Inspiration - Motivation - Encouragement & Devotions

(Received from CBW)



The current death rate is 100%. We don’t like to ‘think about death,’ especially our own, yet, worldwide, 3 people die every sec., 180 every min., and nearly 11,000 every hour.



This brings up the question for each of us: Where will we spend eternity?



If you believe there is a Heaven and Hell – or if you just believe there is a Heaven, but no Hell – and if today, you died – Where Would You Go?



If you said, “Heaven” – then, my question to you is –


“Why would God let you in?” What is ‘your basis’ for entrance?

Pascal's Wager
In the seventeenth century the mathematician Blaise Pascal formulated his infamous pragmatic argument for belief in God in Pensees. The argument runs as follows: If you erroneously believe in God, you lose nothing (assuming that death is the absolute end), whereas if you correctly believe in God, you gain everything (eternal bliss). But if you correctly disbelieve in God, you gain nothing (death ends all), whereas if you erroneously disbelieve in God, you lose everything (eternal damnation).
Paraphrased: “I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't -- Than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is.”

How should you bet? Regardless of any evidence for or against the existence of God, Pascal argued that failure to accept God's existence risks losing everything with no payoff on any count. The best bet, then, is to accept the existence of God.

So, the question of the day, or the hour, or the moment – if you died right now – and you do believe there is a Heaven – why would God let you in?



***Nothing in the Bible says anything about the fact ‘that good people will be in Heaven!’



In fact, it says ‘there is no one good enough’ to gain entrance of their own efforts.



Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…..



In fact, it says that ‘forgiven people’ will go to Heaven! Forgiven by Christ Jesus!



If you wish to learn more about 'salvation'...of how to 'know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord'...read on...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As, an ‘Ambassador for Christ’ – when asked, “How do you ‘guide someone’ to ‘accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord’ – here is the outline I use – or you can use.”



It is ‘not up to me’ to ‘convince them’…just to love and help them…



Here are: Just Five Questions, That Are About Life, Eternal Life:



1 Do you have any kind of spiritual belief? (If yes, “Do you go to church somewhere?”)

2 To you personally, who is Jesus Christ?

2 Do you think there is a Heaven or hell?
3 If you fell over and died right now-----where would you go? (If heaven is your answer, “Why would God let you in?”)

4 By the way, if what you ‘were believing’ was not true, would you want to know?


If the answer is “yes,” open the Bible,



The Bible is the source of God’s revelation of Himself and His relationship to man – ‘in the fullness of time’ -- His sending His Son to earth, so we could “see God” and “know God” through His Son, Jesus Christ -- so the Bible is the “tool” to use. It is from the Bible -- and thus from God -- not from man.



But, as you turn to each of these scriptures, ask yourself each time, “What does that mean to me?”



Then without answering “reread it” and after that, think and reflect a moment, then go to the next verse, and repeat this process.



This is about your eternal life, so “Let the word of God speak to you -- not me.”



1. First, I go to John 3:16 to show you that it is a fact “that God loves you.”

2. Then, to Romans 3:23 to show you the fact that you are a sinner. (A person cannot “come to the Lord” for salvation, unless they know they are “lost in sin.”)

3. Then to Romans 6:23 to the fact that if you are not “saved,” you are now dead in sin.

4. Then to Romans 5:6 to 8 to show you the fact that Christ died for you -- for all of us.

5. Then to Acts 16: 30, 31 and then to John 3:3 to the fact that you can be saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. Then to John 14:6 and to Acts 4:12 to the fact that the only way is Jesus Christ.

7. Then to I John 5:10 to 13 to the fact (and I believe the most important fact that really puts everything in total perspective) that you either believe God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, that He is who He said He is -- and was then -- or you are “calling Him a liar!”

That is the real crux of all of this.

8. Then to Acts 5:29 to the fact that you should obey God instead of man.

9. Then to Romans 10:9 to 11 to the fact that you can be saved and know it.

10. Then to II Corinthians 5:15 and then to Revelations 3:20 to the facts that He died for you and stands ready to invite you into His salvation and His fellowship----into a personal relationship with Him.



So, we now have let the Bible, the word of God speak -- not me nor “mankind.”

Then again, five questions:



1. Are you a sinner?

2. Do you want forgiveness of your sins?

3. Do you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for you, and rose again?

4. Are you willing to surrender your life to Christ?

5. Are you ready to invite Jesus Christ into your life and your heart?



Then when you have your answer, you may just ask yourself “WHY?”------and again reflect on this.



Then pray this prayer – in your own way – in your own words – from your heart:



“Heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I want forgiveness for all my sins -- my past sins -- my present sins -- my future sins. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for me, was buried, on the third day He arose from the grave – and He lives! Father, I give You my life to do with as You will. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart as Savior and Lord. This I ask in Jesus name…Amen!



If you have done this ‘from the heart’ -- after truly realizing you are lost in sin, and need a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ -- and you have repented, confessed your sins to Him, and asked Him into your heart as Savior and Lord, then miraculously and immediately you are given His salvation, and ‘reborn spiritually’ as a new creation in Him. And from this miraculous moment forward, you are in ‘the process of relationship with Him’ for eternity.



Like any relationship, there will be ups and downs, -- good times of peace and harmony – and times of disobedience or rebellion – which will result in times of His disciplining you for your own good and spiritual growth – but you will never be ‘kicked out’ of His family, nor will you maintain your status or position in the ‘family of God’ by your own performance.



It is not a ‘question of worthiness’ or ‘if you measure up’ – we are not worthy – we are saved by grace (which is unmerited favor) through Jesus Christ and His performance for us on Calvary.



There is nothing you can do to make God love you more – He has already paid the supreme price for your love on that Roman cross.



As you grow in relationship, you can perform ‘works’ for Him because of your love. Those rewards will be ‘forwarded to Heaven’ where there is ‘no rust’ or corruption. The only things that we’ll carry forward are our love for and of Him.



If you sin against Him – which you will – He has made provision for that too: 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.



So, my advice is to keep ‘short accounts’ with the Lord. Acknowledge your sins, and from your heart ask His forgiveness. And since we ‘sin them one at a time’ – it is good to confess them one at a time too. There is no sin His grace cannot overcome. His grace is sufficient for everything.



May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His light to shine upon you.



In Him, Heaven bound, Bill Watts



"Low at Thy Feet"



Low at Thy feet, Lord Jesus,

This is the place for me;

Here I have learned deep lessons,

Truth that has set me free.

Free from myself Lord Jesus,

Free from the ways of men;

Chains of thought that have bound me,

Never bind again.

None but Thyself, Lord Jesus,

Conquered this wayward will,

But for Thy love constraining,

I had been wayward still.



(Found in a man's bible after he died.)

.

  BACK

Home | Inspiration | Know Your Bible | Music Videos | Humor | Prayer Request | Bible Help Verses