TOO MUCH STRESS...
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Get To Know Jesus
God Loves Me
The Bible tells us, “God is Love!” (1 John 4:8). The Lord is our Creator and cares a great deal about us. “See how much the Father has loved us? His love is so great that we are called God’s children” (1 John 3:1TEV).God wants you to have a happy life. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
My Sin Separates Me from God
Sin has broken our connection with God. “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). Everyone has broken God’s perfect law of love. “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Unless something happens, we are all doomed to die. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23).Jesus Connects Me Back to God
Because of God’s great love for you, Jesus willingly took the wages of sin upon Himself. Christ died so people could live eternally and not have to die. Jesus’ life without sin covers my life of sin so that I can have eternal life—salvation.
Christ’s death was accepted by God as full payment for all my past sins. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
How Do I Accept Jesus Into My Life?
When I accept Christ’s death, as a gift, I become a child of God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).What does Jesus death on the cross mean in my life? “To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1: 12RSV). If you would like to receive Christ into your life right now, follow these simple steps:
- Recognize you must die. “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23).
- Realize you cannot save yourself. “Without Me (God) you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
- Repent and confess to God that you are a sinner. “All have sinned…” (Romans 3:23).
- Believe Jesus died for your sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16).
- Believe that Jesus forgives you of sin. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
- Believe that you have eternal life. “He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).
The Real Story of God
National Geographic’s documentary The Story of God begins with noted Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman asking the age-old question, “What happens when we die?” But can the answer be found by traveling the world and sampling a variety of religions?Interestingly, Freeman himself has played the role of "God" in film more than once. He’s not the first, of course. A variety of performers have taken up the mantle—including Groucho Marx, Alanis Morrisette, and George Burns. But in National Geographic’s new miniseries, Freeman turns the tables and asks, “Who is God?” In the first of six episodes, which aired April 3, 2016, he first tackles the question, “What happens when we die?”
To get answers, Freeman travels the world and looks at different religious views on life after death. He crawls into an Egyptian pyramid to study hieroglyphs that explain how to care for the newly dead. He follows a garland-draped body through the Indian city of Varanasi to the funeral pyres located on the banks of Ganges. He even discusses with a scientist the idea of downloading the human brain and recreating a “digitalized” resurrection.
While he was still young, Freeman suffered the loss of his grandmother and brother. “Everybody grieves,” he explains, “but some people have a certainty that helps them cope with grief. They're certain they will see their loved ones again in heaven. For some of us, it’s not quite that simple.”
One reason Freeman might be challenged by the question of death probably comes from his view of God. In a 2012 interview, Freeman was asked if he considered himself atheist or agnostic. He replied, “It’s a hard question because as I said at the start, I think we invented God. So if I believe in God, and I do, it’s because I think I’m God.”
Is there really a god—or is the idea of a higher power simply a human invention? And will we find the truth about life after death by searching all the world’s religions—perhaps finding truth by consensus?
Many former atheists have said they found the fingerprints of a Designer in the natural world. While we certainly can discover more about the Creator by looking at the things around us, our clearest understanding of God comes through the Bible, which accurately presents the nature of God through Jesus Christ. If we truly want to know God and what happens after we die, we will study the book He has given us to learn of Him.
The Bible plainly reveals that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Many Christian are confused about what happens after death, largely as a result of misconceptions of the Bible that run rampant in our culture. The truth is that "The Story of God" doesn't have answers—but the Bible does!
God alone is immortal and will someday give eternal life to those who choose to follow Him. Until that day, when a person dies, they rest unconsciously in the grave until the resurrection. It’s a truth you can count on with certainty. Learn more by watching this enlightening presentation from Pastor Doug Batchelor.
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Are Your Burdens Heavy? 10 Bible Verses to Lighten the Load
Life is tough, and the burdens it hands you can be so hard to bear. But you don’t need to carry them alone. Read the promises of God …1. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). God is glad to carry your burdens and give you the daily strength you need.
2. “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6). It’s not God’s will that you should be crushed down with excessive burdens; let Him free you today.
3. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). Jesus will remove your heavy burden of guilt and hopelessness and give you true rest in Him.
4. “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13). God promises to support and help you through every trial.
5. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Just knowing your heavenly Father cares about you personally can make any load seem lighter.
6. “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). The Lord desires to constantly support you throughout your life, with the intention of saving you eternally.
7. “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom” (Isaiah 40:11). The Good Shepherd will gladly bear you in His gentle arms right now.
8. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). If you belong to Him, God will always listen when you call to Him for help.
9. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Through faith His strength becomes yours, and He reaches out to keep you from falling.
10. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When God has lightened your burdens, He asks you to do the same for others.
Why not come to Jesus today and allow Him to relieve you of your heavy load? Learn more about Jesus by clicking here.
