You've Got To Believe To Receive

As a teacher, I have to be very careful that I don't use questions on a test that can be considered as "bad". A "bad" question is a question that can have more than one correct answer or be interpreted in more than one way. For example, answer these 3 simple questions:

1. Who discovered America? 2. What was the President's name in 1982? 3. How many months have 28 days?

Typical answers are Columbus, Reagan, and February. Those are considered correct answers. However, depending on how you look at the questions, the answer to the first one could be Native Americans, since they were here long before Columbus. For the second question, another correct answer is Obama, since that has been his name all his life, including in 1982. And the third question, yep, you guessed it, all the months have 28 days. What would be your answer to this simple yes/no question? Did Christ's death on the Cross give us Eternal Life?

It is true that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did die on the Cross for our sins and to give us Eternal Life. But we are not automatically saved because of His death and Resurrection. What Christ did was only an offer for forgiveness and Eternal Life. When people say that Christ died on the Cross to save us, we must remember that we are not truly saved until we receive His offer. We MUST accept Him as our Personal Savior in order to be forgiven for our sins and to receive Eternal Life. So, did Christ's death on the Cross give us Eternal Life? Only if we accept it and choose to believe in Him. Have you received Christ into your heart? If so, you are promised Eternal Life from a God that never lies! But if you have not accepted Christ as your Personal Savior, the Bible explains that you are NOT saved. What Christ did on the Cross was an amazing gift and offer of true love for each one of us. But we must believe in order to receive.

Romans 10:9 says, "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." [emphasis added]

Father, thank you for sending Your precious Son Jesus to die for me. Also, thank you for stirring my heart at age 13, and helping me to accept Him. I pray for all those who have not accepted Christ. Stir their hearts, too, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

An Eye-Opener

I got a real eye-opening experience today. Most of the people that I know and associate with are Christians. I rarely come in contact with non-believers, at least the kind that are vocal about their belief that Christianity is absurd. But after reading some websites today, I see that not only are there non-believers out there, but that some of them think we as Christians are morons. The subject I was reading about was the existence of Jesus Christ. Many people wrote their opinions that He is just folklore, and even went so far as to say that Christians are as brain-washed as Radical Islamists. Ouch! My response to some of their opinions was that I can no more "prove" that Christ existed than they can "prove" that He didn't. I pointed out that there are some reliable non-secular sources that document that Jesus was real. But I was shot down by some replies that those sources are not reliable at all. I am reminded of the old saying "arguing with a fool is like beating the air with a stick".

I believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that He came to earth and died for my sins. I don't have to "prove" it; All I have to do is "believe" it. As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches us that without faith, we can not please God. These lost folks need our prayers. We can not argue with them. All we can do is tell them the Good News about Christ and then let God do the rest. After all, we were once as lost as they are now. Why do you think Jesus has not come back yet? It is because of those lost souls. There are still those who He wants to save. Even if I am wrong and there is no Jesus, what have I lost by following the teachings of Christ? If we all lived by the teachings of Christ, this world would be so much more peaceful. If they are right and I am wrong, I have lost nothing. But if I am right and they are wrong, they have lost everything! If they truly believe there is no Jesus, then they better "be sure as Hell" that they are right!

Acts 10:43 says, "All the prophets testify about Jesus that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."

Father, forgive us for not telling more people about Your precious Son Jesus. Teach us that we still have a lot of work to do. In Jesus name, Amen.

I Promise I Am The Messiah

For centuries, the Old Testament Prophets had been anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. Through their dreams and visions, God promised He would send Him at some point in the future, but nobody knew when that would be. Once Jesus came to earth, He had a difficult balancing act to perform. On one hand, He had to teach the people about faith. But on the other, He had to do some incredible miracles to convince at least some that He was truly the Messiah. Let's face it, He could not have just come on the scene announcing that He was the Christ without some miracles to back up that claim. In chapters 8 and 9 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' miracles are documented in an interesting way. Ten miracles in these two chapters prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was in fact the Messiah.

Those ten miracles He performed are as follows: 1. cleansed a Leper 2. healed a paralyzed man 3. healed a woman with a serious fever 4. calmed a storm 5. removed a demon from a man 6. healed a paralytic 7. healed a woman of a blood disorder 8. raised a girl from the dead 9. healed 2 blind men 10. healed a mute. Through these ten miracles, Jesus revealed His authority over every realm: disease, demons, nature, and death. And as amazing as these miracles were, even more amazingly, some people still did not believe He was the Messiah! I am not sure what else they needed to see in order to believe. Today, we see God's work everywhere; He still performs miracles right before our very eyes. But are we, too, going to remain blind to the facts as those did in His time? What else do we have to see in order to believe?

John 3:18 says, "Whoever believes in God's Son is not condemned."

Father, thank you for sending Your Son Jesus. Please help those who may still be blinded from the Truth. In Jesus name, Amen.

Two-For-One Deal

I love those buy-one-get-one-free deals! It is awesome feeling to get something for free. But this day and time, one must be careful about two-for-one offers. If you notice the new things on TV ads, most will give you a second product absolutely free..."just pay shipping and handling". Ah! That's where they get you. That extra shipping and handling charge is expensive. And guess what? You can't tell them you don't want the extra "free" item. I tried! You must take the "free" item with your purchase. So although the extra item itself may be free, the extra money you will pay for that "free" item is expensive. Beware of two-for-one deals!

But the Bible promises us a two-for-One deal that has no "catch" to it! In 1John, we are told that if we deny the Son, we also deny the Father. But, the opposite is also true. If we accept the Son, we get the Father automatically! Isn't that awesome? In other words, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we also get God, His Father, at "no additional charge". That's not just a god. That is THE God!! God Almighty! As wonderful as this is, there is the other side of it that is tragic. Some people believe in God, but they don't believe in His Son, Jesus. Then according to this truth in 1John, they really don't have the Father at all. As Christians, we must let people know that simply "believing" in God will get them absolutely nowhere. It is only through accepting His Son Jesus that we will truly have Salvation and Eternal Life. Do you want God? Then there is only one way: Accept His Son Jesus. What an amazing two-for-One deal!

1John 2:23 says, "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also."

Lord, again, thank you for sending your Son Jesus! I accept Him totally by faith. Teach me to explain to others that in order to gain You, we must first accept Him. In Jesus name, Amen.

Moving Past Sin, Part 2

Yesterday's devotion was about my convictions of Salvation and eternal life. In that devotion, I expressed that I believe the only way to be saved is through the grace and gift of Jesus Christ. No works or efforts on our part are necessary, only our belief in Jesus. Today, I want to share with you that, all though works, going to church, confessing sin, etc are not "required" for Salvation, those things are of the utmost importance. It is through these things that our relationship with God grows!

This is what I have experienced in my walk with Christ. When I take time to pray and ask Him for forgiveness, I feel a certain connection with Him. I suffer from anxiety attacks and those attacks are coming everyday now. But the more I pray and talk with Christ, the shorter those episodes last. It is an amazing calming effect when I pray and open up to Jesus. I think of it like the relationship between two close people. The more they stop everything they are doing and talk to one another about everything, the closer they become. It's the same thing as going to Church. By spending time with other believers, we tend to find ourselves getting closer to God. God chooses to communicate with us many times through somebody else. At Church, and anywhere else for that matter, we have a golden opportunity to share with others our thoughts beliefs, fears, and personal situations. In the end, we can learn from them, and they can learn from us. If you have children, think about it like this. No matter what your child does, good or bad, you love them no more or no less. But when you spend time sitting down talking with them and doing things with them, your relationship grows much richer. If that is so with humans, how much more so would it be with God? We do things for the Lord not to be saved, but because we are saved. I can tell you first-hand that the closer I draw to him through "works", the closer He draws to me through peace and happiness. Why would I want to receive less from Him by distancing myself from Him? Oh, what a true friend we have in Jesus!

John 15:10-11 says, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy will be complete."

Father, thank you for getting closer to me these past few months. It has been a rough road for me personally. And although I know the storms continue to rage worse than ever, I do feel Your presence like never before. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Moving Past Sin, Part 1

I know my view on sin is not the only view in the world, even among Christians. Different views and interpretations of the Bible are some of the main reasons there are so many different denominations in Christianity today. My view on sin may sound too easy. I agree it sounds too easy to me also, but I think that the alternative is impossible. My view on sin is once a person has accepted Christ as Savior, NO sin, past, present, or future can undo what Christ did on the Cross. That means that NO sin can take away your Salvation and eternal life. Further, I don't believe you have to be baptized, go to church, tithe, ask for forgiveness of your sins anymore, do good works, or anything else other than accept Him once and for all. Yes, I know it sounds too easy, and many people don't have this interpretation of the Bible. Although there are many verses that back up what I am saying, I only give you one piece of "evidence": The thief on the Cross.

Both Matthew and Luke report that the two robbers crucified along with Jesus mocked Him. But Luke gives more detail about what happened. One of the thieves simply asked Jesus for one thing. He said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." In its simplest form, that one statement is the robber's profession of faith that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. That one statement is proof that the robber called upon the name of the Lord. The thief was not baptised, had not tithed, probably had not done anything good his whole life, and not once did he ask for forgiveness. What was Jesus' response? "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." This seems to also back up the most famous verse in all the Bible: John 3:16 "...for whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." No other conditions were given. Other verses that support this idea are Romans 8:1-2, Titus 3:5, and Ephesians 2:8-9. Yes I realize there are some verses that seem to "contradict" these. But it is my conviction that Salvation is totally based on trusting in Christ as our Savior. Should we confess sins? Should we tithe? Should we do good works? Should we go to church? The answer to all these questions is yes, and tomorrow, I will share with you why I think those things are important. But those things are NOT necessary for Salvation.

Father, thank you for loving us so much to send Jesus to die in our place. Help us to always strive to do the things that please You. In Jesus name, Amen.

I Have A Serious Concern

After hearing a preacher on the radio yesterday and reading Romans 9:14-21, I find myself with a few serious questions. I like to write these devotions in hopes that they will inspire others. But sometimes, I need to write a devotion when I need inspiring, or at least when I have questions. I am not a Bible scholar, and all I can do is read Scripture and pray for understanding. But I know many of my readers are much further along on their spiritual walk, and I am hoping they will respond to my questions. Hopefully, I can get these things sorted. And just maybe, you have some of the same questions. I am in hopes that your responses will help all of us. Here's my struggle.

The preacher on the radio was saying that he finished 4 years of college and then 6 years in Seminary. But he said that the fact that he received his degrees so that he could become a preacher had absolutely nothing to do with his effort. He said it was all a gift from God. My question about that is, although it was a gift of God, didn't the preacher still have to accept the gift and also work hard at studying? If what he is saying that he had nothing to do with it and it was all from God, then doesn't that mean that a murderer or rapist can claim that God made him that way and that it had nothing to do with him. God did give us choice! Further, in Romans 9:14-21, it seems to back up what the preacher said. Paraphrasing, the Scripture says that God chooses who He will show mercy and who he will harden. It also seems like it is saying that God completely chooses whom He will honor and dishonor. I have read those verses several times, and it just seems to me to be saying that we really don't have any will or say so in matters; It is completely up to God. But that can't be right, can it? I MUST be missing something. Yes, God blesses us, shows mercy, and sends us through storms that seem to be completely out of our control. But don't I have some choice? Help!

Father, I love you and want to please You in every way. I have accepted Jesus as my Personal Savior, and according to Your perfect Word, I am saved and have eternal life. But is there anything we can do by choice to help turn around certain situations? I ask you to touch the hearts of those who know more about the Bible than I do. Help them to respond on here so I, and maybe somebody else, can uncover Your truth in this matter. In Jesus name, Amen.

A True Love I Can't Express

When I read the words that others write

You know, the ones that truly have a skill.

I wonder why I should even bother

to write down the words that I feel.

Although the thoughts and feelings

are so deeply in my heart

I just can't seem to figure out

how to write them from the start.

The ones in which You have given talent

seem to write the words with ease

the very same words I think of

but that my fingers fail to seize.

You know what is in my heart, Lord

and how much I honestly do love You.

I just wish I could spill it all out

so that others could see it too.

But until the day I can figure out

how to bring the thoughts to this screen

I ask you to read straight from my soul

the words You know I truly mean.

True Freedom

We as Americans have always enjoyed the kind of freedom that other countries only dream about. But in our country's 200+year history, not all Americans have always been free. Until 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment, slavery was legal in most of the United States. Legal as it may have been, it certainly was not freedom for the millions of Blacks, Native Americans, and some Whites that were held by slave masters. President Lincoln fought hard for the rights of those slaves. The Civil War was very costly to America, and demonstrated that we as a society would not hesitate to fight for what we believed to be right, even if it meant a fight to the death. Two World Wars and several military skirmishes later, have we really come any farther? Our Military men and women put their lives on the line everyday so we can remain free, because we believe that freedom is the right thing. But on this Eve of Independence Day, we view our flag of stars and stripes as a symbol of not only freedom, but also as a reminder of the cost of that freedom.!

The ultimate sacrifice for freedom was the one paid by God. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. We were not free before Jesus came to shed His blood on earth. We were all trapped in the bondage of sin, no matter our religion, color, or national origin. But God wanted to restore our relationship to Him. His Master plan, which was fought against by all the forces of Satan, succeeded when Jesus uttered the phrase, "It is finished." God allowed His Son to be murdered so that we can be free. What Americans have learned in its quest for freedom, God already knew all too well. Freedom is not free! Is it any wonder that our first murdered President, who fought for the abolishment of slavery, and Jesus Christ, who fought for the abolishment of sin, both died on Good Friday?

Titus 3:7 says, "Having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Father, thank you for Your Son Jesus. Thank you for the true freedom that is found only in Him. In Jesus name, Amen.

False Sence Of Security

The other night as I was driving home from the college, I crossed over a set of train tracks. The tracks were equipped with warning lights. I know the train goes through there a lot, but I have never timed it just right to catch it there. Even though it has warning lights, I still slow to an almost-complete stop, look, and listen. I see some people shoot over the tracks without a second thought. What if the lights are malfunctioning, and there is no warning that the train is there? You know the score so far is train: 500, car: 0. My life means more to me than a set of warning lights that may or may not be working.

Why do we put so much confidence in the things of this world? We depend on our money, our jobs, our kids, etc for everything. Yes, I know these things are very important to us. But should we be depending on any of these things more than we should depend on Jesus? It is easy to say with have put our confidence in Him. But have we really? The Bible says that all good things come from God. Our money, jobs, kids, etc are blessings from God, and we should celebrate these things. But let's be sure we remember the source for these things. God has truly been good to us.

James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above , coming down from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Father, thank you for blessing us today. Please teach us to always pause and give thanks to You. In Jesus name, Amen.