YOU THINK YOU WILL BE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN WHEN YOU DIE - JUST BECAUSE...

Of all the questions you will ask yourself in life, probably the most important is, Am I good enough to go to Heaven? The way to find this out is to ask yourself if you have obeyed the Ten Commandments. most would answer the question, "Well, I've broken one or two, but nothing too serious, like murder, etc." So, let's go through them and see how you do:

1. "You shall have no other gods before Me."

Is God first in your life? Do you love God above all else? Many years ago, I purchased a T.V. for our children, but the first evening we had it, I arrived home from work and found that they didn't even bother to greet me. They were too busy watching television. I turned it off and explained to them that if they ignored me because they preferred to watch T.V. they were setting their love on the gift rather then the giver, a wrong order of affections. In the same way, if we love anything-husband, wife, children or even our own lives-more than we love God, we are setting our affection on the gift rather than the Giver, which is a transgression of the First Commandment. In fact, the Bible says that we should so love God that our love for Mom and Dad and brother and sister should seem like hatred compared to the love we have for the God who gave those loved ones to us.

We are also commanded to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. Jesus spoke of a Samaritan who found an injured stranger, bathed his wounds, carried him to an inn, gave money for his care and told the inn-keeper that he would pay for his expenses. We call him thegood Samaritan, but in reality he wasn't "good" at all, he merely obeyed the basic command to love his neighbor as himself. That is a picture of how God expects us to love our fellow human beings. We should love them as much as we love ourselves...whether they be friend or foe.

Have you loved God with all your heart? Have you loved humanity as much as you love yourself? You be the judge. Will you be innocent or guilty on Judgment Day of breaking that Commandment? I'm not judging you-I'm asking you to judge yourself before the Day of Judgment. The sentence for breaking this Commandment is death.

2. "You shall not make for yourself any graven image."

This means that we shouldn't make a god to suit ourselves, either with our hands or our mind. I was guilty of this. I made a god to suit myself. My god didn't mind a "white" lie or a fib here and there-in fact, he didn't exist. He was a figment of my imagination, an "image" which I shaped to suit myself. Is your God the One revealed in Holy Scripture? If not, then you have made your own god to suit yourself-you have committed the oldest sin in the Book. Scripture warns that no idolater will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

3. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain."

Have you ever taken God's name in vain-instead of using a four-letter word to express disgust, you've used His name? Hitler's name wasn't despised enough to use as a curse word. If you have used His holy name in that manner, you are a blasphemer and will not enter the Kingdom of God.

4. "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy."

I ignored this command for 22 years. Even though God gave me the gift of life, never once did I ask what He required of me. I was guilty of breaking this Commandment.

5. "Honor your father and your mother."

Have you always honored your parents in a way that's pleasing in the sight of God? Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. You may have forgotten them, but God hasn't.

6. "You shall not murder."

Jesus warned that if we get angry without cause we are in danger of judgment. If we hate our brother, God calls us a murderer. We can violate God's Law by attitude and intent.

7. "You shall not commit adultery."

Who of us can say that we are pure of heart? Jesus warned, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Remember that God has seen every thought you have had and every sin you have ever committed. The day will come when you have to face His Law, and we are told that the impure, fornicators (those who have sex before marriage) and adulterers will not enter the Kingdom of God. Punishment for transgression of this Commandment is the death penalty.

8. "You shall not steal."

Have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else (irrespective of its value)? Then you are a thief-you cannot enter God's Kingdom.

9. "You shall not bear false witness."

Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar. How many lies do you have to tell to be a liar? Just one. The Bible warns that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire. You may not think deceitfulness is a serious sin. God does!

10. "You shall not covet."

That means we shouldn't desire anything that belongs to another person. The covetous will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Who of us can say we are not guilty of breaking these Commandments? All of us have sinned, and just as with civil law, you don't have to break ten laws to be a lawbreaker, so the Bible warns, "For whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."

A little girl was once watching a sheep eat grass and thought how white it looked against the green background. But when it began to snow she thought, "That sheep now looks dirty against the white snow!" It was the same sheep, but with a different background. When we compare ourselves to man's standard we look pretty clean, but when we compare ourselves to the pure snow-white righteousness of God's standard-His Law, we can see ourselves in truth, that we are unclean in His sight. That Law is the holy standard by which humanity will be judged on Judgment Day.

This may sound strange, but the worst thing you could do at this point of time is to try and clean up your lifestyle-you realize that you have sinned, so from now on you will keep the Ten Commandments, do good deeds, say the right things and think only pure thoughts. But should a judge let a murderer go because he says he will now live a good life? No, he's in debt to justice and therefore must be punished.

The Law of God is merely like a mirror-all a mirror does is show you the truth. If you see egg on your face, you don't try and wash yourself with the mirror, it's purpose should be to send you to water for cleansing. Neither should you try and wash yourself with the mirror of God's Law...that's not its purpose.

The sight in the mirror is not a pretty one, but if you don't face it and acknowledge that you are unclean, then all that "dirt" will be presented on Judgment Day as evidence of your guilt, and then it will be too late to be cleansed.

Perhaps you think that God is good and will therefore overlook your sins. But if you were guilty of terrible crimes in a civil court and said to the judge, "Judge, I am guilty but I believe that you are a good man and will therefore overlook my crimes," the judge would probably respond by saying, "You are right about one thing; I am a good man, and it's because of my goodness that I am going to see that justice is done, that you are punished for your crimes." The very thing that many are hoping will save them on Judgment Day, God's "goodness," will be the very thing that will condemn them. If God is good, He should punish murderers. liars, thieves, etc., and Hell will be their dreadful fate.

What a terrible place Hell must be. If you read in the newspaper that a man received a $5 fine for a crime, you could conclude that his crime was insignificant. But if a man received multiple life sentences, you could conclude that his crime was heinous. In the same way, we can catch a glimpse of how terrible sin must be in the sight of God by looking to the punishment given for it-eternal punishment. Ungrateful humanity never bothers to thank God for His wonderful blessings of color, light, food, joy, beauty, love, and laughter, so He will take those blessings away from them. Instead of proving their gratitude by obedience to His will, they use His name to curse. Their punishment will be just but severe to the uttermost. Take the time to read what Jesus said Hell was like in Mark 9:43-48. I am afraid for you...please, look honestly into the mirror of the Law, then seek the "water" that cleanses every sin. If you don't believe what I am saying about the reality of Hell, it means you think God is corrupt (that He hasn't the moral backbone to seek justice), that Jesus was a liar, that the Apostles were false witnesses, that God's promises are nothing but prefabricated lies, and there is no greater insult to God than to call Him a liar. By doing so, you are adding to your transgressions. Imagine if you reject the Savior, die in your sins and find that what I have told is the Gospel truth? Then it will be too late, you will be judged for you sins. If that happens, and your eyes meet my eyes on the Day of Judgment, I'm free from your blood. I have told you the truth, but if you choose to ignore it your blood will be upon your own head...you will have no one to blame buy yourself.

Can you see your predicament? You are guilty of sinning against God Himself, and, because you have a conscience, you have sinned "with knowledge." Isn't it true that every time you lied, stole, lusted, etc., you did it with knowledge that it was wrong?

Does the fact that you have sinned against God scare you? It should. You have actually angeredHim by your sin. The Bible says His wrath abides on you, that you are an "enemy of God in your mind through wicked works." But let fear work for your good in the same way that a fear of jumping out of a plane at a great height would make you put on a parachute. Let your will to live open your heart to the Gospel of salvation.

I am not the only one who doesn't want you to end up in Hell. The person who gave you this tract cared enough to give it to you and risk your rejection, and God Himself is not willing that you perish. To make clear what an incredible thing He has done for you in the Gospel, let's look again to civil law: You are standing in front of a judge, guilty of very serious crimes. All the evidence has been presented and there is no doubt about your guilt. The fine for your crime is $250,000 or imprisonment, but you haven't two pennies to rub together. The judge is about to pass sentence...he lifts his gavel, when someone you don't even know steps in and pays the fine for you. The moment you accept that payment, you are free to go. Justice has been served, the law has been satisfied, and what's more, the stranger who paid your fine showed how much he cares for you. His payment was evidence of his love.

That's what God did for you, in the person of Jesus Christ. you are guilty, He paid the fine 2,000 years ago. It is that simple. The Bible puts it this way: "he was bruised for our iniquities . . . Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us...God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

It was no small thing for Jesus to die for us. The only thing that would satisfy the demands of Eternal Law was the suffering death of the sinless Son of God. What love God must have for you! He suffered unspeakable agony, so that you wouldn't have to be punished for your sins. His sacrificial death and resurrection mean that you need no longer be in debt to the Law, and God can now grant you everlasting life if you obey Him -- death no longer has a legal hold upon those who belong to Jesus Christ.

Two men were offered a parachute while seated in a plane. The first man was told it would improve his flight, but the second man was informed he had to make a 25,000 foot jump. when the flight struck severe turbulence the first man took his parachute off because as far as he was concerned it didn't improve the flight. but during the same violent turbulence, the second man clung tighter to his parachute. Each man's motive for putting the parachute on determined whether or not they would keep it on.* In the same way, the reason you should "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" shouldn't be to find peace, joy, true happiness, to have your marriage healed or your problems fixed, etc. (to have your flight improved), but it should be to escape the jump to come-because of the fact that you have to pass through the door of death. Then, when the flight gets bumpy (when problems come) you won't fall away from the faith.

What should you then do? Simply repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Don't put it off until tomorrow.

Would you sell an eye for a million dollars? How about both for $20 million? No one in his right mind would. Your eyes are priceless to you, yet they are merely the windows of your soul. Your life (your soul) is of such value, Jesus said that you should despise the value of your eye compared to it. He said that if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you, for it is better to enter Heaven blind than to go to Hell seeing. In other words, of all the things you should prioritize in your life, it's not your health, your vocation, etc., it's your eternal salvation.

Think of a man who has committed adultery. His faithful wife is more than willing to take him back, so what is the attitude in which he should approach her? It should be one of tremendous humility, asking for forgiveness, and determining in his heart never to even think of committing adultery again.

That's how you should approach God. If you are not sure how to pray, read Psalm 51 and make it your prayer. Then put your faith in Jesus Christ in the same way you would put your faith in a parachute. You don't just "believe" it will benefit you, you actually trust yourself to it by putting it on. Then, once you have made peace with God, read the Bible daily and obey what you read.

(written by ray comfort) www.raycomfort.com

THE SHOCKING TRUTH - YOUR T-SHIRT DOES NOT MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN

FACING THE REALITY OF GOD

FACING THE REALITY OF GOD Most of us go through life trying to find some kind of success fullness, excitement, purpose, pleasure, happiness, ect. Maybe you have found your peace of mind or maybe you are still looking. Most consider a family, friends, a good job, and a little entertainment & fun to be enough for them and they are for the most part satisfied. Well,what about God? What happened to God? While we find time for everything else we can think of,we ignore the most important thing in life.We ignore God.In fact most people avoid God at all cost.Society has erased God from it's memory! When you watch TV or go to a movie, you usually  find that it contains nothing but lots of violence, sex, improper language, and general wickedness. When I am in public  I see nothing that promotes Godliness. People find it easy to start a conversation on the weather , sports , current events but are too shy to mention God. Why is this? I think most people find it easier to ignore God and claim he doesn't see or doesn't care or doesn't even exist than to face God and deal with their sin and become righteous and holy.   I have come to the conclusion that people don't want godliness. They know it would interfere too much with their lives. They don't want to change. Just look at the lifestyles of the average person (especially the younger generation)Who would watch a movie that didn't contain a little action, or dirty humor, or a little nudity. Who would turn down an invitation to a party (everyone knows what goes on at most parties)? Who would intentionally avoid becoming popular? It is a sad fact but these are the things that the majority of people find entertaining / fulfilling. I also don't see Godliness at work. I see swearing, laziness, greed, and backstabbing. No one mentions God (except when swearing) and no one wants to hear about God. People may claim to believe in God or claim to "be a Christian" but you should see the looks people get on their faces when someone actually mentions God.This doesn't just occur at the workplace.Try to bring up a discussion with a friend, family member, or neighbor about God or a discussion on right and wrong. Just see how Quickly that conversation ends. It is funny.You see bumper stickers saying "God bless America".You see "IN GOD WE TRUST" printed on our currency and you hear a patriotic song mentioning God sung before sporting events. Lets not fool ourselves.This is all just for show.There are very few people that wouldn't look at you funny if you mentioned God to them. Most people will say "Religion is a private matter and you should keep it to yourself" or "Religion & politics shouldn't be discussed in public" Who made these stupid rules anyway? It almost seems that good has become evil and evil has become good. Why has it become taboo to mention God. I'll tell you why. All people know God exists and all people know they are living contrary to the way God intended us to live. People love their lifestyle, and their things, and their lusts, and their greed and they know that these things can't be accepted by God, so people pretend God doesn't exist or they pretend God doesn't really mean what He says.Many people only believe what they want to about God. They dream up what they would like God to be and accept that as who God is. We can dream up all kinds of gods in our own mind but in reality God is what God is.You have to find out who God really is. God isn't whatever you believe him to be.Don't be blind! Don"t think that you can just ignore God. Whether you believe it or not you will have to answer for everything that you have ever done. Everyone is guilty of breaking God's law.You are, I am, everyone! God says that everyone that breaks his law will have to die. God created us so don't you think that He has the right to tell us how to live? God created us with a purpose in mind. He wanted us to act , and think a certain way. We have all rebelled against God and have decided to do what we want instead of what God wants. God has the right to destroy all of us. If you were to create something and it didn't work properly wouldn't you destroy it if it couldn't be fixed? God doesn't destroy us because he loves us. He waits patiently for us to realize our mistakes and turn from them and do His will but if we refuse what can God do but have us destroyed? What God commands us to do is not unreasonable. In fact it is beneficial. If everyone lived as we should we would all get along, there would be no war, crime, hatred, ect. God made laws because he loves us, just as parents make rules for their children.They make them for the children's benefit. In fact God sent his own son to earth to die and take the punishment for any person who would turn from their sin and turn to God. If God exists and is in control of our future, why do we ignore Him. Eternity is a very long time compared to the short time we have here on earth.  In the Bible, God tells us how we should live and what the consequences are if we don't obey Him. The Bible can be used for things other than hiding your money in or putting it on the coffee table when the preacher comes over. I know society mocks anyone who actually reads the Bible, but what is more important:your eternal future or protecting your ego.I have noticed that most people have been lead to believe that the Bible is difficult if not imposable for "ordinary people" to understand.Don't you know that most of the Bible was written as letters by ordinary people to other ordinary people.It was not for the highly educated only.The only reason some people claim that the Bible is hard to understand is because it's concepts are so foreign to them.Can a prideful person understand humility?Can a thief understand generosity? Can a self-centered person understand love?If you can read with an open mind ,and accept what it says,you will soon understand the concepts of love,patients,self-control,generosity,humility,and kindness.God expresses his will for us through these writings.It is our responsibility to seek God and learn His will for us.

WHO ARE WE FOOLING???

When Love is Mistaken for Self Rightiousness   

 

I have  found that as I jounney on through my Christian walk , as more and more truths are revealed to me through the scriptures I feel the need and desire to share them with others. A problem that I sometimes come accross is that when I realize a fault in my life and correct it , out of love for others , I feel the urge to point it out when I see a fellow Christian stumbling in the same offence. It is clear that they do not see it as an offence just as I previously did not recognise it as a sin. It hurts to see that person in their ignorance making a mistake that I myself had already made and suffered the concequences of. The problem is that when I attempt to help the person and keep him from stumbling , the first response from that person is almost always something like: "Who are you to judge me! Who do you think you are? Do you think that you are better than me?" Christians should be willing and able to not only accept but also give instuction or correction to others. Unfortunately it seems that when someone actually speaks out against sin they are told to be quiet and mind their own buisness. Is this the way Christians are to act?  Why can't Christians accept that most of the time when a rebuke is given it is out of love for their own benefit. People make mistaks. Why can't we have an attitude of love so that we can share our mistakes with each other and keep each othe from sin without being accused of self rightiousness? I appreciate it very much when a sin is pointed out to me. It helps to know that there are others watching out for and showing concern for me. Concerned enough to say "You are doing wrong , you should not do that." Not only am I saved from sinning , I am saved from the results of that sin as well. If we help each other and learn to accept the help of others who knows how much we can grow in Christ!

When Self Rightiousness is Mistaken for Love

 

What rightiousness is there in good works if they are not done with good motives? Good works are nothing (even evil) if they are not done cheerfully and willingly out of a spirit of genuine love. A good heart will produce good  works instinctively. Good works will not produce a good heart. In fact , many people wickedly use good works as a way to hide a wicked heart. Many people find it easier to change their outward actions and look rightious rather than changing the heart and actually being made rightious (by doing acts of self rightiousness). My Bible study teacher and friend gave a good example of this. He noticed that many times churches will set aside a time for good works to be done rather than having a desire that causes good works to be done all the time. Churches give food baskets to the needy around Christmas but neglect them the rest of the year. If it is good to give food to the poor then why only give it at certain times of the year? This is not love , but rather it is an act of self rightiousness. If it was the churches desire for the poor to have food they would make it a prioraty to give all the time.   He gave another example of a church having a banquet to honour the elderly  in the church. Why does a day need to be set aside for this? Why cant we honour them every day by showing respect for the wisdom  that they have aquired over the years , by letting them teach the young men and women in the church , by young christians submitting to the wisdom that the elderly can give. It is an insulting act of self rightiousness to set aside just a day to show honour to the elderly rather than doing what is right and showing honour at all times. People find it easier do do their good works so they can pat themselves on the back and feal good about themselves (a form of pride) instead of changing their heart so that they instinctively and automatically do what is good all the time. I know this does not apply to everyone but look inside yourself at your true motives to see if this describes you. If it does you need to repent and seek a heart that will do things out of true love. Start with the heart and genuine good works will follow. God will change the heart of those that diligently seek change.

THERE AIN'T NO GOD

When wicked and unprincipled persons have gone on in a course of sin to the degree that they can scarcely hope for pardon and find that they have reason to fear the just judgments of God for their sins , they begin at first to wish that there were no God to punnish them , which they believe to be in their best interests. And so , by degrees , they come to persuade themselves that there is no God. Then they determine to find arguements to back their opinion in order to prove what they are willing to believe.

    

JOHN BUNYAN (17th century Christian and author of The Pilgrim's Progress )

^{AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY (FOR SOME PEOPLE) GOD DOES NOT APPEAR TO EXIST}

^{ROMANS 1}

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

PASS ON THE FORTUNE COOKIE

Discovering the Will of God

1. Is it right? 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

2. Will this bring me near some temptation? Rom. 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

3. Does this give place to the devil? Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

4. Is there anything in scripture contrary to it? Isa. 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

5. Am I trusting God or depending in my own strength? Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

6. Is it doubtful? Rom. 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

7. Will it cause someone to stumble? Rom. 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

8. Does it appear evil to anyone? 1 Ths. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

9. Would the Lord Jesus Christ do this? 1 Pet. 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

10. Will it please God? John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

11. Am I trying to impress others with my spirituality? Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, andlaid it, at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12. Do I hope somebody notices me? Gal. 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

13. Does it edify? 1 Cor. 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

14. Am I being selfish? Phil. 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

15. Am I denying the flesh? Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

16. Am I putting Christ first? Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

17. Is it expedient? 1 Cor. 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

18. Will it bring glory to God? 1 Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

19. Am I deceiving myself or being deceived? 1 Cor. 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

20. Do I know better? 1 Cor. 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols.

21. Am I searching for an excuse to justify what I want to do? Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

22. Do I have to hide it from anyone? Sneak around? 2 Cor. 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

23. Did I handle the word of God deceitfully? 2 Cor. 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

24. Will this in anyway defile God's body? 1 Cor. 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

25. Can I sincerely thank God for it? 1 Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

26. Can I do this in Jesus' name? Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

27. Can I go all the way with it? Col. 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Eccl. 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

28. Have I prayed about it? Ps. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Phil. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

29. Will it increase or hinder my prayer life? 1 Pet. 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

30. Am I breaking one commandment in order to keep another? Jer. 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

31. What does my pastor think about it? Hebr. 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Hebr. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

32. What does my church brethren think about it? Prov. 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Prov. 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

33. Would I like to be doing this when Jesus Christ returns? 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

34. How will it appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ? Rom. 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 1 Cor. 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

ACCEPT THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU TO DO

As believers we are managers of the gifts that God has given us. We are to manage the short time that God has given us - not wasting it on our own vein pleasures but using it always for the exclusively to the glory of God. We are to manage the money and resources that are given to us by God - not as if it were ours to be wasted on anything but for your necessities (basic and not extravagant food - clothing - shelter) and for the glory of God. We are managers of this body of ours which is also the temple of the very Spirit of God. As the dwelling place of God's spirit we are not to defile God's temple with sin and should care for it as if it were not our own but as a caretaker of the temple of God. We are managers of one another and are to not only be watchful of ourselves but are to care for God's sheep. We are also managers of the grace and mercy of God. God freely gives these gifts of grace and mercy and we are not to despise them by returning to our old wicked ways. God has freed us from sin by His grace. To undo the work of grace and return to sin is to despise God's grace and considering it to be of no value to you. We are to use the grace of God to be transformed into the image of Christ. There are far too many that squander the gifts of God and live a wasteful life accomplishing nothing.  MATTHEW 25 14   " For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15   "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16   "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17   "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18   "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19   "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20   "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' 21   "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 22   "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' 23   "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 24   "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25   'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' 26   "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27   'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28   'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' 29   " For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30   "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

If you are going to call yourself a "Christian", a "believer", a child of "God", ect..., you should act in a way as to not shame the name of Christ. Constantly examine yourself to see that your life is within the will of God. People will judge the whole body of believers based on one person's actions. A Christian should have a loving spirit with an attitude that puts the needs of others before and instead of his own. There must be no pride, selfishness, arrogance, haughtiness, envyness, lustfulness, greed or any evilness in the mind of a believer. We must make a constant, daily effort to transform our mind from a mind based on self, greed and wickedness, to a mind focused on godliness, holiness, righteousness......and above all, love. The mind is the battlefield of good and evil. If no evil enters the mind, then no evil will be done. Righteousness will not be accomplished by trying to follow rules and laws. Righteousness is accomplished through the constant desire and through constant praying for the perfect mind of Christ. This should be the goal for all believers. Avoid anything that could possibly tempt you to sin, as we are a lot weaker than we would like to admit. The best way to prevent yourself from stumbling is to avoid temptation in the first place. You know the things that easily tempt you. You know how to avoid them. If you purposely place yourself in a situation that you know will be difficult to resist, you will most likely stumble. I know that there are times when temptation cannot be avoided. Sometimes it seems no matter how careful you are it can sneak up on you and take you unaware. Always pray to God for strength during these moments, pray for God to protect you from them. Also, do not become overconfident and think that you have mastered temptation, as you may not be as strong as you think. Do not take on too many obligations or activities as time easily slips away. If you do not find time for prayer, studying God's word, and fellowship with other believers, you will not find the strength to walk the path of righteousness. We must always remind ourselves that we are to live for God and not for ourselves. Also, Christians should look after one another and encourage each other so that no one becomes discouraged and falls back into sin. This has become very difficult to do as many churches are very large and a person can be "lost in the crowd".I recommend a very small church or a home church, as it is easier to get to know everyone. How can you give effective encouragement to another believer that you hardly know? Encouragement is very important, as is discipline. A person can hide his sin in a large crowd but it is much more difficult in a smaller assembly amongst close friends. Finally, a Christian's most important responsibility is to help others see that they need to acknowledge God and be reconciled to Him. Someone at one time has to have shared Jesus with you. Show your gratitude for that person and for Christ and tell someone else! Learn to show love to others especially to those that don't deserve it. Showing your love can usually have a greater effect on a person than anything you can say to them. Be sure that you always read the Word of God and pray for correct understanding as you don't want to be a false teacher and lead someone in error. Remember action speaks louder than words. Do not only be a hearer but be a doer. Knowing what it is to be righteous is not the same as being righteous. JAMES 1 22   But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  (NKJV) Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.   3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;   4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.   5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.   6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.   7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.   8For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light   9 (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),   10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.   11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them.]   12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.   13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.   14Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."   15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,   16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.   17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord [is.]   18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,   19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,   20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,   21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.   EPHESIANS 4      17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[4] : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

TALK TO YOURSELF - ITS OK

Why do we do the things we know we shouldn't? Why do we find in ourselves the same character flaws we hate in others? Why do we react in ways that go against what we think we believe. Many people make the mistake of listening to their emotions and acting on their impulses. We must take charge of our emotions and ask our self " why do I feel this way? Do I have the right to act on these emotions? Should I calm down first? Do I look exactly like the person that I hate? I feel grumpy - I need to go to the Lord and seek a better attitude. Do not become a slave to your impulses, and urges, first reactions , and emotions.   Take control of them by always looking at yourself before you act. Martian Lloyd Jones said it best.

Lloyd-Jones:

The main trouble in this whole matter of spiritual depression in a sense is this, that we allow our self to talk to us instead of talking to our self. Am I just trying to be deliberately paradoxical? Far from it. This is the very essence of wisdom in this matter. Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problem of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment [in Psalm 42] was this; instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself, ‘Why art thou cast down, O my soul?’ he asks. His soul had been repressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: ‘Self, listen for a moment, I will speak to you’. Do you know what I mean? If you do not, you have but little experience.

The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself. You must say to your soul: ‘Why art thou cast down’–what business have you to be disquieted? You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: ‘Hope thou in God’–instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way. And then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who God is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has pledged Himself to do. Then having done that, end on this great note: defy yourself, and defy other people, and defy the devil and the whole world, and say with this man: ‘I shall yet priase Him for the help of His countenance, who is also the health of my countenance and my God’.

TRAINING PEOPLE TO BE JERKS

 The people in society that yell the loudest , the obnoxious , the ignorant , those that would like the world to revolve around their stupidity, to jump at their trite inconveniences , wanting all to accommodate their preferences are the ones that rules and policy and law is made to accommodate. The civil level headed intelligent people that simply mind their own business each day are simply ignored. The media feeds these people because they always provide a good story. " My rights are being violated and people are prejudiced and everyone is picking on me!" It does not even matter if their complaint is valid. Then only thing that matters is they are loud and make good headlines.
 Even in retail this holds true. The customer that complains gets what they want (and a gift card to shut them up) while normal people accept things as they are and peacefully go on their way. If someone makes a big enough scene more often than not they can get a manager to violate some store policy and if they cant get the manager to do it the cooperate office sure will. Then the manager gets a reprimand from cooperate office for not taking care of this valuable customer.
 Can it ever be appropriate in society to tell these overreacting people to lighten up, to tell them NO and stand your ground. Otherwise we are training people to be jerks.


    

I WANT A JOB

  
  

We want a job. Our last employers always disrespected us so we quit! They was always yellen at us to go faster and work harder and never let us do nothin important. We not gonna to be treated that way. We want mo thaN minimum wage. We don't want the Big Boss to get bent out of shape when we call in sick on the weekend. You can't expect me to actually work the next day after drinking all night. I DO NOT CLEAN TOILETS! Also I can't work more than 20 hours a week or we'll loose our EBT and gubment check. We have a right to these things and no one will take away our rights and dignity. We demand dignity and respect. In fact we don't want your job anyway! You are too greedy and someone needs to put you in your place. The government needs to raise your taxes so poor people like us can have the help we deserve. It is evil to keep all that money for yourself while we are starving.

LIFE IS BACKWARD

Why is it that all important decisions and events in life occur at a time when we are least prepared to make a good decision. We choose as spouse when we are too young to see that marriage is difficult and that the person best suited to live a life with might be the responsible one and not the exciting one. We make that decision before we realize that people really never change their natural character. We can't find wisdom until all the mistakes have already been made even though wisdom was meant to help avoid those mistakes in the first place.If only I knew then what I know now. And there are those who have found wisdom who sit by helplessly watching fools make their mistakes. The fool never listens otherwise he would be wise and not a fool. We have to decide a career before we truly know what responsibilities that career involves.We only see that career advancement and learning new things is nothing to fear after we have wasted 10 years in mediocrity. Even in our Christian beliefs we run around doing and saying so many silly and incorrect things based on incorrect views of God and bad theology based on ignorance of God's word.When we finally understand what is true we are old and tired or busy with work and family with no free time. Seek wisdom. Use what little you have. Humility will find wisdom. Don't forget to use your brain - everything sounds true and reasonable the first time you hear it.

This is meant to be comedy but really is not far from reality - still funny...and sad too

HOW WE ACT IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT

Someone cuts you off while driving, your local supermarket is out of the item you need, the customer service rep is from India and cant speak English, your spouse misunderstands what you say, the kids interrupt a conversation , you spill coffee on your white shirt at work , you hit a pothole way too fast, you get the idea. You are never prepared for these moments , they all take you by surprise so when they occur you are not prepared and what happens? I'M UPSET!!! I'M ANGRY!!!! Then 2 minutes later I'm sorry ..... That was stupid - How could I react that way to such a small thing. You then remember the sin nature that never goes away and pray for more grace. I praise God when He helps me catch myself from slipping in these unexpected moments. As many resolutions you make you still do it again the next time. What do you do to prepare yourself for the unexpected situations that set you off. Constant contentment..... If you have no expectations of what should be you are not surprised at the unexpected.... and lots of prayer.
OUCH !!!!!! I just stubbed my toe!@%@!!!!!!

BREAKING NEWS THERE ARE ONLY 2 SEXES!!!

Leading scientists have discovered that humans only come in two different sexes. They are calling them "Male" and "Female" A test has been developed to see what sex you are. There is no longer the need for all the confusion that has plagued society for thousands of years. Children no longer have to question "Am I a boy or am I a girl" We no longer have to base our gender on what sex we feel like we are. We can simply look down and after a simple observation know with absolute certainty if we are a boy type person or a girl type person. We will no longer have two males or two females mistakenly partnering together because they are unsure of their sex. We never have to violate nature or the law of God by accidently marrying someone that is he same gender as yourself. We can now live without the fear of being a homosexual. When someone comes to you and says " I have lived as a man all my life but I have been thinking lately that I feel like a woman. You can say with scientific confidence "Don't be a clown just look down!"



For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become
one flesh.      Genesis 2:24


Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
nor thieves, nor the covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.



 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers ^10 [f]and ^[g]immoral men ^[h]and homosexuals ^[i]and kidnappers ^[j]and liars ^[k]and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

GET OUT OF MY YARD!!!

A friend invited me to pick up some wood from a tree they had just cut down. My father in law does wood carvings and needed more wood. Though nothing was said , I could not help but wondering what my friend was thinking as I was gathering the heavy logs. Often we make offers to our friends without thinking about potential consequences. Did my friend ever think "What if he hurts himself while loading the wood ?" Will my insurance cover an injury on my property?" This is the sad world we live in. You can't invite your neighbor over without the fear of some lawsuit. Even among close friends you can't be too sure. It isn't like you are suing your friend directly. The "greedy evil" insurance company will have to pay. So many people are opportunists. Can I sue? Then I should. Do I qualify for government aid? Then I MUST apply. Will a small lie get me some benefit? Lets do it! The doctor will prescribe addictive pain relievers. Get them while you can. This is why we live in fear of our neighbor. Of course this does not detour us from being neighborly but the fear is always buried there in the back of your mind.
When I was in my early 20s I went to a birthday party and dislocated my knee playing volleyball. The next day the father of my friend asked me "What will it take to make it right between us? I don't want to use my insurance. Name your price." I almost cried! We are both Christians - We are brothers. How could he ask such a thing? I told him that it was my choice and my risk to play the game. I did not care what the law was. I paid $2500 out of my own pocket for doctor bills and ambulance fees. I had no insurance. I used all my savings for a new car. It was worth it. I kept my friend.
 Yes you can do many things in life but should you? What is the cost to society and our well being?

THERE AINT NO JOBS!

A TRUE STORY


A hiring manager has 10 positions to fill. He receives dozens of calls a day for job openings. People are desperate for employment. He has a pile of 100 applications on his desk. Lets begin:

Out of the 100 applications , 3 put no phone number. We are down to 97.

He needs someone available any time but will settle for evenings on weekdays and all day on week ends.

60 applications request weekends off or only want to work 2-3 specific days a week or already have a job and want someone to work around their schedule.

We are down to 37 applications.

10 applicants have previously worked with the company and were terminated. 27 applications

The hiring manager calls all 27 even though most have no experience. Some are no longer interested, five have non working phone numbers but he is able to set up 20 interviews. Only 17 show up for their interviews but 2 are 30 min late.

Down to 15.

One young man says he has a short attention span and as long as someone keeps an eye on him he will do OK. Two others say that they will need the company  to work around their random meetings with a parole officer. One admits that a friend will be their transportation and gladly take them to work each day from now to the end of time (yeah right). One says that as long as they can get a babysitter each day hey will show up for work. She promises it won't be too often.

We are now down to a fortunate 10 who have no experience but actually are available to work and most importantly they are breathing and alive. ALL 10 GET A JOB!!!!!!!!

WE are not done yet.....

Only 8 of these show up for new hire paperwork. One leaves abruptly at the mention of a drug test. Almost everyone fills out some of the paperwork incorrectly but all is forgiven since these positions must be filled. Employees are given uniforms - badges and their schedules. They also must attend orientation class the next day. We now only have 7 left.

Only 5 show up for orientation and ALL 5 ARE LATE!!!!!
Once again all is forgiven.

The positions require a certification class that includes a very simple quiz at the end that must be passed. One falls asleep and fails. We are down to 4

One is late to work the first day. 3 left

Later that week a background check reveals another must be let go.
2 left

Another says she is no longer available to work weekends.

The last one was overqualified for the position and the company is thrilled to have him! After 4 weeks he finds a better job.

We are now at 0 and a hiring manager has 10 positions to fill. He receives dozens of calls a day for job openings. People are desperate for employment. He has a pile of 100 applications on his desk.

AND THERE AINT NO JOBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD IS GOOD AND YOU ARE NOT ( AND NEITHER AM I )

God
There is one God, eternally existent in the three persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who is Creator of all things seen and unseen, infinitely perfect in love, power, and knowledge. These persons are the same in substance, equal in power and glory (Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and all of human history according to his sovereign purposes.

Scripture
We can only know God as He makes Himself known to us. God has communicated Himself in person, words and propositions which have been recorded for us in Scripture. He is not silent but has accommodated Himself to our lowly capacity that we might apprehend His purpose. Our faith is not based in any speculation or man-made philosophy but is based on the historic Christian faith which is recorded in the completed canon of Scripture. The Scriptures are without error (inerrant and infallible) in the original manuscripts, and represent the supreme and final authority for our faith and practice. The Bible is our guide in all matters regarding doctrine, church practice, counseling and individual behavior. We should, therefore, always be reforming our thoughts of God in order to be more God-honoring & consistent with the Word of God. The Scriptures were written by divinely inspired humans and are God's revelation of Himself to everyone. (Exodus 24:4;Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

The Fall
I believe God, the creator of all things both seen and unseen (Col 1:16; Gen 1:1; Eph 3:9; Rev 4:11). Created man in his own image (Gen 1:27; Gen 5:1) in righteousness and dignity with the freedom and power to do that which is good (Ecl 7:29, Gen 1:26-31) and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of his will. By their sin mankind fell from intimacy with God and since Adam & Eve were the root of mankind this sin was imputed to all their descendants. Due to the effects of the fall (of Adam) on the mind and will, man's spiritual condition by nature is such that he is dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to sin, wholly incapable and unwilling to come to God (1 Cor 2:14, Rom 8:7, John 3:19), and under the wrath of God. (Eph.2:1-3; Titus 3:3; 2 Tim.2:26). As such, man is utterly incapable of saving himself, or even to cooperate with God in his salvation. He does not possess the inclination, desire or ability to turn himself to God since he loves & prefers the darkness. Since man is depraved by nature, and will thus inevitably make choices in accordance with that nature, his "free will" will always choose to reject God, apart from God's grace.

God's Covenants
In spite of humanity's rebellion against God, His great love was revealed in His purpose to bless humanity, which was made known in His post-fall redemptive promise to crush the head of the the serpent with the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15). God then began to implement this plan of redemption, through the means of covenants, in order to mercifully bring humanity back into the fellowship of the the divine life and glory that He originally intended for us. The essence of the covenant between God and man is "I will be your God, and you will be My people." The progressive unfolding nature of the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David laid the covenantal groundwork for the culmination of God's redemptive work in His new covenant in Christ. These successive covenants of Scripture form a unity. The probationary covenant of life by which man was to keep God's commandments perfectly was ultimately and consummately fulfilled by Christ, God in the flesh. That covenant of grace is where God's elect are attributed Christ's satisfaction by faith. Thus, the nation of Israel shares a primary role in God's self-revelation in redemptive history. It is the revelation unfolding through the Old Testament that provides the crucial framework for understanding God's complete self-revelation through Jesus Christ.

Christ
I believe in the deity, humanity, virgin birth, sinless life, penal substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection; and the visible, bodily, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 1:1; Is. 7:14; 1 Cor. 15:3-5; Acts 1:11). God the Father sent the Son to redeem lost humanity by uniting fallen humanity to Himself through Jesus' complete solidarity with Adam (John 1:1, 14; Rom. 8:3). The last Adam-Jesus (Rom. 5; 1 Cor. 15:45) shared in Adam's flesh in order to wage war against evil, fulfill God's covenant stipulations from our side, and ultimately, to receive in Himself the full penalty and consequences of Adam's fall through His death on the cross (Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Col. 2:13-15). Christ having made a New Covenant with His blood, now reconciles humanity to God creating the bond of peace in our union with Him. All that was destroyed and lost in the fall Jesus comes to restore and redeem humanity and all creation from its breach with God. Having died a substitutionary death on the cross, he made a complete and sufficient atonement for the sins of His people according to the Scriptures. Three days later, He arose bodily from the dead.

"...the prism through which all light concerning God is reflected is Jesus Christ. This means that Christology is the beginning and the end, better, the starting point and summary, of all Christian thought. Christology is Paul's theme when he writes, "For it is the very God who said. 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Cor 4:6)... Christology is the subject of theology. More precisely put, Jesus Christ is the subject of theology.

We Understand that God in any sense differentiated from Jesus Christ is unknowable. This needs to be affirmed from the start. John writes in the prologue to his Gospel, "No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known" (1:18). John repeats this idea forcefully in his first letter: "No one has ever seen God" (4:12)...Bible religion knows nothing about a God who can be found or made out from our side of things ... Theology is unable to start in those places [first cause, ground of our being] because the picture of God that emerges from such beginnings is speculative ... ... A theology that is Christology before it is anything else is a theology from the bottom up. It begins with the ministry of Jesus in his own time and space, and it states that it is entirely agnostic concerning anything other than what he has given us to know of the essential attributes of God ... we begin, therefore, christologically, with a concrete historic figure who appeared on the stage of human history ..." - Paul F.M. Zahl

Election
Union between Christ and his people was planned already in eternity, in the sovereign pretemporal decision whereby God the Father selected certain sinners as His own. Christ himself was chosen to be our Savior before the creation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20); When the Father chose Christ, he also chose us (Ephesians 1:4). We are initially united with Christ in regeneration; next we appropriate and continue to live out of this union through faith. Third, we are justified in union with Christ. Fourth, we are sanctified through union with Christ. Fifth, we persevere in the life of faith in union with Christ. Finally, we shall be eternally glorified with Christ.

This pretemporal choice was not based on the fact that God knew which persons would believe of their own free will, for there is no person which fits that description. This decision was based upon God's sovereign good pleasure alone. It is God's gracious decision, from eternity past, to save fallen souls of His own choosing. Therefore, God will infallibly bring all of His elect to final perseverance and eternal life (Phil 1:6; John 10:29; Rom 8:30; John 6:37, 39). The Persons of the Trinity work in harmony to accomplish and apply salvation. The Father, from eternity, elects a particular people (Ephesians 1:4, 5; Rom 8:29, 30) Christ redeems those the Father has "given Him" (John 6:37, 39; 10:29) and the Holy Spirit likewise applies the redemptive benefits of the atonement to the same. (John 1:13; James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23,25).

Atonement
I believe there is one requirement we must fulfill if a holy God is to look favorably upon us: This requirement is perfect righteousness; an unblemished resume, which has never once broken any Law of God. Unless we can produce this we are without hope. Unless we fulfill this one requirement, we are guilty before God and will be condemned. But God looked upon His people with great mercy by sending Jesus Christ, His Son, to save those given to Him by the Father (John 6:37-39, 17:9). After living a sinless life (fulfilling God's Covenant from our side), He bore the full wrath of God against the sin of His people as a penal substitution on the cross. This sacrifice is efficient for all who believe the Gospel and will infallibly result in their eternal salvation (Mt. 1:21; John 10:15; Acts 20:28; 1Pet.1:18-21). Our just and holy God is satisfied To look on Jesus and pardon us. He is our perfect, spotless, Righteousness.

Grace
I believe there is nothing in and of the sinner that prompts God to act kindly towards him (Romans 1:16; Galatians 3:26 ff). Why, then, does a sinner, an unrighteous hell-deserving rebel, receive eternal life and escape eternal punishment? It is solely by God’s grace, alone. The grace of God in the gospel is first and foremost the good news that God himself has rescued us from His own wrath and that He adopts its recipients as sons into an eternal relationship with Himself. In the gospel the love of God is revealed. God is fiercely opposed to our unrighteousness and our suppression and distortion of the truth to justify ourselves (Rom 1:18). But in spite of our rebellion, Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The love of God had to deal with both man's unrighteousness and God's wrath. How does this gospel do this? The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes because "in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." (Rom 1:17)

How can this be good news, however, when the righteousness of God is our problem and men are never found naturally willing to submit in faith to the humbling terms of the gospel of Christ? (Rom 3:11; John 6:64,65; 2 Thessalonians 3:2) Because God gives to us freely, what he demands from us. In it God reveals the same righteousness for us that God demands from us. What we had to have, but could not create or perform or supply (faith and holiness), God grants us freely, namely, his own righteousness and the gift of faith. He reveals, as a gift in Christ Jesus, the faith and righteousness that was once only a demand. God saves us by grace alone, through faith alone, and this faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.

Regeneration
Our union with Christ has its roots in divine election, its basis in the redemptive work of Christ, and its actual establishment with God's people by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. All of God's elect will be regenerated by the Holy Spirit during their life, at a time of God's choosing. This regeneration is a spiritual resurrection given to sinners who are spiritually dead. It infallibly results in faith, repentance and obedience. This regeneration is accomplished by the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit (Jn.6:37,44; Eph.2:4-5; Ps.110:3).

Regeneration, Repentance and Faith:
How does faith and repentance take place since the natural man is incapable of creating a right thought, generating a right affection, or originating a right volition (Rom. 3:11, 8:7; John 3:3, 6)?

When spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit, the word of God has the power to graciously open people's eyes, unplug their uncircumsized ears, change the disposition of their hearts, draw them to faith, and save them (James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23, 25). The word of God does not work "ex opere operato," rather, it is the work of the Holy Spirit sovereignly dispensing grace (John 3:8), quickening the heart through the word to bring forth life. So the written word is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but rather its means or medium. "The word is not the begetting principle itself, but only that by which it works: the vehicle of the mysterious germinating power" [ALFORD]. It is because the Spirit of God accompanies it that the word carries in it the germ of life. The life is in God, yet it is communicated to us through the word.

The gospel declares that repentance and faith (commands of God) are themselves God's working in us both to will and to do (2 Tim 2:25, Eph 2:5, 8) and not something that the sinner himself contributes towards the price of His salvation. Repentance and faith can only be exercised by a soul after, and in immediate consequence of, its regeneration by the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:1; Acts 16:14b; Acts 13:48; John 10:24-26; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 6:37; John 1:13; 1 Cor. 4:7; 1 Cor. 15:10; Jas. 1:17; John 3:27). God regenerates, and we, in the exercise of the new gracious ability given, repent. God disarms the opposition of the human heart, subduing the hostility of the carnal mind, and with irresistible power (John 6:37), draws His chosen ones to Christ. The gospel confesses "We love him because He first loved us." Whereas before we had no desire for God, God's regenerating grace gives us desire, willingness and delight in His person and commands. Faith and works are the evidence of new birth, not the cause of it.

Salvation
In essential agreement with the teachings of the Bible as understood by Protestant Reformers, the Westminster Confession of Faith, The Cannons of the Synod of Dort and in the evangelical tradition of men such as Paul, Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Knox, the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, C.H. Spurgeon, and Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I believe in a salvation that is given by the sovereign grace of God (monergistic). Our justification is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scriptures alone, to the glory of God alone. Due to God's divine initiative in embracing fallen humanity through Christ (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 3:4-7) and no merits on the believer's part, salvation is the free and full participation in God's saving work in Christ, uniting us through His Spirit. It is knowing and being known by God through Christ (Gal. 4:9; 1 Cor. 13:12). A restoration to God's original intent for us, the end for which we were created.

Perseverance
We teach that all those who believe are justified and are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise unto the ultimate day of redemption. Therefore, if a person has been effectually called and drawn to Christ, he will never lose that salvation since it was based wholly on the finished work of Christ and God's election, not on the strength of the believers commitment or obedience. (Jn.10:27-30;Rom.8:28-30). The person whose affections and dispositions have been changed by the Holy Spirit in regeneration will not reject eternal life once they are saved because they do not want to reject eternal life. God causes His people to continue wanting to believe in Him once we are saved (Jeremiah 32:40; Ezekiel 36:27). This is not based on how perfect we are, but solely on the promise and finished work of Christ (John 3:16; John 10:29).

Sanctification
All those who are drawn to Christ are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This sanctification is a work of God in which the believer participates by confession of sin, repentance, and submission to the will of God (1Thess.4:3-8; Rom.8:29).

Eschatology
At the end of the age we expect the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures. We do not teach with surety any of the major millennial views, but encourage each person to study the Scriptures and come to their own conclusion. In preparation for His coming we are called to live holy lives. Through years of study we personally favor the amillennial understanding of the eschaton.

Ecclesiology
The universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, which were purchased for God with Christ's blood from [Dan 3:4; 5:19; Rev 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 17:15] every tribe and tongue and people and nation. That have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that fills all in all. Paul says, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 2:25). Here the term "the church" is used to apply to all those whom Christ died to redeem, all those who are saved by the death of Christ. This includes all true believers for all time, both believers in the New Testament age and believers in the Old Testament age as well. The local church joins together to form local communities. Here we worship the LORD, serve and encourage one another, grow together in His likeness, and take great joy in serving Him together.