Take the time to look up Psalm 40 today and read it through a few times slowly - and consider how worship naturally includes verbal declaration.
We discussed this just last week at church that over and over when you read of God doing something in, around, or through you, the appropriate response always includes a verbal declaration.
Here are just a few verses (read the whole psalm for yourself) and consider how many times the psalmist mentions that he must verbally respond to God.
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God... 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. ... 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.... 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"
Look again at how his worship causes him to verbally talk with God and pour out his heart.
The right response for all God has done for us includes lives of holiness and lips that forever give Him praise, and tell others of Him.
On this Sunday take some time to verbally give Him praise, not just to Him, but to others.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
What is "the gospel" or the good news?
Jesus Christ died and rose again to make a way for you to come to God...
#1 ADMIT IT… You are a sinner
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
Sin is our failing to perfectly live up to the perfect standard of God. If we all tried to throw a rock to the North-Pole, some of us would get closer than others, but we’d all fall short. No one gets into heaven by being good enough.
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
#2 The Wages (or penalty) for your sin is death
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27) For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)
All of us, 100% , will die someday. Everyone will someday die and stand before a holy God to be judged, and sentenced, to one of two places for eternity. Everyone failing to be perfect (according to God’s standard—not ours) will miss heaven and be sentenced to a place apart from Him to a prison (called hell) where we face a death sentence of dying forever.
#3 THE BAD NEWS is You can’t save yourself
...All our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
The bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
The best we have to offer doesn’t earn us a place in heaven, we just aren’t good enough. Imagine someone telling a judge who sentenced you to prison, that although you broke the law, you did some good things too. A good judge would have to say that although you had done good works, that He as a good judge, must sentence people who broke the law. (We have all broken God’s moral law of the 10 commandments, many times, each offense deserving the death.)
#4 THE GOOD NEWS is God made a way to save you through Jesus Christ
God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18)
Imagine you had cancer, but a new procedure will let you transplant your cancer cells for Jesus’ healthy ones. Jesus made a way to take your cancer cells and the death they bring (cells called sins) and deposited His right cells (His righteousness) on your behalf (when you accept Him). The transplant means He had to die for you to get a new (eternal) life spent in heaven.
If while sentenced to prison, having no way to “bail yourself out”, someone paid your fine, justice could be served and you could still go free. That’s what Jesus did at the cross, paid your fine so you could go free, but you must accept His gift, or choose punishment.
#5 How do you claim your free gift of salvation?
The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ... “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11)
To believe (or to have faith - trusting alone in Jesus to save you) requires action. The step of faith (or trust) God requires is “repentance”. To repent means to turn from our sin and live for God. If while drowning in the ocean, the coast guard threw a lifeline, belief alone is not enough. To be saved you must act, reach out, and grab it. Repenting is giving up everything else to grab hold of God.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14;6)
Are you ready to accept Jesus on His terms? If so repent and give Him control of your life. You can pray something like this - Dear God, please forgive my every sin (name them). I believe Jesus died and rose again to save me, thank you for the promise of heaven, I give you control of my life.
Please call us at 907-235-2609, or leave a comment here and we will rejoice with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
#1 ADMIT IT… You are a sinner
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
Sin is our failing to perfectly live up to the perfect standard of God. If we all tried to throw a rock to the North-Pole, some of us would get closer than others, but we’d all fall short. No one gets into heaven by being good enough.
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
#2 The Wages (or penalty) for your sin is death
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27) For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)
All of us, 100% , will die someday. Everyone will someday die and stand before a holy God to be judged, and sentenced, to one of two places for eternity. Everyone failing to be perfect (according to God’s standard—not ours) will miss heaven and be sentenced to a place apart from Him to a prison (called hell) where we face a death sentence of dying forever.
#3 THE BAD NEWS is You can’t save yourself
...All our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
The bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
The best we have to offer doesn’t earn us a place in heaven, we just aren’t good enough. Imagine someone telling a judge who sentenced you to prison, that although you broke the law, you did some good things too. A good judge would have to say that although you had done good works, that He as a good judge, must sentence people who broke the law. (We have all broken God’s moral law of the 10 commandments, many times, each offense deserving the death.)
#4 THE GOOD NEWS is God made a way to save you through Jesus Christ
God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18)
Imagine you had cancer, but a new procedure will let you transplant your cancer cells for Jesus’ healthy ones. Jesus made a way to take your cancer cells and the death they bring (cells called sins) and deposited His right cells (His righteousness) on your behalf (when you accept Him). The transplant means He had to die for you to get a new (eternal) life spent in heaven.
If while sentenced to prison, having no way to “bail yourself out”, someone paid your fine, justice could be served and you could still go free. That’s what Jesus did at the cross, paid your fine so you could go free, but you must accept His gift, or choose punishment.
#5 How do you claim your free gift of salvation?
The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ... “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11)
To believe (or to have faith - trusting alone in Jesus to save you) requires action. The step of faith (or trust) God requires is “repentance”. To repent means to turn from our sin and live for God. If while drowning in the ocean, the coast guard threw a lifeline, belief alone is not enough. To be saved you must act, reach out, and grab it. Repenting is giving up everything else to grab hold of God.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14;6)
Are you ready to accept Jesus on His terms? If so repent and give Him control of your life. You can pray something like this - Dear God, please forgive my every sin (name them). I believe Jesus died and rose again to save me, thank you for the promise of heaven, I give you control of my life.
Please call us at 907-235-2609, or leave a comment here and we will rejoice with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Salvation Army purpose - straight and to the point
The great fact remains that, unless we are saving sinners, our very existence as an Army is not justified. — Catherine Bramwell-Booth
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A great FREE resource - Radio Worship
I said I'd pass this website on to a few of you, so here it is.
This web-site "Radio Worship Network" plays great Christian music of every genre from your computer - you just have to be on-line.
Give it a try and trade time wasted on "worldly" and the non-glorifying music for some good music and lyrics that will honor our Lord and help us stay "on mission".
http://radioworship.net/
General William Booth said, "Why should the devil have all the good music".
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This web-site "Radio Worship Network" plays great Christian music of every genre from your computer - you just have to be on-line.
Give it a try and trade time wasted on "worldly" and the non-glorifying music for some good music and lyrics that will honor our Lord and help us stay "on mission".
http://radioworship.net/
General William Booth said, "Why should the devil have all the good music".
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Just GO FISHING
Hello soldiers, friends, family, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just taking a moment to praise God for a fantastic day yesterday. Our C.S.M. (Corps Sargent Major - or our held elder) took our Divisional commander (the head of the Salvation Army in Alaska, his son, and myself out for a day of fishing. It was just a glorious day. God provided fantastic weather, great fishing, a smooth ocean, and the beauty of His creation. It is such a privilege to spend time with fellow brothers in Christ, share scriptures and testimonies, and enjoy time in God's presence. Thank you Lord for your provision.
Needless to say, 8 halibut and countless cod later, we came in and broke bread together around the table with our 3 families.
I thank God for true friends and fellow workers in our Salvation Army mission to be fishers of men.
Please pray that we will take full advantage of our opportunities this week to be fishers of men.
Fishers of fish catch the living and they end up dead. Fishers of men catch those that are dying and they find eternal life.
Go do some fishing for souls today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just taking a moment to praise God for a fantastic day yesterday. Our C.S.M. (Corps Sargent Major - or our held elder) took our Divisional commander (the head of the Salvation Army in Alaska, his son, and myself out for a day of fishing. It was just a glorious day. God provided fantastic weather, great fishing, a smooth ocean, and the beauty of His creation. It is such a privilege to spend time with fellow brothers in Christ, share scriptures and testimonies, and enjoy time in God's presence. Thank you Lord for your provision.
Needless to say, 8 halibut and countless cod later, we came in and broke bread together around the table with our 3 families.
I thank God for true friends and fellow workers in our Salvation Army mission to be fishers of men.
Please pray that we will take full advantage of our opportunities this week to be fishers of men.
Fishers of fish catch the living and they end up dead. Fishers of men catch those that are dying and they find eternal life.
Go do some fishing for souls today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Humble yourself before the Lord
Today's message was by Major Doug Tollerud, the Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Alaska.
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
What a great time with God last Sunday!
Dear soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
I hope that you experience the moving of God's Holy Spirit like we did just last week. (I'm writing this before today - so I trust we will encounter Him again this morning.)
Last week after a fantastic time of studying holiness and the privilege of all believers to be set free from slavery to sin, to be love slaves to our Savior leading to righteousness - we then moved into the holiness meeting. During worship the Holy Spirit moved people to pray aloud proclamations of the goodness of Jesus, their repentance, and their gratitude for Jesus giving His life so that we can have a relationship with Him that saves us from sin and hell, for holiness and heaven.
We have had students graduate grade levels this week in public school and "finish well". Some of our young people will be entering High School next year, and others moving onto middle school and Jr. High. My Wednesday night declaration was that I expected that they would win every student in their school to Jesus before they graduated.
I have a 14 year old young lady going through soldiership class acknowledging that her heart breaks knowing some of her fellow school mates are headed for hell, and she had righteous anger over other "self-proclaimed" believers who "do nothing" to verbally share their faith.
God is moving here in Homer - praise God. We plan to do some street witnessing on Wednesday (a cruise ship is coming in, so we expect to share with visitors - and plant seeds that will spread out in a pentecostal fashion when they all return home).
We have divisional leaders joining us on this Sunday - pray with us that God will use their visit to allow us to mutually inspire one another and spur one another on to greater accomplishments for our King of Kings.
God bless your Sunday - take time to worship Him today.
As always if anyone reading this isn't 100% sure you would go to heaven if you died tonight - send me a comment or email - I'd love to share with you the truth about what Jesus did to save you from hell and sinful living - to a life of peace and power.
Live holy, preach Jesus.
I hope that you experience the moving of God's Holy Spirit like we did just last week. (I'm writing this before today - so I trust we will encounter Him again this morning.)
Last week after a fantastic time of studying holiness and the privilege of all believers to be set free from slavery to sin, to be love slaves to our Savior leading to righteousness - we then moved into the holiness meeting. During worship the Holy Spirit moved people to pray aloud proclamations of the goodness of Jesus, their repentance, and their gratitude for Jesus giving His life so that we can have a relationship with Him that saves us from sin and hell, for holiness and heaven.
We have had students graduate grade levels this week in public school and "finish well". Some of our young people will be entering High School next year, and others moving onto middle school and Jr. High. My Wednesday night declaration was that I expected that they would win every student in their school to Jesus before they graduated.
I have a 14 year old young lady going through soldiership class acknowledging that her heart breaks knowing some of her fellow school mates are headed for hell, and she had righteous anger over other "self-proclaimed" believers who "do nothing" to verbally share their faith.
God is moving here in Homer - praise God. We plan to do some street witnessing on Wednesday (a cruise ship is coming in, so we expect to share with visitors - and plant seeds that will spread out in a pentecostal fashion when they all return home).
We have divisional leaders joining us on this Sunday - pray with us that God will use their visit to allow us to mutually inspire one another and spur one another on to greater accomplishments for our King of Kings.
God bless your Sunday - take time to worship Him today.
As always if anyone reading this isn't 100% sure you would go to heaven if you died tonight - send me a comment or email - I'd love to share with you the truth about what Jesus did to save you from hell and sinful living - to a life of peace and power.
Live holy, preach Jesus.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Evangelism Quotes
One of England’s greatest preachers, W. E. Sangster, in Let Me Command, said, “The easiest way to embarrass a congregation of twentieth century Christians is to ask them two simple questions. ‘When is the last time you personally led another person to Jesus Christ?’ and ‘When is the last time you tried?’”
"Lord grant that the FIRE of my heart may melt the lead in my feet." - Unknown
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"Lord grant that the FIRE of my heart may melt the lead in my feet." - Unknown
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Evangelism Quotes
"Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you 'go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin." Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there." - William Booth
We can’t all witness the same way, but we can all witness some way.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
We can’t all witness the same way, but we can all witness some way.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What if? An article by Kim Josephson
What if it's true? What if there really is a hell? (Matt 10:28) What if that place is a place of eternal torment? (Rev are not figurative but are literal flames (Luke 16:24) that actually burn and torture everyone in them? (Matt 13:41,42) What if the smoke of those torments goes up eternally? (Rev 14:10,11) What if it's a place of eternal darkness? (Matt 25:30) What if you fall forever and ever in a bottomless pit? (Rev 9:2) What if as you are totally cut off from God (Matt 7:23) you are totally cut off from every other human form? What if you are lost forever, burning in physical torment but also burning in lust that will never ever be satisfied? (Luke 16:24,25)
What if the day comes when the Son of God takes His place on a great white throne and sits in judgment on every individual that has ever lived? (Rev 20:11, Eccl 12:14) What if He separates the sheep from the goats? (Matt 25:32) His friends on the right and the hypocrites on the left? (Matt 25:33) What if He actually condemns all those on His left to the Hell fire prepared for the devil and the fallen angels who dared to defy God? (Matt 25:41) What if this place is a place where the only sound you hear is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? (Matt 13:50) What if there is nothing that can stop the eternal roar of the screams? What if it really is everlasting fire? (Mark 9:45) What if that fact alone is the greatest torment of all?
What if it's true that your memory will be keener than at any time on this earth? (Luke 16:25) What if for time and eternity you remember every time the Holy Spirit begged you to repent (Rev 3:20) and you loathe yourself for rejecting Him?
What if in this place you realize that you were ashamed to say yes to God because you were afraid of what your friends would think? (Matt 10:33) What do you think you will think of those friends then? While you grieved away the Spirit of God (Gen 6:3) to appease your pride, how will you stop the hellish ringing in your ears that cries "You Fool - you fool - you fool." You won't be remembering the good times you had in sin. No sir, part of your hell will be remembering how you couldn't be bothered with Jesus, how you had no time for God on earth (Prov 1:24) - but now you have time. You have eternity and now when God won't hear - (Prov 1:26) all you do is pray - Oh God - Oh God - Oh God have mercy. But He doesn't hear and he won't have mercy? (Prov 1:28) Your every thought will be on how you rejected the mercy of God. (Rom 2:4-6) Your every remembrance will be of those who wept over your soul (Ps 126:6) - that mother who prayed for you (Prov 10:1) - that friend, that son, that daughter who begged you to repent and surrender to Christ but you would not! You'll remember every detour that God put up on your road to hell and how you kept on running through the road- blocks to your own destruction. You'll remember laughing with your friends at the things of God (Prov 14:9) and then you'll curse yourself and them because of what has happened to you.
You'll remember how you drank what you pleased - when you pleased but now you'll beg for just one drop of water to quench your burning tongue (Luke 16:24) but you'll never know a moments reprieve. Every blasphemous utterance that ever came out of your mouth will haunt you now - those jokes about seeing all your friends in hell and having a big party will make you loathe yourself and your friends for the sheer stupidity of it. (Prov 14:9) There will be no music - no rock and roll - no friends - no party - only weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What if it's true? What if now you are in a place that God has ordained for the refuse of His universe? (Matt 13:41) What if you're there and you thought you'd be in heaven? (Matt 7:21) What if you allowed some preacher to soft pedal God's truths (Jer 6:14) and somehow you didn't take care of your own salvation? (Phil 2:12) What if some denomination taught you that if you just went to church and took communion you'd be OK? (Luke 13:25-28) What if you bought into the humanistic lie that said "I'm OK and you're OK" when really neither one of us was OK (Ps 14:3) and what we both desperately needed was a Savior? (Rom 3:23) What if you simply didn't believe what Jesus said (Matt 7:21) and you actually thought that you could get to heaven by being "good" or just some other way than what He said? Do you think it will make the flames cooler?
What if its true? What if Jesus really meant it when He said "Not everyone who sayeth unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father"? (Matt 7:21) What if it's not a matter of a prayer that accepts "Jesus Christ as your personal savior" but it actually requires a bowing of your knee to Jesus Christ as your Lord? What if you really have to take up your cross and follow Him? (Luke 14:27) What if you have to repent of your sins (Luke 13:3) and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34) with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength? (Mark 12:30) What if you must be born again by the Spirit of God? (John 3:7) What if you actually have to abdicate the throne of your heart and give the kingship of your life to Jesus? (Luke 6:46) What if you couldn't be ashamed of Jesus and make heaven your eternal home? (Matt 10:33)
Well, the fact is that's the way it is. Many are deceived because in our generation preachers have twisted the scriptures to accommodate their denominational doctrines. Today preachers preach what people want to hear. (2 Tim 4:3) But that's not what Jesus did. He is the one who told us about an eternal fiery hell and He also told us how to avoid it. It would seem to me that nothing would be more important than missing such a place and taking as many as we can out of it too! In fact such truth should rally the church into action as never before. We should herald the truth unceasingly and pray for a mighty move of the Spirit to turn men's hearts from sin and to the Savior. But instead, I'm afraid these truths have been so long neglected and so watered down that many have been deceived and will be eternally damned because they believed not what Jesus actually said but what somebody said He said. (Jer 23:22)
Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Do you consistently say no to your will when it conflicts with the Word of God? Are you saying yes to God and no to your lusts, not only with your mouth but with your actions? Have you turned from sin? Are you following Jesus? If not then in Jesus' name don't pretend to think you're saved. (1 Cor 6:9,10) If you are your own Lord - your own King - your own Boss, then Jesus is not your Lord nor your Savior and you will be damned. (Luke 6:46) Let no man deceive you. If you do not repent and surrender to Jesus you will split hell wide open. In Jesus' name repent and surrender now. Put down this letter and beg for the mercy of God this instant.
Now, you say you've made Jesus your Master - then act like it. (1 John 2:6) You know that everything I've written in this letter is the truth, so stop messing around and begin to do the job Christ gave us to do. Reach the unreached. Tell the untold. Don't send money to get the job done. Do your job!!! Warn the wicked of the wrath to come. (Matt 3:7) Jesus said go and tell every creature. (Mark 16:15) So you go and you tell. Simple isn't it - no excuses - Just do it!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
What if the day comes when the Son of God takes His place on a great white throne and sits in judgment on every individual that has ever lived? (Rev 20:11, Eccl 12:14) What if He separates the sheep from the goats? (Matt 25:32) His friends on the right and the hypocrites on the left? (Matt 25:33) What if He actually condemns all those on His left to the Hell fire prepared for the devil and the fallen angels who dared to defy God? (Matt 25:41) What if this place is a place where the only sound you hear is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? (Matt 13:50) What if there is nothing that can stop the eternal roar of the screams? What if it really is everlasting fire? (Mark 9:45) What if that fact alone is the greatest torment of all?
What if it's true that your memory will be keener than at any time on this earth? (Luke 16:25) What if for time and eternity you remember every time the Holy Spirit begged you to repent (Rev 3:20) and you loathe yourself for rejecting Him?
What if in this place you realize that you were ashamed to say yes to God because you were afraid of what your friends would think? (Matt 10:33) What do you think you will think of those friends then? While you grieved away the Spirit of God (Gen 6:3) to appease your pride, how will you stop the hellish ringing in your ears that cries "You Fool - you fool - you fool." You won't be remembering the good times you had in sin. No sir, part of your hell will be remembering how you couldn't be bothered with Jesus, how you had no time for God on earth (Prov 1:24) - but now you have time. You have eternity and now when God won't hear - (Prov 1:26) all you do is pray - Oh God - Oh God - Oh God have mercy. But He doesn't hear and he won't have mercy? (Prov 1:28) Your every thought will be on how you rejected the mercy of God. (Rom 2:4-6) Your every remembrance will be of those who wept over your soul (Ps 126:6) - that mother who prayed for you (Prov 10:1) - that friend, that son, that daughter who begged you to repent and surrender to Christ but you would not! You'll remember every detour that God put up on your road to hell and how you kept on running through the road- blocks to your own destruction. You'll remember laughing with your friends at the things of God (Prov 14:9) and then you'll curse yourself and them because of what has happened to you.
You'll remember how you drank what you pleased - when you pleased but now you'll beg for just one drop of water to quench your burning tongue (Luke 16:24) but you'll never know a moments reprieve. Every blasphemous utterance that ever came out of your mouth will haunt you now - those jokes about seeing all your friends in hell and having a big party will make you loathe yourself and your friends for the sheer stupidity of it. (Prov 14:9) There will be no music - no rock and roll - no friends - no party - only weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What if it's true? What if now you are in a place that God has ordained for the refuse of His universe? (Matt 13:41) What if you're there and you thought you'd be in heaven? (Matt 7:21) What if you allowed some preacher to soft pedal God's truths (Jer 6:14) and somehow you didn't take care of your own salvation? (Phil 2:12) What if some denomination taught you that if you just went to church and took communion you'd be OK? (Luke 13:25-28) What if you bought into the humanistic lie that said "I'm OK and you're OK" when really neither one of us was OK (Ps 14:3) and what we both desperately needed was a Savior? (Rom 3:23) What if you simply didn't believe what Jesus said (Matt 7:21) and you actually thought that you could get to heaven by being "good" or just some other way than what He said? Do you think it will make the flames cooler?
What if its true? What if Jesus really meant it when He said "Not everyone who sayeth unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father"? (Matt 7:21) What if it's not a matter of a prayer that accepts "Jesus Christ as your personal savior" but it actually requires a bowing of your knee to Jesus Christ as your Lord? What if you really have to take up your cross and follow Him? (Luke 14:27) What if you have to repent of your sins (Luke 13:3) and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34) with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength? (Mark 12:30) What if you must be born again by the Spirit of God? (John 3:7) What if you actually have to abdicate the throne of your heart and give the kingship of your life to Jesus? (Luke 6:46) What if you couldn't be ashamed of Jesus and make heaven your eternal home? (Matt 10:33)
Well, the fact is that's the way it is. Many are deceived because in our generation preachers have twisted the scriptures to accommodate their denominational doctrines. Today preachers preach what people want to hear. (2 Tim 4:3) But that's not what Jesus did. He is the one who told us about an eternal fiery hell and He also told us how to avoid it. It would seem to me that nothing would be more important than missing such a place and taking as many as we can out of it too! In fact such truth should rally the church into action as never before. We should herald the truth unceasingly and pray for a mighty move of the Spirit to turn men's hearts from sin and to the Savior. But instead, I'm afraid these truths have been so long neglected and so watered down that many have been deceived and will be eternally damned because they believed not what Jesus actually said but what somebody said He said. (Jer 23:22)
Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Do you consistently say no to your will when it conflicts with the Word of God? Are you saying yes to God and no to your lusts, not only with your mouth but with your actions? Have you turned from sin? Are you following Jesus? If not then in Jesus' name don't pretend to think you're saved. (1 Cor 6:9,10) If you are your own Lord - your own King - your own Boss, then Jesus is not your Lord nor your Savior and you will be damned. (Luke 6:46) Let no man deceive you. If you do not repent and surrender to Jesus you will split hell wide open. In Jesus' name repent and surrender now. Put down this letter and beg for the mercy of God this instant.
Now, you say you've made Jesus your Master - then act like it. (1 John 2:6) You know that everything I've written in this letter is the truth, so stop messing around and begin to do the job Christ gave us to do. Reach the unreached. Tell the untold. Don't send money to get the job done. Do your job!!! Warn the wicked of the wrath to come. (Matt 3:7) Jesus said go and tell every creature. (Mark 16:15) So you go and you tell. Simple isn't it - no excuses - Just do it!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Captain's meditation on Speaking UP verses
Proverbs 14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, ...
Leviticus 5:1 " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
1 Thessalonians 2:2... with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes
Let's be honest, speak up, dare to tell His gospel, and don't be ashamed.
Without a relationship with Jesus people will be eternally separated from God in eternal torment. With a personal relationship with Jesus people will spend eternity with our Savior in His presence, which is Paradise.
What are you waiting for - SOLDIER UP - SHARE YOUR FAITH - SPREAD THE GOSPEL.
Live holy, Preach Jesus.
Leviticus 5:1 " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
1 Thessalonians 2:2... with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes
Let's be honest, speak up, dare to tell His gospel, and don't be ashamed.
Without a relationship with Jesus people will be eternally separated from God in eternal torment. With a personal relationship with Jesus people will spend eternity with our Savior in His presence, which is Paradise.
What are you waiting for - SOLDIER UP - SHARE YOUR FAITH - SPREAD THE GOSPEL.
Live holy, Preach Jesus.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Balaam 1 - God can use anyone and anything
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A day for prayer and rest
A blessed Sunday to you.
In between "doing ministry" and "doing ministry" Mark 1:35-36 tells us...Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Maybe you are tired from being busy about the Lord's work, or maybe you are just tired of everyone on the planet needing your attention, phone, cell phone, instant message, text, email, on, and on... everyone is looking for you.
Jesus knew that the only way to stay properly connected to The Father, and empowered by His Spirit, was to intentionally be alone with God in prayer.
The world can survive without you for a while, get yourself to a solitary place and spend some time in prayer today.
By the way, after you have allowed God to recharge you, remember that there is a world that needs you, go to tell them of the Savior. Recharge in private, then be spent doing the work of telling the world about Jesus.
Note: As always if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, who lived, sacrificially died in your place, and rose from the dead, then repent of your sins (confess and turn from them), have faith in Jesus alone (faith is simply placing your full trust solely in Him), and receive Him by faith today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
In between "doing ministry" and "doing ministry" Mark 1:35-36 tells us...Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Maybe you are tired from being busy about the Lord's work, or maybe you are just tired of everyone on the planet needing your attention, phone, cell phone, instant message, text, email, on, and on... everyone is looking for you.
Jesus knew that the only way to stay properly connected to The Father, and empowered by His Spirit, was to intentionally be alone with God in prayer.
The world can survive without you for a while, get yourself to a solitary place and spend some time in prayer today.
By the way, after you have allowed God to recharge you, remember that there is a world that needs you, go to tell them of the Savior. Recharge in private, then be spent doing the work of telling the world about Jesus.
Note: As always if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, who lived, sacrificially died in your place, and rose from the dead, then repent of your sins (confess and turn from them), have faith in Jesus alone (faith is simply placing your full trust solely in Him), and receive Him by faith today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
3 SPURGEON quotes on evangelism
The most terrible warning to impenitent men in all the world is the death of Christ. For if God spared not His only Son, on whom was only laid imputed sin, will He spare sinners whose sins are their own?
I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unpick all the mysteries of the divine Word, for salvation is the one thing we are to live for.
If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unpick all the mysteries of the divine Word, for salvation is the one thing we are to live for.
If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
3 Salvation Army Evangelism Quotes...
The Army’s objective has not altered. Its call is to save. Its tactics and maneuvers may change, but they must always aim without compromise directly at undermining the Devil’s kingdom by aggressive means. — Florence Booth
If you cannot go to the rescue one way, go another. — William Booth
How many compassionate tears does this perishing world get from you? — William Booth
Live holy, preach Jesus!
If you cannot go to the rescue one way, go another. — William Booth
How many compassionate tears does this perishing world get from you? — William Booth
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A simple but powerful prayer request
I don't normally do this, but check out this prayer request left behind at the corps (church) on Sunday by one of our young people.
"Help me do what God asks me - the first time - and without hesitation."
Sounds like a prayer that God wants to answer for all of us. Lord make that all of our prayers today.
How about this scripture to back it up...
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Now check it out in the amplified translation: Confess to one another therefore your faults - your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins - and pray also for one another, that you may be healed and restored to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. The earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available -dynamic in its working.
Do what God asks, the first time, without hesitation today!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"Help me do what God asks me - the first time - and without hesitation."
Sounds like a prayer that God wants to answer for all of us. Lord make that all of our prayers today.
How about this scripture to back it up...
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Now check it out in the amplified translation: Confess to one another therefore your faults - your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins - and pray also for one another, that you may be healed and restored to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. The earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available -dynamic in its working.
Do what God asks, the first time, without hesitation today!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Captain's meditation on "the look of Jesus"
This thought is not complete in my heart and mind yet, but I have had the thought of "being watched by Christ" on my mind while pondering these scriptures.
As soon as the disciple Andrew met Jesus he took his brother Simon to meet Jesus also and we read... John 1:42 And he (Andrew) brought him (Simon) to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
After Jesus arrest Peter followed at a distance and we read these words in Luke 22:54-62 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus loves us so much that He constantly has His eye on us, not as a mean and condemning God, but as one who loves us so much that whether we are accepting a call to follow, or denying Him in public, He is watching over us. Of course our actions will invite a blessing or a curse, and we will choose life and death, by our conduct - no matter what Jesus is watching and with love wants to see us choose to Honor Him.
Today you will choose to follow closely after Him and proclaim His message, or you will follow at a distance, as one of the crowd, and deny Him with your words or actions.
Choose this day if you will bring Glory to Him or grieve His heart. Either way He is watching.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
As soon as the disciple Andrew met Jesus he took his brother Simon to meet Jesus also and we read... John 1:42 And he (Andrew) brought him (Simon) to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
After Jesus arrest Peter followed at a distance and we read these words in Luke 22:54-62 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus loves us so much that He constantly has His eye on us, not as a mean and condemning God, but as one who loves us so much that whether we are accepting a call to follow, or denying Him in public, He is watching over us. Of course our actions will invite a blessing or a curse, and we will choose life and death, by our conduct - no matter what Jesus is watching and with love wants to see us choose to Honor Him.
Today you will choose to follow closely after Him and proclaim His message, or you will follow at a distance, as one of the crowd, and deny Him with your words or actions.
Choose this day if you will bring Glory to Him or grieve His heart. Either way He is watching.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday's sermon- Relationship NOT religion
Captain Tim Carr brings today's message....
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!Live holy, preach Jesus!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Special prayer request
I just had a Corps member (church member) call and specifically ask that we add someone she knows to the blog as a prayer request. This woman has had a back problem for some time, and it causes her terrible pain. She can have surgery, but they have told her there would be a 98% chance that she would be paralyzed from the waist down. Our Corps member said it broke her heart so she would begin praying for this woman she met, she then called right back to say she wanted to rephrase her comment, "not that it broke her heart, but that it broke God's heart" to see this woman in such pain.
God does care about each of our every hurt and needs, so agree with me in prayer that God would not only touch this woman physically and provide by any means He would choose, from surgery to a supernatural healing right this very second, but even more that He would use this opportunity to show His love to a woman in need that their relationship would become all God wants it to be.
Lord we pray for a touch of you in this woman's life, and further opportunities to see her come to know you in a new and more full way.
Live holy, preach Jesus... & always be in prayer.
God does care about each of our every hurt and needs, so agree with me in prayer that God would not only touch this woman physically and provide by any means He would choose, from surgery to a supernatural healing right this very second, but even more that He would use this opportunity to show His love to a woman in need that their relationship would become all God wants it to be.
Lord we pray for a touch of you in this woman's life, and further opportunities to see her come to know you in a new and more full way.
Live holy, preach Jesus... & always be in prayer.
Marching Orders & Mother's Day
Hello Soldiers, followers of Jesus, friends, and family,
3 notes today....
1. "Marching Orders" came out Friday and we have been given orders to remain in charge of the Homer Corps another year. God is Good! We are believing God that this will be a year of growth like none this corps has seen before.
2. Today is "Mother's Day" so honor those who birthed you, raised you, or were a "spiritual mother" to you in some way. Call, write, or email them a letter of thank you and encouragement today. Ladies, if you have children of your own - train them up to love and serve the Lord and to lead others to Jesus. If you don't have any kids of your own - adopt a corps (church) kid, or a neighbor, or some young one you can influence for Jesus today.
3. A scripture thought for today. We read in scripture that Jesus was teaching and the following occured in Luke 11:27-28 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He (Jesus) replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Not to take anything away from the blessed position of Mary who was chosen to be an instrument for God to use in bringing God's Son to physical life on earth, but Jesus reminds us that it is just as blessed to be one who hears God's Word and who obeys it, for they too become an equally important vessel for God to use, and to show Himself to the world even still today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
3 notes today....
1. "Marching Orders" came out Friday and we have been given orders to remain in charge of the Homer Corps another year. God is Good! We are believing God that this will be a year of growth like none this corps has seen before.
2. Today is "Mother's Day" so honor those who birthed you, raised you, or were a "spiritual mother" to you in some way. Call, write, or email them a letter of thank you and encouragement today. Ladies, if you have children of your own - train them up to love and serve the Lord and to lead others to Jesus. If you don't have any kids of your own - adopt a corps (church) kid, or a neighbor, or some young one you can influence for Jesus today.
3. A scripture thought for today. We read in scripture that Jesus was teaching and the following occured in Luke 11:27-28 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He (Jesus) replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Not to take anything away from the blessed position of Mary who was chosen to be an instrument for God to use in bringing God's Son to physical life on earth, but Jesus reminds us that it is just as blessed to be one who hears God's Word and who obeys it, for they too become an equally important vessel for God to use, and to show Himself to the world even still today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
A week of quotes - Quote of the day
“The way to stimulate and provoke others unto good works is to strive to outrun them in the race. The way to rebuke the cold and indifferent is to be always full of zeal and ‘abounding in the work of the Lord’ yourself. Men will be much more ready to answer a call to come up to your level, than a command to advance beyond you.”
"The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness."
- Record of Christian Work, May 1909
"The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness."
- A. W. Pink
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
A week of quotes - Quote of the day
“The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came...Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.”
- R. A. Torrey
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A week of quotes - Quote of the day
“The chief danger of the Church today is that it is trying to get on the same side as the world, instead of turning the world upside down. Our Master expects us to accomplish results, even if they bring opposition and conflict. Anything is better than compromise, apathy, and paralysis. God give to us an intense cry for the old-time power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost!”
-A. B. Simpson
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
A week of quotes - Quote of the day
"As I was walking in the fields, the thought came over me with almost overwhelming power, that every one of my flock must soon be in heaven or hell. Oh how I wished that I had a tongue like thunder, that I might make all hear; or that I had a frame like iron, that I might visit every one and say, 'Escape for thy life! Ah sinner! You little know how I fear that you will lay the blame of your damnation at my door."
- Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday's sermon, "Are you ready for marching orders?"
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options. No notes this week - just the audio.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!Live holy, preach Jesus!
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Anvil of God's Word
"Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith's door,
and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time."
'How many anvils have you had,' said I,
'To wear and batter all these hammers so?''
Just one,' said he, and then with twinkling eye,
'The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.'"
And so, I thought, the Anvil of God's Word
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone."
-------Attributed to John Clifford -------
Why not spend some time in God's Holy and unchanging word today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Why not spend some time in God's Holy and unchanging word today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Captain's thoughts on Swine Flu H1N1 Update
To Salvation Army Soldiers, followers of Jesus, friends, and family,
A recent report on swine flu says the following...
SEE WHY I MENTION IT BELOW...
Some Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:
A recent report on swine flu says the following...
SEE WHY I MENTION IT BELOW...
Some Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:
- Deaths: 159, all in Mexico, seven confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected.
- Sickened: 2,498 suspected and 19 confirmed in Mexico; 66 confirmed in U.S.; 13 confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland; 14 confirmed in New Zealand; two confirmed in Spain; and two confirmed in Israel.
- Confirmed U.S. cases, by state: 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, according to CDC and states.
- Public health emergency declared and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states.
- Cuba bans flights to and from Mexico; Argentina suspends flights from Mexico; U.S., European Union, other countries discourage nonessential travel there. Arriving travelers questioned at Mexico's U.S. border and world airports. Cruise lines avoid Mexico ports.
- Mexico suspends all schools until May 6. In U.S., some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina, Connecticut and Ohio.
- In Mexico City, surgical masks given to the public, venues closed and public events canceled. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people. World Bank loaning Mexico more than $200 million.
- World Health Organization (WHO) alert at Phase 4 of 6, meaning disease spreads easily but isn't pandemic.
If you are looking for a way to share your faith today...
1. Everyone is talking about "swine flu". Just like swine flu, sin is a disease that knows no boarders, can be carried by anyone, can be deadly, and the best defense is to continually wash yourself clean (with the forgiveness of Jesus).
2. If there is a cure, or treatment to make someone less susceptible to a disease, wouldn't you want to get it. There is a cure for the destructive consequences of sin, it is to repent and turn from sin (quit playing with swine like activities), ask God's forgiveness, and then accept His power to live above sinning. We won't ever be perfect - true, but we can live a life without any know intentional sin against our Lord. (see Titus 2:11-14 as just one example of many).
3. If you need a conversation starter or a way to transition into a spiritual conversation - after "so what do you think about all this swine flu stuff", or "have you heard about all the illness and death this 1 disease is causing", simply ask one of the following...
- "It's amazing to think we can't even guarantee we will wake up tomorrow"
- "what do you think happens when you die"
- "what do you think happens when someone leaves this world"
- "whether it's swine flu or not everyone (100% - 10 out of 10 people) will die someday and eternity is a really long time"
- "we will be dead a lot longer than we are alive on this planet make sure you have the right answer"
All of these are ways to get people thinking about eternity, and then we can share our hope that for all who call on the name of Jesus (trust in Him alone for our salvation), who repent and turn from their sins, and agree to live for God on His terms, we have the hope of avoiding hell and finding heaven for eternity. We also find God's Holy Spirit to give us strength, comfort, and peace in the middle of every "scare" of life.
Share your faith in Jesus today - tell your salvation story - and tell how you repented and accepted Jesus so they could do it too.
100% of everyone you meet today will die and face eternal death, but Jesus has provided a cure for all mankind. Let's win the world for Jesus, share your faith, and plant a seed, God can make it grow.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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