Oh Happy Day!

Today we begin our new all-church Bible Study. It is titled "StressBusters - A Fresh Look at Psalm 23". I am looking forward to the new things God has for me to learn from this familiar Psalm. It is an 8-week study and each Sunday, Pastor will be preaching on the same theme as the week's study.

I have joined a new group of women for this study. I will miss my regular study group on Thursdays. But, I wanted to be sure that there was a Monday night study so that my daughter could attend. We have always attended Thursday nights together, but this is her student teaching year and she has a class on Thursday evenings. So I volunteered to lead a group. I am fairly new to my church, so this gives me the opportunity to get to know some of the other women better. A win-win...isn't God good!!

This is the first time I have lead a Bible study, and I am praying that God will make it an edifying experience for me as well as for the other girls. We will have 9 women in the group, so it is a good size for giving everyone the chance to share. I know that we are going to have a blessed time in God's word and fellowship!

We are begin this first week by starting our prayer lists, passing out the study materials, and with a dinner, and get acquainted time. I am taking chicken enchilada casserole, a cake & raspberry iced tea. Veta, my co-leader and I decided we would provide the food for this meeting and then ask the other girls to bring snacks each week, in turn.

Are you in a Bible study group? What are you studying now? I'd love to hear about it!

Father, thank you for the opportunity to meet together and study your word! I recognize that it is a freedom that some do not have. Show us how to live lives that honor you. Teach us to lean on you for our needs and to take our fears and burdens to the cross. Help me to be a blessing to the women in my group and to listen with a soft heart so that I can learn from them. I don't know the needs of all these ladies, but help me to serve them with grace and love. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings for your day, Chris
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One Scientific Study I Can Help With!

I logged into the internet this morning & the Yahoo splash page headline read:

What Happens When We Die?

It was accompanied by a photo of a "spirit" apparently leaving a body. The subtitle was even more provocative; "Scientists explore the biology behind out-of-body experiences to see if something continues". You can read the article HERE.

It seems that a doctor and his colleagues at the Human Consciousness Project, are beginning a 3-year exploration "out-of-body" experiences. The study, involves 25 major medical centers in Europe, Canada and the U.S.

I am pretty sure I can save them a bunch of money and a whole lot of time!

Gentlemen, you need look no further than the nearest BIBLE! One passage in particular: "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

God's word clearly shows that "something continues" after death! It is our eternal soul.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the effort & dollars that will be spent on this study could be used to reach people for Christ?

We believers have to be vigilant and prepare ourselves with God's word to dispel the never-ending stream of "scientific" & metaphysical hooey that is cast upon unsuspecting humankind from all directions! Judgement is real, people need to know that!

Prayer wouldn't hurt either! Can you imagine what this team of researchers might discover if they were bombarded with prayer? ...the way, the truth, the life... John 14:6 NKJV

If you are concerned about where you will spend eternity, click HERE to learn the Good News that God has a plan for you!

Heavenly Father, I pray that these researchers might find YOUR truth as they conduct this study. May they come to know that men have souls that will spend eternity in Heaven or Hell, after death. I pray that each person involved will choose an eternity in heaven by accepting your Son's precious gift. I thank you so much for my own salvation! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Blessings for your day! Chris
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The Light of the World

I was sitting on the back deck with my husband last evening. It was dark but still comfortably cool. There are spotlights on the almond trees in our lawn and they up-light the trees and foliage this time of year. In winter, when it is dark so early in the evening, the light on the bare branches can be a beautiful sight in the darkness.

As I sat there in companionable silence, I was struck by how the light shining on our trees is so much like the light Christians bring into this dark world.







Christ told the multitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew5:14-16 NKJV

As Christians, we are told to let our Christ-light shine, that men may see our good works and glorify God.

Are you walking in the Word daily, living the love & light of Jesus for all to see and desire the same for their lives? We have something the world wants and needs, a Savior.

Or are you professing to be a child of God and behaving in a manner that is not Christ-honoring, by not being courteous, or by being unkind when things don’t go your way?

Where is your light? What message are you giving to unbelievers?

When there is darkness all around, our eyes go toward the light. The apostle John said of Jesus, “This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.” John 1:7 NKJV

As you go about the business of living, you walk among many more lost people than those that are redeemed. Because of the dark in which they live, your light will attract them. They will be helpless but to turn toward the light.

Are you prepared to tell them the “GOOD NEWS”? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to prod you to speak of God’s love and salvation plan when the opportunity arises?

Are you living an example for your fellow Christians? Can they look at you and be guided, edified or comforted by your light?

Where is your light? Are you seeking those opportunities? Does your heart ache for the lost?

The light shining in the darkness brings comfort & security. ”But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 NKJV

Our “light” can present the gospel to the unsaved without our uttering a word. We, who walk in the light, delight in fellowship with Jesus and with other believers, need to have a heart for lost souls. Christ’s blood was shed for all mankind. Our light needs to shine for them as well!

Where is your light? Is it set on a lampstand to help guide a lost one home?

Lord, I pray that my life will become a reflection of your light, a beacon to lost souls, and an encouragement to my fellow believers. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

If you have never accepted Jesus as your savior, you can do it now. Click HERE to learn how.

Blessings for your day, Chris

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The Bible Way to Heaven

I cannot start this blog without praising and thanking God for my salvation!

I was utterly lost. Outwardly, my life "looked" good, even successful. But inside, my heart was dark, I couldn't find my way to peace & satisfaction, no matter how I tried. I knew I was missing something. I don't remember ever asking God for help. But he knew my need and sent that help anyway.

He brought a wonderful Christian woman into my life. She invited myself & my young daughter to church. Though I hesitated, I finally consented to go. She picked me up that morning and took me to a small Baptist Church. It was not the church she attended, but one that was close to my home, with a young pastor who was, and still is, on fire for the Lord!

That day, for the very first time, I heard the Salvation message. I knew that I was lost and could not save myself. I understood that I was redeemed, purchased with a price, and that I only needed to accept God's gift to have eternal life in heaven. I did not accept the gift that day. But within a couple of weeks, I asked Jesus to come into my heart, to save me from my sin, and to take me to heaven when I die. As utterly lost as I had been, in the instant I prayed that prayer, I was utterly saved, eternally secure in my Savior's love! Praise God!

If you died today, are you sure you'd go to heaven? Here's the Bible way to Heaven:

1. Recognize your condition.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
No one is good enough to go to Heaven on his own merit. No matter how much good we do, we still fall short.

2. Realize the penalty for sin.

For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
Just as there are wages for good, there is punishment for wrong. The penalty for our sin is eternal death.

3. Believe Christ died for you.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Christ's great love for us was shown when He died on the cross to pay our sin debt.

4. Trust only Christ to be your Savior.

But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
Everlasting life is a gift purchased by the blood of Jesus and offered freely to those who call upon Him by faith.

Let us help you word a prayer. (Realize it's not mere words that save, but your faith in Jesus Christ.)

"Dear Jesus, I know I'm a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. Jesus, come into my heart and save my soul. I am placing my trust in you, and you alone, to take me to Heaven when I die. Thank you for saving me, Jesus. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God. The first thing you should do is tell someone, confess your new faith. I'd love for you to leave a comment so that I can praise God & pray for you.

Next you should find a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching local church, where you can be baptized and begin to grow & serve the Lord.

God Bless you!

Chris