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One thing that's painfully obvious to the believer in Christ is the decrepit state that society has fallen into, and blatantly refuses to get out of. I can't go to a store or even walk down the street without seeing some sign of the times. My tenderized Jesus-eyes, seeng by the Holy Ghost, saw today a magazine with a cover interview of a woman who "interviews God" and claims she can be his mouthpiece by giving advice. And precious people actually buy this magazine and read this garbage! Things that harm and hurt surround us. How many times have I watched unaware folks waste their hard earned, God-given money on buying lottery tickets? How many times have I heard about people buying tickets that cost an arm and two legs on football games, only to stand in the freezing cold for hours to find out their team lost. Such foolishness! How it must grieve and sadden Almighty God, Who created us to live in harmony and fellowship with Him, not live like walking dead people. Everyday things, such as cigarettes; alcohol; drugs; gambling; today's version of music; TV; radio; the Internet; billboards; newspapers; books; magazines; pornographic and even innocent-looking movies; false, Godless religions and empty, life-draining rituals; divorce; so-called "alternate" lifestyles; etc., etc. I could go on all night. If there's a way of sinning, then man will sin! The world at large is permeated by and lured into the lies of the master deciever, the devil. He comes as an angel of light, promising happiness, health and wealth, long life, power, prestige, and a jolly good time. But he NEVER lets you in on the consequences of your rebellion! Oh, the price you must pay if you give in to sin! ETERNAL HELL! EVERLASTING DARKNESS, AND WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH, WHERE THE WORM DIETH NOT AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. We live in a Godless world where the holy Name of Jesus is nothing more than a swear word, and people turn to falsehood and deception to find answers. They cannot bear to look inside themselves for fear of seeing their true, deep guilt before a holy God. We by nature have a deep-set hunger for God and His unconditional love for us. He put it there, inside our very soul. Even the most ardent atheist, deep within his being, knows and believes there is a God Who will judge the quick and the dead. He just won't admit it. In ourselves, we all deserve to die. We deserve no mercy, and no second chance. If you think you are "good", if you say you don't steal, or drink, or look at porn, or whatever, and if you are just an average Joe looking to get by... well, friend, you don't see what God sees. Want to know what that might be? Brace yourself for a shock. He sees a sinner, unredeemed and totally lost. He sees a depraved soul so corrupt and accustomed to sin, who would much rather choose to live in darkness instead of fellowshipping with its Creator. On the other hand, those who have trusted Christ as their Savior live in the truth, and so desire to dwell in His light. God is goodness. He is purity, justice and holiness, and He will not allow sin into His heaven. When God looks at the heart of the unsaved, He sees a filthy sinner. Yet He says in His Word that He desires NONE to perish. He DID NOT create you to be cast into eternal hell. He DID NOT form you with His own life-giving hands to condemn you to everlasting darkness. This is the Good News of the Gospel: You DO NOT have to perish! You, reader, today CAN have ETERNAL LIFE! Today you can have peace and joy, and never again wish to live in satan's lies! This is why Jesus Christ came into the world. He came to be our substitute, and our redeeming sacrifice. Though He was innocent, He became sin and was made guilty FOR US on that cross. The burden of sin Jesus bore FOR US on that cross was so great that the Father had to turn His back on Him. Neither you nor I can even begin to imagine the grief and pain that this caused the Father to bear. It was OUR SINS that made sinless Jesus guilty. It was OUR NAILS that were pounded into His tender wrists and feet. It was the spear of OUR filthy souls that pierced His side. But Jesus willingly and without complaint took our blame and shed His blood for us, and on the third day, the Father raised Him from the grave. Now Jesus sits at God's right hand in glory, crowned with many crowns and ever living to make intercession for us. How does that make you feel? Do you want to keep on living in your petty, selfish ways, not giving a whit about all that Jesus endured for you? Or right now will you examine your heart and fall to your knees and say, GOD, FORGIVE ME. I AM A SINNER. I NEED YOU, JESUS. COME INTO MY HEART AND CHANGE ME. Please don't wait another moment. You don't know how much longer you might have to be alive. Make your decision now. Let your name be written in the Lamb's book of life, and avoid the terrible judgment of eternal hell. Jesus awaits your prayer. |
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Leaning on the Lord. Knowing He is our Sustainer in times of need, and our Rock to Whom we cling in times of trial. Many a time, when I have had nowhere else to turn, and people turn their back on me, Jesus has been my closest Companion and dearest Friend. He gives me love where there is none, and hope in an otherwise fruitless existence. We all need Jesus. For us, He is the epitome of love, and the absolute ideal in example. We all fall short of His grace, and we are unworthy of His mercy, yet He still loves us with an absolute, unending, unchanging love. Jesus doesn't care how much money you make, or what clothes you wear. It matters not to our Lord that you are popular, shy or humble. Jesus loves YOU. For who you ARE. Not who you are not, or want to be. God loves us all equally, and unconditionally. His compassion is always available, and the nearness of His presence the most wonderful comfort of all. Just because He is Spirit, and we cannot physically see or touch Him, doesn't mean He isn't there. All you must do is pray to Him. Prayer isn't complicated. Simply put, it is just like a conversation with a good friend. And Jesus is the best Friend anyone can have. Just get on your knees, and talk to Him. He is always there, and will always listen. And He loves it when you give Him your life! All of heaven rejoices when a person sincerely commits his orher life to Jesus Christ. I can imagine how the happy tears flow down His lovely, glorified cheeks when someone says, "Lord, I am Yours. I believe. Change my life." Yes, our precious Savior is Love in its purest form. He deserves all our praise, and He wants us to follow Him. Sure it's not easy, but look at all He endured for you. Falsely accused. Mockery. Spat upon. Whipped with needle-pointed leather straps. Crowned with a crown of thorns. Carrying that cross through the streets, while the blood and sweat flowed freely. And finally, being crucified and dying on a lonely hill. What awesome strength and passion He unashamedly displayed before all. Like the centurion said, Truly this is the Son of God. He suffered for you, and endured that horrible, earth-shaking, Father from Son seperating crucifixion for you. Just for you. The veil in the temple was rent in twain, as the Almighty grieved for His only Son. And three days later Jesus rose again from the dead. Now our Lord has become our Intercessor. Whoever is reading this, have you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior? Do you believe He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? The time is now. Jesus is coming back for His own. Will you have a little knee-bound conversation with Jesus, and give yourself to Him? Don't wait. He awaits your prayer. In Jesus' precious Name, amen. |
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