For those of you who did not know, Josh Hancock, one of the St Louis Cardinals' relief pitchers, died very early Sunday morning. The Cardinal Nation is mourning.
This is one author's perspective.
True, St Louis lost a great pitcher, but a mother also lost her son. And the human race lost another human being. That ticker just keeps on going. More people just like Josh, only less famous, are dying, too. How long are you going to wait to get right with God? How long are you going to wait to tell others to get right with God? Tomorrow is not promised.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Good Person Test
Have you ever taken the Good Person Test? It's a three question test to see if you are a good person. Ready?
1) Have you ever told a lie? If you have, what does that make you if you tell a lie?
2) Have you ever stolen anything? What does that make you if you steal?
3) Have you ever hated anyone? What does that make you if you hate someone?
The correct answers are a Liar, a Thief, and a Murderer at heart. Now, if this is how we face God on Judgment Day, how will He deal with us? The Bible says that "all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire." It promises that no thief will make it into Heaven. It declares, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." That tells me that we all deserve to go to Hell, agreed?
But here's the good news: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God sent Jesus to pay the fine that we owe for breaking God's Law. Then Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death. Now He offers to share that victory with those who will repent (turn from sin toward God) and put their trust in Him to save them from the wrath of God on Judgment Day. Isn't that Good News?
1) Have you ever told a lie? If you have, what does that make you if you tell a lie?
2) Have you ever stolen anything? What does that make you if you steal?
3) Have you ever hated anyone? What does that make you if you hate someone?
The correct answers are a Liar, a Thief, and a Murderer at heart. Now, if this is how we face God on Judgment Day, how will He deal with us? The Bible says that "all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire." It promises that no thief will make it into Heaven. It declares, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." That tells me that we all deserve to go to Hell, agreed?
But here's the good news: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God sent Jesus to pay the fine that we owe for breaking God's Law. Then Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death. Now He offers to share that victory with those who will repent (turn from sin toward God) and put their trust in Him to save them from the wrath of God on Judgment Day. Isn't that Good News?
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Golden Rule
Let’s talk about the Golden Rule. Most people say, “Oh, I’m a good person. I live by the Golden Rule. I treat people how I want to be treated.” Jesus said that loving your neighbor as you love yourself is the summary of the Ten Commandments. So we are going to take a look at a few of them to see if you indeed do live by the Golden Rule.
Have you ever told a lie? What does that make you?
Have you ever stolen anything—even if it’s small? What does that make you?
Have you ever hated anyone? Most people say, “No,” but when you ask them if they have ever insulted anyone or cursed at someone, they say, “Yes.” Well, that’s not exactly loving your neighbor as you love yourself, is it?
Now, here is what the Bible says about all this:
“…and all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire.” (Revelation 21:8)
“No…thief…shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
“He who hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15).
So, if the Ten Commandments are God’s standard for the Golden Rule (and Jesus said that they are), how will you really do on Judgment Day?
If you are honest, you will admit that you deserve to go to Hell, just like the rest of us. And if you can admit that, then I have some Great News for you: God does not want you to go to Hell. God sent Jesus to die for our sins, so that all of our sins—past, present, and future—can be forgiven. But we must come to God for forgiveness, and Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)
Do you know what it means to repent? Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins shall obtain mercy.” Confession is simply admitting to God that you have broken His Laws by the way that you have lived (by lying, stealing, hating, etc.); forsaking is simply turning away from and abandoning that way of life. Doesn’t mean that you’ll be perfect, but it does mean that you will daily increase in Holiness.
Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Please read your Bible daily and obey what you read. God will never fail to keep any of His promises.
Have you ever told a lie? What does that make you?
Have you ever stolen anything—even if it’s small? What does that make you?
Have you ever hated anyone? Most people say, “No,” but when you ask them if they have ever insulted anyone or cursed at someone, they say, “Yes.” Well, that’s not exactly loving your neighbor as you love yourself, is it?
Now, here is what the Bible says about all this:
“…and all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire.” (Revelation 21:8)
“No…thief…shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
“He who hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15).
So, if the Ten Commandments are God’s standard for the Golden Rule (and Jesus said that they are), how will you really do on Judgment Day?
If you are honest, you will admit that you deserve to go to Hell, just like the rest of us. And if you can admit that, then I have some Great News for you: God does not want you to go to Hell. God sent Jesus to die for our sins, so that all of our sins—past, present, and future—can be forgiven. But we must come to God for forgiveness, and Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)
Do you know what it means to repent? Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins shall obtain mercy.” Confession is simply admitting to God that you have broken His Laws by the way that you have lived (by lying, stealing, hating, etc.); forsaking is simply turning away from and abandoning that way of life. Doesn’t mean that you’ll be perfect, but it does mean that you will daily increase in Holiness.
Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Please read your Bible daily and obey what you read. God will never fail to keep any of His promises.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Damien Nash
Damien Nash was a pro football player who played in college at the University of Missouri (Mizzou). He died about two weeks ago. Just dropped dead.
He had everything going for him, and it was all taken from him suddenly by the unbreakable jaws of Death. And there was nothing he could do about it.
You, too, will die someday. You will also be ruthlessly robbed by those same unbreakable jaws. And there is nothing you can do about it either.
The Bible says that there is life on the other side of the grave, Heaven or Hell, depending on how you qualify. Take a close look at yourself, because no one here will be able to speak for you on Judgment Day.
Have you ever told a lie?
Have you ever stolen anything?
Have you ever hated anyone?
If you have said yes to any of these things, please know the truth:
The Bible says, "...and all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire." (Rev. 21:8)
It makes it clear that no thief can enter heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
It further declares, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." (1 John 3:15; see also Matthew 5:21-22)
"But," you say, "I am a good person! I don't do these things all the time!"
Try that in court: it won't work on Judgment Day either.
God is Holy, Righteous, and Just--He will punish all sin.
"Every idle word that a man shall speak, he shall give an account thereof on the Day of Judgment." (Matthew 12:36)
Every secret deed done in darkness shall be brought to the light. (see Luke 8:17)
"[You can] be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
For those of us who can admit that we deserve to burn in Hell, there is good news:
God sent forth His only begotten Son, Jesus of Nazareth, to take our punishment. Now, if we humble ourselves and repent, God can give us eternal life--instead of Eternal Justice--on Judgment Day.
He had everything going for him, and it was all taken from him suddenly by the unbreakable jaws of Death. And there was nothing he could do about it.
You, too, will die someday. You will also be ruthlessly robbed by those same unbreakable jaws. And there is nothing you can do about it either.
The Bible says that there is life on the other side of the grave, Heaven or Hell, depending on how you qualify. Take a close look at yourself, because no one here will be able to speak for you on Judgment Day.
Have you ever told a lie?
Have you ever stolen anything?
Have you ever hated anyone?
If you have said yes to any of these things, please know the truth:
The Bible says, "...and all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire." (Rev. 21:8)
It makes it clear that no thief can enter heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
It further declares, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." (1 John 3:15; see also Matthew 5:21-22)
"But," you say, "I am a good person! I don't do these things all the time!"
Try that in court: it won't work on Judgment Day either.
God is Holy, Righteous, and Just--He will punish all sin.
"Every idle word that a man shall speak, he shall give an account thereof on the Day of Judgment." (Matthew 12:36)
Every secret deed done in darkness shall be brought to the light. (see Luke 8:17)
"[You can] be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
For those of us who can admit that we deserve to burn in Hell, there is good news:
God sent forth His only begotten Son, Jesus of Nazareth, to take our punishment. Now, if we humble ourselves and repent, God can give us eternal life--instead of Eternal Justice--on Judgment Day.
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