also says our life will tell the tale; what is your fruit telling about you and your relationship with Jesus? Have you entered in by the “blood of Jesus… that cleanseth us from all sin” or are you trying to make it on your own good works, and fooling people. As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!” There is a test coming.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.” Matthew 7:13-17

Jesus is the ‘word’ by which we all shall be judged; what have you done with His payment for sin? (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15

I pray that you will be found in the book.

Amen and Amen!!!

When Are You Singing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #235

03 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Free Indeed?, Freedom To Or From?, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Preaching Jesus, Preaching truth about SIN, Salvation, The Song in the night!

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When Are You Singing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #235

Here in the USA we will celebrate “Independence Day”—The Fourth of July—a day when freedom from tyranny was proclaimed throughout the land. We did accomplish that independence with God’s grace and many lives of devoted, committed men and women to the cause of freedom. But my question today is, “Are you free?” “Are you singing the songs of joy in The Lord, or the songs of death and despair?” Jesus offers true freedom to those who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith/belief/trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours!

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free…

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:32 & 36

Jesus makes us free—free from sin, free from the power of the enemy, free from despair—for we belong to The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords and He puts a song in our hearts. I simply want to share with you a picture of that “joy” even in the midst of trials, suffering or persecution.

“Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness

in the daytime,

and in the night his song shall be with me,

and my prayer unto the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8

Paul and Silas’ had a song in the night. What are you singing where you are? Are you singing God’s song or your own? I invite you to consider what Paul and Silas had in their hearts, the marks that were on their bodies—and the outcome of their trial (literally! Read the rest of the chapter!), and God’s amazing grace!

“And the multitude rose up together against them:

and the magistrates

rent off their clothes,

and commanded to beat them.

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them,

they cast them into prison,

charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24 Who, having received such a charge,

thrust them into the inner prison,

and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 And at midnight

Paul and Silas prayed,

and sang praises unto God:

and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake,

so that the foundations of the prison

were shaken:

and immediately all the doors were opened,

and every one’s bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison

awaking out of his sleep,

and seeing the prison doors open,

he drew out his sword,

and would have killed himself,

supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying,

Do thyself no harm:

for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light,

and sprang in,

and came trembling,

and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said,

Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said,

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him

the word of the Lord,

and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night,

and washed their stripes;

and was baptized,

he and all his,

straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house,

he set meat before them,

and rejoiced,

believing in God with all his house.” Acts 16:22-34

As we celebrate our nation’s Independence/Birthday, may we look up to and depend upon our Lord, and sing songs of praise unto HIM—in the night, in the daytime, and touch the lives of others who need to hear the voice of conviction unto salvation. May each of us celebrate the freedom that Jesus bought at Calvary!

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him

of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them

that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings

of good things!” Romans 10:13-15

So, my friends, what are we singing? May our lives be a song and a testament of the freedom in Jesus Christ our Lord; never license but liberty, freedom from sin, not to sin—keeping our eyes on the prize, Jesus, that others may be drawn to HIM!

“Now the Lord is that Spirit:

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face

beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image

from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Amen and Amen!!!

What About Jesus’ Name??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #223

24 Friday May 2024

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Evil will not win, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God sees your tears--sorrow is ok!, God Still Reigns, IN HIS TIME!, In Jesus name--means what?, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, The Name of Jesus?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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What About Jesus’ Name??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #223

What’s so special about Jesus’ name? It is the amazing name of our Lord and Savior — our King of Kings! Yet today people seem to be using it as a talisman or a magic potion, may it never be! With so much misinformation, I’d like to share some insight into our use, confidence and dependence upon Jesus and His name.

It saddens me that we treat the name of Jesus like a heavenly slot machine, we drop in our demands, call on the name of Jesus, pull the handle and expect God to perform at will. NOT!!! Let’s just let scripture be our plumbline of behavior, belief and truth! Jesus himself lays our foundation of prayer.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10

God’s will should be our desire, yet we have somehow acquired a mindset that has caused many to see God as a heavenly grandfather, just waiting to keep all of his grandchildren “happy”! NOT! God’s greatest desire is that we become holy—with or without happiness! (happy=circumstantial, holy=internal nature)

“And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

God is ever working to make us holy and useful servants in HIS kingdom, not ours; growing into holy, obedient and devoted servants to the Most High God and His Son Jesus—not in our own strength but in the power of the precious Holy Spirit who indwells every born-again believer in Jesus! (See Romans 8:9)

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

We are to be obedient, trusting children, knowing that our God sees the whole picture of our life, and we only see little pieces of that picture at a time. God is ever working to grow us, to conform us into “the image of his Son”! Oh the glory of that thought! And just a note, when Peter uses the word “conversation” above, he is referring to our lifestyle not just our speech—but they are connected, for what is in our heart will come out in our speech and our life-choices! May we ever remember that Jesus is our true north—our hope—our help—our sustenance when we rely upon Him. And one of my favorite passages in all of scripture talks about this very thing and let me say when it talks about getting “the desires of our heart”, we must interpret that in context; and the context says that my delight is in “the Lord”. Then, we can truly say, “Lord, if it pleases you, it pleases me!”

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth in his way,

because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” Psalm 37:3-8

And one of the most profound passages about who Jesus is and what He did for us is from Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers. May we heed this truth and fix our eyes on Jesus.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

So, are you bowing or demanding? We are to examine ourself!

Amen and Amen!!!

Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

09 Thursday May 2024

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Be ye HOLY, Come to Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience, Faith, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Sharing Our Faith!, Sharing What God Has Given

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Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

Only one life, twill soon be past

Only what’s done for Christ, will last!

This is the refrain from a hymn written by C.T. Studd, a British missionary who served with Hudson Taylor. I’ll post the entirety at the end of this message, and I pray that it will encourage and challenge you today. For that is the subject I want to share with you today—it’s all about Jesus; Jesus our Lord who gave His all for you and me, and yet so many who claim His name have no time to spend with Him, no time for serving Him in His church, no time to share the Gospel with others, for we’re often so unfamiliar with God’s Word that we’re not sure what “The Gospel” is, so that’s our subject today! May this help you to stand!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Only One name, only One way:

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

John’s gospel is replete with the truths of the saving grace of Jesus alone, and we must be born of God not of ourselves. We can never clean up our act, so to speak, enough to be able to stand before God; it doesn’t matter how much money, or power, or fame, or status you have before the world, only Jesus can bring you into a relationship with God, by the power and conviction of sin that His precious Holy Spirit brings—and if you never see your sin, you’ll never see your need for Jesus. You’ll still have the need, but you won’t see it.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:10-13

Have you experienced the new birth? Have you come unto Jesus saving grace, bought, and paid for at Calvary? Jesus told a religious man named Nicodemus that no matter how religious he was, that wasn’t how you get to God. Yes, we are to be holy and righteous in our living when Jesus saves us, but our good works are the product of our salvation not the producer of it! We do good works because Jesus forgives, saves, transforms us by the power of His blood.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

And Jesus own words:

“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…

…. 5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again…

….14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.” Portions of John 3:3-19

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

… 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

Will you choose life or perish? Paul’s great “gospel in a nutshell” passage, makes it clear what it is that we are to believe as we repent of our sin—it’s all about Jesus, and only Jesus!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Have you heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart about your sin? I heard that dreaded voice of conviction years ago, and while it wasn’t what I wanted to hear, it was truth and when I fell on my face in repentance of my hard heart of sin, Jesus touched me, and I got up a new person—not perfect but redeemed and He has never left me through all my trials, failures, and mistakes! He is the God who saves, redeems, forgives, and cleanses us from sin. Trust Him today if you don’t know Him; and if you do already know Him, won’t you decide to live for HIM today?

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10

It’s a heart issue; what’s in your heart, Jesus, or the enemy of your soul?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” Matthew 15:17-19

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;