Archive for ‘Uplifts’

“the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”

You do not become a Christian simply because your parents are Christian… or by joining a Church and attending regularly! How does one become a Christian then? Let’s explore what that really means. First, of all, you need to believe that the Bible contains the Word of God which, alone, tells us how to become a real Christian.

The Word of God found in the Holy Bible tells us that all of us have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. This is recorded in Romans 3:23. The Word of God also tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is recorded in Romans 6:23.

Therefore, you need to repent of your sin and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your sin separates you from God until it is repented and forgiven. The Word of God, recorded in 1 John 1:9, states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  You need to be saved from your sin and thus you need a Savior… as you cannot save yourself! You cannot earn salvation because it is a gift from God. 1 John 1:7,  tells us that the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, cleanses us from all sin!

Sin demands God’s punishment, but the sinner needs God’s mercy! The mercy of God guarantees pardon for sin when you accept that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sin on the cross at Calvary. He exchanged his Righteousness for your sin so that you could know God the Father in the pardon of your sins. Jesus said, as recorded in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Those who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead, on the third day after he was crucified on the cross at Calvary, shall be saved…and those that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved! This is according to the Word of God recorded in Romans 10:9-13.

When you accept Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior, after repenting of your sin, you will be forgiven and receive Salvation. There is no other way, but through Jesus! Many ways to get to Jesus, but only one way to get to God…and that is through Jesus Christ, and him crucified; only begotten Son of God!! The Word of God, recorded in John 3:16, declares, “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.”  You become a Christian simply by acknowledging that you are a sinner, repenting of your sin and then accepting …GOD’S GIFT!!!

John 3:16, 14:6,  Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-13, 1 John 1:7,9

“And my glory will I not give to another”

There is a sacred Hymn of Faith entitled, “To God Be The Glory!”  It contains these lyrics:  “To God be the glory, for the great things He hath done!”  God is Creator …  and the only one truly worthy of being glorified.  Man can be creative, but man cannot create; that claim to fame belongs to God alone!  Man can only fashion with what God has already created.  Man can make graven images of things in an attempt to replicate creation, but those images are not worthy to be praised according God … The Creator of heaven and earth!  God’s most Holy Word, recorded in The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 42:8, declares,” I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another; neither my praise to graven images.”

Jesus Christ, identified in the Holy Bible as God’s only begotten Son, was sent by God to save us from self-destruction caused by sin.  Sin separates us from God, but Jesus’ perfect atonement for our sin on The Cross of Calvary reconciles us to God!  It is recorded in the Gospel of John 3:16 where it is written, “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.”

Jesus glorified God in all He did while He was here on this earth.  He was sent to accomplish a mission and He succeeded as evidenced by what He did for us on the Cross.  God was glorified in Jesus Christ … whom He’d given a sacred charge to keep!  Jesus spoke these words to the Heavenly Father, as recorded in the Gospel of John 17:4 where it is written, “I have glorified thee on the earth:  I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

Our purpose is not to seek vain glory!  Our purpose is to live a life that is pleasing to God, thereby bringing Glory to His Holy Name … and ultimately glorifying Him alone!  Jesus is our greatest example and He truly made it possible for us to be able to get past ourselves and …. GLORIFY GOD!!!

Isaiah 42:8; John 3:16, 14:4

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

We are saved by faith alone…in the unmerited grace of Almighty God, and not by our works, lest any one of us should boast that we were able to do so based on our own merit. However, we are still saved for works! Our Heavenly Father, who has already done a work in us, now desires to work through us! “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.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Our Faith comes alive when it is used to the Glory of God…by helping others! We do so by letting others know that we really care….by being there for them. We show that we are willing to get involved with their lives by helping to make a difference where it is really needed.  Real living faith dares us to try to make a difference in someone’s life!

Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2: 26

“Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life”

We all have to perform some kind of labor in our lives. We work for a living, on projects, in and around our homes.  This we find to be necessary…and meaningful.  However, we never labor in vain when we do a work for the Lord in our lives! 

Jesus was teaching by the Sea of Galilee, concerning the most important labor there is for us to do.   He said, ”Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed.” 

Sin separates us, from God.  Jesus was sent to serve God the Father…by saving those who confess him as their Lord and Savior, thereby reconciling us back to God.  We serve the Lord when we when we take time to tell others of God’s wonderful plan of Salvation for their lives.  The eternal benefits of this type of labor are salvation and everlasting life with God…for both ourselves and others!

John 6:27