What Must I Do To Be Saved?


 
When you take your last breath here on earth, are you sure that Heaven will be your Eternal Home? If you think you are Saved (Born Again), what do you base your Salvation on?

The following is what the Bible (God’s Word) says we must choose to do Before We Die for Heaven to be our Eternal Home.

John 3:3 (NIV) says “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’”

John 3:16 (NIV) says For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

To “believe” is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means that we must put our trust and confidence in Him and that He alone can save us. We must put Jesus in charge of both our present plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting His words as true and relying on Him for the power to change. If you have never trusted Jesus, let this promise of everlasting life be yours – and believe.

John 3:18 (NIV) says Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

People often try to protect themselves from their fears by putting their faith in something they do or have: good deeds, skill or intelligence, money or possessions. But only God can save us from the one thing that we really need to fear – eternal condemnation.

We believe in God by recognizing the insufficiency of our own efforts to find salvation and by asking God to do His work in us. When the Bible talks about unbelievers, it means those who reject or ignore Jesus completely, not those who have momentary doubts.

John 3:19-21 (NIV) says This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Many people don’t want their lives exposed to God’s light because they are afraid of what will be revealed and they don’t want to change. Don’t be surprised when these same people are threatened by your desire to obey God and do what is right, because they are afraid that the light in you may expose some of the darkness in their lives.

Rather than giving in to discouragement, keep praying that they will come to see how much better it is to live in light than in darkness.

John 14:6 (NIV) says Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

This is one of the most basic and important passages in Scripture.

Being part of a certain religion or denomination or joining a specific church cannot save you! Only Jesus can. Being saved (born again) is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the only way because He is both God and man. By uniting our lives with His, we are united to God. Trust Jesus to take you to the Father, and all the benefits of being God’s child will be yours.

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) says If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Have you ever asked “How do I become a Christian?” These verses give you the beautiful answer – salvation is as close as your own mouth and heart. People think that it must be a complicated process, but it is not!

If we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths that Jesus Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved.

IMPORTANT NOTE # 1: As human beings, even though we are saved, we may at times, commit a sin. When you commit a sin, confess it, repent and ask God to forgive you.

1 John 1:9 (NIV) says If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

We don’t need to confess the sins of our past all over again. But, we should confess any new sin so that we can enjoy maximum fellowship and joy with our Heavenly Father.

True confession also involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We wouldn’t be genuinely confessing our sins to God if we planned to commit them again and just wanted temporary forgiveness. We should also pray for strength to defeat temptation the next time we face it.

IMPORTANT NOTE # 2: Hell Is Filled With People Who Made The Wrong Choice!

If you are not saved, don’t procrastinate – choose Jesus today – tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us and it might be too late for you to make the right choice!

Right now, and from your heart (mean it), pray the following prayer:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

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Who And What You Are In Christ!



God created you and loves you. To Him, you are special and unique – one of a kind!

If you are a follower of Christ (a born again believer), According To The Word Of God (The Bible), the following is who and what you are (your true identity in Christ):

  • You are forgiven of all your sins;

  • You are eternally redeemed;

  • You are a new creation;

  • You are a saint;

  • You are a product of Calvary’s conquest;

  • You are born again of imperishable and incorruptible seed;

  • You are complete in Christ;

  • You are a child of God;

  • You are the apple of your Father’s eye;

  • You are one with the Lord;

  • You are the temple of the most high Holy Ghost;

  • You are seated with Christ in Heavenly Places;

  • You are dead to sin;

  • You are alive unto God;

  • You are free from guilt;

  • You are free from condemnation;

  • You are righteous, holy and blameless;

  • You are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might;

  • You are hidden with Christ in God;

  • You are loved with an everlasting love;

  • You are the head and not the tail;

  • You are blessed with all spiritual blessings;

  • You are a joint heir with Jesus Christ;

  • You are a competent minister of the covenant of God;

  • You are bonified and qualified;

  • You are chosen by God;

  • You are anointed;

  • You are God’s royal ambassador;

  • You are a missionary to a lost world;

  • You are a stranger to this world;

  • You are a citizen of Heaven;

  • You are not looking back;

  • You are pressing on the upward way;

  • You are destined to be completed in you what God has started and what God has promised;

  • You are a king and a priest of the most high God;

  • You are bold as a lion;

  • You are more than a conqueror;

  • You are a towering testimony of God’s incredible grace;

  • You are the salt of the earth;

  • You are the light of the world;

  • You are a city on a hill that can not be hidden;

  • You are a sweet savor of God’s grace and to those who are observing you;

  • You are a tree planted by the rivers of water;

  • You are a branch whose leaf will not wither;

  • You are a disciple whom Jesus loves;

  • You are a king’s kid destined to reign through Christ in God;

  • You are Heaven bound and assured of victory if you just stand fast.

Hallelujah – Ain’t God Good!

IMPORTANT: If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior and made Him Lord of your life and don’t know why or how, please see God’s Free Gift.  And, do it today - tomorrow might be too late!

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Rejoice Always, Pray Continually, And Give Thanks.



Thanksgiving Day is a day that our government has set aside as a national holiday and a day of thanks. But, as Christians, everyday should be a day of thanksgiving to God (and others)!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) says Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Obeying these three commands often goes against our natural inclinations.

Our joy, prayers and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. When we make a conscious decision to do God’s will, we will begin to see people in a new perspective and we will find it easier to be joyful, pray continually and give thanks.

We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully.

Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, and short prayers. A prayerful and thankful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer and giving thanks but should be an outgrowth of those times.

Be Thankful Even If You
Are In Difficult Circumstances.

The Bible does not teach that we should thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything. Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank Him for it. But when evil strikes, we can still be thankful for God’s presence and for the good that He will accomplish through our difficult circumstances.

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything!


Philippians 4:6 (NIV) says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Imagine never being “anxious about anything”! That seems like an impossibility because we all have worries on the job or business, in our homes, in our relationships and at school.

But the Bible advises us to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray, give your worries to God, let them go, and thank Him for taking care of them!

We Are God’s Representatives.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV) says “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Doing “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect of our life and daily living. As a Christian, we represent Christ at all times – wherever we go and whatever we we say or do.

What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you? Is your light shining brightly? If not, what changes should you make in your life in order to honor Christ?

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Learn 5 Keys For Successfully Resolving Conflicts.


By: Bill and Teddy Rogers

All of us have had or, if we live long enough, will have conflicts in our personal relationships. How we handle and resolve these conflicts is very important.

James 1:19 saysMy dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

Here are 5 keys needed to successfully resolve most of your conflicts.

KEY # 1: BE QUICK TO LISTEN

When we listen, we encourage the other person to talk. Listening also helps us to understand the other person and where they are coming from.

Many of us do not really listen like we should because we are defensive, we assume we already know what they are going to say next, or we're thinking about what we're going to say back to them.

During A Conflict, Here Is What You Should Do:

  • Listen not merely with your ears, but observe and listen with your eyes;
  • Focus on what the other person is saying, not what you are thinking;
  • Consider the meaning behind the words without jumping to conclusions.

Note: If you are not sure what you think they said, replay their statement back to them.


KEY # 2: BE SLOW TO SPEAK

God gave us two ears and one mouth. This may mean that we are to listen more and speak a whole lot less.

Here Are 4 Scriptures That Tell Us To Limit What We Say During A Conflict.

Proverbs 10:19 says “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

Proverbs 17:27 says “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”

Proverbs 21:23 says “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”

Ecclesiastes 5:3 says “For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”

KEY # 3: BE SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY

Ecclesiastes 7:9 says “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

Proverbs 16:32 says “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Ephesians 4:26 says “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”

Proverbs 29:22 says “An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.”

Remember, words spoken in anger are very difficult if not impossible to retract. Keep your words soft and sweet, you may have to eat them!

KEY # 4: BE LOVING AND KIND

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

You will never resolve any conflict by playing destructive games. Please don't ever do the following:

  • Blame the other person;
  • Think you know everything about the other person;
  • Insist that every detail be correct;
  • Rule by force – verbal or physical;
  • Compare the other person to someone else;
  • Act superior or “holier than thou”;
  • Bring up past conflicts that have nothing do do with the current conflict.

Key # 5: ATTEMPT TO SET THE

 STAGE BEFORE YOUR CONFLICT

  • Never have your conflict before eating a meal, going to church or a social event;
  • Never have your conflict when you or the other person are angry;
  • Have it in the right place when only the participants are involved ( never in front of children );
  • Stay in control of your tone of voice.

Obviously, there are exceptions to the above, but if you use these 5 Keys and use them wisely, you should be able to successfully resolve most of your conflicts.

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What Does The Holy Spirit Do
For The Born Again Believer?


 
The Holy Spirit possesses a dynamite-like power that works within a believer to blast out anything that is unlike God.

The Holy Spirit uses His power to break us so that He might transform our life. The more we get self out of the way and yield our will to His, the more He is able to pour Himself out through us to others, and the more He is able to transform our lives. We are merely the conduits, the channels through which God's power moves.

If we are open and receptive to the Holy Spirit, the following is what He can do for and through us:

  • He Intercedes On Our Behalf, Helps Us In Our Weaknesses, And Teaches Us How To Pray.

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV) says In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

  • He Searches Our Hearts.

Romans 8:27 (NIV) says And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

  • He Talks To And Through Us.

Matthew 10:20 (NIV) says for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

  • He Teaches Us All Things, Reminds Us Of Scripture And Guides Us Into Truth.

John 14:26 (NIV) says But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV) says these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

  • He Transforms Us Into A New Creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

  • He Gives Us His Fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) says But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

  • He Gives Us Gifts For Ministry.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NIV) says There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

  • He Gives Us Power To Live Godly Lives.

We may look the same on the outside, but inside we are a new creation, we are born again, with the Holy Spirit and His power.

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV) says I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Ephesians 3:16 (NIV) says I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) says Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

We can apply the benefits and power of the Spirit in our own lives, understanding what the Spirit does in our life.

  • He Gives Us Boldness To Witness.

Acts 1:8 (NIV) says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 4:29 (NIV) says Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

Acts 4:31 (NIV) says After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

NOTE: The salvation of souls is a supernatural work only made possible by the Holy Spirit’s power at work in the world.

  • He Gives Us Wisdom And Revelation.

Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV) says I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: For many of us, the potential which dwells within us, is never realized because we will not take God at His word.

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Symbols Of The Holy Spirit.



The work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is directly related to every reality of the believer’s experience. The believer’s sanctification, spiritual understanding, assurance, service, prayer, and worship all spring from the work of the Holy Spirit within.

Below Are 5 Scriptures That Give A Basic Understanding Of How The Holy Spirit Works In The Life Of A Believer.

John 14:26-27 (KJV) says But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 16:8 (KJV) says And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

Romans 8:26 (KJV) says Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) says But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

The Following Are The Symbols And A Few Of The Scriptures Used In The Bible That Represent The Holy Spirit.

1. DOVE

Matthew 3:16 (KJV) says And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.”

2. FIRE

Exodus 3:2 (KJV) says And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”

Acts 2:3 (KJV) says And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

3. WIND

Acts 2:2 (KJV) says And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”

4. OIL

Psalm 45:7 (KJV) says Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

Acts 10:38 (KJV) saysHow God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Hebrews 1:9 (KJV) says Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

5. WATER

John 4:14 (KJV) says But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 7:37-39 (KJV) says In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”

6. A SEAL

John 6:27 (KJV) says Labour 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.”

2 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV) says Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

Ephesians 1:13 (KJV) says In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

Ephesians 4:30 (KJV) says And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

7. A VOICE

Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) says And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

Matthew 10:20 (KJV) says For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

John 16:13 (KJV) says Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

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