Number 27									  

"Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers."   James 1:22

                              SPREAD  THE  WORD

We believe the Bible is essential to Christian growth. Who would ever think of
starving themselves, yet how many days do we go without the Word of God. The Word is our bread of life.  These letters are intended to expose situations and show that Jesus is the answer to every problem. If anyone wants to be added or dropped from the mailing, please let us know. Feel free to copy this letter. 
We send it out to about 70 homes. If you have a topic idea, please let us know.

               EXPOSING MYTHS, AND CASTING DOWN FALSE IMAGINATIONS

IMAGES: We hear this word so often about a political candidate, corporation, etc. Advertising agencies are paid big money to help build an image. The word image is similar to imagination: something believed in, but not necessarily real. Imagination is a powerful ability God has given us. We can create/invent both good and bad with it. We were made in God's image and belonging to Him (Gen 1:26 & Psa 139). Idols and idolatry result from vain or evil imagination.

  Myths, lies, false imaginations can become spiritual strongholds. These chains
will eventually affect our spirit, body and soul. Jesus came to give us the Truth that will set us free (John 8:32). The devils' primary weapon is to subtly
whisper lies into our minds and get us sidetracked from the truth. God says to -
  Cast down false imaginations ... bring into captivity every thought to the
   obedience of Christ.                                             2 Cor 10:4-5

The following common MYTHS/LIES contradict God's Truth revealed in the Bible.

MYTH # 1:  GOD COULDN'T or DOESN'T LOVE ME, I'M CAN'T BE IMPORTANT TO HIM.
- Can a mother forget her baby ... she might, but God won't forget His children.
   He has them engraved in the palm of His hand.                    Isa 49:15-16
- God doesn't judge as a man does, by outward appearance (status, wealth, or
   position), but rather He judges by the heart of a person.          1 Sam 16:7
- Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Heavenly Father knowing it,
   and ... the very hairs of your head are numbered ...            Matt 10:29-31
- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
   believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.       John 3:16
- Someone might die for a good person but Christ died for us while we were yet
   sinners. (God has given His Best & most precious gift to us.)         Rom 5:8
- There is much joy in heaven over one repentant sinner.               Luke 15:7

LIE # 2:  I'VE DONE TOO MANY THINGS WRONG, AND I COULD NEVER BE FORGIVEN.
- The worst sin of all is to reject God's offer of salvation through Jesus.
- Paul, the apostle was originally a persecutor of the church. He states that
   Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am worst.     1 Tim 1:15
- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.        Rom 3:23  5:12
- All people are guilty of sin and therefore condemned. That's why Jesus had to
   come. He died for all people and all sins, but He must be received by faith.

MYTH #3:  I KNOW I'M GOING TO HELL, BUT I'LL BE WITH ALL MY FRIENDS.
- You can know you're headed for hell, but there are no friends there.
- Be careful, Jesus said you will be condemned by your own words.     Matt 12:37
- Jesus warned us that hell is a real place we should fear more than death.
  It is described as fire, torment, with wailing and gnashing of teeth.
                                   
						   - 2 -

LIE # 4:  MY GOOD DEEDS OUTWEIGH MY BAD, I'M BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE I KNOW.
- By grace you have been saved, not works, so no man can boast.        Eph 2:8-9
- Faith in Christ is in vain/useless if works can save us.  Gal 2:21  1 Cor 15:17
- Without the shedding of (Christ's) blood there is no forgiveness.     Heb 9:22
- He saved us because of His Mercy, not our righteousness.   Titus 3:5 1 Tim 1:9
- Our works are worthless unless they are done for the love of Jesus.   Isa 64:6

MYTH # 5: LIVING A GOOD LIFE or BELONGING TO A CHURCH MAKES YOU A CHRISTIAN.
- A Christian is a follower of Christ, who takes up his cross and follows Jesus.
- Outside of Christ there is nothing we can do to be good.            1 Cor 3:13
- God promised a New Covenant in Jer 31:33 in which He would plant His Law in
   their minds and hearts. In Ezek 36:26, He promised to give a new spirit and a
   new heart. -  Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness ...      Matt 6:33
- To enter the kingdom of God you must be born again by the Spirit.     John 3:5
- To gain your life you must lose it for Christ's sake.     Luke 9:24  Mark 8:35

LIE # 6: GOD HELPS THEM THAT HELP THEMSELVES
- Most people imagine God as distant and unconcerned about our every day affairs. - The truth is that He wants to be close and personal to us. We need to reach out to Him in faith. The Old Testament testifies that people don't have the ability in themselves to serve and worship God. We are expected to use the talents He gave us, but we are effective only as we walk in the Spirit. 		1 Cor 2:5
- God says He will supply all His children's needs.         Heb 4:16   Phil 4:19
- Lean not on your own understanding - in all your ways acknowledge Him.  Prov 3

MYTH # 7:  MATERIAL PROSPERITY IS A SIGN OF GOD'S APPROVAL
- The Father sends rain down to both the bad and the good.            Matt 5:45
- He allows the weeds to grow along side of the wheat.                Matt 13:30
- The wicked often prosper for a season (Psa 73, but in due time God will judge.
- So material prosperity may be a blessing, but it's a dangerous way to measure
   God's favor. The wicked shall eventually pay for their sins.         Rom 6:23
- The devil's trap is immediate gratification vs God's lasting values. 1 Tim 6:9

LIE # 8: YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR WAY, and I'LL BELIEVE MY OWN WAY.
-  How can someone miss heaven by 18 inches? That's the ~distance between your
    head and your heart! True faith is in the heart, not just in the mind.
-  Do you or God set the rules? Should clay speak back to the Potter?   Isa 45:9
-  Those ignorant of God's righteousness, try to make their own way.    Rom 10:3
-  The Father desires worshippers who worship in spirit and truth      John 4:23
-  The Holy Spirit is the inner, peaceful witness to true believers.   Rom 8:15f

MYTH # 9: THE WORLD WILL CONTINUE ON AS IT ALWAYS HAS. HE ISN'T COMING THAT SOON.
   The apostle's creed & the Bible say He will come again. The Holy Spirit even
   now is blowing changes across the globe. God's final prophesies are being
   fulfilled. Are you preparing yourself? If you plan on waiting until the last
   minute you won't make it. Now is the time to humbly seek Jesus.     2 Cor 6:2

WHICH IS MORE REAL?  The visible physical/material world is really passing away.
(1 Cor 7:31) The unseen spiritual world may seem imaginary, but it shall last
forever. Does your life (light) reflect these beliefs?  Is Jesus alive in you?
Is eternal life real to you?  Do you know your life is but a vapor?     Jam 4:14
We really shall all appear before the Judge as sheep or as goats.     Matt 25:32
People try everything new under the sun, yet are so slow to try the Son of God.
Are you facing reality, making up your own beliefs, or hiding behind busyness?
When will you answer these vital questions, if you haven't yet?  Jesus Loves you
and will reveal Himself to you in a real way when you surrender your life to Him.