Pastor/Teacher-Bruce Dick, Join us in our worship services. Sunday Morning Services 9:30 a.m. – Sunday Evening Services 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m. Location: 15811 South Young Road, Greencastle , Pa. 17225-2021
Did you ever think about what would be if Christ had followed the path of Adam and Eve, and rejected God’s will and followed another path? What would it Be? There would be no church to go to. There would be no songs that we could sing, for there would be nothing to sing about. There would be no peace in our lives. Our sins would control us. That besetting sin would reign in our lives. There would be no comforter to help us. No one to open God’s word to us. There would be no word of God for us to read. We would have no Heavenly Father. Only a judge to stand before and receive the just punishment we deserve. We would have to pay for our own sins since the penalty had not been paid! There would be no millennium. No New World, no new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. No bride of Christ. The world would be controlled by satan completely. There would be no Jewish nation for Christ to rule, no kingdom. There would be no judgment of satan for God’s word would not have been completed. Satan would have won!
But praise be to God, Christ of His own free will did the Will of the Father and because He did We can pray with confidence. And I John 5:14-15 says, “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” and will grant us our requests. We experience the Holy Spirit within us. When we repent and believe in Christ, His Holy Spirit seals us as children of God, and no one can ever break that seal. We can have peace in the midst of the most difficult times. MyPeace 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 14:27, We can face death courageously, boldly, and confidently. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Cor. 5:8. We have absolute assurance that Christ is alive and living within us just as He promised. John 14:16-18. Instead of doubting, we should wait expectantly and look for His answer.
He loved us so much that He died on the Cross of Calvary for us, and all the promises in the Bible are true and will come to pass and we will spend eternity with Christ with all the blessings and beauty which He has prepared for us.
The New Year is upon Us!
Let us put our trust in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for what He promises in His Word we can put our complete trust. Let us make this year 2023 a new year, a new season in our faith and obedience to Christ. Trust and obey for there is no other way. For the day is coming when His children will see His glorious face. We will spend eternity with Him and loved ones who has also placed their faith in the finished work of the Cross
If you have never placed your faith in Christ I ask that you would not let another minute pass before you do so. Christ has promised blessings beyond comprehension to those who do so. May He come as your Saviour and friend, and not as your judge, for Acts 16:31 tells us: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
II Corinthians 6:2b tells us “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t delay, come unto the Lord while He may be found!
The Christmas season is nearly upon us!
The Gift!
The Christmas season is upon us. The tree is trimmed, the lights sparkle over the towns, with a chill in the air and hopes for a little snow for Christmas morning. Presents wrapped in their best under the tree, hopes of children from Santa’s sleigh. Turkey in the oven, mashed potatoes, gravy, plus more, and oh the deserts so yummy, what a day, Christmas Day! But what is this day called Christmas? What is it all about anyway? Hallmark gives Christmas movies seven days a week, telling us that this special day is all about love. And the romance movies abound, and some are really good. How about football and other sports, we can’t miss those. Family gatherings and fun galore.
This is what Christmas Day is all about…or is there more?
Actually the day is celebrated because of a true historical event that happened over two thousand years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. To a baby in a manger. But not just any baby, for this one was “God” wrapped in human flesh, and He came to show us the ultimate love. So love is truly what Christmas is about. But not our love, it is the love of God for us, for all humanity.
And it is so sad that His love for us is rebuffed, scoffed at, made fun of, not believed, for we prefer man’s love, or perhaps the lack of it. So let’s take a walk and see what this love of God truly is. It is the best love one will ever find, and as only a gift can be, it is free for the taking.
It is the fountain of youth! But not the one sought after by Ponce de Leon and Alexander the Great, he wanted to be immortal, and many others down through history. It is not an elixir or tonic, but instead a person!
We need to go back into history, about 6000 years ago, the true beginning of humankind, not a beginning as the religion of evolution guesses, but of the Word of God.
The world now, is not as the world was when originally created by the Lord, it was perfect and beautiful, but now has only a semblance of that beauty. The world was created perfect as were our first parents. There was no disease, no death, no destruction, a perfect garden where one would live for all eternity. So what caused the world we see today, one blighted by death and misery and heartache, a world of goodbyes which is a life of loss, as we say good bye to our loved ones.
What caused this world of woe we live in today. It is a cancer of type, a cancer that has invaded each of us, one that each human being carries around with them each day of their lives. What is this cancer? It is sin!
Sin entered the world, and the wages, the payment of sin is a horrible one. It is death and misery and all the heartache and evil we see around us in this life every day. Our first parents in this beautiful garden had only one; no command! Do not eat of the tree of good and evil, for in the day you do you shall surely die. There were no other laws.
But they were tempted by the evil one. “Hath God said?” That was his bait, he was telling man that if he disobeyed God he could be his own god, and live life as he wanted to.It was not the fruit of the tree that caused the problem, but the disobeying of God’s Word. Disobedience to God’s Word is always sin. They chose to be their own gods, to do as they desired, not obeying the Word of God, they sinned, and the wages of sin is death.
Now their nature was sinful, the desire to know God was lost, and this nature corrupted their bodies. Since children are only born through man and woman the sin nature is passed onto each child. Each receiving this sinful nature, each committing sin in their lives. If we are truthful we know we are sinners. Lust, selfishness, pride, hate, wanting what is someone’s else’s, anger, cursing to name only a few. We are all sinners from the day we are born.
Immediately they died spiritually, for sin severed their connection to God. They physically began to die until ultimately disease and corruption, the wages of sin, took their physical life. The penalty of sin is passed to each of us with its claim of death, for we now have a sin nature which permeates our entire being. The proof is easy to see. Anger, hate, jealousy, pride, murder, rape, child molestation, evils of all kind. This nature is in us and the wages it pays is our physical death, for it has already separated us from God.
You may say how can that be so, for there are such really nice people, kind, people who help others? But still the sin nature is there, and we are enemies with God, seeking to do things our own way. (We are not sinners because we sin, but sin because we are sinners).
Since sin cannot enter into the presence of God, and we have no desire inside to come to God, we have problem. There is a debt which must be paid for this sin, and we cannot work our ways to God for Scripture tells us “that all our righteousness is as filthy rags.” There is nothing we can to save ourselves.
God created us to live for all eternity, and each of us will, for our bodies are only the housing for the real us. We will always have our thoughts, emotions, desires, hopes and fears for all eternity.
The question is where we will have these. The wages of sin is eternal death, which is, separation from God. For He is the only source of blessings and joy and peace and happiness. What would life be like without any of the above.
But God, two of the most beautiful words in the Bible give each of us hope. For in Genesis only moments following the fall or disobedience of Adam and Eve God gave a promise. (Genesis 3:15) “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Here is God’s word of the promised redeemer, Jesus Christ.
The “Head” and the “Heel” of Genesis 3:15. The Creator God, Jesus Christ; (Colossians 1:16) “For by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth…”; became flesh (John 1:14), “And the Word was made flesh…” so that as a perfect man He could become “sin for us” (II Corinthians 5:21) by dying on a cross to suffer the penalty for sin (the meaning of “bruise His heel”). But, because He is the infinite Creator, He has ultimate power, and thus He rose from the dead, overcoming the Curse of death.
Jesus came to pay for our sin and conquer the power of the grave–death!
He gave His life, freely shedding His blood and paid for the sin and sins of the world of every human being ever born, now alive, or who will ever be born. So that we may spend eternity with Him and His blessings forever, being clothed in His righteousness.
We cannot work, or pay or do anything to be with Him. But how can we be clothed in His righteousness, for our own righteousness is as filthy rags to God. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9; “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
When we admit to God that we are sinners, and we all are, and confess that the Lord Jesus died to pay for our sins, and rose from the dead we receive the free gift of salvation from our Creator and will spend eternity with Him.
Christ experienced the judgment of God–not for His own sins, for He was sinless (He lived a perfect life), but for the sins of mankind. He died on the Cross to atone for sin (Isaiah 53:5, I Peter 3:18; Hebrews 2:9) On the third day He raised from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
This is the message of the baby born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. He stepped into time and into this world because He loved us! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
None of us are any better than any other and the above is written in the love of Christ for my earnest prayer is that this will be the best Christmas you have ever had, by placing your faith in Christ.
Have a beautiful and Merry Christmas. Love in Christ.
Wednesday evening November 23. Berea’s annual thanksgiving meal.
Berea’s Thanksgiving Celebration!
Pastor/Teacher-Bruce Dick Join us in our worship services. Sunday Morning Services 9:30 a.m. – Sunday Evening Services 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m. Location: 15811 South Young Road, Greencastle , Pa. 17225-2021
Remember to Vote Tuesday November 9th. Look at the issues, not the hype, look at their records, vote as the Lord would have you vote.
Evil has many faces and evil never surrenders, it only hides until it is ready to strike as a poisonous, venomous snake. It prefers to look beautiful, promise everything in the recesses of its heart and is an evil darkness whose only desire is to destroy and satisfy its own lust. Behind this is the evil one whose ultimate end is the fiery pit!
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we should not hide in the closet and watch as the world goes by and believe everything will turn out alright! Look at the evil dictators of the world and we see how that works.
The evil that is over this country is as a plague more deadly than the Corona virus or the plagues in past history. So now the time to vote has come and where will you cast your ballet.
Our true enemy, satan, is a liar, a murderer and is an an angel of light at times. In those who serve him you will find the same traits. They shine forth promising utopia on earth, but bring only destruction, hopelessness, slavery and death. They hope to be the ultimate dictator succeeding all the others. They distort truth, making the truth a lie and a lie the truth. They twist and subvert and destroy a country for their own gain.
What are some clues, for this the Bible we must see. The Word of God tells us that “those who hurt the little ones” it would be better for a millstone to be tied around their necks and to have been throw into the sea than to have been born. It is talking of those who destroy the faith of young believers, but also of those who destroy the most vulnerable among us, the baby, (man or woman)in the womb, and this country has taken the lives of over 50 million of those precious little babies. Their blood is on our hands and especially the hands of the leaders and promoters of this evil and whoever allows and promote this evil before the Lord.
Then we have those who say marriage is whatever you want it to be, two men, two women, and anyone who talks against it is seen as a hater, a bigot. Yet God hates this evil and will destroy a nation who whole hardheartedly goes in this direction.
What about those who call you all kinds of names if you try and tell them that there is only two sexes, for they say there are many, even hundreds. God said in the beginning that He made them male and female, only two sexes, and from this He ordained marriage between a man and a woman only. And what men who say they are women and play in women’s sports and are so proud when they win, they should be ashamed of themselves, for they are truly losers not winners, this also is a horrible evil, and those who promote this are promoting this same evil.
How about those who allow murderers and rapists and thieves to continue their evil deeds and look the other way. They say de-fund the police, and then deny it. They are unjust in their laws and desire all that we have, wanting it for themselves. They have hearts for no one but themselves. So look carefully before you vote. Check what they say first against the Word of God, then check what they say against their voting records, and what they have actually accomplished or put into practice while they were in office.
All that evil needs do to succeed is for good men and women to do nothing, to stand up for nothing. Pray the Lord will forgive us of our individual sins and for the sins of the nation and for His mercy that we may live for Him.
Vacation Bible School
August 7th to the 11th, Vacation Bible School at Berean Bible Fellowship Church.
August 7th, thru 11th from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the Church. Children ages from 4 to 12 years old.
Fun, games, snacks and learning God’s Word!
Pastor/Teacher-Bruce Dick Join us in our worship services. Sunday Morning Services 9:30 a.m. – Sunday Evening Services 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m. Location: 15811 South Young Road, Greencastle, Pa. 17225-2021
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“Government that is big enough to give you everything you want is more likely to take everything you’ve got.” Ronald Reagan 1985
There is scarce a king in a hundred…
… who would not, if he could, follow the example of Pharaoh—get first all the people’s money, then all their lands, and then make them and their children servants forever…:
Benjamin Franklin 1787
Monarchy has existed since the earliest history of humankind and was often established during periods of external threat or internal crisis because it provided a more efficient focus of power than aristocracy or democracy, which tended to diffuse power.
Monarchy A state having a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in a single person…absolute or despotic, a government by the absolute will of the monarch.
It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains. William Penn
Those who would be free must stand eternal watch against excessing concentration of power in government…A nation cannot be enslaved by diffused power but only by strong centralized government. Dwight Eisenhower 1957
Daniel Webster stated: Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6,000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world.
Historically, kings have repeatedly used a common claim to confirm their complete control.
Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder. Abraham Lincoln 1837
There are only two main theories of government in the world. One rests on righteousness, the other rests on force. One appeals to reason, the other appeals to the sword. One is exemplified in a republic; the other is represented by despotism. The history of government on this earth has been almost entirely a history of the rule of force held in the hands of a few. Under our Constitution America committed itself to the practical application of the rule of reason, with the power in the hands of the people.
When power is concentrated, the state is supreme; When power is separated, the individual is supreme.
Marcus Tullius Cicero 106—43 B.C., an ancient Roman scholar, statesman and orator stated: When a government becomes powerful it is destructive, extravagant and violent; it is an usurer which takes bread from innocent mouths and deprives honorable men of their substance, for votes with which to perpetuate itself.
What blessings the Lord gives to us!
Richard Lynn CunninghamApril 8, 1948 – May 13, 2022
Obituary Richard Lynn Cunningham, 74, of Hagerstown, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022 at Berkeley Medical Center, Martinsburg, WV.
Born on April 8, 1948 in Hagerstown, he was the son of the late Robert Lowery Cunningham and Anna Kathryn (Straley) Cunningham.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother; Timothy E. Cunningham.
Richard graduated from North Hagerstown High School, class of 1967.
He went on to graduate from the University of Maryland of College Park and received his MBA from Frostburg University.
He served in the U.S. Navy and was a Vietnam War veteran.
Richard worked at the Maryland Correctional Training Center as a Case Manager Supervisor for 35 years, having retired in 2012.
Richard was a member of Berean Bible Fellowship of State Line, PA and was a former member of First Baptist Church in Hagerstown where he served as a Sunday school teacher and Deacon. He was a member of the Gideons International of Washington County and a member of Morris Frock American Legion, Post 42.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Gloria Jean (Coss) Cunningham; Daughter, Elisabeth E. Cunningham of Philadelphia, PA; and Son, John D. Cunningham of Hagerstown; Brothers, Jerry (Sharon), Jack (Kim), Tom, and Fred (Megan) and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 2 PM at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, with Pastor Bruce Dick officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 5, Hagerstown, MD 21740 or Berean Bible Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 403 State Line, PA 17263.
Online condolences can be made at www.rsthvn.com.
(Read the left column first.)
A Childs Prayer
Dear God, are you still awake? Have you got a minute or two? You’re pretty good at understanding, And I really need to talk to you.
You see, mommy came to tuck me in, Like she does every night, I was trying to play a trick on her, Since she can’t see without the light.
I was going to close my eyes, And pretend to be asleep. But when I heard her crying, I didn’t dare let out a peep.
She started talking to you, God. Did you hear the things she said? Could you hear what she was saying, As she stood beside my bed?
Why would mommy be so sad? I wondered just what I had done, And then I began to remember it all, As she named them one by one…
This morning we worked in the garden, But, honest, I really didn’t know, That if I picked all those little yellow blooms, The tomatoes wouldn’t grow!
Charlie and I were trying to be helpers, Cause I know that’s what mommy needs, But I don’t think she was too happy with us, When we pulled up carrots instead of weeds.
Mommy said we should stop for the day, She decided we had helped quite enough. I sure had worked us an appetite…I didn’t know gardening was so tough!
We had peanut-butter and jelly for lunch, And I shared too much, I guess. But I didn’t realize until I was done, That Charlie had made such a mess.
Mommy said she needed a nap, She had one of her headaches today, She told me to keep an eye on my sister, And find something quiet to play.
We sat and watched poor old Albert, I just knew he must be so bored, Goin’ round and round in the same place all day, Wouldn’t you think so, Lord?
I didn’t think it would hurt to let him out for a while. I mean, mice need exercise, too. By the way, have you seen Albert lately? He’s sort of missing since two.
Mommy sent us outside for the rest of the day. She said we needed fresh air. But when daddy came home she told him, She was trying to get something out of her hair.
We thought mommy needed cheering up, So we decided to brighten her day. But, God, did you see the look on her face,W hen we gave her that pretty bouquet?
We had gotten a little bit dirty, So mommy said to get in the tub. “Use soap this time,” she reminded. “And please don’t forget to scrub.”
Charlie didn’t like the water too much, But I lathered up read good. I knew mommy would be so proud of me, For cleaning up like I should.
I went downstairs to the table, But during dinner it started to rain, I’d forgotten to turn off the water, it seems, And I hadn’t unplugged the drain!
I decided right then it was just about time, To start getting ready for bed, When mommy said, “It’s sure been a long day,” And her face began turning red.
I lay there listening to mommy, As she told you about our day. I thought about all of the things I had done And I wondered what I should say.
I was just about to tell her, That I’d been awake all along, And ask her to please forgive me, For all of those things I’d done wrong.
When suddenly, I heard her whisper, “God, forgive me for today, For not being more understanding, When those problems came my way.
“For not handling situations in the way You wanted me to, for getting angry And losing my temper, Things I know you don’t want me to do.
“And, God please give me more patience. Help me make it through another day. I’ll do better tomorrow, I promise, In Jesus’ name I pray.”
Wiping her eyes, she kissed me. And knelt here beside my bed. She stroked my hair for a little while, “I love you, precious,” mommy said.
She left the room without ever knowing, That I’d been awake all the time. And God, could we make it our little secret? You know, just yours and mine?
I’m sorry I was so much trouble today, I really didn’t mean to be, Daddy says It’s tough being a child sometimes, But I think it’s harder on mommy than me.
We’ll goodnight, God. Thanks for listening. It’s sure nice to know you’re there. I feel so much better when I talk to you ‘Cause you always hear my prayer.
And I’ll do better tomorrow, I promise, Just you wait and see! I’ll try not to be so much trouble again, But, God, please give more patience to mommy…Just in case! Amen.
—Anonymous
Pastor/Teacher-Bruce Dick Join us in our worship services. Sunday Morning Services 9:30 a.m. – Sunday Evening Services 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m. Location: 15811 South Young Road, Greencastle, Pa. 17225-2021
Nolan R. Best, tells of a young soldier who went into battle, fearing that he would run when the first shot was fired. When the gunfire of the enemy was turned to his regiment, he looked to his left and saw Joe facing the enemy bravely; then he glanced hastily to the right, and Tom was standing his ground like a veteran soldier,
He said to himself, “I can stand it as long as Joe and Tom do”; so, although his heart was fearful, he did not retreat.
When the fight was over and the boys were back in camp, they told each other how they felt during the battle. Joe and Tom had been trembling with fright, and really wanted to retreat, but they had kept their eyes on the youngster to see if he would stand his ground or run. Thus each had unconsciously been a help to the other.
In this battle of life, we are influenced by others, by those we touch in our daily lives. It has been said that we never associate with an individual for as much as ten minutes, but what we influence him or her, and that they leave an impression on us!
“Lives that Lift” by C L. Paddock
Just as those three young men during World War II kept their eyes on each other, if we hope to live our Christian lives as the Lord wants, we must keep our eyes on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
A rotted tree laying for how many years we don’t know. Around it we see the life of other trees as their green pine needles begin to hide what has already lived out its life. Yet in this beauty, which some may not see, is the truth of this world. This world and the beauty we see all around us is wrapped in death.
The fallen tree, rocks as they break and turn to dust, the sand of the sea moved and deposited here and there. They are all reminders of this sin cursed world, from the fall of Adam and Eve. We live with it continually as we grow older, as we see the horrible things going on in and around the world.
We live in a sin cursed world, with only one hope. And that hope is the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins. For those of us who have placed our faith and trust in Him we will one day live with Him, and that world will have no remnant of sin in it, for it will all be gone.
What beauty will be there, it is unimaginable, for we are surrounded by death. From flowers to human beings, but in that new world there will be no death, and without death what marvelous beauty will surround us. It is something which our minds cannot even conceive.
Keep looking up for Christ is our our sure and only hope. For those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ, be wise, do so now. Why live in a hopeless eternity, when Christ will give each of His own an eternity of beauty and wonder and life which we will enjoy for endless days upon endless days.
Did you know that as of August 25th our National debt was 28.7 trillion dollars. Each citizens share of this debt (including children and babies) is $86,045. So a family of two adults and three babies is $430,225. What a nice present all our govermental spending gives us!
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“The Bible is the Only Book That Can Make Us Wise unto Salvation. The
Bible is not a book to be studied as we study geology and astronomy, merely
to find out about the earth’s formation and the structure of the universe; but it is a book revealing truth, designed to bring us into living union with God.”
~George F. Pentecost
The Cross of Calvary. The symbol of the believers salvation. Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for each of us and rose on the third day. For He is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other way. Place your faith and trust in Him and your salvation is sure!
Berean Bible Fellowship-Pastor/Teacher-Bruce Dick Join us in our worship services. Sunday Morning Services 9:30 a.m. – Sunday Evening Services 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m. Location: 15811 South Young Road, Greencastle, Pa. 17225 2021
Karl Marx stated: “Take away the heritage of a people and they are easily destroyed.” America’s history is being rewritten, and that which dictators hate is removed, that which they can use to enslave they change and let remain!
Erwin Lutzer, in his new book, We Will Not Be Silenced, said it well:
We need to have the courage to walk toward the fire and not run away from the flames. God has brought us to this cultural moment, and our future cannot be taken for granted. As has been said, “In a time of universal deception, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
In Matthew 5:16 the Lord tells us; “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The Battle for Truth is in our backyard. The darkness of this culture has never been as apparent as it is today. (Friends of Israel)
Only the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is able to destroy the darkness which is surrounding this country and the world. Let the light of His gospel shine forth. Only it will dispel this darkness and bring freedom to lost and bound souls.
To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees. —
Billy Graham
Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God. — Oswald Chambers
The supreme thing is worship. The attitude of worship is the attitude of a subject bent before the King… the fundamental thought is that of prostration, of bowing down. — Campbell Morgan
We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength. — Charles Stanley
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb.”
Isa. 11:6
A wolf or lion will devour a lamb unless he is somehow changed. There are many vicious wolves and lions who are dangerous people in this world. But once they come to the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved, and the Holy Spirit indwells and controls them, they become safe to dwell with. They have a new heart, a heart of love and not hate and revenge and a seeking of their own way. That is the only way and then truly the wolf and the lamb shall lie down together. There is much call for unity in the world today. But the spirit of the ravenous beast desires only destruction. Without a changed heart it will always seek to destroy the lambs, and without a changed heart there can never be unity.
II Corinthians 6:14b;
“for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
Righteousness is the complete opposite of unrighteousness, just as light is the complete antithesis of darkness. The one always dispels the other. Only Christ can bring true fellowship and communion!
2021 – What kind of year will it be?
Well 2021 has finally arrived. Almost halfway through the month already. Voices have been raised “finally 2020” is over and wow 2021 will be a better year. But will it be. There are concerns about a different strain of the covid virus and concerns that the vaccine now produced may not be helpful with these new strains. The political climate is still volatile.
The Lord told us that in this life we would have troubles and He certainly was correct. Hopes, joys for some have been crushed, others still searching for happiness and direction in their lives. Yet joy, happiness, peace and purpose in life for some is always just out of their grasp.
Perhaps it is because we are searching for all of these thing in the wrong places. Some search for it in the media which surrounds us, in sports, in having the maximum of health they can achieve, or perhaps trying to rise to the top for fame, fortune and respect and power.
However, none of these will bring any lasting peace, joy, and satisfaction into our lives. For there will always be troubles, whether financial, health or other reasons. So we must find these things another way.
May I suggest where you look. Look into the “Word of God.” The Bible. Inside it’s pages are given the way to all that your heart truly seeks, and there are few who find it. The source is the Lord Jesus Christ who loves each and every person who ever lived on this earth and that He gave His life a ransom for ours.
We are wrecked and ruined by sin in our lives. You say NO that is not true! But we each know the secrets of our hearts, that there is always a desire which we may or may not want in our lives. It is that of sin! Whether we are a little sinner, as we like to think, or a great sinner only proves that we are sinful men and women.
The Bible tells us that the “wages of sin is death.” That is why we all die, that is why there is pain and suffering of all kinds in this world. Sin within the heart of men and women.
This sin not only causes grief, it also causes death, for because of sin our physical bodies ultimately succumb to that dreaded curse. Death, it is so final. It takes loved one from us and stops our dreams and desires which we have. It is an enemy which we cannot ever escape.
But it is worse than just death for our physical bodies! We all have a soul, a soul which has been created to live forever. The question is, is where will my soul dwell forever. Our soul is our desires, our will, our thoughts, it is us, us as we know ourselves.
Since God is perfectly righteous and perfectly holy sin cannot abide in His presence. And since our soul’s were created to live forever that is a problem. To magnify this problem satan and the angels which rebelled against God have a final destination. God made the “lake of fire” for those angels which rebelled against Him, and they will be there for all of eternity, for they were created to live forever also.
Since our souls live “forever”, and a sinful soul cannot abide with God in His holiness that leaves only one final destination for that soul, for that person. The “Lake of Fire” for all eternity.
But God who desires that no human being end up in that terrible place sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, God in human flesh to take care of the problem. No! Not for satan and those angels which left their first estate and rebelled against Him. But for humankind, for men and women. Christ lived a perfect life and give His life on the Cross of Calvary to pay for the sin and sins of every man and woman who lived on or is living on this earth.
In God’s eyes when a man or woman places their faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He sees them as holy and righteous as Christ, for He has given us that righteousness and holiness which we can never achieve on our own.
When one dies without the righteousness of Christ that person, that eternal soul, will spend eternity with the same plight of satan and the angels which rebelled against God, the Eternal, Lake of Fire. But God made a way, a way to spend eternity with Him, not the lake of fire.
You might say; “What’s the catch!” There is no catch, it is a free gift, but if you must believe that there is a catch there is only one. You must do what John 3:16 tells us to do, it must be a heart that truly believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. There can be no faking it!
So now you know the way! Why not now bow your head and give your heart and life to the one who gave His life for you. It is a free gift, the best one you could ever receive, and it’s free.
Lord Jesus please touch the heart of the one who is doubting, who is having trouble placing their faith and trust in you and give them the faith to believe. Thank you Lord for doing this. Make this year the best year ever.