[You would be the one to know Bro]

*sigh*

This is so infantile.

Childish.

Juvenile.

Grown men running around trying to vent their insecurites kicking around a pigskin pumpkin.

   

You would be the one to know Bro

GO STEELERS!!!!!

[BORN TO DIE!]

BORN TO DIE!


by Beverly Wages


Scripture reading; Matt. 27:45-46; Mark 15:33-35; Ps.22; Ps.16:10; Acts 2:25-31; Acts 13:34-37; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:24.

"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" These are the words that Christ spoke on the cross when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. This is perhaps the fourth statement He made while on the cross. The very first, statement He spoke to God, and called Him, Father. Why then would He call out to the Father, and call Him God? Why did He feel forsaken by God? The answer to this would be because God was separated fro m Him. It was our sin that caused this. Christ was bearing all our sin upon Him self. The scripture says in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. our Lord." Jesus Christ was paying the price for our sinful condition-not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. Our God is such a perfect, righteous God that He cannot stand to look upon sin. Christ had the penalty of all our sin upon Him.

The worse thing that can happen to anyone is to be separated from God. Anyone that will not accept what Christ did for us all on the cross, will some day have to experience this!

If you will notice in the scripture reading, in Matthew and Mark (given above), there was darkness for three hours. Imagine, this was in the middle of the day, and there was complete darkness. Remember Jesus came into the world as the Light of the world. When He took the place of sinners, this light was made darkness. Can you now see why we entitled this lesson Born to Die? This was the reason Jesus came into this world, in a human body, so that He could become our Saviour.

To do this, He had to perform the price of sin, and then come triumphantly from the tomb. There is so much celebrating of His birth into this world as a little baby. Yet, there are so many who never give thought to why He was born. The scripture tells us that "without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins!" Christ then, came to die, shed His blood so that we could be forgiven and redeemed from our sinful condition.

As Christians, we should be very sober in our observance of the birth of our Saviour. Let us not get carried away with all the glitter and tinsel of holidays, and give little or no thought to our Saviour. When we read the words of our text today, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?", may we take time to realize just what our Lord went through as He suffered physically, and spiritually, as He paid for our sins. We should not be able to read this account in our Bible without emotional feelings.

If we realize the depths of love that He showed for mankind, and to each of us individually, how can we help but give ourselves to Him, to serve Him for as long as He leaves us in this life. We thank the Father that the Son was "Born to Die", but that He also was resurrected, and later ascended and is now at the right hand of God the Father. Someday we will go to be with Him, if we have accepted what He did for us.



Eleventh Avenue Church
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/

[PEACE ON EARTH]

PEACE ON EARTH


By Gregg Bing

During the Christmas holidays, we often hear the expressions “peace on earth” and “good will toward men.” Many think of this holiday season as a time of peace, but there is very little peace on earth. Politically, we see nations, races, even religions at war with one another. Economically, we see turmoil and uncertainty day after day. Even in our personal lives, many have such hectic schedules that peace and rest is only a dream for many. This is especially true during the holidays with family gatherings, school and office parties, and the madness of Christmas shopping at the malls.

When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, some 2000 years ago, the angels announced His birth to the shepherds. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Jesus’ birth was the coming of Israel’s long awaited Messiah; the One whom God anointed to be Israel’s King; the One whom Isaiah called the “Prince of peace” (Isa. 9:6); the One whose government and peace would be unending (Isa. 9:7).

Peace on earth was certainly what God’s chosen people, Israel, longed for. At the time of Jesus’ birth, they had been under Gentile dominion for over 600 years, beginning with the Babylonians, who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and their temple, and continuing to that present day with the cruel Romans (Luke 2:1). Israel longed to be free from Roman taxes, Roman governors, Roman soldiers, and Roman laws – they longed for peace.

When the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Israel’s Savior and Deliverer, it must have seemed that peace was about to be a reality in their lives. But the birth of Jesus did not bring peace on earth. We read in John 1:11 that, “He came unto His own, but His own did not receive Him.” How could this have happened? The many Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s coming were all fulfilled in the Lord Jesus (Micah 5:2, Isa. 7:14, etc.), and the proofs of His identity and His authority as their King were clearly demonstrated through His teaching (Matt. 5-7) and His miracles (Matt. 8-9), yet the Jewish leaders “plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him” (Matt. 12:14).

Israel’s own expectations had blinded their minds to what God’s Word taught concerning the Messiah (Christ). The problem began with Israel’s leaders. They had corrupted God’s Word by their traditions and interpretations of the law (Matt. 15), and when God spoke to them “in His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2), they did not hear Him (John 8:47). These men honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matt. 15:. They were “blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 15:14), and so Israel rejected the One who was their peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, He said of them, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42). The prophet Isaiah said of Israel, “The way of peace they have not known” (Isa. 59:.

Jesus’ coming into this world did not result in peace, but in division (Luke 12:51-53). The people were divided over Him and who He was. A small remnant, including the apostles, believed He was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), but the majority of Israel saw Him only as a teacher or prophet. To those who believed, He was precious, but to the rest, the Lord Jesus was offensive and they stumbled at Him, “being disobedient to the Word” (I Pet. 2:7-8). They rejected the “Prince of peace,” declaring, “We will not have this Man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14), and they delivered Him to the Romans to be crucified.

While those who put Jesus to death were certainly “wicked” or “lawless,” we read in Acts 2:23 that all this was according to God’s determined purpose. This was exactly why the Son of God came into this world – to give His life on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world (I Pet. 3:18, I John 2:2). He, “Himself, bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (I Pet. 2:24). Isaiah prophesied of the great sacrifice that He would make for us: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).

It was through His death that Jesus brought peace. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Our sin separates us from God, for He is holy, and we are under the penalty of death (Rom. 6:23), but even in this terrible condition, God loved us; so much that He was willing to send His only-begotten Son into the world to become the propitiation for our sins (Rom. 3:24-26, I John 2:2). Jesus’ death on the cross satisfied God’s holy and righteous requirement. This One, who knew no sin, become “sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (II Cor. 5:21). When we simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, God justifies us; He declares us to be righteous in His sight. The result of being justified is described in Romans 5:1: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We, who once were enemies of God, are reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Rom. 5:10).

Many today are longing for “peace on earth” between men and nations, but, sadly, there is no peace. Wars and threats of wars continue with no peace in sight. The Scriptures teach that there will be peace on earth one day, but only when the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen and ascended Savior, returns to earth to fulfill the promises made to the nation of Israel. The Prince of peace will establish His kingdom on this earth and His people, Israel, will rule and reign with Him. This is a peace that man can never hope to achieve through his own efforts.

Others are longing for peace in their own hearts and lives. This is a peace that is possible, but, once again, not by our own efforts. This peace only comes when we have “peace with God” through the Lord Jesus Christ. When we trust in Christ as our Savior, not only do we have “peace with God,” we are also filled with “joy and peace in believing” “by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, Gal. 5:22). This wonderful “peace of God,” which is beyond our understanding, then keeps or guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).

If you are longing for true peace in your own heart and life, you can have it this very day, even this very moment, by simply believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary; that He died for your sins and rose again the third day (Acts 16:31, I Cor. 15:3-4). It’s not by any works of righteousness on your part (Tit. 3:5), but all by God’s grace—His gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 6:23).

Won’t you trust Him today and experience this wonderful peace? You can have “peace with God” and the “peace of God” in your heart and life. This is truly “good will toward men.”



Copyright © 2002 Grace Bible Church of Fort Worth, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Eleventh Avenue Church


http://64.70.186.227/

[SalvationBy Grace, Not of Works]

Salvation
By Grace, Not of Works

By Ike T. Sidebottom

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even THE GOD of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death” (Psalm 68:19-20).

Hundreds of years after the psalmist was moved upon to pen these words, God gave the following story concerning a certain man of Jerusalem.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took He him up in his arms and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32)

By comparing the above quotations, we find that “our GOD is the GOD of salvation.” And that “the child Jesus” is declared to be the Lord’s “salvation, .... prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of God’s people Israel.”

Oftentimes people think of salvation as something they can earn. Some even feel that they are worthy of salvation by virtue of their natural birth; but such is not true. The fallacy of such reasoning is clearly seen in the following Scriptures.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; and being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7).

There are also those who insist upon putting themselves under the Mosaic Law, and try to be saved by working themselves into favor with God. Again, we call attention to the testimony of the written Word.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped (closed), and all the world may become guilty before God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are passed through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness that He might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Rom. 3:19-28)

Dear reader, if you count yourself among those who are of the works of the law, the Word declares that you are under the curse.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Gal. 3:10-12)

You must see, and believe, that:

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth upon a tree: that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ... The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” (Gal. 3:13-14, 21).

But what must you believe? You must believe the Word of God. For “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

If you are an unbeliever, your soul is condemned; for in the Word it is written:

“He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)

As an unbeliever, you are also now living under the wrath of God, because it is written again:

“He that believeth not on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

If you are now walking in “a way” which seems right unto you, you are walking in “the ways of death:” for it is also written:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).

If, in the light of these divine statements of fact, you now see yourself condemned, and living under the wrath of God, and walking in the ways of death, then the Holy Spirit is using His Word to work a work of grace in your heart. Without doubt, the Holy Spirit is speaking through His Word of truth to your heart, saying, through Paul:

“I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Yes, He died for Paul’s sins; He died for my sins; He died for your sins, and for the sins of all the world.

It is true that God hath made His Son, His perfect, spotless, sinless Son, “to be sin for us … that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). This was accomplished by Christ on the cross of Calvary.

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Pet. 2:24)

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust.” (1 Pet. 3:18)

If you will now hear and believe the above quotations from the Word of God; then God will give you the faith of His Son, and you will rejoice to own Him as your Saviour. Having received Him, even by believing on His name, He will impart unto you His own eternal life, and you will find yourself rejoicing in Christ:

“For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

[EMPHASIS ON EVANGELISM]

EMPHASIS ON EVANGELISM


"...to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery" Eph. 3:9a

by Oscar Woodall

A MOST TREACHEROUS DOCTRINE

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ"

Galatians 1:6-12.

In my 33 years of assurance of salvation, my foremost desire has been to be a part of observing lost souls being saved and saints being encouraged in their faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the doctrines proclaimed that brings most confusion to lost and saved people is the one that will agree in the inspiration and preservation of God*s infallible word regarding the doctrines of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ; his sinless life; his death, burial, and resurrection for the payment of our sins; his second coming to reign on earth; as well as other essential teachings of the faith; and then state that a person can be saved and subsequently lost. Having confessed these first positions, the one of eternal security (mentioned last) has a striking effect at the heart of the gospel of the grace of God.

A leading "Christian psychologist," broadcasting on many radio stations, openly admits that he believes a saved person can later be lost. He agrees with his party-line denomination that an individual can "will" to enter God*s family and then can "will" to get out of it. Do you think a person of this persuasion is a fellow believer in Christ? I would not! Why not? I know that NONE of my brothers or sisters in Christ are going to hell. Anyone who thinks they can get in and then back out of God*s family has one of two problems. Either they have not trusted in Christ and him alone, or they have been placed (or have placed themselves) under a law/performance system.

Our great comfort and task in training soldiers for spiritual warfare is the following assurances:

1. We cannot judge a man, however we can judge a message. "...The Lord knoweth them that are his..." 2 Tim. 2:19.

2. We should be suspiciously vigilant and anxiously concerned for others being deceived.

"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another her gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him" 2Cor 11:1-4.

So BEWARE! May each of us who are saved saints of the Most High God develop and increase the ministry of "CAREFRONTATION." Aggressive personal soul winning is the order for today for us as the ambassadors for Christ. Interesting and exciting war stories will follow, not classroom or theoretical events, but front-line experiences.


Mr. Woodall lives near Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Dorothy. He is the founder of Eternal Life Ministries, and is active in personal evangelism everywhere he goes. He ministers the Word of God regularly in jails and prisions.

Posted By Brother Love

  <))><

[How Excited Are You About Being Saved?]

How Excited Are You About Being Saved?

[Thanks Bern,]

Thanks Bern,  

[Israels history is for us to learn from. This is true]

Israels history is for us to learn from. This is true

[The Perfect Couple, still one of my FAVORITES]

The Perfect Couple, still one of my FAVORITES  

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty...
 

How Many Seeds

How many seeds have you sown, my friend? Have you put them in a heart

or thrown them to the wind?

O, be faithful to plant,

and water as you sow

Then your seeds will sprout, come forth, and grow!

[THIS I KNOW]

THIS I KNOW


I do not know what next may come,
Across my pilgrim way.
I do not know tomorrow’s road,
Nor see beyond today;
But this I know—My Saviour knows
The path I cannot see.
And I can trust His wonderful hand
To guide and care for me.

I do not know what may befall
Of sunshine or of rain,
I do not know what may be mine
Of pleasure or of pain;
But this I know—My Saviour knows
And whatsoever it be,
Still I can trust His love to give
What will be best for me.

I do not know what may await
Or what the morrow brings.
But with glad salute of faith
I hail its opening wings.
For this I know—that in my Lord
Shall all my needs be met.
And I can trust the heart of Him
Who has not failed me yet.


           —Author Unknown

[His is the promise and the blessing, now and forever!]

His is the promise and the blessing, now and forever!

[GRRRREAT Idea, I will try it next week.]

GRRRREAT Idea, I will try it next week.


Eve ate Adam, out of House & Home.

[GRACE WALK - Weekly Devotional]

GRACE WALK - Weekly Devotional


Join the Party!


Everybody likes a party! Parties are usually associated with the celebration of life in some way. A New Years party celebrates the start of a new year of life. A birthday party celebrates the length of ones life. An anniversary party celebrates the years of life a couple has enjoyed together. A graduation party celebrates the start of a new life. Parties are about living. Nobody likes a dead party, but everybody enjoys being around "the life of the party."

One of the most commonly used words in the New Testament referring to the relationship that exists between Christians has the connotation of a party. It is the word "koinonia", usually translated in the 1611 KJV as "fellowship." An accurate twentieth century translation could be the word party! God has sent his Son to pay the cost and sent the Holy Spirit to invite us to join the trinity in a supernatural party which will last for all eternity. Forever we will celebrate His life! Is your life characterized by an aura of celebrative joy? Jesus clearly said that He wants His joy to fill our lives (John 15:11). He said that on the night before He was crucified.

Several elements often characterize parties. Every party is filled with socializing. Singing, music and laughter usually set the mood of a party. It would seem really strange to attend a party where these things weren't prevalent. Acts 2:46 says the early church were enjoying meals together in each others homes with gladness. The believer should exemplify the spirit of gladness in this world. There are far too many whiners in the modern church. I'm not talking about sincere Christians sharing legitimate burdens. I'm talking about perpetual belly-achers who have a "woe is me" mentality every time you see them. Away with moaning and complaining. The tomb is empty, remember? We won!

Remember Jeremiah the weeping prophet? How's this song for the modern church whiners?

Jeremiah was a prophet, He is a good friend of mine, I don't remember a single word he said, But he sure taught me how to whine!

Away with whining forever! As those who share in the very nature of Christ (2 Peter 1:4), we should instead:

Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music of His grace!

(If you weren't a teen in the late sixties and early seventies, you won't know the tune, but you can still understand the message).

Another element sometimes found in worldly parties is drunkenness. It's the world's effort at trying to experience joy in life. On the day of Pentecost the observers of the early Christians "were mocking and saying, 'They are full of sweet wine' (Acts 2:13)". They were drunk all right , but not on wine. They were totally intoxicated with the life of Christ being expressed through them by the power of the Holy Spirit. They were "under the influence" of Christ's life and couldn't keep quite about Him. The reason that the evangelism of the early church was so effective is that these folks were celebrating the life they experienced in Jesus with unbridled, uninhibited joy! They understood that Christ is Life. That's the reason for saints of every age to celebrate! With that truth firmly in mind, let's party!

Steve McVey is the President of Grace Walk Ministries, a discipleship ministry located in Atlanta, GA. If you have been sent this devotional by a friend and want to know more about Grace Walk Ministries, visit our web site at www.gracewalk.org.


This devotional may be duplicated if printed with no changes in its entirety and with the following acknowledgment: “Copyright, 2004,used by permission. Steve McVey, Grace Walk Ministries, www.gracewalk.org ”



2 Tim 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a  workman  that needeth  not  to  be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.    

[ONLY 9 MORE DAYS]

ONLY 9 MORE DAYS

["We pursue God because,and only because, He has first put an urge within usthat spurs us to the pursuit."]

"We pursue God because,

and only because,

He has first put an urge within us

that spurs us to the pursuit."

      -- A. W. Tozer