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The Greatest News Anyone Could Ever Hear! By Mike Gendron God's Perfection - HE IS HOLY God is majestic in holiness (Exodus 15:11). Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne (Psalm 97:2). God is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11). He cannot tolerate wickedness (Habakkuk 1:13). Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account (Hebrews 4:13). Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Man's Problem - ALL HAVE SINNED All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you (Isaiah 59:2). There is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The lake of fire is the second death (Revelation 20:14). Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). God's Provision - A SAVIOR Jesus Christ is the blessed hope...our great God and Savior (Titus 2:13). He is the image of the invisible God...in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians. 1:15; 2:9). For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people (Hebrews 9:28). Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). He (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Man's Part - REPENT AND BELIEVE "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Repent and Believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). By this Gospel you are saved...that Christ died for our sins...that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:2-4). The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe it (Romans 1:16). If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10:9-10). Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). God's Promise - ETERNAL LIFE These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him (John 3:36). Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:28-29). God's gifts and His call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Man's Privilege - SERVE THE KING To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, ambassadors for Christ, citizens of heaven and co-heirs with Christ (John 1:12; Phil. 3:20; 2 Cor. 5:20; Rom. 8:17; Gal. 4:5). Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15). How Will You Respond to God’s Word? Jesus said He will judge those who reject Him and His Word (John 12:48). He also said if you do not believe He is who He claims to be, you will die in your sins (John 8:24). There is only one way to be saved - by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace (Romans 11:6). You must cease from trusting in anything you DO to save yourself and put all your trust in Jesus and what He has DONE – His sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross and His resurrection from the dead. This will give you a permanent right standing before God! How will you escape if you neglect so great a salvation? Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Proclaiming The Gospel Order this as a Gospel tract by the name "The Greatest News Ever Told" here.
The following is from Proclaiming the Gospel: Two Paths to Eternity by Mike Gendron One is narrow and leads to life (Mat. 7:14) the other is broad and leads to destruction (Mat. 7:13) One is guided by pure truth (1 Jn 2:21) the other by truth mixed with error (1 John 4:6) One is by truth presented to man's conscience (2 Cor. 4:2) the other is by distortions of the truth (Gal. 1:6-9) One path sets men free (John 8:31-32) the other holds men in bondage (2 Tim. 2:26) One is found in the word of God (John 14:6) the other is found in traditions of men (Mark 7:7-8) One follows the true shepherd (John 10:3) the other follows wolves in sheep's clothing (Mat. 7:15) One leads to eternal life with the Creator (John 5:24) the other leads to the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 20:14) One is gained by divine accomplishment (Heb. 7:25) the other through human achievement (Luke 18:9) One is by grace and totally undeserved (Eph. 2:8-9) the other is by good intentions (Rom. 3:10) One is led by Jesus Who is the only way (John 14:6) the other by those ignorant of Scripture (Mat. 22:29) One has the humble who know they deserve hell (Jas. 4:6) the other has the proud who think they deserve heaven One is entered by what was DONE by Christ (John 19:30). the other by those who DO things (Rom. 11:6) One group will arrive expectantly in heaven because of God's promises (1 John 5:13) others will be surprised when they arrive in hell (Mat. 7:22) Proclaiming The Gospel ONLY TWO CHOICES: GOD'S WAY OR MY WAY - Dr. John Barnett Description:
How would you like to sit in a typical BIBLICAL COUNSELING & DISCIPLESHIP training classroom? That's what this video is all about: opening that classroom for you to be challenged and grow SPIRITUALLY. Each day we frame life either by Man’s Way or God’s Way. That framework, worldview, or operating system is what determines our choices. When Personal Troubles & Disasters hit, what do you seek FIRST? Followers of Man’s Way vs. Followers of God’s Way: 1. Human Wisdom is often where we look first vs. We learn to cry out for help to God by praying immediately. 2. Social Media is often vital for support vs. Problems make us search the Word for answers. 3. We often Search for online sources of help. vs. Problems make us seek to more fully surrender to God 4. We usually Seek Advice from Friends saved and lost. vs. We sift all advice & ideas by the grid of God’s Word. 5. We consider Psychiatry and psychology for insights on how to frame problems and bad behavior vs. We are devoted to God and His Word as the First & Last Voice we will listen to in each situation. 6. Many of us see Medical doctors as one of our most trusted sources of help. vs. We learn how lonely it can be to walk primarily by faith and not primarily by sight. 7. We often feel that Professional Counselors are the only ones that are trained to tackle the big issues. vs. We remind ourselves that we must understand that God’s Plan is often for us to suffer, and not escape troubles. CONCLUSION: Usually, God’s Word is only sought as equal with these other sources of help, comfort, and advice; God's Word is not usually first, and often just consulted briefly along the way of struggling with all the voices we are listening to. As we daily surrender to the sanctifying work of the Spirit as we are in the Word, we welcome God's Word & Spirit, His way, plans & people to dominate our thinking about our self, our problems, and other’s struggles. We are often guilty of seeing all of these avenues as basically equal in weight, authority, and able to help us. We need to always believe and practice that God's Word revealing His Way is an authority above all others. We are usually guided by the world, which is defined as "Man’s View of Man". We need to know and be guided by God’s perspective of us and our problems. Most people feel that Human nature is basically good and just needs encouragement. But we KNOW from God's Word that we are Forgiven of our Incredible Mountain of Sin (1 John 1:7), and have a New Beginning (Jn. 3). (BC&D-11) Note: I'm not an historian. The following is what I have discovered in my own research. Please, also do your own research. We may come to the same conclusions, but we may not. However, in all matters, the Bible should be our final authority. Is America a Christian Nation?
1. We are not a Christian Nation and never have been for the simple reason that nations are not Christian, people are. 2. There is only one nation that has a covenant with God and that's the nation Israel. America is not Israel. Dr. Tommy Ice, in his critique of Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn's book The Harbinger answering the question, "Is America A Covenant Nation?" writes: If Cahn somehow thinks that America is a covenant nation with God because our founders primarily during the Colonial Period were devout Christians, which they were, that does not mean that God recognizes such nations as being in a covenantal relationship like Israel. Things like the Mayflower Compact were not made with God but horizontally between the Pilgrims to honor God and do other things. No doubt, the 167 years of Colonial America provided perhaps the greatest Christian basis for any nation in history, but somehow making our country a "covenant nation" like Israel simply could not and did not happen. Dr. Tommy Ice further writes: The Lord declares, "but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel" [2 Chronicles](6:6). You don't volunteer to be God's chosen people, He must choose you and He has only chosen the nation of Israel! (Read full article here: A Critical Look at The Harbinger by Thomas Ice) 3. The U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are not "God-breathed", only the Bible is. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV) (see related article: THE CHRISTIAN PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION - NOTR) 4. The early Pilgrims and Puritans were Christians. Think of the great colonial leaders like Roger Williams, William Penn, Jonathan Edwards, John Winthrop, and many others[A]. Many of the (American Revolutionary) founding fathers were also Christians, for example Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and others[B]. But there were also many of the (American Revolutionary) founding fathers who were not. For example men like Thomas Jefferson[a], Benjamin Franklin[b], John Adams[c], and Thomas Paine[d] all denied the deity and exclusivity of Jesus Christ. They did not believe the Gospel. They were antichrists. "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22 NIV-1984) 5. Many of the founding fathers were Enlightenment thinkers, deists, naturalists (anti-supernatural), anti-Trinitarians, and even some universalists (see:The Hidden Faith of Our Founding Fathers DVD by Chris Pinto). Many were members in the cult of Freemasonry[e], like George Washington for instance (though some historians question just how involved Washington actually was in Freemasonry). A few historians even doubt as to whether or not George Washington was really a Christian[f]. (see: GEORGE WASHINGTON - NOTR) Finally, while it is true that while we were never a Christian nation (a nation in covenant with God) and that not all of the founding fathers were true Christians (though many were), the majority of the Americans during the Colonial period were devout Christians and at the time of the American Revolution were also Christians (or at least respected the Bible). And our nation's form of government, law and morality is based on the Bible though not exclusively (it is also based on John Locke's enlightenment humanism [g]). And the further this nation get's away from the Bible and Jesus Christ, the closer we are to God's divine judgement. I believe though that He has already given this nation over to the enemy. Just take a look around. Sin abounds everywhere! (see: A Nation Abandoned by God by John MacArthur) The America that was once inhabited by a majority of Christians is now mostly pagan [h]. And now even the Christians are beginning to compromise with the pagan culture, false religions & the cults (i.e. Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the New Age) through syncretism, ecumenicalism, "tolerance" and political correctness[i], embracing destructive and athiestic philosophies like Communism [j] and Socialism [k], and giving acceptance to false theories like evolution [l]. The church in America is becoming apostate (though there is still and has always been a loyal remnant who are unwilling to compromise) and unless the true born again Bible believing Christians repent and get back to the God of the Bible (not the founding fathers and not putting patriotism above the cross of Christ), I fear our beloved America will be no more! [A][B] America's Founding Fathers and Creationism by Henry Morris, Ph.D. [a]THOMAS JEFFERSON - NOTR [b]BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: WHO WAS HE REALLY? - NOTR [c]JOHN ADAMS - NOTR [d]THE ORACLE OF THE REVOLUTION: THOMAS PAINE - NOTR [e] “Whereas the Founding Fathers of this great Nation and signers of the Constitution, most of whom were Freemasons, provided a well-rounded basis for developing themselves and others into valuable citizens of the United States.” (H. RES. 33, as submitted by Congressman and 33rd degree Mason Paul Gillmor, emphasis added) (Source: FREEMASONRY & THE FOUNDING FATHERS by Chris Pinto) [f] Gregg Frazer, author, The Religious Beliefs of America’s Founders: Reason, Revelation, Revolution states in an interview on Wretched Radio that George Washington never claimed to be a Christian in any of the 20,000 pages of his writings, never did he claim to be converted or have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Interestingly enough, he also never took communion within his own denomination. His own minister publicly chastised him from the pulpit for never taking communion and being a bad example. He wrote a letter to the minister telling the minister that he was right, he was being a bad example. After that he just never attended church when it was communion Sunday. (WRETCHED RADIO: The faith of the Founding Fathers, or lack thereof?) [g]Why The USA Is Not A Christian Country And Never Has Been [h] Many who identify themselves as Christians are not. A Barna poll in April 2009 revealed that only about half of the people identifying themselves as Christians actually believed in the core tenets of the Christian faith. In addition, another 40% of those polled said that they do not have a responsibility to share their Christian faith with others. (http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/260-most-american-christians-do-not-believe-that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exis) [i]Another Sign God is Turning Over America: The Increase in False Teachers, Demonically Controlled False Prophets, and Evangelicals That Embrace Them By Brannon Howse (VIDEO) [j]How Have the Communist Been Successful in Implementing Their Worldview in America?by Brannon Howse (VIDEO) [k]Socialism is often a necessary stepping stone to communism. The Ten Tottering Pillars of Communism 1) Communism Denies the Existence of God 2) Communism Is A Religion Based Upon the Worship of Man 3) Communism Teaches That Matter Is Eternal 4) Communism Is Based Upon the Theory of Evolution 5) Communism Blames Society For Man’s Ills 6) Communism Believes That Man Himself Can Bring in the Utopia 7) Communism Promotes the Philosophy That the End Justifies the Means 8) Communism Has As Its Goal the Conquest of the World 9) Communism Enslaves the Individual and Takes Away His Freedoms 10) Communism Is Thoroughly Anti-Christian (Source: Middletown Bible Church Bible Study) [l]The Wretched Segment of the Day: Evolution and why kids are leaving churches America is a nation that has clearly lost its moral compass (God and the Bible). I am concerned that unless we repent for our national sins and return to the one true God who has so greatly blessed this nation, then we will be given over to our enemies!
Though this command and promise was given by God to the Israelites, I believe that the principle in the following verse is applicable to any nation of people that is willing to repent and submit to God. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) "Why can't I marry the person that I love?" What is love? We need to define what love is. Who defines love? You? Me? Others? No. God does. God does because He is love (1 John 4:8). The Bible talks about different types of love: agape (self-sacrificial love), phileo (brotherly love), and storge (familial love). The kind of love that most homosexuals are referring to is eros (romantic or sexual love). "Eros is the word used to express sexual love or the feelings of arousal that are shared between people who are physically attracted to one another."[1] Homosexuals can rightly express agape, phileo, and storge love, however, eros, this romantic or sexual love is only blessed by God within the confines of marriage (marriage as He has defined it: one man, one woman). Eros for someone other than your spouse is sin. The Bible calls this lust (adultery of the heart). Sex outside of a heterosexual marriage is sin according to God. The Bible calls this fornication and/or adultery. The eros love that homosexuals express to one another is sin and not love (it's lust) as God has defined it. So, why can't you marry the person that you love? Because marriage and love is only as God has defined it and "homosexual marriage" is neither marriage or love. See: God's Design For Marriage - One Way Jesus See: What Does it Mean to be In Love? - Blogos [1] "What is eros love?" - GotQuestions Related: What does it mean that God is love? - GotQuestions What is love? What is the definition of love? - GotQuestions What does the Bible have to say about lust? - GotQuestions What does the Bible say about infatuation? - GotQuestions Ask someone if they are a good person and the majority of the time they will answer "yes" to the question. But are they answering according to their own standard of goodness or God's standard?
Take a quick 8-question test about meeting God's standards for eternal life in heaven. Take the test ------>>>>> www.needGod.com He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. Psalm 9:8 NKJV
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) In these verses is an account of the sufferings of Christ; also of the design of his sufferings. It was for our sins, and in our stead, that our Lord Jesus suffered. We have all sinned, and have come short of the glory of God. Sinners have their beloved sin, their own evil way, of which they are fond. Our sins deserve all griefs and sorrows, even the most severe. We are saved from the ruin, to which by sin we become liable, by laying our sins on Christ. This atonement was to be made for our sins. And this is the only way of salvation. Our sins were the thorns in Christ's head, the nails in his hands and feet, the spear in his side. He was delivered to death for our offences. By his sufferings he purchased for us the Spirit and grace of God, to mortify our corruptions, which are the distempers of our souls. We may well endure our lighter sufferings, if He has taught us to esteem all things but loss for him, and to love him who has first loved us. - Matthew Henry (Commentary on Isaiah 53:4-9)
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