"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."- John 3:16-17

Thursday 24 March 2011

deny yourself

"....Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."  (Matthew 4:10)

"  If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
   For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"  (Matthew 16:24-26)

*  These two videos are a must-see for anyone, whether they be "saved" or "searching":

this has come to be known as "The Shocking Youth Message", by Paul Washer

the background of the shocking youth message

Thursday 17 March 2011

a light into the world....

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
   And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
   I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
   And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not:  for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
   He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:  the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
   For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
   And I know that his commandment is life everlasting:  whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."-  John 12:44-50

What is Salvation? (a 2-minute message by Paul Washer)

Thursday 10 March 2011

by grace

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God."  (Ephesians 2:1-8)

Two songs/testimonies about God's saving grace:

Keith Green's "Your Love Broke Through"

Josh Garrels' "Don't Wait For Me"

Thursday 3 March 2011

Where Are You Going To Spend Eternity?

   If you were to die right now, do you know whether you would go to heaven or to hell for all eternity?  The Bible, the Word of God, says that you can know.

   I am asking you the most important question of your entire life.  Your answer will determine where you will spend eternity!  The question is:  Are you saved?  The question is not if you are a member of a church, but are you saved?  It is not if you are leading a good life, but are you saved?  It is not if you are working on it or hoping to be, but are you saved?  The Bible says:  "...we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

   To be saved, you first must admit that you are a sinner.  "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:...there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10,12)  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)  Your sins have made you fall short of God's glory, and you are unable to meet His requirements for getting into heaven.

   Secondly, you need to realize that someone loved you and died for you.  Jesus Christ died on a cross to pay for your sins and to give you an opportunity to go to heaven.  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)  When Jesus died on the cross, His blood paid the penalty for your sins.  "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:14)

   Realize that you cannot do anything to earn or help earn your way to heaven.  Jesus already completely paid for it when He died on the cross.  Just before He died He said, "...It is finished:" (John 19:30)  He now wants to give you a home in heaven.  "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

   You must realize that when Jesus saves you, it is forever.  Jesus did not stay dead.  He arose from the grave and is now alive in heaven interceding for those who have trusted in Him.  "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)  "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

   By faith, receive Jesus Christ.  Jesus died to give the gift of eternal life to everyone.  However, like all other gifts, this one is of no value unless you receive it for yourself.  "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12)  Faith is a complete trust.

   The Bible says you are "saved through faith" without needing to add anything else.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)  The only faith that saves is complete faith in Jesus Christ.  "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,..." (Acts 16:31)  Anything that you try to add to faith is "works."  "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28)

   If you are willing to stop trying to get to heaven your way, and completely trust Jesus Christ, then you can be saved right now!  It's now up to you!  Pray to God in your own words, and admit to Him that you are a guilty sinner who deserves hell, but that with all your heart, you believe Jesus Christ can save you from hell and change your way of life.  The Bible says,  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)

   If you have chosen not to admit your guilt and to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour, please read what the Bible says "...he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)  Please don't reject the Gospel- trust Christ today!  :o)