Heaven or Hell--the Gospel of Jesus Christ.: Heaven or Hell

INTRODUCTION

All of humanity is born with a sin nature;

we all break the law of God, we all sin against God.

The Bible explains, we are not good people on the way to Heaven,

but we are sinners on the way to Hell (Rm.3:23).

Jesus Christ declares that most of humanity will not inherit eternal life in Heaven (Mt.7:13-14).
Eternal life in Heaven and eternal death in Hell are both equally part of the Gospel message.

With Christ, there is salvation to Heaven,

but equally true is that without Christ there is damnation to Hell.

We must understand both sides of the Gospel in order to appreciate the gift of eternal life

that God, through Jesus Christ, freely offers us.

In order to believe the gospel, we must first hear it and understand it (Rm.10:17).
By God’s grace, we will explain the true gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

CONTENTS

Pages 1-10 HEAVEN OR HELL--THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

1-The gospel of Jesus Christ
2-We find salvation at the cross
3-God punishes sin in Hell
4-Jesus saves us to eternal life in heaven

5-The resurrection of Jesus Christ
6-We are saved by the grace of God, not by our own merit
7-Serving Christ
8-Salvation and sanctification
9-The Deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity
10-Adam and Eve were also saved by Christ

Pages 11-15 FORGIVENESS AND HEALING

12--Forgiveness and healing are available to those who belong to Jesus Christ.

13--When my health issue is beyond what the doctors can do, who do I turn to?

14--Is divine healing for us today?

15--Divine healing is a conditional blessing.

Page 16 BIBLE MINI MESSAGES

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Page 1

HEAVEN OR HELL--the gospel of Jesus Christ

We all break the law of God--we all sin against God.

It is God's nature to love us--but it is also God's nature to hate sin and punish sin.

The penalty of sin is that it separates us from God and brings us to hell...

as the word of God says:

--"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rm.3:23-25 see also 2Th.1:8-10)).

But God loves us...He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ to save us;

Jesus willingly went to the cross where He suffered and died for our sins

so we will not suffer in hell but have eternal life in heaven (Jn.3:16-18).

The word of God:

--"For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son..." (Jn.3:16-18).

--"By this gospel you are saved...that Christ died for our sins...that he was raised on the third day"(1Cor15:1-4).

Jesus says:

--"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (Jn.10:11).

--"This is my blood...for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt. 26:28).

--Jesus paid for our sins...we are forgiven--

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What must I do to receive the free gift of eternal life?

Jesus says:

--"Come to me..." (Mt. 11:28).

--“Whoever comes to me...shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (Jn.6:37-40).

Come to Jesus Christ and thank Him that He paid for your own sins on the cross.

Repent from your sins and surrender your life to Jesus, give Him ownership of your life (Gal.2:20).

Receive Jesus into your heart for a new life with Him as your Lord (Jn.1:12--2Cor.5:17).

Jesus Christ then comes to live inside of you through His Spirit--the Holy Spirit (Rm.8:9-10).

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I always thought doing the right thing would bring me to heaven!

No, only Jesus can bring you to heaven by paying for your own sins on the cross.

As the word of God says:

--Salvation "is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so no one can boast" (Eph.2:8).

Jesus says:

--"I am the way...no one comes to the Father except through me" (Jn.14:6).

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Jesus Christ died for me and now the risen Christ lives in me--I am saved. What happens next?

Jesus says:

--"I am the vine; you are the branches...you will bear much fruit" (Jn.15:5).

Jesus now living in you, will produce fruit in you and through you. You and what you do will change (Gal.5:22-26).

Good works are the fruit--not the means--of our salvation. Once we have Christ, we are saved, then comes the fruit.

What if there is no change in me? That's because my faith is empty, I am without Christ! (2Co.13:5).

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Page 2

This page further explains the cross of Jesus Christ, please read page 1 first.

The Old Testament predicted Jesus' sacrifice for our sins (Isaiah 53:5-12):

--"He was pierced for our transgressions...the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all...

...the Lord makes his life an offering for sin...he bore the sin of many".

Joseph was told by an Angel that Mary's baby was to be named Jesus because...

--"Name him Jesus, BECAUSE he will save his people from their sins" (Mt.1:21).

This is how John the Baptist introduced Jesus Christ:

--"Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn.1:29).

Jesus says of His own death:

--"Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour" (Jn.12:27).

--"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost" (Lk.19:10).

We all sin...we're all spiritually lost...our destination is hell. But Jesus saves us.

--"We have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ" (Rm.5:9).

We are right with God because Jesus' blood washed our sins away...they no longer exist.

--"We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Rm.5:10).

Our sin separates us from God. The cross removes our sin and reconciles us to God.

--Jesus "himself bore our sins in his body on the cross" (1Pt.2:24).

--"For Christ died for our sins once for all...to bring you to God" (1Pt.3:18).

--"Christ died for our sins...and he was raised on the third day" (1Co.15:1-4).

--"I no longer live, but Christ lives in me...(he) loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal.2:20).

Salvation: Christ died for me--and now the risen Christ lives in me as my Lord.

--"God paid a ransom to save you...the spotless lamb of God" (1Pt.1:18).

--"Worthy is the lamb who was slaughtered...the elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb" (Rv.5:12).

John reports a vision from Heaven where Jesus is called "the lamb" 31 times.

--"I never boast about anything except the cross of...Jesus Christ" (Gal.6:12).

With Jesus we will not "be punished with eternal destruction...separated from the Lord" (2Th.1:8).

--"God made Christ...as the offering for our sin so we could be made right with God" (2Co.5:20-21).

--"The message of the cross...is the very power of God...to save those who believe...

we preach Christ crucified" (1Co.1:18-23).

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Page 3

GOD MUST PUNISH SIN

         It is God's nature to love us and bless us. But it is also God's nature to hate sin and punish sin.
   God's law--God's justice--requires eternal separation from the goodness of God in Hell as punishment for our own sins (2Thess.1:8-10 and Rm.3:23-25).

Eternal life in Heaven is real but eternal death in Hell is just as true. Both aspects of the gospel must be understood.

We must understand that God hates sin, and as such the wrath of God is on us because of our offenses against him.
                  We are not good people on the way to Heaven, we are sinners on the way to Hell.

--"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rm3:23).
                                 [Because of our own sin, we all fall short of God and of Heaven]

                                          Some Bible passages that explain Hell.
---"He will punish those who do not Know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
     They will be punished with everlasting destruction (in Hell), shut out from the presence of the Lord...
      ...(but He is) to be marveled at among all those who have believed" (2Th 1:8-10).

---"For the wages of sin is death (Hell) but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rm 6:23).
--"Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath (Hell)" (1Th 1:10).

--"Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in Hell" (Mt 10:28).
--"For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness (Hell) and transferred us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Col 1:13).

--"Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire (Hell)" (Rv. 20:14-15).
--"They called to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from
      the wrath of the lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come (final judgement) and who can withstand it?" (Rv. 6:16-17).

--"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish (in Hell)
      but have eternal life (in Heaven). For God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
     Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned (in Hell) already" (Jn 3:16-18).

We are in sin and as such we are spiritually dead (separated from God). Sin brings death, Jesus brings life (Rm 3:23--6:23).
We are separated from God because of our sin in us. If this separation continues, we end up eternally separated from the goodness of God.
Salvation from hell is the main topic of the Bible. Christ came into the world for this very reason: to save us.

"We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Rm 5:10).

God’s justice and love both meet at the cross. (God's justice: sin was punished-----God's love: Christ took the punishment for us)

Heaven is a real place but Hell is just as real. We must come to Jesus Christ to be saved. This is our next topic.

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Page 4

JESUS SAVES US FROM HELL TO ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN

The last page showed us that: All human beings sin against God; sin causes eternal separation from the goodness of God.
But God, because of his love for us, provides us with a plan of salvation--a plan that reconciles us to Himself for all of eternity.
A plan that saves us from the penalty of sin to eternal life in Heaven (this is called the Gospel or the Good News).
The gospel is this: God sent his Son to save us. Christ took the penalty for the wrongs we do. He died for our sins.
Christ paid for our sins on the cross. He gave us peace with God.
--"Christ died for our sins...to bring you safely home to God" (1Pt.3:18).

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish (in Hell)
but have eternal life (in Heaven)" (Jn 3:16).
Joseph is told:

--"Mary will have a son...give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:21).

When Adam and Eve sinned they were cursed. They lost Paradise, they lost eternal life and the fellowship they had with God (Ge. 3).
That is also our spiritual condition. We also sin against God and as such we cannot fellowship with God now and receive the promise of eternal life later.
Jesus Christ came into the world for this very reason; to reconciles us to God (Rm 3:23-25).

There are two human representatives: Adam and Jesus.
Adam gave us sin and separation from God---Jesus removes our sins and reconciles us to God.
In Adam we end up in Hell (separation)---in Christ we end up in Paradise (reconciliation).
Paradise lost through Adam---Paradise restored through Christ (Rm. 5).

--"For everyone has sinned, we all fall short...yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ
Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin" (Rm 3:23-25).

--"By this gospel you are saved...that Christ died for our sins...that he was raised on the third day (1 Co 15:1-4).

Christ not only died for my sins, he rose from the dead and gave me a new life. The risen Christ is my new life (2Co 5:17).
--"Christ suffered for sins once for all time. He never sinned but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God" (1Pt3:18).
He suffered for us on the cross so we won't suffer in Hell (2Th 1:8-10---1Th1:10).

Jesus says:

--"Come to me...and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11:28).

--“Whoever comes to me...shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (Jn.6:37-40).

I must come to Christ to have my sins taken away so that I may be forgiven and reconciled to God (Heb 9:22-28).

I come to Jesus...
I thank him that He died for me; that he paid for my own sins on the cross.

I repent from my sins and from this life and I turn to Jesus for a new life with him as my Lord.

Jesus takes over my life as my Lord, by living in me through his Spirit--the Holy Spirit (Rm. 8:9).

--"I no longer live but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20).

Christ died for me and Christ lives in me.

Jesus is now the Lord of my life and the Savior of my soul (2Pt 3:18).
I am now a true Christian. With Jesus, I have God now and eternal life later.

Jesus says:

--"I am the way...no one comes to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6).

--"Come to me...and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11:28).

--"Behold, I stand at the door and Knock, if you hear my voice and open the door I will come in.." (Rev 3:20).
Examine your faith: Is Christ in you? (2Co 13:5)

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Page 5

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

The word of God:

--"It is this Good News that saves you...I passed on to you what was MOST IMPORTANT...that Christ died for our sins...

and that he was raised from the dead on the third day (1Co.15:1-4).

Christ's death and resurrection is the central and most important doctrine of the Bible.

It is the reason for the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

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--"Since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?...

Everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life...

Christ was raised as the first...then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. After that the end will come...

Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever" (1 Co 15).

Christ's resurrection to eternal life was the first and it assures us of our own future resurrection to eternal life.

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--"Just as Christ was raised from the dead...so we too may live a new life" (Rm 6:4).

Christ died on the cross for our sins and he rose from the dead to give us a new life.

This new and eternal life is ours now and it will be consummated at the second coming of Christ.

We will receive a new, physical, eternal and perfect body. A body like Jesus had at his resurrection. A body that Jesus still has today and will have forever (1 Co 15:49).

We will be a new race of people, with new bodies, living in a new Earth, within a new Universe (1 Co 15:35-48).

John said:

--"...then I saw a new heaven and a new earth"...I am making everything new" (Rev 21:1-5).

By his death and resurrection Jesus acquired eternal life for those who repent and want a new life with him as Lord.

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Page 6

WE ARE SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND NOT BY OUR OWN MERIT

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Salvation, in its totality, is the work of Christ. We cannot save ourselves either in total or in part.
Christ, by himself, is our salvation: His death pays for our sins, so we will not pay in hell but have eternal life in heaven (John 3:16-18).
With empty hands we come to Jesus to receive it. And only as a free gift does he give it to us (Gal.5:4---Eph.2:8-9---Rm.6:23).

                     Sin is the only barrier that separates us from God and Heaven.
                     Only the cross of Jesus Christ can take our sins away and reconcile us to God.
                     Christ is our Savior. Whoever has Christ has eternal life (1Jn 5:11-12).
                     The gift of salvation comes with the giver of salvation.

--"Whoever has the Son has (eternal) life" (1Jn.5:12).

--"You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (Gal 5:4).

--"If by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace" (Rm 11:6).

--"By grace you were saved through faith-it is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works so no one can boast"(Ep2:8-9).

--"By grace": Christ saves us, and so it is a free gift to us (grace).

--"Through faith": We believe and trust in Jesus for our salvation.

We cannot save ourselves...

--''For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rm 3:23).

--"No one is righteous, not even one...no one does good, not a single one" (Rm 3:10-12).

The word of God explains it well...
--"For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands...but now God has shown us a way to be made
right with him...we are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ...
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his
life, shedding his blood...he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus...
So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law" (Rm 3:20-28).

The law of God gives us direction for our lives but cannot save the human soul:
The law also shows that we sin, so it condemns us--the law of God is a ministry of condemnation, not a ministry of salvation (2Co 3:9).
--"For what the law was powerless to do..(to save us)..God did by sending his own Son...to be a sin offering (Rm 8:3).

--"Therefore, (salvation) comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all...who have faith" (Rm4:16).

--"(Salvation) does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Rm 9:16).

Apostle Paul is a prime example of salvation by grace. Paul, as a Pharisee, was in the midst of persecuting Christians when Jesus Christ came into his life.
Paul did not deserve it, but no one does. Paul was saved by the grace of God and so are we. Paul, then became a servant of Jesus Christ as we also ought to be.

We are not saved by good works but FOR good works. "Good works" is not the means of our salvation; it is the fruit of our salvation, and it MUST be present in our new walk with Christ.

We will discuss this topic next.

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Page 7

SERVING CHRIST

-----Christ died for me and Christ lives in me. I am saved. What happens next?
Jesus says: "I am the vine; you are the branches...you will bear much fruit" (Jn 15:5). (His fruit)
God says in his word: "By grace you have been saved...not by works...(but for) good works" (Eph 2:8-10).
Christ will--without fail--produce in you and through you the fruit of the Spirit. You and what you do will change (Jas 2:14-26).
Good works are the fruit--not the means--of our salvation. Once we have Christ in us we are saved, then comes the fruit.
What if my faith is without his fruit? That's because my faith is empty, I am without Christ.

One of the ways we can serve Christ is by explaining his gospel to others.
Jesus asks us: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mk16:15).

Why preach the gospel?

The word of God explains it well...
"How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
                         And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
                         ..consequently, FAITH COMES FROM HEARING THE MESSAGE,
                         and the message is heard through the word about Christ" (Rm 10:14-17).

                         "The gospel (message) is the power of God for salvation" (Rm 1:16).
                         "The gospel...the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
                           but to us who are being saved it is the power of God..
                           God was pleased...of what was preached to save those who believe..
                                            ...we preach Christ crucified (1Co 1:17-23).

                         -------"God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us" (Rm 5:8).-------

            God uses the Gospel as his instrument to bring people to Jesus Christ.
When I hear this message, God convicts me of it and creates in me a true faith.
A true and living faith that draws me to Jesus (2 Co 4:3-7).
God makes Jesus desirable to me because I now truly believe that he died for me. That He took the judgement for my own sins.
God draws me to Jesus. I want Jesus in my life. I come to him and thank him for the cross (Jn 6:44---Mt 11:28).
I repent from my sins and turn to Jesus for a new life with him as my Lord (Col 2:6-7).
I give Christ ownership of my life. I receive him as Savior of my soul and Lord of my life (Gal 2:20).
Christ not only died for me, but he also rose from the dead and gave me a new life. Christ in me is my new life (2Co 5:17).
---------"You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation" (Eph 1:13)---------

The word of God:
            "God...brought us back to himself through Christ...and has given us this task of reconciling people to him..
              no longer counting peoples sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
              So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.
              we speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"
              For God made Christ who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,
              so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2Co 5:18-21).

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Page 8

SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION

Salvation is the main topic of the Bible: Jesus saves us from sin and its consequence (hell) by paying for our sins on the cross.

Only sin separates us from God and Heaven. Only the cross removes our sins and reconciles us to God.
---"We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Rm 5:10).

"By this Gospel you are saved...of first importance: that Christ died for our sins...that He was raised on the third day" (1Co 15:1-4).

"For everyone has sinned, we all fall short...yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ

Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin" (Rm 3:23-25).

"Christ suffered for sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God" (1Pt3:18).

---But those "who do not obey the gospel...will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from God (2Th 1:8-10).

Jesus says:

--“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (Jn.10:11).

--"Come to me...and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11:28).

--“Whoever comes to me...shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (Jn. 6:37-40).

Salvation is at the cross, and it is the center of God's message to us:

---God's love: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.." (Jn 3:16).
                          "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Rm 5:8).
---God's justice: "For the wages of sin is death" (Rm 6:23). Christ took the death sentence for us.
                              "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Gl. 3:13).
---Salvation: "By this gospel you are saved...that Christ died for our sins...that he was raised on the third day (1Co 15:1-4).
---Redemption: "In him we have redemption through his blood" (Eph 1:7).
---Justification: "We have now been justified by his blood" (Rm 5:9).
                             "All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Rm 3:24).
---Forgiveness: "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb 9:22).
[Jesus' blood shed on the cross washed our sins away--our sins no longer exist--we are forgiven (Col 1:21-22)]
---Atonement or propitiation: "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement" (Rm 3:23-25).
---Expiation or removal of sin: "Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many" (Heb 9:28).
---Holiness: "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb 10:10).
---Reconciliation: "We were reconciled to God through the death of his son (Rm 5:10).
---"Born-again": To receive the Holy Spirit (be born-again) we must first hear and believe the message of the cross (Eph 1:13-14).
---Preaching salvation: "The message of the cross...is the power of God...preached to save those who believe" (1 Co 1:18-21).
---The true gospel: "Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins... (any other gospel) is really no gospel at all" (Gal 1:4-9).
---Judgement: Christ took the sin judgement for us. His death sentence paid the penalty. Christ took the "curse for us" (Gl. 3:13).
                           "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rm 8:1).

                            At the cross Jesus Christ paid for our transgressions--his blood washed them away.
                            The cross erased our sins--they no longer exist--we are forgiven (Heb 9:22-28).

                            Christ suffered for us on the cross, so we won't suffer in Hell.
                            Christ then rose from the dead and now reigns in our hearts as our Lord (Gal 2:20).

                  "The cross of Christ alone can save...
                                      ...may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal 6:12-14).

SANCTIFICATION

Salvation is a one-time event. Sanctification is a process.

-----It starts with my new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit living in me; changing me; changing my behavior and my character.

-----Sanctification goes on for all of my Christian life.

In sanctification, God is gradually changing your heart:

--“You are being conformed to the image of his Son” “Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit” (Rm 8:28—1 Pt 1:2).

--"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Ph2:13).

The miracle of Christ in me is that I now desire to obey and serve him with all of my heart.

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Page 9

THE HOLY TRINITY AND THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

Our God is a Triune God. One God who is three persons.

One God who reveals Himself in three persons.
                 The three persons of the Trinity are of One and same essence, of One and same substance.
They are equal in nature. Each one is fully God.

                                      Bible verses that present the three persons of the Trinity
--"You are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they
do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you..." (Rm 8:9-10).
[God the Father and God the Son live in us through their Spirit--God the Holy Spirit. One triune God in our lives]

--"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt12:19).
--"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2Co 13:14).
--"Through Christ we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (Eph 2:18).

Bible verses that speak of the Deity of Jesus Christ.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).
---Jesus is the Word. The Word was and is God. Jesus is God-the-Son.

---God says: "I am the First and I am the Last". Only God has this identification because he was not created (Isa 44:6).
---Jesus also identifies himself as God: "I am the First and the Last" (Rev 1:17---2:8).

"Jesus being in very nature God...emptied himself" (became a man to die for us on the cross)" (Ph2:6-8).
---Jesus is equally God as the Father is. One God who is three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Only God is omnipresent--only God is in all places at the same time. Any created being can only be in one place at a time.
---Jesus is omnipresent--he is present throughout the whole universe, at the same time:
           "He (Jesus) existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together" (Col 1:17---Heb 1-3).
---Jesus is omnipresent--all Christians around the world are in constant fellowship with Jesus Christ:
           "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has (eternal) life" (1 Jn 5:11-12).
                          "Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1Jn 1:3).

In the Old Testament, God says that he, all by himself, created the Universe. "By myself" (Isa 44:24).
The New Testament says: "All things have been created through him (Jesus) and for him (Col 1:16).
---Creation and salvation were accomplished in its totality by ONE triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

---In function: God the Father is supreme. Jesus submits to the Father's authority. ---In being: they are equal.

As such Jesus Christ is equally worshiped: "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth" (Ph2:10).

Jesus represented God perfectly because He is the perfect God. Jesus represented us perfectly because he is the perfect man.
Jesus is fully God as his Father is. Jesus is fully human as his mother is.
One person with two natures: God and man. "Son of God" and "son of man" (Jn 5:18).

"Christ is all, and he is in all (Col 3:11).
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Page 10

Adam and Eve were also saved by Christ.

The word of God says to us:
--"Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under Heaven given to man by which we must be saved" (Ac 4:12).

This statement is true for all of humanity that ever existed and will ever exist.

NO HUMAN will inherit eternal life except through Jesus Christ.

Christ's salvation is for both--New Testament believers (like us) --and Old Testament believers (those who lived before Christ).
Jesus is the only Savior of the human race. Everyone that will ever exist in Heaven, is there because of Jesus Christ.

From Adam and Eve on until Jesus, God provided animals (the symbols of Christ) as atonement or payment for their sins (Heb. 9:11--10:18).

The sins of Adam and Eve were covered by one of these symbolic sacrifices (Ge. 3:21).
These sacrifices served as symbols; they waited for the one true sacrifice; they pointed to the real "once and for all time" sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

As Apostle Paul explains:

--"Jesus' sacrifice shows that...

God did not punish those who sinned in times past (before Christ)

...for he was looking ahead and INCLUDING THEM in what he would do in this present time" (NLT--Rm3:25-26).

All people of faith--including those who lived before the cross--are included in the salvation work of Jesus Christ.

--"Salvation is found in no one else..." (Acts 4:12).

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                              There are two human representatives: Adam and Christ
    When Adam and Eve sinned, they were cursed. They lost Paradise, eternal life and the fellowship they had with God. (Ge.3)
    We also sin against God. Because of sin in us we cannot fellowship with God now and receive the promise of eternal life later.
    But Christ brings us to God; he redeems us by paying for our sins on the cross. He atones for our sins. (Rm3:23-25)
    Christ suffered for us on the cross, so we won't suffer in Hell.
    There are two human representatives: Adam and Christ.
    Adam gave us sin and separation from God---Christ removes our sins and reconciles us to God.
    In Adam we end up in Hell (separation)---in Christ we end up in Paradise (reconciliation).
    Paradise lost through Adam---Paradise restored through Christ (Rm 5).


The Old Testament in Isaiah 53 points forward to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Written 700 years before it happened:
       verse 5:"But he was wounded for our transgressions;
                        he was crushed for our iniquities;
                        upon him was the chastisement that BROUGHT US PEACE,
                        and with his stripes we are healed".
       verse 6: "All we like sheep have gone astray;
                        we have turned---every one---to his own way;
                        and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all ".
verse 7: "...like a lamb is led to the slaughter...".
       verse 8: "...stricken for the transgression of my people ".
       verse 10: "...it was the will of the LORD to crush him...".
       verse 11: "...he shall bear their iniquities".
       verse 12: "...he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors".

---Jesus Christ is the suffering servant, the sacrificial " lamb of God who takes away the sin of the WORLD" (John 1:29)---
---"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN...by which we must be saved" (Ac 4:12)---
---"I am the way and the truth and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father except through me" (Jesus says in John 14:6)---

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Pages 11-14

DIVINE HEALING--GOD LOVES US AND WANTS TO HEAL US

CONTENTS

Page 11--FORGIVENESS AND ALSO HEALING ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST.

"ALL the promises of God find their yes in Jesus Christ" (2Cor. 1:20).

Page 12--WHEN MY HEALTH ISSUE IS BEYOND WHAT THE DOCTORS CAN DO, WHO DO I TURN TO?

"For I am the LORD who heals you" (Ex. 15:26).

Page 13--IS DIVINE HEALING FOR US TODAY?

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!" (Heb. 13:8).

Page 14--DIVINE HEALING IS A CONDITIONAL BLESSING.

"The LORD strengthens THOSE whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2Ch.16:9)

Page 11

JESUS CHRIST CAME TO DO THE WILL OF GOD by bringing us forgiveness and healing.

Jesus said:

--"For I have come down from heaven...(to do) the will of him who sent me" (Jn. 8:38).

Jesus did the will of God: Jesus suffered on the cross for our sins and for our diseases as well.

As it is written:

--Jesus "himself bore our sins in his body on the cross" (1 Pt. 2:24).

--Jesus "took up our sicknesses and bore our diseases" (Mt. 8:16-17).

Jesus took my sins--I am forgiven. And Jesus took my diseases--I am healed.

JESUS CHRIST EXPRESSED THE WILL OF GOD by healing all who were sick.

--"Great crowds came to Jesus...the people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,

the crippled made well...the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel" (Mt. 15:29-31).

--Jesus "healed all who were sick" (Mt. 8:16).

FORGIVENESS AND HEALING are available from God to all who belong to Jesus Christ.

As it is written: "ALL the promises of God find their yes in Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 1:20).

Jesus Christ took our place on the cross,

where he paid for our sins so we may be forgiven,

and where he also paid for our sicknesses so we may be healed.

Jesus gives us victory over sin (forgiveness) and victory over sickness (healing).

--"Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us" (Rm. 8:37).

--"By his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:6).

By our own faith and in the name of Jesus, we may come to God and ask Him for healing,

but also if your church believes in the gift of healing, you may ask them to pray over you.

Jesus says:

--"Whoever believes...will place their hands on sick people and they will get well" Mk. 16:18).

The word of God says:

--"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them...

the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up" (Ja. 5:14-15).

Page 12

WHEN MY HEALTH ISSUE IS BEYOND WHAT THE DOCTORS CAN DO, WHO DO I TURN TO?

I turn to the Lord because I believe in His promise to heal me:

--"For I am the LORD who heals you" (Ex. 15:26).

--"Praise the Lord...who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases" (Ps. 103:1-4).

--"By his wounds we are healed" (Isa. 53:6).

--"I will take sickness away from among you...I will fulfill the number of your days" (Ex. 23:25-26).

--A man with leprosy came to Jesus: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean”...

“I am willing...be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed" (Mt.8:2-3).

Jesus says to us:

--"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do...

whatever you ask in my name, this I will do" (Jn. 14:12-14).

ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE GIVEN TO FAITH!

But who believes that God wants to heal us? Only those who hear the message because...

--"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rm. 10:17).

God convicts us of what He says in His word. God makes His word true to us.

--"For the word of God is alive and powerful" (Heb. 4:12).

--"He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave" (Ps. 107:20).

--The words of God "are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body" (Prv. 4:22).

--"My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty" (Isa. 55:11).

Human nature is directed by what it sees--but faith is directed by the word of God,

expecting God to do what he promises.

--As Jesus said: "It is written...it is written...it is written" (Mt. 4:4-10).

The word of God is what we believe in--it is our faith--it is God's direct message to us.

--Jesus says: "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (Jn. 6:63).

Please Lord God, help us believe in your word!

Page 13

IS DIVINE HEALING FOR US TODAY?

Jesus Christ has not changed, His blessings remain the same as they were 2000 years ago!

--"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!" (Heb. 13:8).

Jesus Christ continues to do His work on Earth, but now He does it through us...

as Jesus says: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do...

whatever you ask in my name, this I will do" (Jn. 14:12-14).

--"His mercy endures forever" (Ps. 118:2).

--The word of God shows us that "healings" is a spiritual gift available to us today (1 Cor. 12:28).

GOD LOVES TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS

--"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you" (Ps. 86:5).

--"The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him" (Rm. 10:12).

--"If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 Jn. 5:14).

--"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

Jesus says: "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (Jn. 14:12-14).

We pray in the name of Jesus for healing, and He answers our prayer because that is His will.

How do we know it is His will? Jesus answers: "It is written...it is written...it is written" (Mt. 4:4-10).

If we REMAIN sick, how can we "be thoroughly equipped for every good work"? (2 Tim. 3:17).

Lord God, we praise your holy name, honor and glory to you!

Heavenly Father, please make this message true to us, please bless us with a living faith,

a faith that speaks of Your love for us and of Your desire to heal us, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen!

Page 14

GOD WANTS TO HEAL US BECAUSE OF HIS IMMENSE LOVE FOR US

--"God is love" (1 Jn. 4:16)

--"Praise the Lord, my soul...who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases

and crowns you with love and compassion" (Ps. 103:1-4).

--"The LORD is gracious and compassionate...and rich in love" (Ps. 145:8).

--"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you" (Ps. 86:5).

--"For as high as heaven is above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" (Ps. 103:11).

--Now we know what motivates the heart of God to heal us: "God delights in mercy" (Micah 7:18).

--"Your Father in heaven give(s) good gifts to those who ask him!" (Mt. 7:11).

PRAISING GOD OPENS THE DOOR TO HIS BLESSINGS

--"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving" (Ps. 95:2).

--"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise" (Ps.100:4-5).

--"He sent out his word and healed them...let them give thanks to the Lord" (Ps. 107:20-21).

HOW TO APPROPRIATE HEALING FROM GOD when the health issue is beyond what the doctors can do:

1--Make sure you belong to Jesus Christ (page 1).

2--Make sure you are right with God and want to serve Him all the days of your life.

3--Have faith in the word of God. It clearly shows that God loves you and wants to heal you.

4--Praise and thank God for He is rich in love, then act on your faith and call upon Him to heal you.

(Please be patient, healing does not always come instantly)

--"The LORD leads with unfailing love...ALL WHO keep his covenant and obey his demands" (Ps. 25:10).

--"The LORD...strengthen(s) THOSE WHOSE hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chr. 16:9).

--"So great is...God's love for THOSE WHO fear Him" (Ps. 103:11).

(Recommended reading "Christ the healer" by F. F. Bosworth)

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Page 15

My Bible Mini Messages

159 Bible messages that I texted to a group of people during Covid.
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Come to Jesus for eternal life!

Jesus says:
--“Whoever comes to me...shall have eternal life,
and I will raise them up at the last day” (Jn.6:37-40).
----------------
I come to Jesus because he died for my own sins.
----------------
We all sin against God--sin brings us to hell...
--"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rm3:23).
---
But Jesus suffered and died for my sin on the cross
SO I will not suffer in hell
but have eternal life in heaven (Jn3:16-18).
---
Jesus is: "The Lamb of God

who TAKES AWAY THE SIN of the world" (Jn.1:29).
---------------
I come to Jesus...
repent and surrender my life to him
for a new life with him as my Lord!
---------------
With Jesus, I have God now and eternal life later!

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Jesus was born for a special purpose

Joseph is told: "You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Mt1:21).

Jesus came to save us from our sins. Because we sin against God, our sin causes a separation between us and God (Rm 3:23--Col 1:21-23).
If this separation continues, we end up in Hell, forever separated from the goodness and grace of God.

Jesus saves us from sin and hell--he reconciles us to God--by paying for our sins on the cross.

"we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Rm 5:10).

Jesus came into the world for this very purpose: to die for our sins on the cross (Jn 12:27).

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Come to Jesus!

"Come to me...and I will give you rest (eternal life) for your souls" (Mt11:28).

Are you willing to repent from your sins and turn to Jesus for a new life with him?
Are you willing to come to Jesus and give him ownership of your life?

If you truly surrender to Jesus as Lord, then Jesus truly died for your own sins.
He took your sins away from you and paid for them on the cross--you are forgiven and reconciled to God (Heb 9:22).
Only Jesus can bring us to God now and bring us to Heaven when we die.

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Serving Christ

Jesus died for you and Jesus lives in you, you are now a true Christian.

Jesus says: "I am the vine, you are the branches...you will bear much fruit" (Jn15:5).
Jesus now lives in you by his Spirit, the Holy Spirit. You will be changed as a person and so your behavior also changes.

The miracle of having Christ in me, is that I now desire with all my heart to obey and serve him.
One of the ways we can serve Jesus, is by telling others about him.

Jesus says: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mk16:15).
You can do that by telling people about Jesus. Or if you wish you could forward these messages to other people you know.
Paul said: "I am not ashamed..." (Rm1:16). Are you ashamed?

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Our God is a triune God

"Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt28:19).

One Name (one God) that includes the three persons of the trinity.
One God who is three persons.
The three persons are of the One and same essence--of the same One substance--of the One and same Deity.

Each one is fully God. God-the-Father, God-the-Son and God-the-Holy Spirit.
We have a relationship with God the Father and with Jesus Christ through their Spirit, the Holy Spirit in us (Rm8:9---1Jn1:3).
One triune God in our lives.

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God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ

"The word (Jesus) was with God and the word was God...the word became a human being and..lived with us" (Jn1:1-14).

Jesus represented us perfectly because he was the perfect man (2Co 5:21).
Jesus represented God perfectly because he was the perfect God.

Jesus became and continues to be a human being like his mother (1Tim 2:5).
Jesus always was and always will be God like his Father.
He has the natures of both his mother and his Father.

One person with two natures: God and man; "Son of God" and "son of man".
Every word that Jesus ever spoke, was the word of God.

"Mary did you know, when you were kissing your baby's face, you were kissing the face of God?"

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God does not show favoritism

"If anyone of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross,
and follow me" (Mt 16:24).

Whether you are white or black, gay or straight, rich or poor, it makes no difference to God.
You must give up your old life for a new life with Jesus. You must give Jesus ownership of your life.

Jesus will change you. And as a result your behavior will also change.
"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, the new life has begun" (2Co 5:17).
Are you willing to take up your cross, give up your way of life and do it Jesus' way?

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When anxious--pray to God!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Ph 4:6).

God wants to constantly hear from us "in every situation".
The powerful God of the Universe is humble enough to be with us and listen to us.

God has a relationship with us. He is taking time with us.
Take time with God in prayer--do not be anxious--rely on him for all things.
"Pray continually" (1Th 5:17).

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"Seek first the kingdom of God" (Mt6:33).

We're outside of God's kingdom because we sin against God (Rm3:23).
Only Jesus can bring us into the kingdom by paying for our sins (Rm5:10).

The King dies for his own people, in order to bring them into the Kingdom.
We seek the kingdom and become members of the kingdom, by coming to the king.

"Amazing love, how can it be? That you, my king, would die for me!"

Also, we come to God each day; seeking his grace for that day.

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"Christ is all, and is in all" (Col3:11).

With Christ, we become children of God (Jn 1:12)
With Christ, we have eternal life (1Jn5:11-22).
With Christ, we have forgiveness of sin (Heb 9:22).
With Christ, we have all other blessings from God. (Eph1:3).
With Christ, we have God (Jn14:6).
God's blessings are ONLY for those who belong to his One and only Son Jesus Christ.

--"All the promises of God find their yes in him (Christ)" (2 Cor. 1:20).

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"So that..."

"The burdens laid upon us were so great and so heavy..but this happened SO THAT we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God" (2Co1:8-9).

At times our burdens are too great for us, but his happens, SO THAT we learn to turn to God and rely on him.

Great or small, we should always come to God with our burdens.

As Jesus said to Paul: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak" (2Co12:9).

...SO THAT we learn to rely on God for all things!

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God wants our faith to grow.

"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ" (Rm10:17).

True faith comes by first understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So it's important to be exposed to it. One sure way is to read the New Testament Bible.

I challenge you to start reading the Bible! You could start by reading 1 chapter (about 15 min.) of "John" or "Romans" each day!

If you find the Bible hard to understand; you should get an easy to read version, like NLT or the Good News (that's what I do). These contemporary versions are extremely easy to understand.

Before it can penetrate the heart, it must first be in your mind! My prayer is that you will take your faith seriously.
May God give you the courage and bless your effort!

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Our eternal dwelling

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…
and I heard a loud voice..
”Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them…he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be NO MORE DEATH or mourning or crying or pain,for the old order of things has passed away…I am making everything new (Rev21:1-5).

How do we make it to eternal life in Paradise (new earth)?
Only through Jesus:“Because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
...worthy is (Jesus) the lamb who was slain” (Rev5:9-12).

Our citizenship in the New Earth was purchased by the blood of Christ.

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Christ in me.

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal2:20).

The Christian life is not lived by me, but by Christ in me and through me.
Christ through his Spirit in me gives me new desires in life and also the strength to accomplish them (Ph4:13).

Jesus continues to live in this world, but now he does it through us.
This is the miracle of our faith!

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Christ is either at the center of our lives or not at all.

Jesus says: "I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference" (Rev3:19).
Let's not be indifferent. Jesus not only died for us, he wants to be at the center of our lives.

"Easy believism" does not exist. Examine your faith: Is Christ in you? (2 Co 13:5).

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Jesus is our Savior.

"By this gospel you are saved..that Christ died for our sins..that he was raised on the third day..(1Co 15:1-4).

We are saved (we go to heaven), not because we are good--only God is good-- (Mt19:17),
but because Jesus washes us, he takes our dirt, he takes our sins away and pays for them on the cross.

We are made clean and acceptable to God, by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Col 1:21-22).

We are sinners on the way to hell until Jesus comes into our lives and saves us, by paying for our sins on the cross (Rm 3:23-25).
We must repent and surrender to Jesus as Lord!

And some day we will also resurrect as Jesus did with a perfect and eternal body.
Amen to that!

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Can you defend the faith?

"I must write..urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people"(Jude1:3).
Are we willing to defend the faith "whether the time is favorable or not"? (2Tim4:2).

Or do we act as Peter did "afraid of criticism" and as a result the "truth of the gospel" was compromised? (Gal2:11-16).
The ESSENTIALS of the faith must always be defended as they were written in God's word, "but do this with gentleness and respect" (1Pt3:15).

It's not man's but Jesus' approval we want to hear: "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Mt25:21).

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Salvation is guaranteed!

"The promise (salvation) is by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed" (Rm4:16).
Our salvation is guaranteed to us because it was acquired by Jesus for us.
Only sin separates us from heaven--only Jesus can remove our sin and bring us to heaven (1Pt3:18).

"By faith" and "by grace" means we trust in God and in his goodness to save us,
(not in ourselves) (Rm4:1-16).

Christ is our Savior. Christ himself is our salvation. If we have Christ, we are saved, we have eternal life (1Jn5:11-12).

Jesus says: "..no one will snatch them out of my hand" (Jn 10:28).
The question is: Are you in his hand? Do I belong to Jesus? (Rm8:9-10).

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Jesus is coming back!

"Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many, and he will APPEAR A SECOND TIME not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Heb9:28).

The next big event is the second coming of Christ. The consummation of our faith will finally be realized.
When we will inherit a "new heaven and a new earth" where there is "no more death..crying..or pain" (Rev21:1-5).

BUT first a final and eternal judgment will take place. Two different groups of people will be judged:
One group of people at the "great white throne" judgment. One other group of people at "the judgment seat of Christ".
One is really bad. One is really good. Which group are you in?

We will discuss this tomorrow.

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Final judgment

As stated yesterday, everyone will be in one of two groups of people facing the final judgment.

One group will face the "great white throne" judgment.
One other group will go before "the judgment seat of Christ".

First group:
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it..and I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne..and all were judged according to their deeds" (Rev20:11-15).

They are judged "according to their deeds" (Rev20:13).
"They trusted in themselves that they were righteous" (Lk18:9).
They did not come to Jesus, they died in their sins (not forgiven) and cannot enter into eternal life (Jn8:24).

Second group:
"All of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2Co5:10).
In this context here, "all of us" refers to all of us Christians.
Christ paid for our sins. Our sins no longer exist, we are forgiven (Heb9:22).
We don't rely on our own goodness to save us, we are sinners.. We rely solely on Christ saving us.
This is not sin judgment, but a judgment of rewards for our service to God, as Christians.

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Only a "few" are God's children! (Mt7:14)

"To all who did receive him (Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (Jn1:12).

All human beings are creatures of God, not children of God.
Those who come to Jesus Christ are adopted by God as his adopted children (Eph 1:5).
We come to Jesus and our status changes: we become children of God and citizens of his kingdom (Ph3:20).

It's also important to note that God's promises are only for his children.
God's promises are only for those who respond to Jesus calling: "Come to me.." (Mt11:28).

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Store your treasure in heaven.

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age" (1Tim6:18-19).

The good we do does not bring us to heaven, Jesus does (Eph2:8-9---1Jn5:11-12).
BUT the good we do--how well we represent Christ in this life--will make a difference for all of eternity.
It will be a treasure that we store up for ourselves in heaven (our rewards).

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them, and rust destroys them..store your treasures in heaven..
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Mt6:19-21).

Treasure on earth is temporary but treasure in heaven lasts forever!

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We will be raised with a new and everlasting body.

"Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first..
..then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. After that the end will come..
we will someday be like (Jesus) the heavenly man..for when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised forever.
And we who are living will also be transformed" (1Co15).

At Jesus' second coming, all who belong to him will be raised with a glorified body.
A body like Jesus has in heaven today. A physical body that is perfect and eternal.

It's not the kind of church you belong to or how long you've been there!
The question is, do you belong to Jesus?

"Because I live, you also will live (Jesus in Jn14:19).

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God is the author of the Bible. So it is without error.

It took about 1500 years to write the Bible. And yet all these writings are in agreement.
This is because God is the ONE author of the Bible. God used the prophets as his agents to write it.

As Paul says: "The gospel I preached is not of human origin..I did not receive it from any man..I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" (Gal1:11-12).

Some people say "only if someone came down from heaven to let us know".
God also did that by sending his Son:
"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets..but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" (Heb1:1-2).

We can trust the Bible because it is not the word of man; for it is the word of God (1Th2:13)

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Jesus calms the storms in our lives.

Jesus said: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you.

Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light" (Mt11:28-30).

Come to Jesus and bring your burdens to him. And he will bring calm to the storms of your life.

"Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm" (Mt8:26).

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Our bad habits are gone!

"Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose it's power in our lives.

We are no longer slaves to sin...with Christ we were set free from the power of sin" (Rm:6:6-7).

We all sin until we die, BUT habitual sins, bad habits, addictions, should not be in our lives.

If I belong to Jesus, not only my sins are paid for, but Jesus through the Holy Spirit in me, gives me the strength to overcome these issues.

"Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us" (Rm8:37).

"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun" (2Co5:17).

Do you want a new life with Jesus?

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Our faith needs to grow.

"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2Pt1:2).

We are called to grow in our faith.

With that in mind I have created a website that focuses on presenting the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ in a way that's clear and easy to understand.

The gospel is God's plan of salvation. A plan that saves us from hell.

A plan that reconciles people to God in this life and for all eternity.

In this website you will also find all of my daily messages. The website: www.jc2020.org

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you" (Jn 15:7).

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Trusting God leads to blessings.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Prv3:5-6).

Our understanding is limited. But God sees the whole picture!

"(You) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him" (Mt7:11).

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Our body is God's temple.

"Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you ...you do not belong to yourself..God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body" (1Co 6:19-20).

God paid a high price for us (the life of his Son), so that he could live in us.

We must honor God with our bodies because they are his temple.

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From dust to eternal life.

"Adam...was from the dust of the earth, while Christ came from heaven...

just as we are now like (Adam) the earthly man, we will someday be like (Christ) the heavenly man" (1Co15:47-49).

This gift (to someday be like Christ) is yours through your union with Christ.

It's not something you can earn. It's yours by repenting and receiving Christ for a new life with him.

He died for you and he lives in you. The gift comes with the giver!

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son..whoever has the Son has (eternal) life (1Jn5:11-12).

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Our land needs healing

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways..then I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2Chr7:14).

We, Christians are called to change the culture we live in.

But right now the opposite is true, the culture is changing us Christians.

Our behavior emulates the world, not Christian beliefs.

Very few Christians are willing to obey and defend the faith as God gave it to us. Let's repent and obey the word!

Let's represent Christ by practicing and defending the faith as he gave it to us "once for all time" (Jude1:3).

Please God, heal our land!

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Who's in charge of your life?

The LORD God says: "For I know the plans I have for you..plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future (Jer29:11).

The plans God has for you, start here and now and will last for ALL eternity.

How long can our plans last for?

Please Jesus take the wheel! "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal2:20).

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The Christian message came with confirmation

"Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day...after that he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive" (1Co15:6).

Jesus resurrection as well as other facts written in the Christian Bible could be verified and checked to be true.

Because it was written when most of Jesus' followers were still alive and therefore able to vouch as eyewitnesses for the truth presented in those letters. Those letters came to be known as the New Testament Bible.

The New Testament was written during that first generation of Christians, right after Jesus' death and resurrection when thousands of Jesus' disciples were still alive.

Anyone doubting what was written could approach these people still alive and have it confirmed.

Only the one true religion was written down following this standard!

"I am the way and the truth and the life" (Jesus in Jn14:6).

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Who is Jesus?

"Though (Jesus) was God...he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being...

he humbled himself..and died a criminal's death on a cross" (Ph2:6-8).

This one Bible passage contains 3 essential doctrines (every Christian must believe):

Jesus is God (the Son)-----Jesus became a man-----Jesus died on the cross (for our sins) (1Co15:1-4).

It explains the 2 natures of Christ: God and man. "Son of God" and "son of man".

It also tells us the reason for his incarnation: To die for us (on our behalf).

"...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Ph2:10-11).

Interesting to note; someday all unbelievers will also recognize who Jesus is (every knee will bow and every tongue will declare).

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Jesus birth and death were predicted in the Old Testament.

"The Lord himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (which means God is with us) (Isaiah 7:14).

Jesus being born of a virgin was a "sign" (miracle) predicted by Isaiah of how the Messiah was to come into the world.

Isaiah 53: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace (with God) was upon him..the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all..

for he bore the sin of many".

The Messiah's death for our sins was predicted so precisely that it is astonishing.

Both of these prophecies were written by Isaiah about 700 years before Christ.

Please read Isaiah chapter 53 (Old Testament) and be amazed by it!

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Jesus is the lion and the lamb.

"Look, the lion of the tribe of Judah..has won the victory..

Then I saw a lamb..you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nation..worthy is the lamb..the elders fell down and worshiped the lamb" (Rev5:5-14).

This Bible reading presents Jesus as the lion of Judah and also as the lamb of God.

Jesus as the lion of Judah, is the conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

More importantly however, is Jesus victory won at the cross, as the lamb of God, where he conquered Satan and hell, sin and death for all of us. His cross won for us eternal life in heaven.

"Worthy is the lamb!" Have you kneeled to the lamb?

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If you've been adopted by God, he will never let you go (Rm 8:15).

"I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Ph1:6).

The miracle that brought God to reside within us, is the same miracle that keeps God from ever leaving us.

"I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, no one will snatch them out of my hand" (Jesus in Jn10:28).

If you are a child of God (Jn1:12), you are his forever!

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The gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:23-25: "For everyone has sinned, we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.

He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life (for their sins), shedding his blood".

Our sin separates us from God, only Jesus can bring us to God and heaven by paying for our sins (1Pt3:18).

Jesus says "Come to me..." (Mt 11:28).

"And you are included among those..who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ (Rm1:6).

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We also worship God by the way we live.

"I urge you..in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"(Rm12:1-2).

But God through his Spirit, the Holy Spirit in us, gives us the desire and the strength to live this new life! (Ph2:13).

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?" (1Co6:19).

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Is your pride in the way?

"Do not love the world..

for everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life-- comes not from the Father but from the world.

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever" (1Jn2:15-17).

Without God it's all in vain, it all passes away.

But the will of God is that you come to his Son for a new life. Jesus will give you a new focus in life.

And it will last forever!

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Pleasure, pride and possessions.

"Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn't repented of their sins and turned to God" (Mt11:20).

They saw all these miracles that Jesus did--the evidence was there--and yet they did not repent and turned to God.

But why? "The world offers a craving for..pleasure..pride..and possessions.

These are not from the Father but are from the world" (1Jn2:16).

Our heart becomes indifferent to God if we put too much time and value on the things of the world.

BUT......"Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop" (Mt13:8).

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There is power in the name of Jesus!

"The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you" (Rm8:11).

As children of God, this same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in us, and is available to us in the name of Jesus, so that we can overcome and have victory over the issues we face in this world.

"Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us" (Rm8:37).

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ..that this man stands before you healed" (Ac4:10).

We are to be bold as we pray to God and ask God in the powerful name of Jesus.

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A prayer for all of us.

"I kneel before the Father..

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power..to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ep3:14-21).

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would greatly bless everyone reading this message. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Read the Psalms, they will inspire you to worship God!

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What is "born-again"?

Jesus says: "No one can see the kingdom of God without being born again..a person is born physically of human parents (and) born spiritually of the Spirit" (Jn3:3-6).

My first birth: I am born of my parents as a baby.

My second birth (born-again): I am adopted by God as his child and receive the Holy Spirit (Rm8:15---Ep1:5).

I'm adopted by God when I come to Jesus:

---"To all who received Jesus (and) believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (Jn1:12).

---Jesus says: "No one comes to the Father except through me" (Jn14:6).

We, then "fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" through their Spirit in us (1Jn1:3).

God wants to be your heavenly Father! Repent and come to Jesus!

Happy father's day!

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God's grace is bigger than our mistakes!

" Where sin increased, grace increased all the more so that..grace might reign (and) bring eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rm5:20-21).

To us who belong to Jesus Christ, the grace of God is bigger than the wrongs we commit ( past, present and future)--no matter what we have done.

The grace of God is offered to us through Jesus Christ who paid for ALL of our sins,

so we can be completely forgiven and have eternal life (Eph1:7).

...as a result of this grace, "there is now no condemnation to those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Rm8:1).

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We are to grow in knowledge as well as in character.

"Supplement your faith with..moral excellence..knowledge..self control..patient

endurance..godliness..brotherly affection and..love

..the more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Pt1:5-8).

Salvation is the work of Christ for us who repent. BUT as we live our faith, God wants us to grow in knowledge and in character. And this will determine how much God will use us in this life.

If not, then we will be saved BUT "as though only as one escaping through the flames" (1Co3:15).

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Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

"God saved you by his grace, you can't take credit for this, it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

(But after we are saved, then)..we can do the good things God planned for us long ago" (Ep2:8-10).

Our salvation in its totality is the work of Christ. We cannot save ourselves, either in total or in part.

Christ by himself is our salvation (1Jn5:11-12). And only as a free gift does he give it to us.

"If you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law (by doing good),

you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace (Gal 5:4).

Only with empty hands can we receive the gift!

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There are two human representatives: Adam and Christ.

"Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness (his death for our sins) brings a right relationship with God and a new life for everyone" (Rm5:18).

Adam gave us sin and separation from God. Christ pays for our sins and reconciles us to God.

In Adam we end up in hell (separation). In Christ we end up in Paradise (reconciliation).

Paradise was lost through Adam, Paradise was restored through Christ.

"God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness (hell) and transferred us into the kingdom of Jesus Christ" (Col 1:13).

It's most urgent that we all transfer (convert) to Christ!

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"Purify your hearts"

"Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith" (Hb12:1-3).

As children of God, we must repent of what is wrong in our lives.

"For the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes each one he accepts as his child" (Hb12:6).

"Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands..purify your hearts" (Ja4:8).

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What is a saving faith?

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? (2Co13:5).

A saving faith is when: Jesus lives in you as your Lord and Savior. The Lord of your life and the Savior of your soul.

The essence of our faith is Jesus himself. If you have Jesus, you have eternal life (1Jn5:11-12).

"This message was kept secret..but now it has been revealed to God's people..and this is the secret:

Christ lives in you..

so we tell others about Christ, warning..and teaching everyone" (Co1:26-28).

What makes me a true Christian? Christ in me.

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Essential doctrines of the Christian faith. (What we must believe).

--God is one (Isa44:6).

--Holy Trinity: One essence, One God who is three persons; God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit (Mt28:19).

--Jesus is fully God and fully man (Ph2:6-8).

--Jesus death for our sins and his bodily resurrection 1Co15:1-4).

--The Bible is without error because it is the word of God (2Tim3:16).

--All humans are born with a sin nature--all guilty of sinning against a Holy God--all in need of Jesus to save us (Rm3:23).

--Our future resurrection. Those who are saved by Christ will resurrect into eternal life (1Co 15:12-24).

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Do you want a relationship with God?

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer29:13).

A lot of times it takes a calamity for us to seek God and find God.

It's easy for us to have a religion, however, we can be religious but empty without God.

We want to HAVE God and be in a relationship with him.

Are you going through a storm right now? Cry out to God!

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble...he stilled the storm to a murmur, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

They rejoiced when the waves grew quite. Then he guided them to the harbor they longed for (Ps107:28-30).

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How was Jesus introduced to the Jews?

"Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn1:29).

Jesus as the lamb of God took the penalty for our sins on the cross. Jesus took the penalty for us, on our behalf.

We, as sinners against God, no longer have to suffer in hell for our own sins.

Christ paid it all for us who repent and surrender to him, for a new life with him as Lord.

And "now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Rm8:1).

We praise your name and thank you Jesus, that you became the lamb of God and went to the cross for us!

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Christians are free!

Jesus said: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free..everyone who sins is a slave of sin...so if the Son sets you free, you are truly free" (Jn8:31-36). Jesus paid our sin debt, we are free!

"Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law (Gal5:1).

Christianity is an obedient relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thanks to Jesus, sin no longer has a hold on us and also we are not required to obey a set of religious rules and regulations for our salvation.

Jesus set us free, we are free indeed! Happy fourth of July!

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"Only a few ever find it"

"You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and ONLY A FEW ever find it" (Mt7:13-14).

There are many religions in the world one could choose,

however, the way to enter God's kingdom is not through a religion but through a person (Jesus Christ).

Jesus is the narrow gate. Jesus is the one and only way to eternal life.

Jesus says: "I am the way...no one comes to the Father except through me (Jn14:6).

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Are we growing in Christ?

Bible passage:

"Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.

Then your faith will grow strong in the truth...and you will overflow with thankfulness" (Col2:6-7).

Commentary:

Are you feeding your faith daily?

You can do it by reading the Bible, by listening to a faith based radio station or by reading a daily devotional.

Expose yourself to information that relates to our faith.

The more we grow in our faith, the stronger Christ is in our lives and the more thankful we will be for it.

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God only accepts the perfect!

Bible passage:

"You were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions..

yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ..

as a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him

WITHOUT A SINGLE FAULT" (Col1:21-22).

Commentary:

No one is perfect BUT in God's sight we are because our sins were removed from within us and paid for by Christ on the cross.

All of our impurities are gone, and so we are presented to God, clean, "holy..and without a single fault".

In God's sight we are perfect ("without a single fault"), because of the sacrifice of his Son for us.

Don't stand before God without Christ! Unite yourself to Christ. He will present you to God clean, "without a single fault" !

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What is it to repent?

Bible passage: "Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Ac3:19).

Commentary:

Sinning is part of our human nature, we are born with it.

BUT we are to repent and turn away from the wrongs we know we are committing.

Repentance is both: A turning from sin and a turning to God for a new life.

What is the result of true repentance?

Jesus pays my sins, I am forgiven. And Jesus comes into my heart as my Lord.

Because I repented; Jesus is now the Savior of my soul and the Lord who is in charge of my life.

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What is salvation? What am I saved from?

Bible passage:

"By this gospel you are saved..that Christ died for our sins..that he was raised on the third day (1Co15:1-4).

Commentary:

Humans are in need of salvation--we need to be saved from our sins because our sin is against God and so it comes with a penalty.

It's God's nature to love us BUT it is also God's nature to hate sin and punish sin (Rm 6:23).

God's righteousness--God's justice requires eternal separation from God in Hell as punishment for our sins.

This is a place where we are separated from the grace and goodness of God for all eternity (Rm 3:23-26).

But God because of his love for us sent Jesus to save us from sin and hell. Jesus saved us by paying for our sins on the cross.

Jesus took upon himself the penalty we deserve. He died for our sins (1Pt 3:18).

Jesus suffered for us on the cross so we won't suffer in Hell (1Th 1:10---2Th 1:8-10).

Jesus offers his salvation to us: "Come to me..and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11:28-30).

We are to repent from our sins and surrender to Jesus for a new life with him as our Lord.

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What makes me a Christian?

Bible passage:

"This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God's people..and this is the secret: Christ lives in you" (Col1:26-27).

Commentary:

We do our best to follow Jesus teachings and to also participate in religious activities but this however does not make us Christians.

What makes me a true Christian is when, at a point in my life, I come to Christ, ask him into my heart and become united to him.

This happens when I repent and ask Jesus to be in charge of my life--to be the Lord of my new life with him.

What matters is what you do with Christ!

How do you respond to him? knowing what he did for you on the cross.

Regardless of what church you go to, are you a true Christian? Is Christ in you?

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Is the word of God (Bible) sufficient?

Bible passage:

"Even if an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!

...I did not receive it from any man..I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" (Gal1:8-12).

Commentary:

Not only the Bible gives us God's whole plan of salvation (the gospel),

but also God puts a stop to anyone who tries to add to it or change it in any way.

We can rely on the sufficiency of the word of God. Because it is from God and it is complete!

God says (1Cor15:2): "By this gospel you are saved..." (this gospel and no other).

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God wants children!

Bible passage:

"God created mankind in his own image..male and female he created them..and God said to them 'be fruitful and multiply" (Ge1:27-28).

Commentary:

When God asked us to multiply and fill the earth he also had in mind that we would multiply with children for himself.

How do we bring people to become children of God?

God says : "To all who received Jesus, to those who believed..he gave the right to become children of God...children born not of natural descent..but born of God" (Jn1:12-13).

We explain the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who are convicted by it and receive Jesus become children of God.

God says: "Go into all the earth and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mk16:15).

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How do I witness?

Bible passage:

"The Good News..(the Gospel)..the message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God..

...he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe...we preach Christ crucified" (2Co1:17-23).

Commentary:

When we witness, these two topics must be at the heart of the conversation:

---the message of the cross (why Christ had to die for our sins) (1Co15:1-4).

---and that we must repent and receive Christ in our hearts for a new life with him as Lord (Gal2:20).

Explain it well and God will draw people to Christ (Jn6:44).

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What is the rapture?

Bible passage:

"For the Lord Jesus himself will come down from heaven..(Those) who have died will rise from their graves.

Then, together with them, we who are still alive..will be caught up..to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever (1Th4:16-17).

Commentary:

The next big event is the second coming of Christ, when we will be caught up in the air (raptured) to meet Jesus and be with him forever.

All of God's creation, including our bodies will be made anew and eternal.

All of God's creation will forever be the way God first meant it to be like.

Paradise was lost through Adam BUT...Paradise will be restored through Christ.

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What is the "day of the Lord"?

Bible passages:

"(Jesus) will come down from heaven.. (and we) will be caught up..to meet the Lord in the air...about times and dates..

the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night..while people are saying "peace and safety" destruction will come on them suddenly.." (1Th4:16---5:3).

"heavens and earth are reserved for fire..kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" (2Pt3:7-9).

Commentary:

Those who belong to Jesus are raptured by him into eternal life. Judgment and destruction will fall on everyone else on "the day of the Lord".

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What is "grace and mercy"?

Bible passage: "By grace you have been saved...it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8-9).

Bible passage: "God saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" (Ti 3:5).

Commentary:

God saves us, not because of the good we do, but because of his grace and mercy towards us.

Grace--God gives us what we don't deserve. Mercy--God will not punish us for our sins.

We must understand however, that God's grace and mercy is granted to us freely because of the payment that Jesus made on our behalf, for our sins on the cross.

It's free to us because Jesus paid it for us!

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What is a revival?

Bible passage:

"If my people..will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways..I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2Chr7:14).

Commentary:

Most people across the country are indifferent to God. Also most Christians are in a spiritual slumber and they have fallen away from the truth.

Our country is in need of a spiritual revival!

Revival: The Holy Spirit will revive a great number of Christians and through them will reach multitudes for Christ.

We are in need of a revival and it's coming!

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It's not who I am, but who he is!

Bible passage:

"First, I thank my God through Christ.." (Rm1:8).

Commentary:

I'm in a relationship with God, not because of who I am, but because Christ died for me and Christ lives in me.

Christ is my identification before God. As Paul stated above, even in thanking God, we do it through Christ.

Christ constantly in me gives me constant access to God.

"No one comes to the Father except through me" (Jesus says in Jn14:6).

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Where are your sins?

Bible passage:

"Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross" (1Pt2:24).

Commentary:

The removal of our sins by Christ is what allows us the privilege of having God in our lives, here and now and for all eternity.

The only souls accepted by God are those whose sins have been removed or washed away by Jesus Christ.

"Once for all time, Christ has appeared..to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice" (Hb9:26).

Have you come to Jesus to be washed? Jesus Christ only washes those who he has possession of!

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Should we discuss our faith with others?

Bible passage:

"(A) veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth..but whenever someone turns to (Jesus), the veil is taken away..

..so all of us who have had that veil removed..(are being) changed into his glorious image" (2Co3:14-18).

Commentary:

We should discuss our faith with others "but do this with gentleness and respect" and with a purpose in mind.

The purpose is to point them to Christ by explaining the gospel.

"The gospel is the power of God for salvation", it removes the veil of spiritual darkness. (Rm3:16).

God through the gospel brings people to Jesus--the veil is removed.

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Have you received the deposit from God?

Bible passage:

"(God) set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (2Co1:22).

Commentary:

God comes to reside in our hearts--we have a spiritual birth--we become his children--we start to fellowship with him (Jn3:3-6).

Without the Holy Spirit in our hearts__we may be religious__but we are empty!

Do we know when it happens?

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Rm8:16).

When the all powerful God of the universe comes into our lives, WE KNOW IT!

Has it happened to you?

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When do I receive the Holy Spirit?

Bible passage:

"You were included in Christ when you heard the message..the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked..with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" (Eph1:13).

Commentary:

When I heard and believed the gospel--that Christ died for my own sins--I came to Christ and was united to him by receiving his Spirit--the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus and the Spirit of God the Father.

Rm 8:9 says: "You..are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to him".

When you come to Christ--when you belong to Christ--you receive the Holy Spirit.

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Are you feeding yourself?

Bible passage:

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2Tim3:16-17).

Commentary:

The Bible equips us for "every good work":

___What we are to believe (doctrine). ___And how to live our faith.

True faith is not static, it must be fed so that it can grow.

Reading the New Testament feeds us and equips us to be Christians.

1Peter 2:2 says: "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk (the word of God),

so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment..."

The word of God feeds us!

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A warning!!!

Bible passage:

"So we tell others about Christ, WARNING everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us" (Col 1:28).

Commentary:

Christ's message is one of love, in that Christ left heaven and came into the world to redeem a people for himself.

This love story however, comes with a strong "warning" and that is, with Christ we are blessed with redemption BUT without Christ we receive damnation (2Thes1:8-10).

They are both equally true.

The good news is that Jesus says: "I will never turn away anyone who comes to me (Jn 6:37).

We have all been warned!

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What is redemption and how does Jesus Christ redeem us?

Redemption: To buy something back that was lost. To purchase it back by the payment of a ransom.

Bible passage:

"For you know that it was not with...silver or gold that you were redeemed...but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1Pt1:18-19).

Commentary:

Because we sin against God--we are separated from God--we end up in hell--our souls are lost. But Jesus Christ purchases us back--he redeems us to God by paying the price for our sin, which is his death on the cross.

We are redeemed NOT by following Christ's example or by our own good deeds, but by the "lamb of God" who gave his life for our sins--the ransom price for our redemption.

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What seed are we to plant in people's hearts?

Bible passage:

"You have been born again (became a child of God) not of a perishable seed but through...the word of God...

and this word is the Good News that was preached to you" (1Pt1:23-25).

Commentary:

The word of God, more specifically the Good News (the gospel) of Jesus Christ, is the seed that God plants in people's hearts.

God uses this gospel message (his seed) to draw us to Christ.

God also created the Universe through his spoken word:

--Psalm 33:6 says: "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth".

-----The word of God does the work of God!-----

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Who are the chosen people of God?

Bible passage:

"You (Christians) are a chosen people...a holy nation, God's special possession...

once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God" (1Pt2:9-10).

Commentary:

Before the cross, the Jews were God's chosen. They received the word of God (the old testament) and they were to convey the message of God to the whole world.

On this side of the cross however, God no longer chooses people based on who belongs to the Jewish nation. But rather, God chooses those who belong to a Jewish man, Jesus Christ (Eph1:4,11). Do you?

Whether Jew or Gentile, it makes no difference to God.

As Galatians 3:28 says: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile...for you are all one in Christ Jesus".

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What is christianity?

Christianity is the only way God reconciles human beings to Himself.

This is done through Christ, by his death and resurrection.

Bible passage:

"By this gospel you are saved (reconciled to God)..that Christ died for our sins..that He was raised on the third day (1Co15:1-4).

Commentary:

Jesus reconciles us to God by removing our sins that separated us from God.

Jesus rose from the dead and gave us a new life with him as our Lord. This new life with Jesus Christ is eternal.

Romans 5:10 says: "We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son".

Jesus says: "Come to me..." and be reconciled to God!

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What is the essence of our faith?

Our union with Jesus Christ is the essence of our faith.

Bible passage:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing...

BECAUSE we are united with Christ " (Col2:10).

Commentary:

___We represent Christ before others and Christ represents us before God.

It's not what I do, but who Christ is!

1John5:11-12: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has (eternal) life".

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How is Christianity different from other religions?

The other religions are "works" based, meaning if you do enough "good works", then you have God and heaven.

The human mind always gravitates to human effort as the way to God.

These religions are man-made.

Christianity came from God and so it's different (Eph2:8-9).

Bible passage:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified...

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Rm3:23-25).

Commentary:

Human sin blocks everyone from God and heaven. We need Jesus to redeem us--to bring us to God and heaven.

Jesus did this by removing our sins. Jesus is the only one way to God and heaven (Acts 4:12).

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How do we respond to Jesus Christ?

Bible passage:

Jesus said: "Come to me...take my yoke upon you...and you will find rest for your souls (eternal life)" (Mt11:28).

Commentary:

Jesus' invitation is for all. And yet Jesus is not for everyone.

We would simply like to have Jesus as a helpful addition into our lives.

But instead Jesus wants to be in charge of all that is in our lives. He wants to be Lord.

Jesus died for us so that he can be our Lord (Rm14:9).

The Shepherd laid down his life but only for his own sheep (Jn10).

We respond to Jesus with total surrender for a new life with him as Lord.

___ Are you willing?

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What if I don't believe?

Bible passage:

"Faith (belief) comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ" (Rm10:17).

Commentary:

We must first hear and understand the good news (the gospel) of Jesus Christ, faith will then follow.

If you are interested, then God will help you:

"See( (understand) the glorious light of the Good News...this message about the glory of Christ...God made this light shine in our hearts" (2Co4:4-6).

God says: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer29:13).

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Have you touched Jesus' garment?

Bible passage:

"As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who (was sick)...

she came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately (she was healed)...and Jesus said, "who touched me?" (Lk8:43-45).

Commentary:

She was determined, she fought through the crowd and touched Jesus. Her effort was recognized and she was blessed for it.

Are we making a similar effort to be close to God?

For a close relationship with God:

___We talk to God continually (prayer). ___And we listen to God by reading his word.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you" (Ja4:8).

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What is the benefit of the cross?

Bible passage:

"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ga6:14).

Commentary:

___Christ bore my sins in his body on the cross.

___On the cross Jesus suffers the death penalty as payment for my own sins.

___As a result of Christ's death on my behalf, I as a sinner no longer have to suffer in hell for my own sins.

___Jesus' death took my sins away, I am forgiven.

___Christ suffered for me on the cross so I won't suffer in hell.

"God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us" (Rm5:8).

"We preach Christ crucified" (1Co1:23).

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An urgent message!

Bible passage:

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,

against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Eph6:12).

Commentary:

Our nation needs our prayers! I'd like to ask everyone that during the month of September, along with your daily prayers,

you would also ask God to intervene with mercy and grace upon America.

September is a very important month of prayer for our country.

---This is most urgent!

---The turmoil is not over!

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" ( Ja5:16).

---Lord, we repent for being so disobedient to your truth. Please forgive us, please be merciful to our Nation,

please protect us, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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A must watch video!

Bible passage:

"In the last days, God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people...

your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams" (Ac2:17).

So called "prophetic" videos on YouTube do not impress me at all, but a friend of mine insisted that I watch this one.

The Pastor in this video explains the dream he had about events that will happen in the U.S. right after the elections.

If you want to watch the video, click on the link below.

"Pastor Dana Coverstone shares his prophetic dreams from 6.22.20 about COVID-19, The Election and . ." on YouTube

https://youtu.be/SAZGxTiX6bY

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"Do not fear..."

Bible passage:

Jesus said "...in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Jn16:33).

Commentary:

Even in the midst of the storm we are not to react as the world does, but with the peace of Christ in us.

God has a purpose for us, he is in control, he is our heavenly Father.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rm5:8).

And today God continues to love us just as much!

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Is our faith solid and true or is it man-made?

Bible passage:

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house (faith);

yet it did not fall, it had its foundation on the rock" (Mt7:25).

Commentary:

Our faith walk in this life has to have a true foundation (what we are to believe). Christ with his message is the true foundation of our faith.

Our faith and security that comes with it can only be guaranteed if it stands on the solid rock that is Jesus and his word.

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1Co3:11).

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What is "rebirth (or regeneration) of the Holy Spirit"?

Bible passage: "The meaning of Jesus Christ's death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross...

You received the Holy Spirit (rebirth) because you believed the message you heard about Christ" (Gal3:1-5).

Commentary:

when we believe the message of the cross and come to Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit (we receive God in our lives).

This rebirth or regeneration of the Spirit gives us a new heart. Our new heart, indwelt and regenerated by the Spirit of God,

now embraces Christ and desires the things of God.

It all starts at the cross!

It's the understanding of what Jesus did for us on the cross that opens our hearts to God (1Co1:18).

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Are we like God?

Bible passage:

"God created human beings in his own image... male and female he created them" (Ge1:27).

Commentary:

God created us "in his own image"-- that is, we reflect God's character by some of his attributes in us, like:

we communicate, we love, we have emotions etc.

God also gave us a soul/spirit that is eternal, through which we are able to fellowship with him.

Right from conception, each one of us was individually created by God:

"You (God) formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb...

I was being made in secret, intricately woven..." (Ps139:13-16).

From the very beginning each one of us was made by God, stamped with his own image.

Regardless of ability or disability, born or unborn, race, age or gender, all are equally worthy of protection and respect.

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What was the main purpose of Jesus in the world?

Bible passage:

An angel informs Joseph of Jesus' birth and purpose:

___"(Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Mt1:22).

Commentary:

Because of sin all of humanity is separated from God (Rm3:23-35).

Jesus mission in the world: to bring people back to God by paying for their sins on the cross.

"We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Rm5:10).

___Only sin separates us from God.

___Only the cross reconciles us to God.

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How do I live the faith?

Bible passage:

"I pray that... Christ may dwell in your hearts...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Eph3:16-19).

Commentary:

Three faith elements of our life in Christ:

_Understand the faith.

_Live the faith.

_Speak the faith.

We must first understand our faith before it shows through our actions.

It must first reach the mind before it can penetrate the heart.

We understand it-- we live it-- we speak it.

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (2Tim3:16-17).

Scripture gives us the understanding we need to live in Christ and to speak of Christ.

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"Come, see Jesus!"

Bible passage:

(After Jesus met a Samaritan woman by the water well) "the woman went back to the town and said to the people,

"come, see (Jesus)...could this be the Messiah?...(and many ended up believing) because of the woman's testimony" (jn4:4-42).

Commentary:

When we first come to Jesus, one thing that happens to us--as it happened to this woman--is that we feel the need to tell others about Christ.

God instills this new desire in our hearts and it is in this way that the message of Christ (the gospel) spreads throughout the world (Ph2:13).

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What is the best known verse in the Bible?

Bible passage:

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish (in hell) but have eternal life ( in heaven)".

Commentary:

John 3:16 is the best known verse of the Bible and for good reason; as the main topic of the Bible is about salvation (eternal life);

John 3:16 tells us how we get it.

Eternal life is ours through faith in Jesus. Jesus acquired it for us.

We trust Jesus for our salvation, he is our Savior (1Jn5:11-12).

Do you trust Jesus as your Savior?

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Have you been healed by Jesus?

Bible passage:

___"They couldn't bring (the paralyzed man) to Jesus because of the crowd,

so they dug a hole through the roof (and) lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith,

Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven...get up, take up your mat and go home" (Mk2:4-11).

Commentary:

It took a tremendous effort to bring this man to Jesus. But it was worth it!

This man got healed of his physical disability and of his sins!

All of humanity suffers from a disease called sin (Rm3:23).

And only Jesus can wash our disease away with his blood!

If you have been washed by Jesus, would you then consider bringing someone else to Jesus?

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Was Jesus death for our sins predicted in the Old Testament?

Yes, Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf was prophesied in the Old Testament. The best example is Isaiah 53 (700 years before it happened):

"He was pierced for our transgressions

...he was crushed for our iniquities

...the punishment that brought us peace was upon him

...the LORD laid on him the iniquity of us all

...he was led like a lamb to the slaughter

...for the transgression of my people he was punished

...it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer

...the LORD makes his life an offering for sin

...he will bear their iniquities

...he bore the sin of many".

Notice that Jesus "brought us peace" with God by taking the punishment for us. That's the gospel.

They looked forward, we look back.

The cross is at the center!

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Does the Jehovah Witness church teach a false (not biblical) doctrine?

Yes. Their two main false teachings are:

___They teach that we work for our own salvation.

___They also teach that Jesus is a created being (an angel).

The Bible teaches that salvation is not by works but by faith--it is a free gift to those who come to Jesus (Eph2:8-9+Rm4).

And also, Jesus is not an angel. He is God-the-Son (Jn1:1+Rv1:17).

These are two essential doctrines of true biblical christianity.

An angel (a created being) can only be in one place at a time, then if Jesus were an angel, how could millions of christians, all at the same time, have Jesus in their lives?

___We should ask them this question!

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Are you a "Mary" or a "Martha"?

Bible passage:

"Mary (Martha's sister) sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made...

(she said to Jesus) 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?'

..Martha, Martha, the Lord answered...few things are needed--or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Lk10:39-42).

Commentary:

Both Mary and Martha were believers in Christ, however their choices were very different.

Mary has "chosen what is better". The attention she gave Christ "will not be taken away from her".

It will be "treasure" for her in heaven!

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Is your name recorded in the "book of deeds" or in the "book of life"?

(The final judgment) "I saw a great white throne...and the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books...and all were judged according to their deeds...(anyone's name not) in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire" (Rv11-25).

Commentary:

Our sin will always separate us from God (Rm3:23). No matter what deeds we have done, we are tainted with sin.

Jesus cleans us of all sin, he purifies us, he is the lamb of God who takes our sins away.

"Nothing impure will ever enter it...but only those whose names are written in the lamb's book of life" (Rv21:27).

Do you want to rely on your own deeds or do you want to come to Jesus?

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Is criticism of Joel Osteen justified?

Bible passage:

"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.

They will...look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth...(2Tim4:3-4).

Commentary:

Joel Osteen preaches a message of prosperity and he does not believe Jesus is the only way to God, therefore he never speaks of the cross.

In his recent book "Your best life now", there is not one reference to the cross of Jesus. He evicted the cross in order to justify his unbelief.

This goes against the word of God:

___Gal. 6:14: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ".

___1 Cor. 1:18-23: "The message of the cross...is the power of God...we preach Christ crucified".

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Does God live with you?

Bible passage:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" (1Co6:19) (Also Rm8:9-10).

Commentary:

This simple yet amazing truth is that the God of the Universe would want to come and live with us,

have a relationship with us and live inside of us so that he can change us from within.

Also from within us he gives us the strength to live a life that pleases him.

God's interest in us is amazing; it brings us to our knees!

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Salvation and sanctification difference.

Salvation is a one time event (2Co6:2).

___We receive it when we come to Christ.

___Christ is our salvation.

___Whoever has Christ has eternal life (1Jn5:11-12).

Sanctification is a process. It starts with my new life in Christ

where the Holy Spirit gives me new desires in life and the strength to act on them.

God is gradually changing you so that:

___"you are being conformed to the image of his Son" "through the sanctifying work of the Spirit" (Rm8:28---1Pt1:2).

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What is the most important message of the Bible?

Bible passage:

___"It is this Good News that saves you...I passed on to you what was MOST IMPORTANT...

(that) Christ died for our sins...and he was raised from the dead on the third day" (1Co15:1-4).

Commentary:

___The Good News (the Gospel) is the "most important" message in the Bible. The whole of Scripture points to this event.

___Jesus' death for our sins and his resurrection assures us that we will also resurrect to eternal life.

___This is ours--not through our good works--but through our union with Jesus Christ (Eph2:8-9+1Jn5:11-12).

He was punished for us on the cross so we won't be punished in hell (2Thes1:8-10).

That is most important! thank you Jesus!

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Be prepared!

Bible passage:

___"Suddenly a furious storm came up...the disciples (said) "Lord save us!" Jesus replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?

Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm" (Mt8:23-27).

Commentary:

___Chaos is coming our way after the elections.

___We should repent and pray for God's mercy, grace and peace over our country.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Psalm23).

Prepare yourself but do not be fearful!

"Victory is ours"--Rejoice--God will bless us! (11/2/2020)

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Do you want to know the truth?

Jesus said: "I am the way and the truth..." (Jn14:6).

Commentary:

Jesus with his message is the truth. He gave it to his apostles and prophets who wrote it down.

These writings later became the New Testament Bible (Gal1:12).

All information in the New Testament is reliable because it was written for us by Jesus' apostles and prophets in that time period, during that first generation.

The last book (Revelation) was written by the last surviving apostle (John).

God made sure we got his true message!

(Speaking of knowing the "truth"--we all have a lot of questions right now of what is going on in our country.

But rejoice, God is involved and he has a plan. Please keep praying for our nation! (11/5/2020)

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What is "justification by faith"?

Bible passage:

"For all have sinned and fall short...and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus...

through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith" (Rm3:23-25).

Commentary:

I as a sinner cannot justify myself before a Holy God.

I am just-I am made right with God-because Jesus' sacrifice cleans me of all sin-makes me pure in God's sight-thereby giving me a right standing with God.

Romans 5:9 says: "We are justified by Jesus' blood".

Colossians 1:21-22 says: "Once you were alienated from God ( because of sin)...

but now he has reconciled you by Christ's...death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish (justified)".

Justification is by faith: I trust Christ for my justification. (Also read Rm. 4)

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Why is the Gospel also called the Good News?

Bible passage:

"This is the message of Good News...that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ" (Ac10:36).

Commentary:

Some Bible versions call it the Gospel and some call it the Good News. The meaning is the same.

It's the good news that peace with God is available to us. A way of reconciling sinful humanity to a Holy God.

This was done by Jesus on our behalf when he went to the cross.

Thus the day he went to the cross was labeled "Good Friday".

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Have you stumbled over the "rock"?

Bible passage:

"(They), who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not?

Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone (Jesus) that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall" (Rm9:31-33).

Commentary:

God provided Jesus as the way of righteousness for us.

But we wrongly gravitate to our own effort as the way of being right with God.

Instead of coming to Jesus, we stumble over him.

Because of sin, we do not rely on ourselves but on Jesus.

With Jesus, we are right with God--without Jesus we will stumble and fall.

Repent and rely on Jesus!

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Do we conform to the world or to the truth of God?

Bible passage:

"Therefore, I urge you...in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice...

do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed" (Rm12:1-2).

Commentary:

Are we a living sacrifice showing the love of God to people regardless of who they are?

We show God's love by presenting the truth of God. But instead we conform and kneel down to the ideology of the world! (Jn14:21-24).

___Where were we when God was taken out of the school system?

___Where were we when Roe vs. Wade was passed?

___Where were we when gay marriage was passed? (Rm1:26-27)

God loves everyone equally and he wants everyone to know HIS truth!

Christians are to proclaim God's truth "but do this with gentleness and respect"--"speaking the truth in love" (Ep4:15).

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What is it to have an empty faith?

Bible passage:

Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but only the one who does the will of my Father...

Many will say to me on that day 'Lord, Lord'... then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you, depart from me" (Mt722-23).

Commentary:

A true faith is ALWAYS evidenced by the transformation God produces in the life of the person.

If the person's will and behavior does not change, God never came in, that faith is empty and that person is not saved.

When God comes in, our heart changes and we do the will of God.

How does God come into our heart?

Watch this video

https://youtu.be/uZdv-TtiMkg

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What is "Lordship salvation"?

Bible passage:

"Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living" (Rm14:8-9).

Commentary:

So called "Lordship salvation" means that Christ only saves those people who he has possession of as Lord--

those who surrender to Christ's sovereign authority over them.

Our "great shepherd" (Jesus) laid down his life, but only for the sheep that belong to him.

"For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2Co4:5).

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What is meant by "easy believism"?

Bible passage:

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires,

they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2Tim4:3).

Commentary:

Christ is both Savior and Lord--Savior of my soul and sovereign Lord of my life. Anything short of this is "easy believism".

"Easy believism" is preached widely because it sounds good; it's an easy way to practice religion; without repentance and without a commitment to Christ.

True faith however, requires that the One who died for you also has authority over you.

True faith brings me into a union with Christ--where he reigns over me as my Lord.

Examine your faith: Is Christ in you? (2Co13:5).

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Corruption must be exposed!

Bible passage:

"...the world's corruption caused by human desires" (2Pt1:4).

Commentary:

Corruption is: "Dishonest conduct by those in power".

Many churches across our nation are corrupt; many people in city, state and federal government are corrupt.

We must ask God to intervene and reform our churches and government. Only he can do it!

Please pray to our Almighty God that His light will shine in the darkness of corruption and reveal it, expose it and remove it from our nation.

We ask Him in the powerful name of Jesus, who shed his blood for us! Amen.

"But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible" (Eph5:13).

May corruption be exposed by God! And soon it will be!

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The Pilgrims took their faith seriously!

Bible passage:

"by prayer with petition and thanksgiving..." (Ph4:6).

Commentary:

The Pilgrims were serious about their faith, so much so that they crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America so they could freely exercise their biblical faith.

God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ, and went to the cross in order to afford us a relationship with himself.

We should also not take that lightly!

Since the Pilgrims, America's been a safe haven for anyone fleeing religious persecution.

Let's thank God for America and the religious liberties it has offered to ALL of humanity, and please continue to pray for our Nation.

Big events are about to happen! We need God's mercy! Happy thanksgiving!

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Judgment or sacrifice?

Bible passage:

"This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1Jn4:10).

Commentary:

We are either under the judgment of sin or under the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Jesus' sacrifice took the judgment for us.

The cross guarantees our destiny. It is sure because Jesus acquired it for us (Rm4:16).

With Christ we are free:

"So now there is no condemnation (no judgment) for those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Rm8:1).

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In Christ, we have authority!

Bible passage:

"We are ambassadors for Christ, God is making his appeal through us..." (2Co5:20).

Commentary:

We who have been washed by the blood of Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit have authority in Jesus' name.

Our prayer has authority to bring people to Christ, to intercede in people's lives, in schools, in changing laws, against disease, depression, crime and corruption.

In our daily life there is always someone or something we can intercede for.

Please continue to pray for the purposes of God in America.

God says: "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results" (Ja5:16).

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Judgment!

The word of God says: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments" (Rv16:7).

Commentary:

Lord have mercy on us, we are guilty of sinning against you; we've outlawed your presence in the public square of this country,

we have killed 50-60 million of your babies and in many other ways we've sinned against you.

Lord God expose the corruption and the enemies of our Nation!

Realign, correct and bring this country back to what it should be! This is a battle for the soul of our Country!

We call on the Name of the Lord to give us victory over the enemies of our Nation and also victory over the enemies of the cross!

May the fear of the Lord ascend on our Nation!

Please keep praying for our country. It is God who's going to do it!

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Are you being fed spiritually?

The word of God says: "May God give you more and more grace and peace AS YOU GROW in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord" (2Pt1:2).

Commentary:

We either feed ourselves daily and grow in the faith, or if not, then we "backslide" away from the faith.

Please note that here, God's blessing is conditional; as we grow more and more in the faith,

God then blesses us with "more and more grace and peace".

Spiritually, I feed myself daily in three different ways; I read the New Testament, read Christian books and listen to Christian radio (92.7FM--1590AM--550AM).

For Bibles and other books I go to Morning Star Bookstore on Rt.1 in N.Attleboro.

True faith cannot be stagnant, we must grow in it! May God bless you in your effort!

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Who is righteous?

Jesus says: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Lk5:32).

Commentary:

Who is righteous? "No one..." (Rm3:10).

Who is a sinner? "All..." (Rm3:23).

Jesus refuses those who think are righteous, but receives those who recognize their sin and repent from it.

The Bible points out that we all sin against God (no one is righteous), as such we're all in need of a Savior.

The whole Bible points to Jesus Christ as the only One who can save us from our sins. [Jesus also removes our bondage to the power of sin in our lives (Rm6)].

Come to Jesus and be saved from sin and its power in our lives!

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Jesus said: "It is finished"!

Bible passage: "Jesus knew that his mission was now finished...he said (on the cross) "it is finished!"

Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (Jn19:28-30).

Commentary:

The work of our salvation was started and finished in its totality by Jesus Christ. And so it is ours as a free gift! (Ep2:8-9---Rm6:23).

God prohibits any work from us--any additional requirement from us or anybody else for our salvation (Rm4).

Christ, all by himself saves our soul--he is our Savior! (Ac4:12).

What Jesus wants from us is that we repent of sin and of life and surrender our lives and hearts to his ownership

where he can change us, shape us and mold us as HE sees fit.

He is the potter, we are the clay! (Is64:8).

But... are you willing?

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Would you like a permanent relationship?

Bible passage:

"Christ suffered once for sins...to bring you to God" (1Pt3:18).

Commentary:

A permanent, forever relationship with God, is possible but only through Jesus! (Rm3:23-25---Rm5:10).

Religions give you man-made rules and regulations to follow.

But God wants a relationship with you where He is your Sovereign LORD, where he is your God--God over you in all things!

In this relationship with God we obey his word, not man-made rules and regulations!

The God of the Universe became a baby in the person of Jesus Christ for that very reason;

so we could be in a relationship with God, here and now and for all eternity!

___"No one comes to the Father, except through me!" (Jn14:6).

___Let's thank Jesus that he made a way to God for us!

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Do you have evidence?

The word of God says:

"The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...

those who belong to Christ have nailed the...desires of their sinful nature to his cross (Ga5:22-24).

Commentary:

No one is perfect but true faith changes our hearts to move in that direction. This new fruit is the necessary evidence of a true faith.

From the moment we are saved the Holy Spirit starts to work in us, gradually changing us, producing this fruit in our hearts.

Examine your faith! Do you have evidence that Christ is your Savior?

No transformation--no salvation!

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The best Christmas message!

Bible passage:

Joseph was told: "Mary will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Mt1:21).

Commentary:

Our sin separates us from God, but Jesus brings us back to God by paying for our sin on the cross (Rm5:10).

Jesus took the punishment so we can be forgiven! (Hb9:22).

Our hope is in Jesus! Thank you Jesus!

Merry Christmas to all!

Would you like to send this Christmas message out to everyone you know on social media?

Let's thank Jesus, but not just with words!

The gospel message is simple and yet powerful; it brings people to Jesus. (Rm1:16).

Be bold! Spread the gospel!

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Enjoy this video!

Grace For Purpose

"The Day Is Coming!" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/yXoGxDTU9vQ

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Is Jesus' coming back soon?

God says: " Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many, and he will appear a second time not to bear sin,

but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" ( Hb9:28).

Commentary:

Yes, the next big event is the second coming of Christ. The consummation of our faith will finally be realized.

Those who are forgiven will inherit a "new heaven and a new earth" where there is "no more death...crying...or pain ( Rv21:1-5).

A final and eternal judgment will take place:

___One group of people will face sin judgment, they will be found guilty!

___One other group of people are forgiven--no judgment--Jesus took their judgment 2000 years ago! (Rm8:1).

Do you want to be judged?

Come to Jesus--be forgiven!

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Have I failed in my prayer life?

Bible passage:

Jesus says: "You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it" (Jn14:14).

Commentary:

___I've failed to realize how important prayer is! And how much more God would do in my life and also through me to bless others,

if only I took my prayer life more seriously!

God says: "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (Ja5:16).

If our prayer is in Jesus' name--in accord with what he wants for us--then our prayer moves the heart of God to act on our behalf!

What a gift!

Do you know what my New Year's resolution is?

Please Heavenly Father, implant in our hearts a new and stronger desire to pray to you!

We thank you that you are there for us! In Jesus' name we pray!

Happy New Year!

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Watch what God is about to do!

Bible passage:

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it" (1Co10:26).

Commentary:

Even though with faults, God blessed America from the very beginning and gave it the highest purpose--

--to proclaim the gospel to the world. America has done so, and more than all the other countries combined!

But now disobedience and corruption have completely overtaken our Nation. But God will expose all the dirt, cleanse and reset America back to himself.

Not by political or other powerful groups but by God's mercy; this country will be cleansed and reset; BUT by God himself!

Keep praying for America!

Be prepared--brace yourself!

The turmoil is about to start! (1-5-2021)

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What is the "new covenant"?

God said: "I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel...I will forgive...their sins" (Hb8:12).

Commentary:

Through the new covenant, God would provide forgiveness to his children--those indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

This provision of the new covenant was put into effect by Jesus, whose sacrifice--whose blood--would remove our sins so we can be forgiven.

This covenant is the key to all New Testament theology:

Jesus' once sacrifice is now offered by faith, for the forgiveness of all who put their trust in Him.

Jesus said: "This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people.

It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many" (Mt26:28). (Read Hb9:11-28).

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God does it for us!

Bible passage:

The LORD said to Abraham: "Next year, your wife, Sarah, will have a son!

...(but) Sarah was long past the age of having children so she laughed..." (Ge18:10-12).

Commentary:

Even though they were too old; Sarah gave birth to Isaac, as God had promised.

But why didn't God give them a son when they were younger?

God waited until they were out of options! Then he moved to do what is humanly impossible, yet necessary to fulfill his purpose!

God takes over and does it for us! "He who has an ear, let him hear..."

Keep praying for America! (1-12-21)

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There is power in the name of Jesus!

Bible passage:

"Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us" (Rm8:37).

Commentary:

If Jesus is your Savior and Lord (meaning if Jesus paid for your own sins and Jesus lives in your heart) then your prayer has tremendous power; take advantage of it!

We don't realize how powerful and effective prayer is! It is powerful because we pray in Jesus name--we pray with the authority of Jesus Christ!

Ask God to improve your prayer life, please take it more seriously!

By our prayer and God's mercy, corruption and abortion will soon be eliminated from this land!

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Adam and Christ!

Christ exposes our evil hearts!

Peter said to Jesus: "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Lk5:8).

Commentary:

We must first realize we are spiritually lost--we must realize we have a disease called sin--and then we will come to Christ!

As sick people must realize their need of a doctor--so also, we with a sin nature, must realize the need for forgiveness

and a new direction in life, both of which only Christ can give us!

Jesus said to Matthew: "Follow me" and Matthew "left everything and followed him" (Lk5:27-28).

Matthew immediately repented of all that was wrong and followed Christ!

But...are you willing?

P.S.---Big corruption will soon be exposed and removed, but in a very surprising way!

Keep praying; the truth of God will prevail in America!

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God's mercy overflows to those who repent!

Bible passage:

"If my people...will humble themselves and pray...and turn from their wicked ways...

I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2Ch7:14).

Commentary:

God says "If my people..." It's not the whole country, but his people--the few--

the true believers in Christ who must intercede for the Nation! God's mercy will reset America!

We need mercy because America is blood guilty to native Americans, slavery, abortion, etc.

Our prayers and repentance on behalf of the Nation will bring God's mercy on us!

Corruption will be removed and a spiritual revival will bring God to his rightful position in America as it was decades ago!

Our war is with "evil spirits in the heavenly places" so please pray for our Nation and watch what God is about to do!

Prayer is our mighty weapon! (1-21-2021)

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Why worship God?

The Bible says: "For in him (God) we live and move and exist" (Ac17:28).

Commentary:

Our creation (our existence) and the sustaining of our life (we live and move) are two miracles that can only be done by God.

Even science laws (such as "cause and effect") point to God as our Creator.

Even the very oxygen we breathe is made by God.

Not only God made us and sustains us, but also God loves us. Because of God's love for us, he wants to share with us--not only who he is--but also the world where he lives.

John 3:16 says that because of God's love for us, he sent his Son to redeem us to himself, here and now and for all eternity!

Jesus redeemed us by his cross!

God is worthy of our worship! Please watch this 8 min. video!

This will soon happen across the country! https://youtu.be/hLzX3rpbfSA

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Paul called the Galatians foolish, but why?

Bible passage:

"You foolish Galatians!...Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified...

did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?" (Ga3:1-2).

Commentary:

It's at the cross that our sins are washed away so we can be forgiven!

It's this same message that draws us to Christ so that we may receive that gift! (Eph1:13---Jn3:3-8).

"The gospel (the message of the cross) is the power of God for salvation (Rm1:16---1Co1:17-24).

The Galatians thought their deeds were also required to be saved.

Actually this is an affront to Christ who offered himself to save us. We are "foolish" if we think we can add to the work of Christ!

Christ, all by himself, is our Savior! Don't be like the Galatians!

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Please, test your faith!

God says:

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2Co13:5).

Commentary:

___Jesus, you are my Lord and my Savior!

___You suffered and died for my own sins!

___Jesus, I repent of my sins!

___I ask you for forgiveness!

___Jesus, I surrender my life to you!

___Please, live in my heart, be my Lord!

___(Jesus died for me and Jesus lives in me!)

___Thank you Jesus!

Galatians 2:20 says: "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Ga2:20).

"Every spiritual blessing" God wants to give you comes with Christ! (Eph1:3).

___Make sure you have Him!

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What is humanism, secularism and pluralism?

God says:

"Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies...

that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ" (Col2:8).

Commentary:

Humanism, secularism and pluralism have taken over our culture.

___Humanism: man is at the center--not God.

___Secularism: God must be removed from all public life.

___Pluralism: there are many ways to God.

Government, education and media have driven this idea for a long time.

The end result is a society that does what is abhorrent to God,

like: almost half a million kids go missing each year and close to 1 million unborn babies are killed each year.

But God's grace is stronger than the evil in this world; God will soon cleanse America with a spiritual revival!

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Proclaim the faith!

God says: "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...

God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (2Ti3:16-17).

Commentary:

Three sides to our faith:

___Understand the faith.

___Live the faith.

___Speak the faith to others.

Before it penetrates our hearts, we must understand it first. We then live it and speak it to others.

God did his part in giving us eternal life by the sacrifice of his Son.

A free gift to us--but do not forget--Jesus Christ paid dearly for it! (Rm6:23).

With this free gift comes the responsibility of proclaiming it to others!

If we've been washed by his blood and indwelt by the Spirit, then it's our duty to speak the faith to others!

Social media is an effective and yet easy way to do this! Find ways to do it--be bold!

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How do I witness for Christ?

God says: "The Good News ( the Gospel)...the message of the cross is...

the very power of God...to save those who believe...we preach Christ crucified" (2Co1:17-23).

Commentary:

When we witness for Christ, these two topics must be at the forefront of our conversation:

---1- the message of the cross (explain why Jesus had to die for our sins) (1Co15:1-4).

---2- and that we must come to Christ, repent of our sins and surrender our lives to Christ for a new life with him as our Lord (Ga2:20).

Help people understand the Gospel and God will draw people to Christ (6:44).

___"The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Rm1:16).

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Should we discuss our faith with others?

God says: "A veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth...

but whenever someone turns to Jesus, the veil is taken away" (2Co3:14-18).

Commentary:

Not only should we discuss our faith with others, we are asked by God to do so.

But we are to do it with "gentleness and respect" and with a purpose in mind.

The purpose is to point them to Christ by explaining the gospel.

When someone turns to Jesus-- the veil of spiritual darkness is removed--

we have a spiritual birth--the Son of God is born in us--and we hunger for the things of God.

___"I was blind and now I can see" (John 9:25).

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How is there power in the name of Jesus?

Jesus said: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Mt28:18).

Commentary:

Because we belong to Jesus, we use his identity and pray in his name--

and our prayers are powerful because they carry Jesus' name--his authority.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Ph2:10).

Please keep praying for America, something big is about to happen!

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Would you like to memorize scripture?

Paul said: "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me" (Ga2:20).

Commentary:

If you want to memorize Bible verses, you should consider this one. It contains the two most important elements of the Gospel:

--Christ died for me (my Savior).

--Christ lives in me (my Lord).

You can get pre-written Bible memory cards at Morning Star (which I recommend) or you can write your own as you read the Bible.

___It takes some effort but it's very rewarding, you will not regret it!

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Jesus identifies himself as God!

Jesus said: "I am coming soon...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the beginning and the end...yes, I am coming soon" (Rv22:12-20).

Commentary:

A common practice in the New Testament Bible is to apply the identity of God to Jesus Christ.

This is the case above.

Three times in "Revelation" Jesus identified himself as "I am the First and I am the Last". Only God is the first and the last.

God is the first, he always existed--he is the source all.

When the "Jehovah's witnesses" speak to you, bring this up to them, the reason being, they teach that Jesus is not God, but an angel.

Their Jesus does not exist--they do not believe in the Trinity.

As such, Jesus cannot be their Lord--Jesus is not in their lives!

("No one comes to the Father except through me")

BUT "speak the truth in love" (Ep4:15).

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In Christ, we are a new race of people!

Jesus said: "I am the vine, you are the branches...you will bear much fruit" (Jn15:5).

Commentary:

Christ died for our own sins and Christ lives in us as our Lord--we are true Christians regardless of what church we go to! (Gal.2:20).

Once we have Jesus in us, we are saved, (Jesus is our Savior) then comes the fruit.

Good works are the fruit-- not the means of our salvation!

What Christ wants is our hearts so he can change us into a "new creation" (2Cor.5:17).

Eph.2:10 (Amplified version): "For we are his workmanship [his own master work, a work of art],

created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us]".

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Jesus' death and resurrection is for us!

Jesus said: "For this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people.

It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many" (Mt26:28).

Commentary:

Jesus suffered for our sins on the cross so we won't suffer in hell. Jesus paid the penalty for us so we can be forgiven!

Jesus resurrected and those in Him will also rise to eternal life (1Cor. Ch15)

By Jesus' death and resurrection I am forgiven and have eternal life--a free gift to all who call Jesus their Lord.

Thank you Jesus!

Happy Easter!

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Adam and Christ!

"Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness (his death for our sins)

brings a right relationship with God" ( Rm5:18).

Commentary:

Adam gave us a sin nature and separation from God.

Christ pays for our sins and reconciles us to God (Rm5:10).

If we continue in Adam we end up in hell (separation).

If we convert to Christ we end up in paradise (reconciliation).

Paradise was lost by Adam!

Paradise is restored by Christ!

It's most urgent that we convert to Jesus!

Jesus loves us, He died for us! (Gal.2:20).

Jesus says: "Come to me...and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt11:28-29).

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What is the main purpose of the Church?

Examine your faith...is Jesus Christ in you? (2Co.13:5).

Commentary:

Regardless of what Church we belong to, its main responsibility is not to give us rules, regulations and rituals,

but to present the person of Jesus Christ into our lives!

If we HAVE Jesus:

___we have God (Jn14:6).

___our own sins are paid for, we are forgiven, we will not suffer in hell (1Th.1:10).

___we have eternal life (1Jn5:11-12).

___we have "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms" (Eph.1:3).

Do you HAVE Jesus? Is He your Lord? (Col.2:6)

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Christ took our place!

"Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law.

When He was hung on the cross, He took upon himself the curse for our wrong doing" (Gal.3:13).

Commentary:

___Jesus identified with us,

___took our place,

___bore our sins in his body,

___in order, as our substitute,

___take the punishment for our sins,

___in our behalf.

"This is my body...this is my blood..." (Mt 26:26-28).

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Who is Jesus Christ?

The word of God says: "(Jesus) who, being in very nature God...being made in human likeness...

becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Php.2:6-8).

Commentary:

This one single Bible passage presents three Christian doctrines that every Christian must believe!

---Jesus is God (the Son).

---Jesus became a man.

---Jesus died on the cross.

Jesus came into the world for the purpose of reconciling humanity to God! (Rm5:10).

Jesus himself is the embodiment of that reconciliation!

The two natures (God and man) are reconciled in the one person of Jesus Christ!

Jesus is the God-man! (Jn1:1-14).

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Do you want to be a farmer for God?

Bible passage:

Jesus said: "A farmer went out to plant some seeds...and (some) produced...even a hundred times as much as had been planted" (Mt13:3-8).

Commentary:

We are farmers serving God in this world (the field) by spreading the seed--the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we spread this seed, it grabs onto the soil (the human heart)--this seed is "imperishable" and it will never let go! (1Pt1:23-25).

Do you want to be a farmer for God?

Social media is a great way to do it!

Do you want to get more information on the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Please go to www.JC2020.org

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Why are we here?

Bible passage:

"God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him" (Ac17:27).

Commentary:

Only God's written word and more explicitly the New Testament answers the question of our existence:

Where did we come from? (Ac17:24-31).

Why are we here? (Ac17:27---Heb11:6---Rm6:22-23).

Where are we going? (Rev21:1-4).

No other religion answers the question of our existence--but only the Bible!

All information outside the Bible is limited because it comes from the human mind!

The Bible gives us the answer because only the Bible came from God!

The Bible is a testimony to its source!

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Jesus is "the Lion of Judah and also "the Lamb of God"!

Bible passage:

"Look the lion of the tribe of Judah...has won the victory...then I saw a lamb...

'you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nation'...

worthy is the lamb...the elders fell down and worshiped the lamb" (Rev.5:5-14).

Commentary:

Jesus as the Lion of Judah is the conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Just as important is Jesus' victory won for us as the Lamb of God,

where at the cross he conquered sin and death, Satan and hell for all of us!

The King became a lamb for our sakes!

"WORTHY IS THE LAMB" (Rev.5:12).

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How dirty are your feet?

Bible passage:

"Jesus began to wash the disciples' feet...

Peter protested, "you will never wash my feet!"

But Jesus replied "unless I wash you, you won't belong to me" (Jn13:1-15).

Commentary:

If we belong to Jesus our souls have been washed by Him (Col.1:21-22) BUT how much dirt do our feet pick up as we walk in this world?

Romans 12:2 says: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind".

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What is the main purpose of the Bible?

Bible passage:

"For ALL (people) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rm3:23-25).

Commentary:

Because we all sin against God, we are all separated from the presence of God!

We all fall short of God and of Heaven!

BUT because God loves us, he offers us a plan of redemption!

God's plan is Jesus Christ himself, who redeems us--who makes peace with God for us--

who reconciles us to God by paying for our sins on the cross (Rm5:10).

The main purpose of the Bible is to point us to Christ as the One Redeemer for all of humanity! (Acts4:12 ---Isaiah53).

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Are we ready for a spiritual revival?

Bible passage:

God told his people: "There will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word" (1Ki17:1).

Commentary:

There was a drought for three years! The hardship the drought caused,

was used by God to prepare the hearts of people for a spiritual revival.

God is also using what we're going through right now to prepare the hearts

of millions of Americans for a soon coming revival!

Prepare yourself, be close to God, by prayer and reading the word of God (especially the New Testament)

revival is coming soon!

Millions will come to Christ!

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Pleasure, pride and possessions.

The word of God says:

___"Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles,

because they hadn't repented of their sins and turned to God" (Mt11:20).

Commentary:

___"Jesus...had done so many of his miracles" right there in front of them--before their very eyes--and yet,

they did not repent and turn to God. But why?

Because we place too much emphasis, time and value on the things of the world and so our heart becomes indifferent to God.

First, come to Jesus--what he offers is eternal, this life is temporary!

If you have Jesus, repent from your indifference--let the world take a back seat to your relationship with God.

___"The world offers a craving for...pleasure...pride...and possessions.

These are not from the Father but are from the world" (1Jn2:16).

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What makes me a true Christian?

Bible passage:

"This message was kept secret for centuries...

but now it has been revealed to God's people...

and this is the secret: Christ lives in you" (Col.1:26-27).

Commentary:

Regardless of what church we belong to;

doing the right thing and even participating in religious activities does not make us true Christians.

We must repent and come to Jesus; receive him in our heart for a NEW life with him as Lord.

My union with Christ as my Lord is what makes me a Christian!

Regardless of what church you go to---Is Christ in you? (2Cor.13:5).

Christ died for me and Christ lives in me! (Gal.2:20)

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Do the "Jehovah witnesses" proclaim a true message?

Commentary:

The "Jehovah witnesses" teach a false doctrine--

mainly that Jesus is an angel (Michael) and that our "good works" are necessary for salvation.

Jesus identifies himself as also God does: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (Rev.22:13) (Rev.1:8).

--Jesus is "In the form of God...equal to God" (Phil.2:6-8).

___Jesus is God-the-Son (not an angel).

___There is one God--one Divine Substance.

___There are three persons who are of this One and same Divine Substance.

___Father-Son-Holy Spirit are equally Divine.

Also, our salvation is not acquired by our own "good works"--Jesus is our Savior!

___Only sin separates us from heaven!

___Only Jesus wipes our sin away! (Eph.2:8-9)

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Who are the children of God?

God says:

"To all who received Jesus to those who believe in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God" (Jn1:12).

Commentary:

All human beings are creations of God, but only a "few"--

those who come to Jesus are adopted as children of God (Mt7:14).

God's promises are only for those who become his children--

for those who respond to Jesus' calling: "Come to me..." (Mt11:28).

We come to Jesus and our status changes--we become children of God and citizens of heaven (Ph3:20).

"God predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ" (Eph1:5).

Praise be to God!

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What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

God says:

"By this gospel you are saved...of first importance

that Christ died for our sins...that he was raised on the third day..." (1Cor.15:1-4)

Commentary:

The gospel is God's plan to save the human soul from hell to eternal life in heaven.

Salvation--in its totality--is earned by Jesus Christ for us!

Eternal life (salvation) is a free gift to us--by the grace of God. (Eph.2:8-9)

Jesus suffered for our sins on the cross so we won't suffer in hell but have eternal life in heaven.

The word of God says:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16-18)

___Thank you Jesus that you loved me and died for me! (Gal.2:20)

___I repent of my sins and surrender all that I am to you!

___Please come into my heart and be my Lord!

Please forward this message to everyone you know!

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What is the Holy Trinity?

Bible passage:

Jesus says: "I and the Father are one" (Jn10:30).

Commentary:

"I and the Father"--two distinct persons who "are one" in Essence.

Add Holy Spirit, and you have the Trinity--three in one.

There is one God--one Divine Substance.

There are three persons who are of this One Divine God Substance.

Father-Son-Holy Spirit are equally Divine (Mt.28:19).

God the Father is Supreme in authority--He is preeminent in all (1Cor.11:3).

God the Son is our example of submission to God. He became Jesus to atone for the human sin (Mt1:21).

God the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of both Father and Son (Rm8:9)--He is God with us.

The three are equal in being--but not in function.

The Father is called God in the Bible--He is Supreme!

Jesus is called Lord--He is our Lord.

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Repentance and conversion are necessary for a true faith.

Bible passage:

"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person--

--the old life is gone; a new life has begun" (2Cor.5:17).

Commentary:

I must repent of my sins and of my life and turn to Jesus for a new life with him as my Lord!

My conversion is from my old self, living a worldly centered life--to Christ in me, living a God centered life.

But I must first decide, whether or not to give Jesus the rights to my being and to my life.

Jesus says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in" (Rev.3:20).

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The LORD said to Abraham:

"Next year, your wife, Sarah, will have a son!

...(but) Sarah was long past the age of having children so she laughed" (Ge. 18:10-12).

Commentary:

Abraham and Sarah were too old to have children--

but as God promised, Sarah got pregnant and gave birth to Isaac.

Why wouldn't God give them Isaac when they were younger?

God waited until they were out of options; then he moved to do what is humanly impossible,

YET NECESSARY to fulfill his purpose!

The same is true for America; God has a purpose for our country, that only he can bring to fruition.

America has been blessed by God from the very beginning, and gave it the highest purpose:

Establishing God's kingdom on earth by bringing the gospel to the whole world.

But disobedience against God and corruption have overtaken our Nation to a level that is humanly impossible to change.

As it was humanly impossible to bring about the birth of Isaac,

and so now it is humanly impossible to change the course of our Nation.

I believe that--not by political means but by the grace of God--we will soon see a spiritual revival that will penetrate every segment of our culture by bringing millions of Americans to Christ.

I believe GOD--through his revival--will soon cleanse and reset America back to himself.

God still has a purpose for America! Keep praying for our Nation!

"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty" (Zech. 4:6).

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Heaven or Hell--the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Friday, April 10, 2020

Heaven or Hell - the Gospel of Jesus Christ

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