HELL IS FOREVER!

All who enter hell — abandon all hope!

The horror of hell — for even one second is unbearable — but FOREVER!

Jesus says in Matthew 25:41: ". . . Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING fire, . . ."

Rev. 14:11: "The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

What could possibly be worth eternity in hell? No wonder Jesus Christ warned so much about hell! No wonder Jesus said in Mark 8:36, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?"

Jesus Christ took hell very serious. . .
Jesus Christ says in Mark 9:43-47,

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Jesus Christ took hell so seriously — He could say without the slightest hesitation — to remove your eye, cut off your hand or foot, if that would keep you out of hell!

If hell is not real — Jesus Christ was the most deceived man that ever lived!

I’ll challenge anyone to read the words of Jesus Christ and tell me they are the words of a deceived man!

Jesus Christ knew exactly what He was talking about!

How did Jesus describe hell?
Jesus Christ spoke more on hell than any other subject..
Just look at how Jesus described hell:

WHAT JESUS CHRIST SAYS ABOUT HELL! "fire" Matt 7:19, 13:40, 25:41 "everlasting fire" Matt 18:8, 25:41 "eternal damnation" Mark 3:29 "hell fire" Matt 5:22, 18:9, Mark 9:47 "damnation" Matt 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47 "damnation of hell" Matt 23:33 "resurrection of damnation" John 5:29 "furnace of fire" Matt 13:42, 50 "the fire that never shall be quenched" Mark 9:43, 45 "the fire is not quenched" Mark 9:44, 46, 48 "Where their worm dieth not" Mark 9:44, 46, 48 "wailing and gnashing of teeth" Matt 13:42, 50 "weeping and gnashing of teeth" Matt
8:12, 22:13, 25:30 "torments" Luke 16:23 "tormented in this flame" Luke 16:24 "place of torment" Luke 16:28 "outer darkness" Matt 8:12, 22:13 "everlasting punishment" Matt 25:46
WHAT IF JESUS IS RIGHT?
Hebrews 9:27 says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this THE JUDGEMENT:"

it is appointed unto man once to die . . . and one day — YOU will die . . .
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments . . .
As you leave your body — you realize something is happening. You hear a sound. . . getting louder and louder. . . screaming .. . .weeping. . . wailing. Terror and fear beyond anything you could imagine overtakes you. "This can’t be happening!" you scream. Your nostrils are filling with the awful stench of burning souls. Your face ignites from the heat. Flames are now blazing from your eyes, nostrils, ears, mouth — every opening in your body, flames are roaring out. Your body is sizzling and crackling from the flames.

Your body is now madly thrashing and convulsing from the horrible pain. "Why don’t I die?", you scream. You begin weeping and gnashing your teeth with the millions. "When will this pain stop?" But know this: it will never stop. . .

The darkness is so terrifying, it begins engulfing you.. You feel something moving in the darkness. . . something horrible is happening. "No! No! This can’t be happening" you scream — as your worm is emerging.

You begin cursing the day you were born. You scream — "Oh God, why didn’t you warn me?"— but you remember the preacher pleading with you to receive Jesus Christ. You remember reading that gospel tract. You cry — "God don’t you care?" — but you remember John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,. . ." "God is a God of love — He won't allow this", you cry — but you remember John 3:36, ". . . he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

And you soon realize, that Jesus Christ was right!
There is a place called hell.

AND YOU ARE THERE — FOREVER!

------------ --------- --------- ---

But God is a God of LOVE. . . Why would a GOD OF LOVE send me to hell? Yes, God is a GOD OF LOVE — but God is also a HOLY GOD. A HOLY GOD demands payment for sin. Otherwise God would NOT and could NOT be HOLY.

Because God is holy — sin MUST be condemned. Joshua 24:19 says, ". . he is an HOLY GOD;. . . he will NOT forgive your transgressions nor your sins."

BUT FRIEND I HAVE GOOD NEWS!
God does NOT want you in hell
Hell was not made for man. Matthew 25:41 says, hell was, ". . . prepared for the devil and his angels:"

Because God is a GOD OF LOVE, and He LOVED YOU so much, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to die a cruel death on a cross to pay the price a HOLY GOD demands for your sins.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God does not send someone to hell. You choose hell when you reject Jesus Christ. When you refuse God's love gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. . .

YOU CHOOSE HELL!
Millionaire Ted Turner, said in an interview, "I’m looking forward to dying and being cast into Hell. That's where I belong." You say — he’s a fool! But friend, when you say "No"; to Jesus Christ and His payment for your sin — you are saying the same thing! You’re telling God — I don’t need Jesus Christ — I’ll pay for my sins in hell! You WILL pay..an un-ending eternal payment!!!

If you reject God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ
ONE DAY YOU WILL BE IN HELL!
Dr. Rawlings has watched as thousands of people depart into eternity. Most people think they'll somehow "sneak" into heaven, but Dr. Rawlings claims most people descend into the flames of hell!
Jesus Christ gave a solemn warning in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
If it was for a few days, a few months, a few years or even a million years, but to be tormented — FOREVER! You will despair of ever expecting any deliverance! You will beg for death itself to come and take you away! You will curse the day you were born! Revelation 14:11 says, "The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

What could possibly be worth eternity in hell?
No wonder Jesus Christ said in Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"Mark 8:36: God has something far better than words can describe for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9 says:
". . . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."I Corinthians 2:9 Friend, there is a place called hell! And, if you continually refuse God's gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ — just as sure as you live and breathe — ONE DAY YOU WILL WAKE UP IN HELL!

Don't wait until you die to find out the truth about Hell! Tomorrow may be too late! Proverbs 27:1 says, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou KNOWEST NOT what a day may bring forth."

Three people die every second, 180 every minute, since you started reading this — 2000 more people have gone into eternity! An automobile accident. . . A heart attack. . , A stroke. . .One thing is CERTAIN — you will DIE — today. . . tomorrow . . . a week. . . a month . . . a year. . . 5 years. . . 10 years. .. . 20 years. . . 50 years — ONE THING IS CERTAIN —" . . .it is appointed unto man once TO DIE . . ."

DON'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WITHOUT JESUS!
You may have made some terrible mistakes in your life. There may be some things in your life you would give anything to be able to change. But friend, I assure you — if you die without Jesus Christ — it'll be the worst mistake you could possibly make!

Has there ever come a time and a place in your life, when you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

If not, you are on the way to hell!
Don't let anyone convince you that when you die it will be all over, and you will cease to exist and know nothing! The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this THE JUDGMENT." Hebrews 9:27Revelation 20:15 says: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE." Revelation 20:15 If you've never received Jesus Christ as your Savior, bow your head this minute and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you. Don't put it off another second!

NOTHING'S WORTH TAKING THE CHANCE!

It's simple to be saved ...

Admit in humility that you are a sinner.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10

"... for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

Realize you CAN NOT save yourself. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ..." Isaiah 64:6

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, ..." Titus 3:5

Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, ..." 1 Peter 2:24

"... Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5

Simply by faith receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

" ...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."" Acts 16:30,31

"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." John 3:16

------------ --------- --------- ---


cclose1944e

HELL IS FOREVER!

All who enter hell — abandon all hope!

The horror of hell — for even one second is unbearable — but FOREVER!

Jesus says in Matthew 25:41: ". . . Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING fire, . . ."

Rev. 14:11: "The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

What could possibly be worth eternity in hell? No wonder Jesus Christ warned so much about hell! No wonder Jesus said in Mark 8:36, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?"

Jesus Christ took hell very serious. . .
Jesus Christ says in Mark 9:43-47,

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Jesus Christ took hell so seriously — He could say without the slightest hesitation — to remove your eye, cut off your hand or foot, if that would keep you out of hell!

If hell is not real — Jesus Christ was the most deceived man that ever lived!

I’ll challenge anyone to read the words of Jesus Christ and tell me they are the words of a deceived man!

Jesus Christ knew exactly what He was talking about!

How did Jesus describe hell?
Jesus Christ spoke more on hell than any other subject..
Just look at how Jesus described hell:

WHAT JESUS CHRIST SAYS ABOUT HELL! "fire" Matt 7:19, 13:40, 25:41 "everlasting fire" Matt 18:8, 25:41 "eternal damnation" Mark 3:29 "hell fire" Matt 5:22, 18:9, Mark 9:47 "damnation" Matt 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47 "damnation of hell" Matt 23:33 "resurrection of damnation" John 5:29 "furnace of fire" Matt 13:42, 50 "the fire that never shall be quenched" Mark 9:43, 45 "the fire is not quenched" Mark 9:44, 46, 48 "Where their worm dieth not" Mark 9:44, 46, 48 "wailing and gnashing of teeth" Matt 13:42, 50 "weeping and gnashing of teeth" Matt
8:12, 22:13, 25:30 "torments" Luke 16:23 "tormented in this flame" Luke 16:24 "place of torment" Luke 16:28 "outer darkness" Matt 8:12, 22:13 "everlasting punishment" Matt 25:46
WHAT IF JESUS IS RIGHT?
Hebrews 9:27 says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this THE JUDGEMENT:"

it is appointed unto man once to die . . . and one day — YOU will die . . .
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments . . .
As you leave your body — you realize something is happening. You hear a sound. . . getting louder and louder. . . screaming .. . .weeping. . . wailing. Terror and fear beyond anything you could imagine overtakes you. "This can’t be happening!" you scream. Your nostrils are filling with the awful stench of burning souls. Your face ignites from the heat. Flames are now blazing from your eyes, nostrils, ears, mouth — every opening in your body, flames are roaring out. Your body is sizzling and crackling from the flames.

Your body is now madly thrashing and convulsing from the horrible pain. "Why don’t I die?", you scream. You begin weeping and gnashing your teeth with the millions. "When will this pain stop?" But know this: it will never stop. . .

The darkness is so terrifying, it begins engulfing you.. You feel something moving in the darkness. . . something horrible is happening. "No! No! This can’t be happening" you scream — as your worm is emerging.

You begin cursing the day you were born. You scream — "Oh God, why didn’t you warn me?"— but you remember the preacher pleading with you to receive Jesus Christ. You remember reading that gospel tract. You cry — "God don’t you care?" — but you remember John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,. . ." "God is a God of love — He won't allow this", you cry — but you remember John 3:36, ". . . he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

And you soon realize, that Jesus Christ was right!
There is a place called hell.

AND YOU ARE THERE — FOREVER!

------------ --------- --------- ---

But God is a God of LOVE. . . Why would a GOD OF LOVE send me to hell? Yes, God is a GOD OF LOVE — but God is also a HOLY GOD. A HOLY GOD demands payment for sin. Otherwise God would NOT and could NOT be HOLY.

Because God is holy — sin MUST be condemned. Joshua 24:19 says, ". . he is an HOLY GOD;. . . he will NOT forgive your transgressions nor your sins."

BUT FRIEND I HAVE GOOD NEWS!
God does NOT want you in hell
Hell was not made for man. Matthew 25:41 says, hell was, ". . . prepared for the devil and his angels:"

Because God is a GOD OF LOVE, and He LOVED YOU so much, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to die a cruel death on a cross to pay the price a HOLY GOD demands for your sins.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God does not send someone to hell. You choose hell when you reject Jesus Christ. When you refuse God's love gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. . .

YOU CHOOSE HELL!
Millionaire Ted Turner, said in an interview, "I’m looking forward to dying and being cast into Hell. That's where I belong." You say — he’s a fool! But friend, when you say "No"; to Jesus Christ and His payment for your sin — you are saying the same thing! You’re telling God — I don’t need Jesus Christ — I’ll pay for my sins in hell! You WILL pay..an un-ending eternal payment!!!

If you reject God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ
ONE DAY YOU WILL BE IN HELL!
Dr. Rawlings has watched as thousands of people depart into eternity. Most people think they'll somehow "sneak" into heaven, but Dr. Rawlings claims most people descend into the flames of hell!
Jesus Christ gave a solemn warning in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
If it was for a few days, a few months, a few years or even a million years, but to be tormented — FOREVER! You will despair of ever expecting any deliverance! You will beg for death itself to come and take you away! You will curse the day you were born! Revelation 14:11 says, "The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

What could possibly be worth eternity in hell?
No wonder Jesus Christ said in Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"Mark 8:36: God has something far better than words can describe for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9 says:
". . . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."I Corinthians 2:9 Friend, there is a place called hell! And, if you continually refuse God's gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ — just as sure as you live and breathe — ONE DAY YOU WILL WAKE UP IN HELL!

Don't wait until you die to find out the truth about Hell! Tomorrow may be too late! Proverbs 27:1 says, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou KNOWEST NOT what a day may bring forth."

Three people die every second, 180 every minute, since you started reading this — 2000 more people have gone into eternity! An automobile accident. . . A heart attack. . , A stroke. . .One thing is CERTAIN — you will DIE — today. . . tomorrow . . . a week. . . a month . . . a year. . . 5 years. . . 10 years. .. . 20 years. . . 50 years — ONE THING IS CERTAIN —" . . .it is appointed unto man once TO DIE . . ."

DON'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WITHOUT JESUS!
You may have made some terrible mistakes in your life. There may be some things in your life you would give anything to be able to change. But friend, I assure you — if you die without Jesus Christ — it'll be the worst mistake you could possibly make!

Has there ever come a time and a place in your life, when you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

If not, you are on the way to hell!
Don't let anyone convince you that when you die it will be all over, and you will cease to exist and know nothing! The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this THE JUDGMENT." Hebrews 9:27Revelation 20:15 says: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE." Revelation 20:15 If you've never received Jesus Christ as your Savior, bow your head this minute and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you. Don't put it off another second!

NOTHING'S WORTH TAKING THE CHANCE!

It's simple to be saved ...

Admit in humility that you are a sinner.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10

"... for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

Realize you CAN NOT save yourself. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ..." Isaiah 64:6

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, ..." Titus 3:5

Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, ..." 1 Peter 2:24

"... Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5

Simply by faith receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

" ...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."" Acts 16:30,31

"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." John 3:16

------------ --------- --------- ---

"Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6

What had You done, O my sweet Savior, and ever-blessed
Redeemer--that You were thus betrayed by Judas, sold to
the Jews, apprehended as a malefactor, and led bound as
a lamb to the slaughter? What evil had You committed,
that You should be thus openly arraigned, falsely accused,
and unjustly condemned? What was Your offence? Whom
did You ever wrong? that You should be thus . . .
woefully scourged with whips,
crowned with thorns,
reviled with words,
buffeted with fists,
beaten with staves?

O Lord, what did You do to deserve to have Your blessed
face spit upon, and covered as it were with shame; to have
Your hands and feet nailed to the cross; to be lifted up on
the cursed tree; to be crucified among thieves, and made
to taste gall and vinegar; and in Your deadly extremity, to
endure such a sea of God's wrath, that made You cry out,
as if You had been forsaken by God Your Father; yes, to
have Your innocent heart pierced with a cruel spear, and
Your precious blood spilt before Your blessed mother's eyes?
Sweet Savior, how much were You tormented to endure all
this--seeing I am so much amazed even to think upon it!

What is the cause, then, O Lord, of this Your cruel
ignominy, passion, and death? I, O Lord--I am the
cause of these Your sorrows!

My sins wrought Your shame;
my iniquities are the occasion of Your injuries;
I have committed the fault--and You are punished for the offence;
I am guilty--and You are arraigned;
I committed the sin--and You suffered the death;
I have done the crime--and You hung on the cross!

Oh, the deepness of God's love!

Oh, the amazing profoundness of heavenly grace!

Oh, the immeasurable measure of divine mercy!

The wicked transgress--and the just is punished;
the guilty set free--and the innocent is arraigned;
the malefactor is acquitted--and the harmless condemned;
what the evil man deserves--the holy God suffers!

What shall I say? Man sins--and God dies!

O Son of God! who can sufficiently . . .
express Your love, or
commend Your pity, or
extol Your praise?

I was proud--and You are humble;
I was disobedient--and You became obedient;
I ate the forbidden fruit--and You hung on the cursed tree;
evil lust drew me to eat the pleasant apple--
and perfect love led You to drink of the bitter cup;
I tasted the sweetness of the fruit--
and You tasted the bitterness of the gall.

O my God, here I see . . .
Your goodness--and my vileness;
Your justice--and my injustice.

And now, O blessed Lord, You have endured all this for
my sake; what shall I render unto You for all Your benefits
bestowed upon me, a sinful soul? What shall I render to
You, for giving Yourself in Your infinite love, to so cruel
a death, to procure my redemption?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

cclose2007

A Pure heart, and how do we get one ?

Good question, think for a minute.

A PURE HEART, IS A HEART THAT HAS NO IMPURITIES,

NO NOT ONE ! PURE IS PURE ! A PURE HEART, IS A

HEART FULL OF THE ABUDANCE, THOUGHTS, AND

DESIRES OF EVERY PURE WORD OF GOD, FOR EVERY

WORD OF GOD IS PURE ! THY WORD O LORD, HAVE I

HID IN MY HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST

THEE ! AMEN !

A good place to start is to look around.

What do you see that you know brings you

closer to God ?

Your car, house, boat, garden, your position in

the office, your pc, your pets ? No ! ! !

But your relationship with these and all else

does. I think you see what I'm getting at here.

If you had none of the things that invade your

space and make you 'think' about going

to fellowship, rather than just going without

thinking it, do you believe your heart would be

renewed as you sit, stand, sing or Praise the

Name Of Christ ?

Would you begin to see a Pure Heart grow

within you ? My bet is a strong "Yes."

Think about this.....

You are late for work, the freeway is moving

ok, not great, but ok. You have your thing

together, and you are feeling good about

today. 'Listening to Praise and Worship,' or

Hosanna music in the car........suddenly someone

pulls right in front of you and cuts you

off. Do you become enraged? Do you spit a few

words off that you wouldn't use in public, and

then calm down and start singing with the

radio again? Do you begin to ask for

forgiveness, do you feel weird going back to

singing Praise after poison just came from your

mouth, or maybe ran through your thoughts ?

A right heart ? I don't think so.

Maybe that person on the freeway just lost a

mother to cancer, and is leaving the hospital

in tears and just barely is keeping it together.

How would you act in the same situation ?

Would you follow your heart? Is your heart

right enough to feel for that person? Maybe

they lost a child, or found out their husband

or wife is cheating and has just filed for

divorce after 2o years of marriage. Maybe they

were just reunited with a sister or brother

after 30 years and are so happy they can't

contain their joy.

No matter what, driving in this condition is not

safe, but a kind heart can make it safer, and

easier to forgive and understand.

Take a look around this week......

Begin to let God change your heart......let Him

show you how to let your children and wife

into that changing heart. How to look at the

person in the pew next to you as a valuable

friend, someone you have never hugged or

shaken hands with till now.

Help someone put groceries in the car at the

Supermarket. With God in your heart, no one

will fear you.

Purify the gifts that God has given you,

strengthen the talents that He has shown and

taught you to use.

I tell you these things from experience. I do

these things, and I am elated when I hear a

'Thank you so much,' or I see a smile that out

shines the noon sun. It is such a pleasure to

help others, and to know that God has given

me the heart that lets me push the flesh aside

and help a brother or a sister whom I have

never met, but still I also have a long walk

down this path, but what a joy to be on this

path

Seek and desire a pure heart. Seek and desire a

heart that does not care to be a part of that

which is of the flesh, unless the drive to

become pure requires that knowledge. A heart

that continually seeks the spiritual well

being and needs of others, and strives to help

meet those needs and minister to that well

being.

Think of this.....if every saved and spirit filled

heart on earth were combined as one, it would

still not attain the Pure Heart Christ had for

33 years of life, but He gave us the right to

obtain that purity. Grab it, let it be yours.

Seek God and His Son, for there are no other

riches worthy of ours or God's time beside His

Son and His compassion.

Then we become like Jesus, and we are the ones

who preach the Word-God's Son, Whom God sent

unto His children, even as Jesus, the Son of man

was. Acts 10:36 & 37.

Seek a Pure Heart.

FOR BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART,

fOR THEY SHALL SEE gOD ( MATTHEW 5; 8 ) !

(JOHN 1; 1) AND THE WORD IS GOD !

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART ( IN DESIRE )

THEY WHO DESIRE TO KNOW AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD,

FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD WHO IS THE WORD, FOR THEIR

UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD ( OF GOD ) SHALL BE

OPENED ( LUKE 24; 45 ) ! AND THE WORD, IS THE LIFE

THAT IS THE LIGHT WITHIN EVERY MAN ( JOHN 1; 1, 4, 9 ),

THE INWARD MAN OR CHRIST WITHIN, WITHIN US ALL !

THE PURE IN HEART SHALL SEE THE INWARD MAN FROM

ABOVE, WHO IS THE LIFE THAT IS THE LIGHT IN THEM, AND

ASLO FIND AND SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD ( OF THE WORD,

OF THE INWARD MAN ) THAT IS ALSO WITHIN THEM

( LUKE 17; 21 ) THAT WE ARE TO SEEK FIRST ABOVE AND

BEFORE ALL THINGS, KNOWING THAT HE WHO SEEKS,

WILL FIND ! AMEN AND AMEN !

No God ? No Peace !

Know God ! Know Peace !

i_amgodschild

A LETTER FROM GOD TO HIS CHILDREN

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are
taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't
actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of
you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was
actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being
remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your
own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My
birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me
go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and
snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all
My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the
town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can
& may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you
wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in
relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten
that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday
is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away
from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I
know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that
you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It
will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth,
and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and
remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you
don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile
it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the
local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm
smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry
Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop
shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that
day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with
their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never
heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your
town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they
have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I
suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the
Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me &
they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret
that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions
that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me &
do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball
is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all
those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU. Thanks to several of you
for this one.

God's love shown thru you is the greatest Christmas gift you can
give to anyone. Remember, God is love and as you share his love you
receive much more from him than you could ever give to someone you bless
with your love.

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Lesson Four: How to Interpret the Bible
The study of the 'rules' of Bible interpretation is called hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is the science of Bible interpretation. This strange theological term comes from the Greek word hermeneuo which means TO INTERPRET OR EXPLAIN. The reason for studying the Bible is to properly interpret what God is saying to us.
Two other technical terms are important here. Bible scholars often refer to the 'exegesis' of Scripture, which means allowing the truth to come out of the text without the filter of our own ideas. The word "exegesis" is also derived from a Greek word, which means "explanation " or "to lead OUT of." This means we approach to the Scriptures to learn what they say and mean, not to prove our own point.
The opposite term is "eisogesis" which is from a Greek word meaning "to read INTO". This is probably the most common (and dangerous) error of casual Bible students. It is even the error of many well-known television evangelists. This means that a person approaches the Scripture with a pre-conceived idea and uses the Scripture to prove their point, even if the Scriptures have to be "bent" to make them fit.
What we mean by Bible interpretation is the correct meaning of the passage as it was intended by the original author. In other words, we must allow the Bible to speak for itself. While this sounds simple, we must realize that we all have some pre-conceived ideas and that we must work carefully to see that we arrive at the Truth instead of seeking to prove that we are right. We must seek to understand what the original author had in mind--in his context of life and history.
The eighteenth century scholar J. A. Ernesti set the stage for what we call today "rules of Bible interpretation." For Ernesti, a correct understanding of the Bible mean discovering (1) the use of words, (2) the historical circumstances controlling their usage, and (3) the intention of the author strictly governed by his own words. (See Toward an Exegetical Theology, by Walter C. Kaiser.)
Rules of Bible interpretation:
(1) We must interpret the Bible in the light of its LANGUAGE AND HISTORY.
Language, or 'literary setting,' means that language has different meanings in different social, historical, and cultural settings. We must know what Bible words meant to the writers of the Bible. Understanding something of the meaning of the original languages is necessary for correct Bible interpretation, although you should also know that no new or novel doctrines are hidden in the Greek and Hebrew.
Second, "historical setting" means the time and place when a passage of the Bible was written.
This first rule brings up the need for Bible dictionaries and commentaries. They are helpful in obtaining background material as to the culture, setting and the history of the passage in question.
Some examples of how to apply this rule.
(a) Read carefully 2 Corinthians 12:2. What is the third heaven? The Mormons build a whole doctrine of levels of eternal reward based on this verse. But if you just understood something of ancient astronomy, you would know that the first heaven was the sky and clouds, the second heaven was the realm of the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars), and the "third" heaven, beyond the sun, moon and stars, was the realm of God. The third heaven is paradise, which Paul indicates in verse 4.
(b) Mark 1:1-21. Why did the disciples so quickly and readily leave everything and follow Jesus? Because they were so committed to him? No. Israel was under the iron yoke of Roman domination and occupation and everyone was expecting the Messiah who would liberate Palestine and rule the world. The disciples probably followed Jesus for very selfish reasons. Even later they were arguing over who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom, and who would sit at the right hand of the throne of the Messiah!
(2) We must interpret Scripture by Scripture
In other words, the whole Bible must speak for itself. We cannot build doctrines on isolated portions of Scriptures. It’s easy to quote individual Bible verses to prove your point. It is a much greater challenge to see how individual verses fit into the whole picture.
Examples:
(a) Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins? Yes, by itself. But many other passages about water baptism in the Bible make it clear that baptism is necessary for discipleship and Christian growth, but it is not necessary to get into heaven.
(b) Does James 2:24 teach that works are necessary for salvation? Yes, by itself. But James 2:24 must be understood in the larger context of New Testament grace.
(3) Individual verses of the Bible must be understood in the context of OTHER VERSES IN THAT PASSAGE.
Two examples which will probably ruffle your feathers are;
(a) Matthew 24:40-41 says, "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." Does this sound like the rapture? It has been used that way for years. But look again at the verses ahead of these famous words. See verses 36 - 39, especially 39. In 39, who is taken away, the righteous or the unrighteous? And who is left? Read carefully. The rules of language apply to Scripture and dare not be bent or ignored. Just because it does not fit with what we want it to say, we must take it for what it does say.
(b) Romans 10:17 is not about building your faith by hearing the word, even though it is used by many preachers to "prove" just that. This verse is about salvation. In other words, faith in Christ unto salvation comes by hearing the Word. Just look at the context!
(An old proverb used in Bible School - "Text, without context, is pretext.")
(4) Each passage of scripture has one INTERPRETATION, many APPLICATIONS.
Interpretation is WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS. The "literal" meaning of each passage of the Bible understood on the basis of the rule of interpretation, must be our starting point for applying the Bible to our daily lives.
Application is WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS TO ME. One of the great Bible scholars of this century, F. F Bruce, wrote, "The place of the Bible in the life of the church has constantly added to it a wealth of fresh and practical meaning which the interpreter cannot ignore."
(5) We cannot build major Doctrines on isolated or unclear verses of the Bible.
Passages of Scripture in which a doctrine is merely touched on must be interpreted by those passages where a doctrine is expressly taught. An example is 1Corinthians 11:6. Another example is the idea that the gifts of the Spirit "died out" with the Apostles. There is no Bible verse in the New Testament that teaches this very popular idea, even though some preach it as a fact.
(6) In most cases, like the rest of the Bible, parables have ONE BASIC MEANING.
A more contemporary example is Aesop's fable of the fox and the grapes. You know the story. Is the lesson, or the moral of the story, that foxes actually eat grapes? No. That's just part of the story to illustrate a single moral principle. If you focus on whether or not foxes actually eat grapes you miss the whole point of the story.
Just so with the parables in the Bible. The parable of the ten virgins is a Biblical example. The parable is full of unique symbolism: the number ten, virgins, lamps, oil. But the whole point of the story is that we should "watch" or "be spiritual alert." Whatever else all the symbols mean is not clear, and to start building doctrines on this parable (like a doctrine of a partial rapture) is theological thin ice.
(7) Two guard rails along the highway of correct Bible interpretation: THE HOLY SPIRIT and THE CHRlSTIAN COMMUNITY.
We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, but this does not mean we don't need other Christians, especially well equipped and informed Bible teachers. And we have the established, historical teachings of the Church, but this does not mean we don't need the Holy Spirit!
Lesson One Lesson Two Lesson Three Lesson Five Lesson Six Lesson

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Lesson Three: New Testament Overview
The New Testament consists of 27 books. The word "Testament" means a "covenant, agreement, contract". "New" is used as in contrast to the "Old" Testament, or the way God related to men and women after the coming of Christ.
Perhaps the we could title the Bible God's Plan. The "Old" Testament would be Volume One: The Plan Begins. And the "New" Testament would be called Volume Two: The Plan Completed.
The Purpose of the New Testament: TO REVEAL THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST, as the fulfillment of Old Testament history, ceremony and prophecy.
The General Content of the New Testament (Open your Bibles to the 'Table of Contents" as we work through this material.) The New Testament is very similar in its structure to the Old Testament. Last week we learned the Old Testament has three major sections: history, poetry, and prophecy. The New Testament also has three major divisions:
a. HISTORY, including .the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and Acts.
b. TEACHING, or the Epistles (personal letters) of Paul, Peter, James and John
c. PROPHECY, the Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse of Saint John.
The Specific Content of the New Testament Books.
History: The Gospels
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are not biographies in the pure sense, although they are historical in every sense. Perhaps "portraits" is a better word than "biographies." In each of the Gospels, Jesus is painted in a different pose. Each Gospel writer saw Jesus from a different angle and wrote his Gospel for a unique purpose.
MATTHEW was the tax collector. He wrote his Gospel for the purpose of showing a Jewish audience how Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, More than in any other Gospel. Matthew uses the phrase, "This was to fulfill ..."
See Matt. 1:22.
MARK was the first Gospel account to be written, and it seems quite clear that Matthew and Luke borrowed material from Mark. Mark begins with the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river and contains no Christmas story. Some feel Mark was addressed more to the Roman mind. His use of "straightway" throughout the book, and his direct "get to the point" writing style may be a reflection of the Roman attitude.
LUKE was a physician and the only non-Jewish author in the Bible. He also wrote Acts. He was not one of the original apostles, but was a traveling companion of Paul. Luke's Gospel is the most detailed and carefully organized of the four gospels. See Luke 3:1. Luke also has the most extensive material on the birth and early childhood of Jesus.
JOHN is very different in its content and style from the other Gospels. It is the most theological, in that it is almost entirely teaching. You can see this stand out in a red letter edition of the Bible. In fact, of the 21 chapters in John, the last 10, almost half the book, are about the last week in Jesus life. Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, arid 17 are composed of teaching that took place in the Upper Room the night before Jesus' crucifixion. A key phrase in John is "I am ..." The purpose of John is clearly stated in John 20:30-31: BELIEVE.
History: Acts
ACTS is Luke's record of the events that took place in the early church, Underlying the special events is a powerful explanation and defense of Christianity, to the Jews, the Greeks and the Romans. If you read the book carefully you can "see" where Luke joined Paul by change of the tense (from "they" to "we").
IMPORTANT NOTE: The pivotal event in each of the Gospels is the baptism of Jesus, when the Holy Spirit came on his life. The pivotal event of Acts is the Spirit baptism of the disciples. Acts is the story of God's people, receiving what Jesus received (the power of the Holy Spirit) in order to do what Jesus did.
The Epistles: Paul
ROMANS, written to the Christians in Rome, is the most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in the Bible. Its themes are judgment and righteousness, Jew and Gentile, law and grace, free will and predestination.....or in one word, salvation,
1 CORINTHIANS, written to the Christians in the Greek city of Corinth, is about a myriad of seemingly unrelated issues--like law suits, communion, spiritual gifts, women in the church, matters of conscience, the resurrection. But the unifying theme is the community, or how Christians are to relate to one another in all kinds of settings and situations.
2 CORINTHIANS. It seems that there were some leaders in Corinth who were questioning Paul's authority, so much of 2 Corinthians is autobiographical, defending Paul's calling and right to apostolic authority.
GALATIANS was written to the Christians in the Roman province of Galatia, or modern-day Turkey. It is the declaration of the Christian's independence from the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. The theme of Galatians is that salvation is by grace..Jesus plus nothing.
EPHESIANS, written to the Christians in the Greek city of Ephesus, is about the church - what it is and how God wants to use it. See Ephesians 3:10.
PHILIPPIANS, which Paul wrote from prison to the Christians in the Greek city of Philippi, is about the joy of our salvation.
COLOSSIANS, written to the Christians in the Greek city of Colosse, is about the magnificence of Christ.
PHILEMON is a short personal letter from Paul to a wealthy Christian by the name of Philemon. Paul had somehow met Philemon's runaway slave, and sent this letter back to Philemon, imploring him to receive back his former employee - as a brother in Christ.
1 & @ TIMOTHY and TITUS are personal, instructional letters from Paul to his young understudies.
The Epistles: Hebrews
HEBREWS is in a class by itself in that no one really knows who wrote it. Written to Jewish Christians, it is perhaps the most profound book of the New Testament. The letter presents a comparison between the Old Covenant of law and ceremony and the New, or "better" Covenant of grace in Christ.
The Epistles: James
JAMES is a short but powerful letter about the importance of how you live out your faith. It is a kind of New Testament book of proverbs.
The Epistles: Peter
1, 2 PETER, among other things, focus on how the Christian is supposed to respond in adversity. Keywords in the book are sanctification, suffering and obedience.
The Epistles: John
1,2,3 JOHN are three little letters by the "Apostle of Love" ...the same John who wrote the Gospel of John. The theme of the
The Epistles: Jude
JUDE is a fiery little letter about serving God with purity and integrity.
Prophecy
REVELATION is the most mysterious book in the Bible. It has been understood and misunderstood many ways! It's purpose, if it can be simply stated, is that Jesus and his kingdom will triumph, no matter how bleak life becomes. This was an incredibly important message at the time, because the church was going through one of the most fierce persecutions in its history.