Category Archives: Salvation

Thought for the Day – Day 46 – History Repeats Itself

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~Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

History repeats itself … how many times have we heard that? Since the beginning of time, nothing has changed. Sin runs rampant in the heart of man. Sin brings heartache, destruction, broken relationships and marriages, and death. What you did as a child, your child will do. In fact, unless God’s word is the center of your home, your child will do worse than you did. If anything is certain, until Christ enters the heart, the person becomes more sinful with time. An alcoholic drinks more – a drug user turns to stronger drugs – a liar starts to believe his own lies – a thief steals bigger items.

The one thing that can change the heart of man is the healing that only Jesus Christ can bring.

~Malachi 4:2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

~Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

~Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The only way to receive that precious healing from sin is to obey God’s word:

~Mark 1:14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

~John 3:3 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.

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

~Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

~Acts 3:19-20 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

An individual must first accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Without this first step of faith, nothing else can follow. This is where cults start – they deny Christ’s deity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple: (1) He left Heaven to take on the form of man – born of a virgin; (2) He lived a sinless life so He could become the sacrificial lamb for us, dying on the cross to give His sinless blood as a perfect sacrifice which takes away our sin and sin debt. (3) And lastly, He arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is awaiting His return to reign on earth.

I’ve been accused of being intolerant and narrow-minded. Bless God! I’m my Father’s child! God’s word is clear about the plan of salvation and is very intolerant and narrow-minded – there is only ONE way. God’s wrath is on all those who refuse to repent from their sin and be saved. The devils believed but they are not saved (James 2:19). There must be a receiving heart that is willing to repent. If you are not willing to give up your sin, as in those listed below, then your heart is not under conviction and any so-called ‘salvation prayer’ will be just words.

~Romans 1:16-32 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Thought for the Day – Day 33 -The Way of the UnGodly

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~Psalm 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

There is a price to pay for sin. Sometimes the cost is right here on earth. For example, smoking has been proven to cause cancer and many other illnesses. Continuing to smoke is no better than a rebellious child sticking his tongue out when he doesn’t want to do something! The cost for smoking occurs right here during the smoker’s lifetime, some sooner than later. But there is a cost in the end.

Many do not see where they are heading. They just keep walking down the same dangerous path to destruction.

~Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Some continue on their destructive path not caring of the consequences. Others don’t care because they don’t believe in God and, therefore, do not fear repercussion. How foolish!

Ps 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

This fool says he would rather sin, have fun and go to Hell than to go to Heaven. This fool only thinks for the moment and lives for a moment’s pleasure. He does not dwell on the future or the permanence of eternity – just the here and now. How sad!

I would rather be born again and look forward eternity in Heaven than to take a chance and live like the devil and spend eternity in a burning lake of fire. I merely have to think back on a burn on my hand from a hot iron, the pain I suffered and I know that the latter is not where I want to be.

God will require a payment for man’s sins!  Yes, He is a loving God but He is also a righteous God who will bring judgment.  The man who does not want to accept God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ will stand before Him one day and give an account for each and every sin. Without Jesus Christ as his Saviour, this man will go into eternity to burn, writhe and suffer pain and darkness forever!

~Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Without Jesus Christ, one has no hope to ever gain entrance into Heaven. You say you don’t care? How very sad! Your caring or not does not eliminate the fact that you will die one day. EVERYONE dies. Death is a certainty. You have everything to lose if I am right and you are wrong … but you have everything to gain if you heed my warning. Allah, Buddha, Confucius, good works, etc., will not get you into Heaven. Jesus said,

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

There is NO other way but by Jesus. That’s why Matthew 7:14 says that the way to Heaven is narrow! Jesus Christ is so controversial, and has been since His first appearance. Religions do not argue amongst themselves over other gods – but they sure do about Jesus Christ. He is the only Saviour. He is the only Messiah. He IS coming again with judgment on His lips. What will you do with this information?

~Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Thought for the Day – Day 32 – Looking at One’s Self

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~Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

We all think we’re “OK.” We all think we’re “not that bad.” However, it’s not how we view ourselves that will determine our eternity. It is how God views us. The Scriptures say that the Lord weighs our spirit. This does not mean that our sins will be placed on one side of the balance and our good deeds on the other – and whichever one weighs more will determine where we spend eternity. God views each one of us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The word of God clearly states, in Jesus’ own words, that a man must be born twice to be able to be saved (John 3:3 and John 3:5).

At the moment we believe the blessed Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone, we receive the Holy Spirit and we are “sealed” by God, Himself! And if that isn’t enough, we are sealed with promise!

~Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

John 14:6 says that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Don’t be upset with me – this is in God’s word and God is not a liar like man. When He makes a promise, He keeps it!

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Nothing we do can ever make us clean enough to be “good enough” to get into Heaven. The decision is up to you. You must be born again (John 3:3) – you must have that second birth so you do not have to taste the second death. Heaven is very real and so is the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone!

~Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Thought for the Day – Day 30 – Read!!

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~Galatians 2:7-8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

It doesn’t take but a few minutes in Galatians to see that Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and not Peter. I was raised Roman Catholic and was taught that Peter was the first pope. When one reads the Scriptures, one sees in today’s text that Peter was called to be the apostle to the Jews, not the Gentiles.  There are three more verses where Paul confirms who he was:

~Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

~1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

~2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Just one doubt should cause a catholic to wonder what else is in the Scriptures that is contrary to what they’ve been taught!  Sadly, like the Jews, catholics would rather trust the traditions of the catholic church, the words of their church fathers and current church doctrine over what the Bible teaches.  :-(

This is just a gentle prod to whomever is reading today and has been searching!  It doesn’t matter whether one is a catholic, protestant, mormon, Jew, etc. Isn’t it better to believe God rather than a person? Forget denominations right now … it is God who will judge in the end, not being part of a certain religion. I’m not asking anyone to change religions, in case you’re wondering. I simply desire that you search the Scriptures whether these things be so (John 5:39)! On judgment day, no one will be there to hold your hand when you stand before Jesus Christ and He asks you why He should let you into His Heaven.

Peter, himself, said to obey God and not man!

~Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Think for yourself, reader, instead of relying on someone else to determine the most important decision of your life! Where you spend eternity is not something that is best left in someone else’s hands! Eternity is a LONG time to mourn a wrong decision!

My Everything

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~Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Picture this in your mind’s eye as you read about the Psalmist’s description of his God. Mind you, David had just been delivered from the hands of Saul and he knew exactly Who had helped him!

1. God is his rock. David didn’t say that God was “a” rock but “his” rock. That’s personal – that says that David knew that his ground was solid – his ground was sure because of his personal relationship with God. God was David’s rock and his God was unshakable – solid – unwavering!  The Word says that Christ is our rock.

~1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Our Rock, Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, is unshakable, solid and unwavering as well.  Hallelujah!

2. God is his fortress. Again, David personalizes this statement. God wasn’t just any fortress, but “his” fortress. Have you ever seen pictures of biblical fortresses? A fortress sat upon a hill so the people could see whatever was coming their way from far off. What a beautiful depiction this is! We see that nothing takes God by surprise as He sees everything!  He is omniscient and omnipresent, therefore He knows what is coming in ten years from now and He will protect me!  I picture a mother hen in my head as she sees the enemy afar off and gathers her chicks under her wings to protect them. Just as the people would run to the fortress for protection!

~Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Our God desires that we run to His fortress, Jesus Christ.  The prophets of old penned time after time warnings to the Jews but instead they killed their prophets.  In Christ, we can hide and He will protect us!  It is His salvation that has been given to us and it is safe in His care!

3. God is his deliverer. Once again, another personalized characteristic of God from David. Do you remember when Moses delivered the Jews out of Egypt? They called Moses their deliverer. Moses saved the people from slavery and bondage at the hand of Pharaoh! David’s God delivered him from the enemy as well. God, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, delivered us from eternity in Hell through His work on the cross!

~Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

This same Rock and Fortress is our Deliverer!

4. God is his strength. David recognized that his own strength was nothing. His enemies were many and they were indeed strong. He needed God to take charge here and provide him with exactly what he needed for that moment.  David knew his weaknesses and was well aware that he had no power over his enemies.  David believed this so much so, that he trusted in the Lord. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his God would come to the rescue and strengthen him at the time he needed it most.  Just as God did for David, Christ does for us!

~Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

There is nothing we can’t do for the work of Christ that He won’t equip us with!

5. God is his buckler. Just what is a buckler, anyway? Noah Webster defines it as:

A kind of shield, or piece of defensive armor, anciently used in war. It was composed of wood, or wickers woven together, covered with skin or leather, fortified with plates of brass or other metal, and worn on the left arm. On the middle was an umbo, boss or prominence, very useful in causing stones and darts to glance off. The buckler often was four feet long, and covered the whole body.

I absolutely loved this! David compared his God as a buckler! His God was David’s defensive armor and shield in the time of war. We battle a spiritual warfare every day. But God is the one who protects us! Just as the mother hen noted above, He covers us under His wings just as the buckler covered the whole body. The devil does not have power over the believer because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit!

~Ephesians 6:12-13 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Who knows, maybe the day is coming where Christians may have to fight a physical battle against the enemy. We know the end times are here and our time on earth is short.  In the mean time, we can trust God to strengthen us in time of need and to be our Buckler!

6. God is his horn. Have you ever seen a Texas Long Horn? Oh my word! A full grown bull is as tall as I am when he stands erect! The horns can have a seven-foot spread from tip to tip! You wouldn’t want to mess with those horns, that’s for sure! The horn is a sign of strength and David used that comparison in this verse. There’s nothing that would be able to defeat his God. Christ is our horn of salvation! The devil cannot defeat the born-again believer! Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost as the time he made the statement that Jesus would be the horn of salvation for His people.

~Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

How wonderful!! David knew that his God was his own “personal” horn of salvation. I immediately thought of my upbringing where I was taught that salvation came from the “church.” Salvation can only come from God and then we are added to His church. Salvation is of the Lord (~Psalm 37:39), not of man or of a “church.”

7. God is his high tower. I picture a high tower to be an extremely inaccessible place – one protected from the enemies of life. David personalized this characteristic of God as well. Again, his God was so high and so mighty that nothing could reach Him and pull Him down or defeat Him. When I think of this high tower, I think of Christ being in Heaven awaiting His return in the clouds to rapture His children to be with Him!

~Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

These seven characteristics of God, our Saviour, are so potent to me! They comfort me because I know that my salvation is not dependent upon me – it is all about God through Jesus Christ! My salvation cannot be taken away from me because He purchased it and keeps it safe. He guards my salvation – He is my buckler. He is my fortress and protects my salvation! He is my strength and my high tower and one day I will meet Him face-to-face and sit with Him in that Heavenly place!! Praise the Lord!

Convenient Ears

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Act 24:24-25 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

When someone hears about righteousness, temperance and judgment, the first reaction is to sit up straight and do one of two things:

  1. Be thankful for God’s chastisement, repent and take heed to the warning; or
  2. Get offended at the message

In today’s text, Paul was witnessing to Felix and his wife.  Paul spoke of righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come without salvation.  The message must have cut to the core because verse 25 says that Felix trembled.  The Holy Spirit was working in Felix’s heart, obviously, but Felix chickened out for some reason.  The verse goes on to say that Felix told Paul that when it was a more convenient time he would call for him.  I wonder if Felix was embarrassed to get saved because his wife was there.  Or possibly he had other friends at the gathering and was “put on the spot.”  No matter what the reason, when the Holy Spirit of God convicts you to the point of trembling, you should not ignore it.

The topics Paul preached on were enough to cause Felix to tremble.  We all know what righteousness means – anything that revolves around God, His Holy Word and Godly things is considered righteous.  The judgment to come would cause Felix to tremble as well.  After all, when you hear that you are heading to Hell and eternal burning from one of the greatest preachers that ever lived, how can you not tremble?  Could it possibly be the other topic, temperance, which caused Felix to change his mind?

Just what is temperance?  Temperance is moderation.  Moderation covers a multitude of areas, doesn’t it? Our society today has no discipline over moderation. Americans over indulge in every area of life possible – every sin imaginable!  I think of someone with a hot temper – he should practice moderation or temperance.  I think of someone who loves his job so much that he neglects his family.  How about someone who loves to drink alcohol?  Or even drugs? Pornography is a booming industry!  Hollywood’s movies today would have been rated X even just 40 years ago!  One is hard pressed to find a teenager who has not had sex!  Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines temperance as:

1. Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.

I believe that Felix could have been offended in this area of Paul’s message.  He could have been a glutton or given to too much wine.  Who knows!  But when someone confronts you with one of your faults, you don’t readily give him the time of day, especially if you are a man of wealth and power.  In fact, you avoid that person.  You want to hear the Gospel in your “own” time, if at all – when it’s convenient for you, just like Felix.

Where are you today, reader?  Has someone talked to you about true Christianity?  Not the watered down Christianity being pirated today but a true born-again experience with Jesus Christ?  Jesus Christ changes lives.  He does not “save” someone only to have them continue to live their lives like they use to live.  This is what gives “Christians” a bad name today!  People claim they are Christians but yet they live like the devil and make a mockery of Christianity altogether.  The world sees these “professors” and they lump them all in with the true born-again believers.  A truly born-again person is a new creature – totally!  His life shows it – his heart shows it – his actions show it!

~2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Are you a homosexual who is fighting the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  You cannot be living in a same sex relationship and claim to be a Christian!  God destroyed an entire city for this sin – why would He allow it now?  To think that God allows this horrible sin and condones it is to deceive yourself!

Are you saying you are a Christian yet you are living with someone without being married?  Are you saying you are a Christian yet you consistently indulge in pornography?  An apple tree cannot grow oranges. You either produce Christ-like fruit in your life or the fruit of the devil. You cannot do both, at least not without conviction from the Holy Spirit and chastisement from God.

~Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

The true born-again believer loves God’s Word, loves other believers, loves assembling with other believers, and loves the things of God. When he sins, he falls under great conviction and repents. The person who is not truly born again continues in his sinful lifestyle not wishing to stop, has no conviction to change and really doesn’t care. That is not the Christianity and holy living depicted in the Bible says.

~2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Christians are held to a higher standard than the religious person. The Ten Commandments say we should not commit adultery. The Christian is told by Jesus that anytime a man looks upon a woman and lusts after her, this man has committed adultery already in his heart. Therefore, if you see a “so called” born again Christian who has not changed his sinful lifestyle, chances are they professed salvation but never possessed it in their hearts.

I just want to make you think!  Where do you stand today?  Will you be like Felix and tremble?  Will you ignore the warning and wait?

~2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Sports Time!

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~Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

The unsaved world does not think about living righteously. It is the furthest thing from their mind. In fact, and I speak from past experience, they cannot wait until the next moment they can do evil. Of course, at the time, I was not thinking that what I was doing was evil. All I cared about was that I had great pleasure in doing them!

The Word has so much to say on this subject. The wicked are explained with great accuracy in the Book of Proverbs. I did not think of myself as wicked prior to my salvation. In fact, I thought I was a pretty good person. But had I measured my life with the “yardstick of the Ten Commandments,” I would have seen that I did not measure up at all!

~Proverbs 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

I took great pleasure in my sin and loved it when I could partake with others! During the work week, we would be busy planning what we could do on the weekend. Our plans always led to sin!

~Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

I am so thankful that one day a dear friend came to visit and told me the wonderful news about salvation. It was not something I had ever heard before. My religious experiences revolved around “being good” and the burden was too great because I could never be good enough! Christ’s salvation is free but we must be willing to repent from the lifestyle we are currently living. To blab a prayer-ette and remain in the same lifestyle does not salvation bring! Jesus said to “repent and believe the Gospel,” (~Mark 1:15). There must be a repentance or there will never be any change!

~2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Which Door?

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As the time draws nearer to Christ’s return, we are seeing more and more compromise in the Church. Jesus was not a compromiser. Even as He walked this earth, He told mankind that there was only one way to Heaven and that was through Him.

~John 10:9 Jesus said: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture”.

Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, is the door to Heaven. There is only One Door that is acceptable. Many will say that this is a narrow-minded approach to salvation. However, Christ was quite clear and made no bones about it during His ministry.

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You can be sure that the way of salvation is not going to be an easy route. It is not going to be a compromising of the masses. The door that the majority will wish to take to Heaven is a wide door – it fits many compromises. It can be compared to the saying, “There are many roads that lead to Rome.” However, Christ said that there is only one way. He also said that if you deceive yourself, you will be on a wide road along with countless others making your own way to Heaven.

Christ’s way, however, is a path that is not followed by many. It is a single path with no variation and no compromise. Christ is not narrow-minded. In fact, He gave us exactly what we needed to do to enter through the Door. Jesus said that few will find the Truth.

~Matthew 7:13-14 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: (13) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (14)


Jesus is the only way to Heaven! Many will ignore the Bible’s plain teaching and will create their own doctrine – their own path. But that path will lead to destruction (verse 13). Salvation is a major topic – why would God leave such an important thing as our eternal life in the hands of man? He didn’t! He left us clear instruction as to what to do.


Jesus said,


~Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.


~Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.


There is only one way to Heaven. Jesus is the only way – He is the Door – He is the way, the truth and the life! NO man can go to Heaven without Him.


~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Why do you suppose we celebrate Christmas? The Christmas of today is not the way the holiday was intended to be celebrated! Christ came to earth in human flesh so He could relieve us of the burden of working our way to Heaven. Mankind had proven that it was impossible to be “good enough.” Mankind had proven that it was an effort in futility to try to achieve enough righteousness to enter Heaven. God’s mercy upon mankind was so great that He came to take on our burden of sin and become the Door for us to enter into Heaven’s gates. Don’t let this Christmas season go by without seriously considering today’s post.


Acknowledge Christ as the Saviour of your sins. Repent of them – turn away from your sins and call upon the name of Jesus Christ.


~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.


You cannot merely believe in Jesus and stay in your current spiritual condition. When one actually goes through the Door and is saved, one is changed. The desire to sin will dissipate as you grow as a Christian.


~2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.


Why not allow yourself to experience the true reason of this Christmas season. Admit to yourself that you are a sinner, accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sin, walk through the Door and be born again in newness of life! If you do, you will experience the true joy of Christmas!

© Kate Plourde 2009

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You Must Be Born Again

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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. ~John 3:3 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? ~John 3:4 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. ~John 3:5 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ~John 3:6 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ~John 3:7 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. ~John 3:8 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? ~John 3:9 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? ~John 3:19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. ~John 3:11 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? ~John 3:12 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. ~John 3:13 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ~John 3:14 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ~John 3:15 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. ~John 3:16) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ~John 3:17 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. ~John 3:18 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 3:19

Jesus answered Nicodemus directly. He did not mince His words or try to make them ultra religious. Nor did Jesus sugar-coat the words with what He thought Nicodemus “wanted” to hear. Jesus came right out and said “Verily, verily.” Here is double emphasis at the very beginning of Jesus’ statement. It’s as if Jesus were saying, “Nicodemus, surely, surely!” Jesus wanted Nicodemus to pay attention and to understand how important the following words were going to be. He did not want Nicodemus’ thoughts to be clouded with his religious background. He wanted Nicodemus in the “here and now.”

Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was saying in this verse. This was something new to his ears. No matter how much Scripture he had put to memory, this was still something new. Jesus made it clear that Nicodemus could not see God’s kingdom unless he was born again. Jesus was concise. Jesus was plain in just 19 simple words.  Man is originally born of water when he comes out of the womb.  Jesus went further and stated that man now had to be born of the spirit and be born again.

Dear friend, do not let your religious upbringing obscure your thoughts today. Ask God to reveal His truth to you. God does not want you to be ignorant but to have wisdom through the Word.

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; …” (Romans 11:25a)

Dear God…
One day I will meet You face-to-face
Not a deed will I be able to hide
Remove from me the obstacles
Which lead to Your bleeding Side.