CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

 

Our God loves celebrations! Throughout the Old Testament, we see Him instituting special days and instructing the Israelites to celebrate yearly, as a reminder of His power among them and His provision for them. Also, through the celebrations, He wanted younger generations to know what He had done for their ancestors in the past. The Sabbath, for instance, was instituted to make sure they rested as God did, on the seventh day of the week (see Exodus 31:12-17). Similarly, the Passover was to remind them of the time the angel of death killed the firstborn of both man and beast in the land of Egypt, but spared the Israeli families (see Exodus 12:1-14). 

Over two thousand years ago, God put His salvation plan into motion, sending His One and only Son into the world to make His dwelling among us (see John 1:14) and to become our Savior. About three hundred years into Christianity, 336 to be exact, the Romans recorded the first celebration of the birth of Jesus. We have celebrated His birth ever since, with decorations, caroling, feasting, giving, and receiving. Even those who don’t believe in Jesus often celebrate it in some form.

Every year when we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior, we should reflect on the truths behind the season:

We are sinners and need redemption –We know we are sinners because Scripture tells us that, through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin and death passed to all mankind. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV). There is only one way to restore our fellowship with God; it is through faith in Jesus, because He came to seek and to save that which was lost.  Scripture tells us, “Truly, truly, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NIV).

God is love – It is His love for us that led to His formulating the plan for our redemption before the foundation of the world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). We are also reminded of His humility! He was willing to leave His throne and majesty above, be born into a sinful world, not in a palace, but in a manger! He says to us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

God is faithful – He promised Jesus’ coming decades before He was born. “The virgin will be with child, and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Emmanuel,” which is translated, 'God with us'” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 NIV). He promised, and then fulfilled it! That is a faithful God! Again, it was prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV). Through the angel Gabriel, He declared the Virgin Mary was going to have a Son, and to name Him Jesus. He would be great and be called the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:30-31 NIV). God fulfilled everything He promised concerning Jesus. How faithful! This reminder assures us that we can trust Him one hundred percent; He has never failed since the beginning of time, and never will! We can look forward to the promise of the rapture and His second coming with hope.

We should Express gratitude - We need to be thankful to God because we could never have saved ourselves nor done anything to qualify for salvation. He planned it, and carried it out; making us His sons and daughters, so now we can confidently say of God, “Abba, Father” (see Romans 8:15).  

Merry Christmas; let’s celebrate with assurance, gratitude, and anticipation of His return!

CHRISTMAS

 

God planned Christmas, the birth of Jesus, before the foundation of the world, before creation. What was His reason, you might ask? He knew how the devil would interfere with His creation and intentions for man, thus causing a separation between Him and man.

He could have prevented the interruption but didn't, because He wanted man to love, trust, and obey Him willingly: by choice. He, therefore, put a plan into place that would defeat the devil, give fallen-man a second chance, and thereby restore His broken relationship with man.

The first Christmas was only the beginning, the first in a series of events constituting God's redemptive plan. In the first step, Christmas, God became man, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life among sinners, showing them the way back to God--through grace, for He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT).

The next event was His death. He willingly laid down His life, suffered at the hands of sinners, who crucified Him. He told His disciples, “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily” (John 10:17 NLT). They buried Him, sealing the tomb with a huge rock to ensure His disciples wouldn’t be able to move Him out. The devil who motivated them must have thought he had won this fight, but God had a surprise for him!

The third was His resurrection from the dead. The morning of the third day, there was an earthquake, an angel rolled the stone aside and sat on it. The angel comforted the women who had gone to embalm the body. “Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen” (Matthew 28:5 NLT). Jesus came back to life, delivering a crushing blow to the devil once and for all. Jesus will never die again. Death and the devil were both defeated. That death paid for the sins of all who'd repent, ask for forgiveness, and accept the sacrifice made on their behalf. Because He rose from the dead, those who believe in Him shall also rise someday.

Fourth, He ascended into heaven as His disciples watched with broken hearts. Angels assured them, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:11 NLT).

The final event will be Jesus’ Second Advent. This time, He’ll come not as a baby, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He will set up His kingdom. At His coming, every eye shall see Him (see Revelation 1:7), but it'll be too late for those who have not called on Him for salvation. Judgment and punishment will be all that awaits them.

As you celebrate Christmas this year, don’t just go through the motions. Understand that God loves you very much, and longs to enter into a personal relationship with you. How do you plan to respond to the One who has gone to such trouble to demonstrate His love for you? He has freed you to love and serve Him willingly. The window of opportunity is limited; it'll close for each person when they die, or when Jesus returns. Nobody knows when either one is going to happen (see Matthew 25:13).

I encourage you to call on Him today. As the Bible says, “Today when you hear his voice don’t harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7 NLT). The Bible also asks, “What makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus Himself?” (Hebrews 2:3 NLT). The answer to this question is obvious—no one can escape punishment if he or she chooses to not respond to God’s love. Decide today 

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DON’T WALK IN THE DARK WHEN LIGHT IS AVAILABLE

 

Light is the opposite of darkness, as we all know. The two cannot co-exist/ When it is dark there’s no light: it remains dark, but the darkness disappears when the light appears. When in the dark, we cannot see our surroundings and therefore are unaware of potential dangers.

What kinds of dangers could one encounter when walking in the dark? There is the possibility of walking into objects, stubbing the toes, walking into a ditch, and sustaining injuries. It’s understandable when people need to walk in the dark because they absolutely have to get somewhere but have no access to light. On the other hand, it’s irresponsible when people choose to walk in the dark when light is available to them.

Christians, we live in a very dark world, journeying through it with our focus on a destination: our heavenly home. Soon, we’ll see our Lord and Savior, Jesus, face-to-face. Although it is dark in this world, God has given us everything we need to navigate it and arrive home safely: “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Included in the “everything we need” is the Word of God, which teaches us how to live to please God and be like Him.

The psalmist, on his journey through this dark world, quickly learned he needed some form of light, and he found it: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Similarly, we Christians need the same light source to guide us safely through this world. It is the Word of God that throws light on our path to enable us to see where we are going and guides our feet so we don’t end up with stubbed toes.

For us to benefit from the Word of God, we have to read it, know it, cherish it, meditate on it constantly, and live by it. It is not enough to know it; we have to obey it. Only then will it fulfill its purpose as light. For instance:

 If you don’t steal because the Word says not to, then the Word has become your guide in doing what is right and pleasing to God.

If you are in a frightful situation, won’t you find this verse encouraging? “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Of course, you would, but that is if you already knew it, as the psalmist says: “I have hidden your word in my heart, … “(Psalm 119:11). For the Word to be our guide, we have to know it.

Are you having a hard time with a decision you have to make? Here’s your guide: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6). This verse is directing us to pray and trust God to guide us with His wisdom.

Are you debating how much to give to ministry? Here’s your guide: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

We’ll never face a situation that does not have some guidance from the Word of God. It is crucial that we read, meditate, and delight in the Word, and hide it in our hearts., When the need arises in our personal lives or the lives of others, the Holy Spirit will remind us, so we can better cope with the situation. 

We have the Word as the lamp that throws light on our path; let’s use it. Let’s not walk in the darkness as though the light wasn’t available to us. Let’s always remember, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

DIVIDE and CONQUER

 

Divide and conquer is the policy of maintaining control over one's subordinates or subjects by encouraging dissent between them. This adage is the exact demonstration of “There is strength in numbers,” because, when unity is lost, the accompanying strength is lost as well. There is yet another adage that teaches the same lesson: “united we stand, divided we fall.” All these are true statements that, when put into action, result in chaos and defeat. This policy is one of Satan’s tools, and he uses it against the Church quite often, unfortunately, with much success.

Do you know people who hop from church to church, and are not able to call any particular church their home church? Why does that happen so often? Why aren’t people happy with ‘their church’? They make excuses like: they didn’t like someone or something in a particular church, someone offended them, their needs were not being met, or their suggestions were not taken seriously, just to name a few. The devil uses all these excuses to break down relationships in the Church, and we become powerless in prayer because we regard so much iniquity in our hearts (see Psalm 66:18). We hold our hurts inside, give people the silent treatment, and think we are doing church. O shame, thrice shame upon us, Christian brethren, as the hymnist says!

 This morning, reading Psalm 141, I was fascinated with verse 5, “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” I believe that’s what the Church needs today; we need to be able to accept correction with gratitude, and we need to rebuke and correct each other with kindness and respect. The Church is God’s, and if we focus on His glory alone, we won’t allow our emotions to run so wild. It’s time to settle down and play our given role in the Body of Christ. And if something goes wrong, which, given time, it will let’s address it with the right people in the right way (see Matthew 18:15-17).  

Jesus knows the power of unity. After all, He is in unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit as the Godhead, and they work together as One! They have no inner fighting; there is always harmony in their relationship, and they are each other’s promoter. They never do anything contrary to the will or desire of the other. They created the world together and supervise its workings together. Before His death, Jesus prayed for His disciples (the then-current, and the future ones-us), “Protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are” (John 17:11). “Just as we are,” He prayed! How powerful! In order for Christians to succeed at what they undertake to do collectively, they have to agree and be united. No wonder Jesus taught, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:19-20). 

Likewise, Satan knows the power of unity, not because he is one with anybody, but because He sees the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at work, and knows how powerful and effective they are in all they do. That, of course, is why he does not want interconnected families or unity in the Church. His goal is to turn believers against each other, creating chaos, so they lose focus of their calling and responsibility toward each other and the unbelieving world. In the absence of group unity, there is infighting and division, and so, consequently, nothing or very little is accomplished. 

Can you imagine what great works The church could accomplish if we were united? Wow! If we didn’t have gossip, backstabbing, backbiting, resentment, pride, arrogance, and “better than thou” attitudes in the Church, what victories we’d experience as the body of Christ!

We should guard against such problems by obeying the command, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). We are also commanded to “Get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech” (1 Peter 2:1). 

Why does Satan attack Christian marriages? Because the Christian family is a Church in itself and a member of a local and the universal Church. If he succeeds in instigating controversy, he gets the upper hand. And even if the controversy does not lead to separation or divorce, he has still succeeded in turning the couple against each other. When there’s chaos in the home, praying or studying the Word together would be totally impossible or ineffective at best. Couples have disagreements about almost anything: finances, child discipline, you name it.

Church, let’s stay alert and not allow the enemy to divide us. If we allow him to divide us, it would also mean we’ve given him permission to derail us and hinder the work of God through us. The biblical solution to this dilemma is for us to “Show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters” and “Love each other deeply with all our heart” (1 Peter 1:22). May God help us!  

THE CHURCH CAN BE LIKENED TO A FOREST

 

What is a forest? According to Webster’s dictionary, a forest is a land covered with trees. Forests have different kinds of trees, of different sizes and of different ages. Collectively, though, they make a forest. I don’t think you’ll ever see a forest that has only one kind of tree, where all trees are of the exact same height, same trunk circumference, with the same number of branches and leaves.  

Like a forest, the Church is made up of people of different ages, genders, sizes, and nationalities, not to mention social, political, and economic differences. Shouldn’t these differences divide us? They should, but they don’t. We are able to live in a community by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, who binds us together, making it possible. He has made us His family and instructed and empowered us through His Holy Spirit to love and take care of each other. 

In addition, each member has some abilities to contribute and responsibilities to fulfill to benefit the Body of Christ. Are you a Christian? Do you know what your role (talent, gift, abilities) is in the Church, and if so, what is it? Are you being productive in the Body? Your gift or talent is for the purpose of building up the body of Christ, so the Church will run smoothly and efficiently. In the end, you’ll receive a reward for being faithful, and if not, you’ll be punished (see Matthew 24:45-51). 

Your role in the Church is different from that of the other members, but your talent, no matter how minuscule, is as important as that of the other members. Just be faithful with whatever it is; God is not asking us to do more than He has gifted us to do. We need to encourage one another to be faithful in using our gifts, and we need to ensure that we are not envying one another. But how do we do that? 

How can we encourage anybody if we are not in ongoing fellowship with them? Meeting regularly as we are commanded (see Hebrews 10:24-25) will help us recognize each other’s gift (s). When we do, we need to share that with them prayerfully. Affirmation is important, because sometimes people don’t realize that some ability they have is a gift. We need to affirm such people and point them in the right direction. For example, if you notice that someone’s gift will be useful in a particular setting or ministry in the Church, you need to prayerfully encourage and point them in that direction. And then you need to be praying for and with them, that they would use that gift effectively. A counselor did that with me many years ago, and I’m still in that ministry!

 Just as a forest is visible to all who go there or drive by it, the Church needs to be visible to the world. The world needs to notice there is unity in the Church, despite our diversity. They also need to know the power behind our unity and diversity. Jesus saved us individually and placed us in one family—the family of God. He is teaching us through His Word to put our differences aside, live in fellowship, to love each other deeply (see 1 Peter 4:8), cut each other some slack in regard to our weaknesses (see Ephesians 4:2), correct each other as necessary, help each other to share the gospel, and live in anticipation of His return to claim the Church as His bride. Understand that our unity is fueled by the love of God. The Word of God that brought us together is able to keep us together. 

A forest can be admired for its greenery, but during the season when it is not so green, its lack of beauty makes it less attractive. Some of the trees might even be chopped down for wood. The Church has both admirable and not-so-admirable seasons. Most often though, people outside the Church only notice, focus, and comment on the non-so-admirable times. Sometimes, even one such negative season (immorality, dishonesty, gossip, infighting, and the like), can cause people to criticize not only the Church but God Himself. In order to be attractive to the outsiders, we need to live by the Bible; we can’t pick and choose when to obey it. God’s name is at stake; His name is being blasphemed among unbelievers because of us. This is disheartening!   

Church, we need to do better; let’s stop playing with sin, and seek after righteousness. We need to help one another in love and with humility. Let’s start with repentance, determining to live godly lives, and holding each other accountable. May God help us!

 

WHO IS GOING TO GO TO HEAVEN?

  

 

The subject of heaven is quite popular. Discussions on the topic cover various aspects of heaven, generating questions like:

Is there a place called heaven?

The answer to this question is: Yes, there is such a place! The Bible assures us of that when it says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God tells us Heaven is His dwelling place, His throne (see Isaiah 66:1). It is a real place that is opened to citizenship: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).   Heaven is a Kingdom, and the Ruler is God the Father who co-rules with Jesus, the Son. Unlike earthly kingdoms, where succession is needed because of the death of earthly rulers, there will never be succession to the heavenly throne. God will never die; He’ll be King forever and ever!

Who can go there and when? 

Many people assume heaven is the automatic destination after death, but that is incorrect. There is a second-place called hell; at the end of life here on earth, each person will go to one or the other. Going to heaven is almost like moving to another country, except in the case of heaven, citizenship is required for admission. You can’t just visit or tour heaven and then go back home. Only citizens of heaven can go there. Your citizenship has to be in effect before you’re allowed entrance. No one can set a travel date; one can only go on the day the King beckons them to come, without prior notice. For that reason, citizenship needs to be acquired as soon as one decides they’d like to go there someday. That decision should be followed by fulfilling the requirements as indicated in the guide, the Bible. 

What are the requirements to get into heaven? 

When traveling to a foreign country, you need to obtain and produce when asked, the following documents: a passport, a Visa, immunization record, and how much money you are carrying. For entering heaven, the requirement is proof of citizenship. If you are a citizen, there’ll be no need to carry a piece of paper to that effect; your name will already be recorded there. Whereas with earthly travels, you need to live in a particular country for a number of years before applying to be a citizen, you have to be a citizen of heaven before entering it. The day you are called, Jesus will be at the pearly gate to welcome you because He knows you by name and knows the time of your arrival. What a grand entry that will be!  

How far in advance can you know you are a citizen of heaven?

One can know right at the time they fulfill the citizenship requirements. This will be different for every person. Some know for years in advance, while others could gain this assurance only a few hours or minutes before they’re called. For example, one of the thieves crucified the same day Jesus was barely made it. He fulfilled the requirement just before he would have missed the opportunity. Jesus assured him: “Today, you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). So, we know he made it! If you are reading this and don’t already have your citizenship ready, I implore you to not think you’ll do it later, because no one knows when and under what circumstances they’ll be called. That thief almost didn’t make it; do not put this off. Do it today!

What are the requirements for citizenship?

In order to become a citizen of heaven, Jesus has to declare that you are righteous! That righteousness is not because you are not a sinner; rather, it’s because He has paid the penalty for your sins. You and I sin because we are sinners; we are sinners because we inherited a sinful nature from our ancestors, Adam and Eve (see Romans 5:18-19). The punishment for sin is to be separated from God forever after death in hell (see 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Out of love for us, God, in the person of His Son Jesus, took that punishment on Himself when He died on the cross: “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

This is what you need to do if you’d like to become a citizen of heaven. You need to admit you are a sinner, repent, and ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. If you take this step, He will forgive you and come to live in your heart through the Holy Spirit: “When you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Your citizenship will be recorded in heaven. You’ll have to read the Bible to know and understand the things God wants you to know and to prepare you for the life in heaven. The Holy Spirit will be your Teacher, Guide, and Comforter through this life. One thing He teaches us is to assemble with other citizens of heaven, also known as the Church, to pray, study His Word, and encourage one another.

Now, do this, and when the King is ready for you, He’ll call you, not a moment too soon or too late. Heaven will then be your home forever! 

What will people be doing in heaven?

In heaven, we will be filled with awe and wonder as we see God face-to-face. There will be an endless time of praise and worship (see Revelation 19:1, 3-7). We will be at the wedding feast of the Lamb and His Bride, the Church (see Rev 19:7). In addition to the many things we’ll be doing, there will be the awards ceremony (see Ephesians 6:8), where we get rewarded for whatever work we have done on earth for the Lord.

Would you like to go to heaven? Then hurry, gain your citizenship today; don’t put it off. Like they say, “There’s no better time than today!”

All quotes are from the New Living Translation.

A LOOK AT FORGIVENESS

 

What is forgiveness? According to Wikipedia, Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, and overcomes negative emotions such as resentment and vengeance. In other words, the victim absorbs all the cost, pain, etc., associated with the ‘injury.’ The perpetrator goes free, never has to be responsible, pay back anything, or answer questions regarding the issue.     

Have you ever had to forgive someone? What was their offense, and why did you forgive them? Did they admit wrongdoing, and then ask for your forgiveness? Did you forgive, and what did it cost you to forgive: emotionally, socially, and financially? How did you feel personally after forgiving, and how was your relationship with the offender after you forgave? There are many questions to ask ourselves when it comes to forgiveness, whether we are the offender or the victim.

We will each respond differently to these questions, because we are all at different maturity levels in different areas of our lives. There’s One, however, whose attitude toward forgiveness answers these questions perfectly, and that is God! Contrary to what some think, God is the only one we each have to answer to; He is the Creator of the universe, including you and me (see Psalm 24:1). Some think they are free to do as they please, how they please, and when they please. The reality is that what they think doesn’t matter; only what God thinks, wants, and says matters. What people think does not change God’s truth.

Having established that we all have to answer to God, we have to understand that God has an issue with us: we have all sinned and deserve His judgment: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if any seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!” (Psalm 14:2-3). Out of love for us, God sent His Son Jesus to die in payment for our sins. The Scriptures put it this way: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This doesn’t call for an argument or self-defense; it calls for acknowledgment of sins, confession, and repentance. 

 If you repent, you will be saved: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10). When you are saved, Jesus comes to indwell you in the person of the Holy Spirit, making you a new person; God becomes your Father, and you His child; the separation that existed because of sin no longer exists: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). On the flip side: “…Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all” (Romans 8:9)

 When God forgives, He no longer holds anything against you, no matter how big or little your sin. He credits you with Jesus’ righteousness, as if you have never sinned! “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12); “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12), and: “Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Would you like to be saved? As we see from Scripture, God absorbs the cost (by the life of his Son Jesus) of our forgiveness, He forgives completely, and He never brings it back up or rubs it in our face! He does not keep us at arm’s length, but instead, He brings us into His fold and provides a safe haven for us. He loves us, provides for us, and teaches, encourages, and protects us (see Psalms 23 & 46). Nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love (see Romans 8:38-39).

If you have put your faith in Jesus, you are now a new person in Christ. How should you (we) live from now on? We should no longer live in sin because we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, who helps us do what is pleasing to the Spirit (see Romans 8:5), and we should also serve the Lord: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God…For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:8-10). “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Now that you’ve been born anew, feed on the Word of God to help you grow in your faith, and seek His face through prayer. If possible, find, and fellowship with, a church that holds to these truths. To God be the glory! 

GOD'S JUSTICE

Justice is defined as the administration of law that determines what is right, based on principles of equity and correctness, and rewards accordingly; it is the quality of being just, impartial or fair. The Bible says God is just, which means His response to our behaviors, good or bad, is the same, no matter who is involved. God does not play favorites and does not sweep anything under the carpet to cover up for anyone.

God is impartial because justice is His nature, and He would be denying who He is if He wasn’t just in all situations to the fullest extent. If He is not just all the time, it would be difficult to know whether to trust Him or not.

In order to judge fairly in any situation, there have to be clearly stated laws about situations. For instance, unless there is a law that says murder is wrong, God will not be holding anybody accountable for committing murder; the same goes for all other wrongdoings. God doesn’t think up rules as we go along: He has given us His laws already; they are written on our hearts, and we instinctively obey them. As proof that we know God’s laws, our conscience and thoughts either accuse us of wrongdoing or tell us we are doing right (see Romans 2:14-15).

Since God is just, He responds to our actions either by rewarding good behavior or punishing bad behavior. The Bible addresses this topic in detail; it tells us the consequences of wrongdoing, and not only when we are caught in the act, or accused by others. I believe that even if never caught, wrongdoing will be punished. The Bible clearly says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). As I write this, I’m thinking about fraud, identity theft, and the like; these thieves who might never be caught will have to face God in court someday. 

The good is also rewarded, even if not noted or acknowledged by others at the time of occurrence. Once when Jesus was telling His disciples about the final judgment, He described how He would separate the people into two groups, and then make pronouncements as each group deserves. To the group on His right, He would welcome them into the Kingdom prepared for them, emphasizing: “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. … and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). The addressees, shocked by what they hear, will ask, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? … or in prison and visit you?” (Matthew 25:37-39). Although the first group was not aware that their good deeds counted for something, they were rewarded; God knows and sees all!

It took me a long time to start appreciating the Psalms that call for God to judge our enemies. It used to make me uncomfortable when I read Psalms that said things like, “Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down” (Psalm 56:7). Now I appreciate it because I understand God will judge and punish wrongdoing because He is just; whether I ask Him to or not, He will judge. I just have to make sure if I’m offended, I’ll forgive and not hold a grudge (see Romans 12:17-18). It is comforting to know that people who hurt you intentionally will have to answer to God unless they repent of course. His Word says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the LORD’” (Romans 12:19). If He should ever choose not to, that will be His business, not mine, to worry about.

The book of Revelation teaches hell as punishment for unbelievers. I believe that’s how it’s going to be because God is just and faithful. There are many who think God is too loving to send anyone to hell, but they forget or don’t know, He is also too just to allow sin to go unpunished, and too faithful to go back on His Word.

May we take evangelism seriously, and let people know God is not joking about justice and judgment. If it wasn’t for Christ’s death, we would all go to hell, because we are all sinners (see Romans 3:23). Many have died already with no assurance of heaven, and for them, it is too late, but others still have time because they are alive. Let’s work tirelessly to win them for Christ, so they can escape God’s judgment and enter His reward!   

 

All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).   Please share, thank you.

RSVP

 

Have you ever received an invitation to a function, let’s say to a wedding or a party? I am sure the invitation came with an RSVP. To RSVP means please respond (literally, répondez s'il vous plaît in French). RSVP requests usually accompany invitations so the host or hostess is able to adequately prepare to avoid a shortage of food or supplies. Guests planning to attend an event are usually asked to make their intentions known by calling a given phone number or returning a slip or postcard provided for that purpose to a provided address.

Everybody, you included, has been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (see Revelation 19:9). This event, like all well-planned social events, has to be responded to. The invitation to this wedding supper reads: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

There are three possible responses to this invitation and each response has eternal implications.

·       You could respond, “Not interested. Don’t believe it. I am just fine.”  Based on the wording of the invitation, you have elected to perish.

·       You could respond, “Yes, I will go. I will respond after taking care of X, Y, and Z.” If procrastination goes on long enough, the opportunity to respond will be lost, putting you in the “not interested” category.

·       Or you could respond, “Yes, I want to attend the supper; I am responding right now because today is the day of salvation!” You might pray, “Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for my sins. I now accept Him as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you respond, ‘Yes,’ your RSVP will be immediately received in heaven, and your name maintained in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Also, in heaven, on the day of the wedding supper, you will be escorted into the banquet hall to enjoy fine dining and fellowship with the Lamb (groom) and the bride (the Church, of which you are a part).

Note that no one can show up with an excuse of, “I meant to RSVP, but forgot or I was too busy to respond.” The groom’s response to people with excuses will be, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:12). I hope that won't be your experience.

It is also important to note that each individual has to RSVP for themselves. Although this is an invitation to all, only individual responses are acceptable. In other words, group responses are not acceptable; each individual has to respond on their own behalf. The invitation clearly says, “Whosoever will may come.”

So dear reader, how are you going to respond to this invitation? I hope you will say “Yes,” and please say it now before it is too late. God loves you, but He will not force you to accept this very important invitation. Anyone you know (parent, sibling, friend, or spouse) who accepts this invitation cannot include you on their RSVP. Speak for yourself today! Time is running out!

 

TTHE GROUNDS ON WHICH OBEDIENCE CAN BE EXPECTED OR DEMANDED

 

Parents have the responsibility to teach and train their children if they expect them to grow into responsible adults. If children are not instructed, they won’t know what’s expected of them. But if they fail to carry out orders after they’ve been instructed, the parent has the right and responsibility to correct the child by whichever means would be effective. The same is true of boss-employee relationships; employees can’t be expected to perform duties that have not been assigned to them.  

In the same way, God instructs us before demanding obedience.  For example, He wants the gospel preached to everyone, giving them the opportunity to accept or reject Him. He’s given man the freedom of choice; that way, people are totally responsible for the outcome of the choices they make. When Jesus foretold the future in Matthew 24, He said, “The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then the end will come” (verse 14). When people choose to not accept salvation, they have by default accepted the alternative—judgment.

After the Israelites returned from captivity and were settled in their towns (during the Nehemiah and Ezra era), they requested Ezra the priest to read to them the Book of the Law of Moses. He did, and they had a wonderful time of worship, celebrating that they had heard and understood the Word of God (see Nehemiah 8:12).

The following day, the family leaders, priests, and Levites met with Ezra to go over the Law in greater detail. “As they studied the Law, they discovered that the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month” (Nehemiah 8:14). So, they did! “Everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters, during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy!” (Verse 17) It is obvious that they obeyed because they knew what God wanted them to do. Without that discovery, they wouldn’t have obeyed.

The only way we can know what God expects of us is to read and study His Word; we need to know the specifics. If we are really interested in pleasing Him through obedience, we can’t live our lives on guesswork and assumptions. After the death of Moses, God instructed Joshua, Moses’ assistant, to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God gave him the formula for success: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:7-8).  

The apostle Paul, in admonishing Timothy, taught him the benefits of the Scriptures. Scripture teaches us what’s right and what’s wrong, and corrects us when we are wrong (see 2 Timothy 3:16). If we desire to obey God, we must know what His Word says. I should also mention that in addition to success, obedience brings us joy.

Let’s study the Word, and let’s obey it!

All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).

Please share, thank you.

WATCH OUT, THE WORLD IS WAITING TO HAVE A GOOD LAUGH

 Laughter is common to all of us. Some laugh more than others, but why do we laugh? Sometimes we laugh because we think something is honestly funny, but other times, we laugh to express sarcasm. When we are being sarcastic, we are mocking whomever we are laughing at.

Today, I watched a television show in which the defendant owed the plaintiff some money that was overdue involving a used vehicle. The defendant produced some false documents and a ‘fake’ husband at the trial. When the supposed husband was questioned, it came to light that he wasn’t the husband at all. So how did they know each other? Apparently, they belonged to the same Bible study group, and he was trying to help her with her problem! I don’t have to tell you the reaction from the judges and the viewers in the courtroom. There was uncontrollable laughter!

I felt sad, ashamed, and hurt. Why did these two do that? The laughter and comments made by the judges indicated they were certain the defendants were Christians behaving badly. The man apologized, saying he was sorry he had done that. His response brought more laughter. One could argue that these defendants were probably not Christians, and that’s possible. But you can be certain of that argument only if Christians are perfect and are never in the wrong. It is likely that they are Christians, as they claimed, but we can’t judge them, because the Scripture says: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7). So, I can’t judge them, and neither can you.

I bring this issue up to remind us that our behavior matters. When Jesus warned the disciples about false prophets, He said: “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit … A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18). Likewise, a Christian behaving badly raises questions about whether or not he is a Christian.

Our sins reach much further than we realize. Our bad behaviors affect God’s reputation: “You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, ‘The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you’” (Romans 2:24).

Our bad behavior in the Church becomes a stumbling block to other members of the body: “Live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall” (Romans 14:13).

Our bad behavior affects unbelievers as well. We are called to be light to the world, pointing them to the Lord. Failing to do so turns unbelievers away from God. They come up with labels for Christians, like a hypocrite, and say things like, “If that’s Christianity, I don’t want any part of it.” We are commanded: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). As I shared before, the defendants’ situation brought laughter into the courtroom. I’m sure this behavior could affect the fake couple’s testimony, and those who witnessed that trial could have a difficult time taking Christians seriously, especially those who might try to witness to them. What a shame!

Let’s try not to be a laughingstock; the world is waiting to blaspheme the name of the Lord, and to have a good laugh at our expense!

Quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON THE ALERT

 

 

To be on the alert is to be vigilant, observant, and ready to act. Alertness is the mode to be in when expecting something important to happen or trying to catch some trouble before it happens. When on the alert, don’t allow yourself to be distracted; otherwise, you might miss something very important.

Once when the Philistines tried to attack King David and Israel, David did what came to him naturally; he asked the Lord for direction. He had the habit of seeking the Lord whenever he was in trouble, and we Christians should do the same. In response to David’s request, the Lord gave him a strategy: “Do not attack them straight on. Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike the Philistine army” (2 Samuel 5:23-24). David did as the Lord commanded, and Israel defeated the Philistines!

What if David hadn’t stayed vigilant and followed God’s instructions? That victory wouldn’t have come so easy, and the Israelites would have been defeated by the Philistines. God’s strategies might not always make much sense to us, but He alone is the all-knowing God; let’s do things His way! His strategy for conquering Jericho, for example, was so unconventional; He had Joshua and his men march around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying ram’s horns. On the seventh day, they marched seven times with the priests blowing the rams’ horns. And as they did, the walls came tumbling down! (See Joshua 6:3-5) That is our God!    

There is no use praying and not listening for the Lord’s response, and no use praying, getting directions, and not obeying it. You might as well have not prayed. Our attitude toward prayer should be that God is in charge and has the power, authority, and ability to answer our prayers if we ask according to His will. We should pray in faith, expressing assurance in His promises. Then we should be vigilant and patient to see what He’ll have us do, which could be different things: wait, do nothing, or do something.

We shouldn’t stay alert only in regard to specific prayers; our whole Christian walk should be a time of staying alert for a number of reasons. First, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Another reason is so that temptations don’t take us by surprise. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to wait while He went over to pray. On His return, those guys were fast asleep. He chided them, and then admonished them, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

Thirdly, we need to be alert so we don’t miss opportunities for service, like sharing the gospel or meeting a need in the Body or elsewhere (see the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:26-40). Philip obeyed the Spirit, stayed alert, and was able to lead someone to faith in Christ and then baptize him. That new convert went away rejoicing.

Christians, let us stay alert:

●      So we don’t become prey for the enemy. And how are we going to maintain an ongoing state of alertness against the enemy? It’s by putting on the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-18) at all times.

●      So we don’t miss God’s directions and encouragement. But how? By staying in the Word and on our knees. The Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

●      So we don’t miss opportunities for service. We should live godly lives which in turn opens up opportunities for us to share our faith. Paul and Silas spent their time in jail praying and singing, and when the prison doors opened, because of an earthquake, they didn’t consider escaping. Others, in the same difficulty, might have done differently. Under those circumstances, the jailer asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:31) That jailer was saved that night to God’s glory.

 

 Let’s stay alert!

GOD IS BRAGGING ABOUT YOU, DON’T DISAPPOINT HIM!

We parents and grandparents are always showing off and sharing the children’s pictures and achievements. We can’t seem to get enough of them; we’ll share with all who’ll listen, even if they

really don’t care. The most important thing is that we do care.

God is no different; after all, we got our caring nature from Him. If you are a child of God, He knows what you are capable of, because it is His power that is at work in you. He brags about you confidently, because He knows you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you. 

Are you ready? You have to stay ready all the time because you don’t know when God is going to want to prove to someone what you are made of. God is putting you on display, and waiting to rejoice over you with singing! Don’t let Him down.

How is He putting you on display? You know that issue you have going on:  maybe health, finances, relationships, etc.? That’s how! He is telling people you won’t give in or give up; you will trust Him in the midst of the storm, and fight until the end. Now He is waiting to tell them, “I told you so!” Are you going to grant Him the opportunity to prove again that He knows the power that is at work in you? Don’t let Him down!

Job was a good man who feared God and stayed away from evil, and he was also very rich. He understood well the Scripture that says: “If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life” (Psalm 62:10)., He was living the best way he knew how, when one day, without warning, tragedy struck! He got messages in succession: first, his farm had been raided, the animals had been stolen and the helpers killed; second, out of nowhere, there came a fire that burned the sheep and the shepherds. Third, the camels had been stolen and the servants killed. And as if all that wasn’t bad enough, the final blow came: all his children died when the house where they were partying collapsed (see Job 1:13-19). 

God knew how devastating that kind of loss could be for anybody, but He was also confident Job was going to come through the ordeal with flying colors because He knew Job’s faith was genuine. Sure enough, Job grieved but he also worshiped! He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21) God indeed rejoiced over Job and was able to say to Satan, “I told you so!” His exact words to Satan about Job were: “He has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause” (Job 2:3). Job’s strength to endure this ordeal, of course, was not his own; his strength came from the Lord who made heaven and earth. God’s strength was available to him, and he made use of it.

How about you and me? Do we know and accept that whatever we have comes from God, and we are only stewards of those things? Job admitted that right away: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” So, we cannot hold on too tightly to our life, health, family, job, possession, and whatever else we have. We need to be thankful for them while we have them, and use them wisely to honor God. If we stand firm when God gives and then takes away, He has made His point that we still love Him with or without the stuff. But He is also able to restore what He’s taken, as He did with Job (see Job 42:10-13). But if He doesn’t, He will still provide whatever we need for sustenance while we are in this life.

James admonishes us, “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3). So, our trials accomplish at least two things, 1) God is putting us on display, and 2) our faith is tested, giving us the opportunity to grow. We need both of these things.

The next time God puts us on display, let’s not be discouraged, fearful, or depressed, but like Job, let’s worship and consider what God might be up to; let’s be a good sport and let Him win while our faith matures. And oh, others might also learn from it and be encouraged. Let’s be like mount Zion, standing firm and tall, come what may because we trust in the Lord (see Psalm 125:1).

GOD CAN DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING BUT ...

When we agree and declare that God can do anything and everything, we are really affirming His power, ability, and authority. And so yes, He can do anything, for, after all, He created the world and everything in it. However, there are things He “cannot do” because of who He is.

So, what are some of the things He cannot do?

1)    He cannot co-exist with sin, because He is holy: “Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It is your sins that have cut you off from God” (Isaiah 59:1-2). His inability to co-exist with sin is the reason He has to judge sinners, destroy the world, and build a whole new one. He is going to send the new, sin-free Jerusalem down from heaven, and nothing sinful will ever enter it. From that time on, The Scriptures declare that “God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. … All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:3-4).

 2)    He cannot lie, because if He did, how would we know when or when not to trust Him? Faithfulness is His nature; He cannot deny who He is. He is trustworthy (see Psalm 111:7). We, humans, lie; God doesn’t: “God is not a man, so he does not lie” (Numbers 23:19), in fact, “It is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).

 3)    He cannot change because He is faithful! However, He does change His mind because He is sovereign. For instance, He changes His mind and withholds pending judgment when we repent. The Bible says, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus” (see Romans 3:23). This simply means, unless one repents, one will die, spiritually. This verse is an invitation to repentance. So, if you don’t die, it'll because you repented, and He honored His Word. Also, He extends His favor when we sincerely seek Him. For example, when King Hezekiah heard through Isaiah that he was going to die, he prayed and cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him and extended his life by fifteen more years (see Isaiah 38:1-8). God does as He pleases!

 4)    He cannot be tempted by evil, and He does not tempt anyone: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15). The devil is the culprit; he tempts and lures us to sin. Let’s never say “God tempted me.”

5)    He cannot punish us for our sins if we’ve repented. Because of His faithfulness, He honors His Word to forgive us when we repent: “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

 So, as you see, there are things “God cannot do.” But those things only prove who He is-God! Let’s be thankful and praise His name that He is faithful and can be completely trusted. We need not fear or worry when the Almighty God is our Father. Let’s trust and obey Him! As the hymnist says, “There’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

HAVE YOU WANDERED AWAY FROM HOME?

Have you ever been lost? How did it feel when you found yourself in unfamiliar territory? I’ve been lost on more than one occasion, and I can tell you from experience, it’s frightening! There are at least two reasons for the fear one experiences in an unfamiliar environment: first, it’s difficult to find one’s way back home, and second, there’s always the possibility of lurking danger.

When you wander away from home, it means you walked away from your original location aimlessly and kept going until you were farther away and had no idea how to get back. When lost, you can’t necessarily give someone the address to wherever you are, and for you to get back home, someone would literally have to come and find you. That someone would have to know his way around, and also be concerned about your well-being. What good would it be if the person cared about you but didn’t know how to find you, or knew his way around, but didn’t care what happened to you? Either way, you’d remain lost. Now the psalmist prayed a very strange prayer: “I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me” (Psalm 119:176). You see, he admitted he wandered away, which means he knew where he was supposed to be—with the fold-- but wasn’t. He must have followed something that enticed him, and by the time he came to himself, he was away from the fold. How frightening!

Child of God, have you wandered away from God and the Church? What enticed you: what did you follow? Are you so attached to it that you can’t seem to find your way back home? Don’t despair: call on God just like the psalmist did, and He will be more than glad to come after you. He cares about you and knows exactly where you are and what got you there. But you know something? In order for Him to rescue you, you have to want to be rescued. He will gladly leave the rest of the fold and come after you; call on Him now!   

If you continue to wander around, you could become prey for the prowling animal, the devil, who is seeking to devour you. You need to get out of that situation as soon as possible. You need the Shepherd, and you need the fellowship of the fold. They miss you a lot, and are praying for you; call out to the Shepherd, and He will bring you back to the green pastures where you can graze to your heart’s content. He will also take you by the lake where the waters are calm and peaceful.

No matter what led you away, you should have discovered by now that whatever it was, did not exist, or if it does, it is not worth the trouble. You are missing a whole lot more than you could ever find out there. Remember, the Shepherd laid down His life for all of us. With that much sacrifice, He is able and willing to keep you safe. He, however, will not deliver you under duress! You have to want to be rescued, and you have to request it. Don’t wait much longer! 

THE GPS COMES TO THE RESCUE

The other day, I got lost; there’s no other way of saying it. I was on the right road but was going in the wrong direction. Instead of going west, I went east, so I went farther in the opposite direction, which then put me farther away from my intended destination: home. By the time I realized I was going in the wrong direction, it was too late to turn around.

I was on a very long bridge over a body of water, with high volume traffic; I had no idea how to get back, but before I panicked, I remembered I could consult my GPS. So, I did! The GPS (global positioning system) has become nearly every traveler’s assistant. My GPS directed me to the exit I needed to take to get myself headed in the right direction. What a relief that was!

Right there on the road, I got to thinking how people get on the road of life but go in the wrong direction, farther and farther away from the destination they had in mind, or the destination where they’d be safe. I know the destination many people have in mind, but I also know a lot of them will never get there. They are going in the opposite direction, and if they never turn around, they’ll end up at the wrong place.

There are some people who have no idea where they are going; they think life starts and ends, and that’s it. Such people have no destination in mind; they are not striving to get to any place in particular. Eventually, they will end up in a place they will regret with no opportunity to turn around; it will be too late to go back.

The day I got lost, I had a destination in mind, so I sensed right away when I missed my exit. When people have no destination in mind, they’ll have no idea they’re lost. I pulled out my GPS because I knew I was lost. Those who don’t know they are lost will not look for direction; other people will have to tell them they’re lost, and then show them how to turn around and go in the right direction. After they turn around, they can use their GPS to direct them the rest of the way to their new destination. 

Just as I depended on the GPS to find my way, I also depend on the Bible for direction in this life. How about you? The Bible is the Word of God, and can be trusted; it has been proven true, over and over again. If you’ve never trusted it, I invite you to read it and prove it for yourself.

First and foremost, accept the fact that you are a sinner and separated from God. Understand that you enjoy good things in this life because He allows it to rain on both the just and the unjust. In other words, something good happening to you is not an indication that all is well between you and God. Second, understand that if you remain separated from God for the rest of this life, you will be eternally separated from Him after this life as well.

Many people assume they’ll go to heaven when they die; they don’t know one does not just go to heaven. There are requirements to be met, but many, know nothing about that. Many think if they’re good enough, they’ll go to heaven, but how do they measure enough? The Bible says, “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:9).

Did you know there are requirements to get into heaven? What are they? Have you fulfilled them? Jesus told Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader: “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). In other words, you have to be born again in order to go to heaven. And if you are like Nicodemus, you’re probably wondering, “What does that mean?” Here’s the answer: “Anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment” (John 3:36).

Jesus, the Son of God, died in our place to pay for our sins; if you put your faith in Him, He will forgive you and make you a new person. That’s what it means to be born again: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Just as the GPS directed me, the Bible will direct all those who come to faith in Jesus. The Word of God renews our mind, enabling us to live godly lives. God’s plan is for us to be as holy as He is; living according to the Bible gradually transforms us into His image.

Dear Christian, if you ever help someone to get on the right path, please make sure you emphasize the use of the Bible, our spiritual GPS, to navigate the remainder of their journey. Without the direction of the Bible, we will miss our way and have difficulty getting back on the path. 

The GPS is your guide, Use it confidently!