Be Strong

As Christians we are going to through some struggles and very hard times. Often people just fall and give in, but we must stay strong and never give up. For example look at Paul 2 Corinthians 11:25-27 Thrice I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned thrice i suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea in perils by false bretheren; In weariness and pain fulness in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Wow thats a lot. Paul was beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked three times, spent a night and day in the ocean, in tons of perils of all sorts and starved. On top of all that he mentions in the next verse he has to take care of all the churches. Paul is one of the best examples of being strong in hard time he kept the faith and told of Christ after and during all of this. Another great example is Steven he shared God's word not matter what others thought said or did to rebuke it. As Steven was being taken out of the city to be stoned i can imagine his mind was focused on God. Even as they were stoning Him he called upon God saying receive my spirit. He didn't say i give up i'll stop just don't hurt me. These two men should be a prime example to all christians. Look at there life compared to yours examine it. Are you giving up to easily? We should be willing to give our all to the cause of Christ. No matter what the cost we should stay strong. Keep that mind set.

It's Your Choice

                                                  Once you die there is only one of two places
                                                  you will spend eternity.


            HELL                                                           OR                                                           HEAVEN
        - Death                               If you died right now do you know where                - Life
        - Fire                               you would end up? I know your a good person,         - God
        - Torment                       but the Holy Bible Gods word says your not.            - Joy 
        - Gnashing of Teeth    Rom.  3:23 For all have sinned and come short    - Love
        - Darkness                      of the glory of God. Sin is things you do wrong.     - Peace
        - Wailing                      None are righteous. Sin which is in all men can't     - No Sadness 
        - Pain                              enter into heaven; if it could heaven would be just    - No Sickness
        - Eternal Sorrow           like earth, but God loved us so much.                        - No More Death                                                     He gave His only begotten Son die for our sin. His blood shed on the cross so wecould be forgiven.His blood will wash all your sins away. The Bible says it's a free gift. There is nothing you can do to earn it, the Bible says not of works. Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth  unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. All you must do to be saved and have eternal life is to ask God to forgive you of your sin, trust and believe Jesus died and was raised again for your sin, and ask Jesus to come into your heart. This is not just a little prayer to just say you must truly believe to be saved. Why take the chance of waiting?

SIN, Every One Does

Every one knows the story of Adam and Eve, how God told them not to eat the fruit, but they did. This was the first sin. There are a lot of people that will say well I really don't think I do.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned:
The one man is speaking of Adam and the all is speaking of every person. The verse is pretty explanatory; this one is also Romans 3:23 For al have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Getting someone to realize they are a sinner is a key point in soul winning. For without sin there is no need for a savior. Most of the time you will have to go to the ten commandments. If you go over 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Most will admit that they are a disobedient, lying, thieving, adulterer and blasphemer at heart by their own admission. Once they realize their sin. You can continue in showing them God's tremedous love for them.

Eternal Life

There are many people that believe once you are saved you can lose your salvation. You may be one of them. Take a look at this verse
John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

The verse says that they, speaking of people who get saved, shall never perish, they will never die and go to hell. Also, it says neither shall any man pluck them out of my Father's hand. No man can pluck you out of His hand. I often get the argument," It says no man but I can get myself out." If you think this here's a question are you a man? Of course they will answer yes, than it said no man.
Another verse, 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know  that ye have eternal life.....
That ye may know!!
Some believe God can leave them, but that is easily disproven in Hebrews 5:13 ... For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
The Bible clearly shows we have eternal security.

Good Works Don't Get Me Into Heaven?

   

One of the most common answers you will get for, "how do know you are you are going to heaven" is, i'm a good person, I treat people nicely and I go to church. These things are good, but are they good enough to get you into heaven? The answer is NO, as the Bible clearly says in Ephesians 2:8-9 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. As clear as day it say NOT OF WORKS! Also in Titus 3:5 Not by works oh righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY He saved us.....: Again NOT BY WORKS! There is nothing that you can do to earn your way into heaven. There is only one way, and that is through God's only begotten Son, JESUS.

Fear of Witnessing??

1 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind.

Why don't you witness? It may be because of fear! Fear of rejection,what your friends will think about you or fear of people picking on you or bullying you. You should be more worried about what God thinks about you! God didn't make us to fear things. Especially not to fear witnessing. God gives us the power love and a sound mind to speak His word, but only if you allow Him. In the next verse it says not to be ashamed of the Lords testimony. Once again in verse nine it says God had called us to do this before the making of the earth. Don't worry what people think about you God will give you peace about that. Just pray for it.

A Lost and Dying World

Approximately 155,000 people die EVERY DAY!
Not many are saved.Do you know what happens to these people?
The Bible says in Revelation chapter 20 that they will be cast into the lake of fire to burn forever.
If you stop and think of what it would be like to burn forever in darkness, It can really make you realize the urgency. Also I can guarentee you know at least one close friend or family member that is not saved. Can you imagine as they they were about to be thrown in, looking you in the eyes and saying why didn't you tell me?? That will surly be a day of grief. I have a hard time witnessing to my family and friends because they just don't want to hear it; but you must be persistent with them. Because if you truly love them you will, and they will realize that. The more you witness the less souls you will be cast into the lake of fire that day. Wether it is handing out tracts,showing people the love of God or verbally speaking God's Word, you can tell others about Christ. I encourage you to let this sink in your mind think hard about how many people die and go to hell!