A foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God BECAUSE Jesus was resurrected.

The apostle Paul says, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). But then He goes on to argue the fundamental importance of Christ having been resurrected: “…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. …For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died in Christ]. (1 Corinthians 5: 12ff)

Examine the details of Jesus death and miraculous resurrection for yourself, and believe even stronger!

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A foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God BECAUSE Jesus was resurrected.

The apostle Paul says, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). But then He goes on to argue the fundamental importance of Christ having been resurrected: “…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. …For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died in Christ]. (1 Corinthians 5: 12ff)

Examine the details of Jesus death and miraculous resurrection for yourself, and believe even stronger!

Listen to part 1 of this 13-part series!

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Radio Show Transcript

In progress..

A foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God BECAUSE Jesus was resurrected.

The apostle Paul says, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). But then He goes on to argue the fundamental importance of Christ having been resurrected: “…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. …For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died in Christ]. (1 Corinthians 5: 12ff)

Examine the details of Jesus death and miraculous resurrection for yourself, and believe even stronger!

Listen to part 1 of this 13-part series!

Listen to part 12 of this series!

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Radio Show Transcript

In progress..

A foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God just as Jesus was resurrected. The apostle Paul says, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His [Christ’s] death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5). Find out what Jesus said before and after His resurrection so you can be assured of your resurrection in Him!

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A foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God just as Jesus was resurrected. The apostle Paul says, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His [Christ’s] death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5). Find out what Jesus said before and after His resurrection so you can be assured of your resurrection in Him!

Listen to part 1 of this 13-part series!

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The foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God. Did the Old Testament saints believe God would resurrect them from the dead? Listen to part 8 of this series on the Resurrection from 2 Maccabees.

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The foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God. Did the Old Testament saints believe God would resurrect them from the dead? Listen to part 7 of this series on the Resurrection from 2 Maccabees.

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The foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God. What does the Bible say about the resurrection from the dead? Listen to part 6 of this series on the Resurrection.

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The foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God. What does the Bible say about the resurrection from the dead? Listen to part 5 of this series on the Resurrection.

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The foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God. What does the Bible say about the resurrection from the dead? Listen to part 4 of this series on the Resurrection.

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The foundational promise for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is that we will be bodily resurrected to live eternally with God. What does the Bible say about the resurrection from the dead? Listen to part 3 of this series on the Resurrection.

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In speaking of Jesus, Paul said “That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection” What does it mean to know Jesus? And what is the power of His resurrection? Listen to part 1 of this series on the Resurrection.

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Both John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ came preaching, crying out: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In this 5-part series, Jeff Tobler walks through the scriptures and unfolds the beautiful promise and revealed reality of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Heaven!

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Both John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ came preaching, crying out: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In this 5-part series, Jeff Tobler walks through the scriptures and unfolds the beautiful promise and revealed reality of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Heaven!

Listen to part 1 of this 5-part series!

Listen to part 5 of this series!

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Radio Show Transcript

In progress..

Both John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ came preaching, crying out: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In this 5-part series, Jeff Tobler walks through the scriptures and unfolds the beautiful promise and revealed reality of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Heaven!

Listen to part 1 of this 5-part series!

Listen to part 4 of this series!

Listen to ALL broadcasts!

Radio Show Transcript

In progress..

Both John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ came preaching, crying out: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In this 5-part series, Jeff Tobler walks through the scriptures and unfolds the beautiful promise and revealed reality of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Heaven!

Listen to part 1 of this 5-part series!

Listen to part 3 of this series!

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Radio Show Transcript

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If you have already died and your life is hid in Christ (Colossians 3:3), what can man do to you? Specifically, what can ISIS, Al Shabaab and any other godless, evil, fear-mongering terrorist do to you? Yes, they are raping, torturing, beheading, and crucifying Christians. But can these godless purveyors of unbridled hate separate you from the love of Christ? The answer is a resounding NO!

Jeff walks you through the eternal promises of God found in Romans 8. Get ready to be encouraged!

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ANNC: Welcome to Eternal Promises, with your host and founder, Jeff Tobler. “Because all of the promises of God in Christ are Yes and in Him, AMEN!” (1 Corinthians 2:10) “And this is THE promise He’s promised us, even eternal life!” (1 John 2:25)

JEFF: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither ISIS, nor AL Shabaab, nor Boko Haram, nor suicide bombers, nor any other God-hating fear-monitoring terrorist group shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

ANNC: To participate in the show we invite you to submit your question or comment online at EternalPromises.org/radio.

JEFF: Thank you, Scott. Welcome everyone to the program. This is Jeff Tobler with Eternal Promises, and you know that one of our foundational promises found in 1 John 2:25 says “this is the promise God’s promised us, even eternal life!”

But today were going to focus on the eternal promise that says:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written, for your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Now that’s from Romans 8:35-39, and I encourage you to memorize and meditate upon these wonderful promises from God.

Well, the reason this eternal promise is so important at this time is because of the intense persecution facing Christians around the world. And it’s not only persecution, but it’s a Christian genocide.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you understand what’s happening worldwide to Christians. Not only in China in the past several decades. Not only in India, where there has been much persecution from Hindus, from Muslims, from many fronts — even from the governments in many of these countries — but lately it has ramped up in the Muslim or Islamic quarters in Syria, to begin with; now in Iraq. It is been this way in Iran, and we could go on.

And the name that we know this by today is ISIS or ISIL or Daesch. And there many ways to refer to this group, but it’s known also as the Islamic State; we could just call it that. And I want to call it the “personification of evil”, and that’s simply what it is. It is a satanic hatred of people and especially focused on Christians.

I want to make it clear that it’s not only Christians who are dying and being put to death, being subjected to a forced conversion to Islam, but it’s people of many different faiths. But we’re going to focus on the Christian genocide that’s going on because there is a very pointed, focused genocide against the Christian communities worldwide, and especially in Syria and in Iraq, as we’ve noted. But it’s coming over to America. It’s happened in France. Now it’s all over the place.

There was a well-written article by Kirsten Powers. It showed up in USA Today. The headline read something like this: “Secretary of State should call what ISIL is committing by its true name”. Kirsten starts of the article pointing to a situation that happen in October with Islamic state militants in Syria demanding two Christian women and six [Christian] men to convert.

And when they refused they were publicly raped and then beheaded — which we’re seeing is commonly the case — along with the men. The women were publicly raped because they refused to convert to Islam… and then they were beheaded along with the men.

Now as if that weren’t enough, we have another account of a 12-year-old boy’s fingertips being cut off by the militants in an attempt to force the Christian father to convert to Islam. Well, when the father refused to, guess what happen? They were brutalized and then crucified!

This is happening all over the place. It’s not new. This is not some isolated instance. She goes on to say “beheadings crucifixions and enslavement are visited on those who won’t renounce their religious beliefs; the lucky ones are murdered in more mundane ways or driven from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back”.

And this is the part that really struck me. A little bit further down in the story Powers writes this:

“indeed ISIL warned Christians in a video:” (and this is the warning from the Muslims) “you will not have safety, even in your dreams, until you embrace Islam.”

What’s so interesting about that statement from the terrorists is this: they have no understanding of what it means to be reconciled to God. Because if they did, if they understood what it was to walk in the love and peace that Christ affords us, they would know that we already have safety. They would know that even in our worst nightmares we can still have peace.

And so [the terrorists] are claiming that it won’t be until we embrace Islam that will find peace, but Jesus says the ONLY way to find peace is in Him!

At the end of the piece, [Powers] says this: “ISIL doesn’t want to coexist with Middle Eastern Christians: it wants to eliminate them. Let’s stop pretending otherwise and call this what it is: a genocide.”

While I appreciate her article first of all because I think we live in such a politically correct world or just naivety would just have our heads buried in the sand. This is exactly what’s going on, and the threat is not going away; it’s only growing.

But the question is, “How should we respond the threat from the Islamic terrorists?”

ISIS says “fear death or convert!”, but the message from God, from Jesus Christ Himself, and from the apostles is: “don’t fear death, rather fear not counting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!”

And don’t convert to Islam or any other religion that rejects Jesus as the only Way to the Father; the only atonement for sins. No, no. Embrace Jesus! Embrace Christianity, and find peace for your soul. You see, these Muslim terrorists just don’t get it because their godless hatred has blinded them from hearing the Truth.

True Christians do not fear death because we know that when we die, either naturally or at the hands of a terrorist — the very embodiment of evil — that we will be released from this world to be forever with the true God, our Heavenly Father, praising King Jesus!

We will not face the punishment of our past sins, but rather we will be welcomed into the presence of God with the Crown of Eternal Life. So, while they hope to instill fear, which by the way is what Satan always hopes to do, these fear tactics hold no real power over the one who is Christ’s.

Let’s take [Romans 8:37-39] one step further and actually replace some of those things with what were facing today. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither ISIS, nor AL Shabaab, nor Boko Haram, nor suicide bombers, nor any other God-hating fear-monitoring terrorist group shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

ANNC: Jeff will be back in just a moment to share some closing thoughts.

FEMALE ANNC: Do you have trouble sharing the gospel? Is it difficult to find the right time to discuss the hope that lies within you. We understand and to help you share the gospel we’ve produced stunning, smart, and thought-provoking gospel tracks, such as the “Taste and See” Bread of Life track that teases a free lifetime supply perfect for coffee shops, bakeries, and cafes. Or get our BOO! tract for Halloween that tells of the coming TRUE fright night story. We even have our close counters tract for those area 51 folks that answers the question “are we alone”. That and much more to help you share the eternal promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Go to eternal promises.org/resources to order your tracks today, and get the news of Jesus Christ into the hands and hearts of others.

ANNC: To participate in the show, submit your question or comment online at eternalpromises.org/radio or by calling toll-free 888-88-LOVE-GOD. And now, here’s your host, Jeff Tobler:

JEFF: This is Jeff Tobler, founder of Eternal Promises and I’m here to encourage you today, that in the face of pure evil, the unveiled face of evil — and it’s represented today in many groups, but one of them that is gaining notoriety is ISIS. They are these Islamic terrorists that are putting to death — it’s a genocide of Christians, along with other groups. But Christians are being targeted, and if they do not convert the women are being publicly raped, the men are being beheaded, the younger women are being sold into sexual slavery, the young men are having their fingertips cut off… and I could go on. But the point is, should we fear? How do we go forward? How is it that these saints over there are not denying Jesus Christ, and are suffering the martyrdom? Well it’s because there are eternal promises that we can rest upon that we can gain strength through. And let me share a few of them. One of them comes from Hebrews 13:5-6 and it says this “God himself says I will never leave you nor forsake you, so we may boldly say the Lord is my helper; I will not fear! What can man do to me?” And in 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul, speaking of death, encourages the Saints this way: “We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject to death with eternal life!”

ANNC: You’ve been listening to Eternal Promises with your host and founder, Jeff Tobler. On behalf of all of us at Eternal Promises thank you for listening! And we encourage you to lay hold of God’s promises in you life today, by loving the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Because all of the promises of God in Christ are YES, and in Him, AMEN.

This is a listener supported broadcast, and your prayers and financial support are appreciated. You can support this ministry online at EternalPromises.org/give or by calling 888-88-LOVE-GOD (888-885-6834).

“And this is the promise He has promised us, even Eternal Life!” 1 John 2:25

Eternal Promises Radio was produced by eternal promises ministries.

You’re listening to Eternal Promises Radio with Jeff Tobler.

In speaking of Jesus, Paul said “That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection” What does it mean to know Jesus? And what is the power of His resurrection? Listen to part 1 of this series on the Resurrection.

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Jesus told the disciples to preach “Repentance and Remission of Sins”. But what really is repentance? Is it different from feeling sorry about our sin? Listen as Jeff Tobler reveals the true meaning of repentance and how repentance relates to remission of sins.

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Jesus told the disciples to preach “Repentance and Remission of Sins”. But what really is repentance? Is it different from feeling sorry about our sin? Listen as Jeff Tobler reveals the true meaning of repentance and how repentance relates to remission of sins.

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Here’s an Eternal Promise to help you face the satanic fear-mongering Islamic terrorists such as ISIS (or ISIL or DAESH), Al Shabab, Boko Haram, and all others like them who are involved in the current Christian genocide: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).

Today we are going to focus on the eternal promise found in Romans 8:35 that says:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That’s Roman’s 8:35-39, and I encourage you to memorize and meditate upon this wonderful promise from God.

Well, the reason this eternal promise is so important at this time is because of the intense persecution facing Christians around the world. And not only a persecution, but a Christian genocide.

USA Today Story – Kirsten Powers: John Kerry should recognize Christian genocide – December 7, 2015

HEADLINE: Secretary of State should call what ISIL is committing by its true name.

“In October, Islamic State militants in Syria demanded that two Christian women and six men convert to Islam. When they refused, the women were publicly raped and then beheaded along with the men. On the same day, militants cut off the fingertips of a 12-year-old boy in an attempt to force his Christian father to convert. When his father refused, they were brutalized and then crucified.

“This has become the plight of Christians in the Middle East at the hands of the Islamic State terrorist group, also known as ISIL or ISIS. Beheadings, crucifixions and enslavement are visited on those who won’t renounce their religious beliefs. The lucky ones are murdered in more mundane ways or driven from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”

A little further down in the story, Powers writes:

“Indeed, ISIL warned Christians in a video, ‘You will not have safety, even in your dreams, until you embrace Islam.’ Its militants or their affiliates have murdered or claimed credit for killing Christians in Syria, Nigeria, Iraq and Libya.

She ends the piece with:

“ISIL doesn’t want to co-exist with Middle Eastern Christians. It wants to eliminate them. Let’s stop pretending otherwise and call this what it is: a genocide.”

The threat from the islamist terrorists is “fear death or convert”. But the message from God, from Jesus Christ Himself, and from the apostles is “don’t fear death, rather fear not counting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and  don’t convert to Islam (or any other religion that rejects Jesus as the only way to the Father and the only atonement for sins)”.

These muslim terrorists don’t get it because their godless hatred has blinded them from the hearing the truth. True Christians don’t fear death because we know that when we die – either naturally or at the hands of a terrorist, the very embodiment of evil – that we will be released from this world to be forever with the True God, our Heavenly Father, praising King Jesus. We will not face the punishment of our past sins, but will be welcomed into the presence of God with the crown of eternal life!

So, while they hope to instill fear – which, by the way, is what Satan always hopes to do… instill fear of him and hear of death – these fear tactics hold no real power over the one who is Christ’s.

Does this mean Christians will not mourn the loss of loved ones? No, of course not. Does this mean Christians will not even feel the pain? Well, some accounts say that martyrs have signaled no pain, but it may even mean we experience a brief period of pain. I say brief because in light of eternity, this life, is but a blip. So imagine the small amount of time it is to be martyred compared to eternity with God where all pain and all tears are wiped away.

But it does mean that we will be victorious unto our very own death because God will uphold us during these trials.

Let’s hear the fulness of this eternal promises from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome:

Romans 8:31-39 VOICE – So what should we say about all of this? If God is on our side, then tell me:whom should we fear?  If He did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then don’t you think that He will graciously give us all things with Him? Can anyone be so bold as to level a charge against God’s chosen? Especially since God’s “not guilty” verdict is already declared. Who has the authority to condemn? Jesus the Anointed who died, but more importantly, conquered death when He was raised to sit at the right hand of God where He pleads on our behalf. So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing. As the psalm says,

On Your behalf, our lives are endangered constantly; we are like sheep awaiting slaughter.

But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us. For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, 39 height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord

Romans 8:35 in the NKJV Version reads this way:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SEGMENT 3

The writer of Hebrews says something similar:

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

1 CORINTHIANS 15

53 We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject to death with eternal life. 54 And, when we are all redressed with bodies that do not, cannot decay, when we put immortality over our mortal frames, then it will be as Scripture says:

Life everlasting has victoriously swallowed death.

55 Hey, Death! What happened to your big win?

Hey, Death! What happened to your sting?

56 Sin came into this world, and death’s sting followed. Then sin took aim at the law and gained power over those who follow the law.

57 Thank God, then, for our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, the Liberating King, who brought us victory over the grave.

2 CORINTHIANS 4

7 But this beautiful treasure is contained in us— cracked pots made of earth and clay—so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us. 8 We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. 9 We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our bodies the reality of the brutal death and suffering of Jesus. As a result, His resurrection life rises and reveals its wondrous power in our bodies as well. 11 For while we live, we are constantly handed over to death on account of Jesus so that His life may be revealed even in our mortal bodies of flesh.

13 We share the same spirit of faith as the one who wrote the psalm, “I believed; therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and that belief leads us to acknowledge 14 that the same God who resurrected the Lord Jesus will raise us with Jesus and will usher us all together into His presence.

16 So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day. 17 You see, the short- lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. 18 So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on.

2 CORINTHIANS 5

1 We know that if our earthly house—a mere tent that can easily be taken down —is destroyed, we will then live in an eternal home in the heavens, a building crafted by divine—not human—hands. 2 Currently, in this tent of a house, we continue to groan and ache with a deep desire to be sheltered in our permanent home 3 because then we will be truly clothed and comfortable, protected by a covering for our current nakedness. 4 The fact is that in this tent we anxiously moan, fearing the naked truth of our reality. What we crave above all is to be clothed so that what is temporary and mortal can be wrapped completely in life. 5 The One who has worked and tailored us for this is God Himself, who has gifted His Spirit to us as a pledge toward our permanent home.

6 In light of this, we live with a daring passion and know that our time spent in this body is also time we are not present with the Lord.

7 The path we walk is charted by faith, not by what we see with our eyes. 8 There is no doubt that we live with a daring passion, but in the end we prefer to be gone from this body so that we can be at home with the Lord. 9 Ultimately it does not matter whether we are here or gone; our purpose stays fixed, and that is to please Him

HEBREWS 2

14 Since we, the children, are all creatures of flesh and blood, Jesus took on flesh and blood, so that by dying He could destroy the one who held power over death—the devil— 15 and destroy the fear of death that has always held people captive

JOHN 3

16 For God expressed His love for the world in this way:He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. 17 Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction.

18 No one who believes in Him has to fear condemnation, yet condemnation is already the reality for everyone who refuses to believe because they reject the name of the only Son of God. 19 Why does God allow for judgment and condemnation? Because the Light, sent from God, pierced through the world’s darkness to expose ill motives, hatred, gossip, greed, violence, and the like. Still some people preferred the darkness over the light because their actions were dark. 20 Some of humankind hated the light. They scampered hurriedly back into the darkness where vices thrive and wickedness flourishes. 21 Those who abandon deceit and embrace what is true, they will enter into the light where it will be clear that all their deeds come from God

Paul tells us not to worry because what we face here is a blip in time and not to be compared with the awesome reality of eternal life in the direct presence of our loving Father and King Jesus!

And he makes the point that nothing, absolutely NOTHING – not even the most twisted muslim terrorist – can separate us from the LOVE of GOD.

Look at what Jesus says about this:

Matthew 10:28-33

28 Don’t fear those who aim to kill just the body but are unable to touch the soul. The One to fear is He who can destroy you, soul and body, in the fires of hell. 29 Look, if you sold a few sparrows, how much money would you get? A copper coin apiece, perhaps? And yet your Father in heaven knows when those small sparrows fall to the ground. 30 31 You, beloved, are worth so much more than a whole flock of sparrows. God knows everything about you, even the number of hairs on your head. So do not fear.

32 Whoever knows Me here on earth, I will know him in heaven. And whoever proclaims faith in Me here on earth, I will proclaim faith in him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns Me here, I will disown before My Father in heaven

So, you see, those how trust in Jesus have no fear of Death nor of those who can kill just the body. Why? Because they are unable to touch or destroy the soul. Our Lord Jesus is able to preserve us blameless in soul and spirit, and our Heavenly Father is able to keep anyone or anything from snatching us from His hand. While it doesn’t mean we won’t face persecution and even death because of our faith, it does mean we will be eternally alive, healthy, and well in the presence of God enjoying His perfect place called Heaven.

And that’s a Word of Promise today from Eternal Promises. I’m Jeff Tobler, and I want to encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found, because if you seek Him with all of your heart, the promise of God is that you will find Him.

This is Jeff Tobler, and the Lord bless you richly!

Here’s an Eternal Promise that should get you excited and very curious to know more: “You are the Temple of the Living God”. In this Eternal Promises Radio Show broadcast, Jeff Tobler walks us through an in-depth exposition behind this true concept, as well as the conditional nature of this promise, and what it means for YOU!

Listen to part 1 of this 2-part series!

Listen to ALL broadcasts!

Radio Show Transcript

Thank you, Scott. This is Jeff Tobler, and we are focusing on the Eternal Promises that state “believers are the temple of the Living God”, and we just got done quoting out of John 2, starting at verse 19:

John 2:19-22
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

Where Does God Dwell?

You see the old worship patterns were based off of many physical patterns and earthly examples that were meant to lead us into a worship of God in Spirit and in Truth.

Empty repetition or rituals have never been the goal. God has used these in the past to teach us about spiritual truths and heavenly realities, but God has always wanted us to worship Him in Spirit. He has always wanted us to serve Him at all times and in all places, out a pure, tender heart of love toward Him and others.

David reveals the heart of God in Psalm 51:

Psalm 51:16 –Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

This was in part Jesus’ mission. He helps us to clearly see this as He talked with the Woman at the Well, where He said:

John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

In other words, Jesus’ whole ministry is about opening our eyes to who God is, what His will is for us, and what TRUE worship looks like.

In Hebrews 8:1 we are told this in plain words:

Hebrews 8:1-2 (NKJV)
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

Did you here that? Our High Priest, Jesus, is the final and only high priest now ministering over the true tabernacle which the Lord built, not man. He goes onto say that the earthly priests “…serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” So all that was done on the earth were copies, types, shadows… but NOT of any substance. Jesus is the substance, to Whom all the copies, types, and shadows pointed, but of themselves where nothing.

Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit in the beginnings of the Chuch, expounds on the tabernacle, the temple, and the TRUE dwelling place of God:

Acts 7:44-50 (NKJV)
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house.

“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’ “

There you have it. The Most High does NOT dwell in temples made with hands, but rather in people who confess their sinfulness and start loving and obeying Jesus.

Look at what the OT prophet Isaiah declares:

Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV)
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

You see, God has never truly dwelt with the Tabernacle nor in the earthly Temple, even though He used it to meet with and instruct His people. No, we can’t build any tabernacle or temple on this earth now or in the future that God will accept as His true temple, because He has already made one in Jesus’ death and resurrection and in His Church, individually and corporately.

Which leads us to the third point, which we will cover in a moment:

Believers are the legitimate and eternal Temple of the Living God

So then, all believers and worldwide Church make up the temple of the Living God! As His Body on this earth, wherever we go we have God in us and He is our God. We don’t have to travel over hill and dale, over land and sea, to go to some distant so-called “holy temple” or “holy place”.  Wherever we are, we are in His holy place. We have instant access to God because He is in us – the temple of His choosing.

In fact, Jesus made sure of this by prophesying the end of Old Covenant worship in the Jerusalem Temple by destroying it in 70 AD, thereby destroying the old sacrificial system along with it.

Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV)
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

In his letter to Ephesus, Paul writes of a Temple still in process on this earth, but of Heavenly origin:

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
Now, therefore, you are… members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

And Peter agrees saying, in Christ we are“living stones” that God is using to “build up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood” and that we now “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

When we give up our own desires so that others would know the Lord, that is an acceptable sacrifice. And when we offer up prayers for others, this is now the offering that is compared to as spiritual incense before the Lord.

The only way to please God, and to worship in Spirit and in Truth

The only way to please God, and to worship in Spirit and in Truth is to believe in Jesus, to repent of your sins, and begin to serve and follow Jesus. The Spirit of Christ will lead you into Truth. He is the foundation of this life of worship. Remember, you no longer need to go to a temple or building to worship and serve God.

Instead, as believers in Jesus Christ we are free to worship Him at all times with a life filled with gratitude, and a tender heart of love toward Him!

Before we leave this topic, it’s important to understand why Paul kept pressing this point to the Corinthians. They were not living properly and he was reminding them and warning them. Listen to what he says:

2 Corinthians 6:11-18 (NKJV)
“What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? … And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?

For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

It is out of a great love for them that Paul is rebuking them for their wicked heart of unbelief. But what is the remedy? Well, in the very next verse, Paul plainly states what they must do. Let’s read it together:

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Here’s an Eternal Promise that should get you excited and very curious to know more: “You are the Temple of the Living God”. In this Eternal Promises Radio Show broadcast, Jeff Tobler walks us through an in-depth exposition behind this true concept, as well as the conditional nature of this promise, and what it means for YOU!

Listen to part 2 of this series!

Listen to ALL broadcasts!

Radio Show Transcript

Thank you, Scott. Welcome to Eternal Promises Radio Show. I’m your host, Jeff Tobler.

I want to personally thank you for joining the broadcast today and remind you of THE eternal promise of Eternal Life for everyone who believes and lives for Jesus Christ.

“And this is the promise God has promised us, even Eternal Life!” (1 John 2:25)

Because,

“All of the promises of God in Christ are “YES” and in Him, “AMEN”. (2 Cor 1:20)

Today, we are going to focus on the amazing, but sometimes misunderstood Eternal Promise that says:

“For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them, and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ ” (2 Cor 6:16b)

And by the end of the broadcast you will discover clear insights and understanding on:

1. The role of God’s Old Covenant Temple
2. Where God ultimately dwells
3. And, what it means when we read that We are “the Temple of the Living God” in the New Testament.

Now, to be clear, this is a conditional promise, which is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ! If you are not currently a whole-hearted Christian, walking in an obedient love-faith relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to lay hold of eternal life by laying hold of Jesus, by faith, and holding fast to Jesus and His teachings the remainder of your days on this earth.

Now, if you are currently a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the sent Messiah for the Jews and the Savior of the whole world, this is the Promise: “You are the temple of the living God”.

The primary verse we chose is 2 Cor 6:16, but this eternal promise is repeated throughout the New Testament, and promised and alluded to throughout the Old Testament.

For instance, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth reminding them and encouraging them of this Truth.

For instance, in his first letter, early on he writes:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

And a few chapters later, he again writes:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Well, why is Paul writing this? What is he driving at? Thankfully, he gives us the answer by saying:

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

In other words, since we are God’s Temple, meaning He dwells inside of us – in our bodies, we should now be using our bodies (heart, mind, soul, and strength) to do those things which please and honor God. We are His, and He is ours. Therefore, we should make every effort to live a life that pleases God rather than grieving the Holy Spirit.

Well, before we get too far into this amazing eternal promise that believers actually are the Temple of the Living God, let’s step back to examine the origins of this concept, directed by God for the good of His people.

What was the role of the Temple found in the Old Covenant?

Anyone remotely familiar with the Old Testament or the Jews has some understanding of Solomon’’s Temple, or later Herod’s Temple.

Now, to be accurate, this notion of God’s Temple, goes back even further to the instructions given Moses to build a Tabernacle in the Wilderness.

This Tabernacle was portable, made of poles and animal skins, along with other materials, whereas the Temple we read about later was a fixed building made primarily of stone and covered in gold and other precious commodities.

But the result was the same. These “dwelling places of God” were instituted as a place where God would meet with the people, notably the priests on behalf of God’s people, and where ritual cleansing would take place, as well as sacrifice and offering for past sins committed.

At the time, God instituted the sacrificial Law to be carried out in the Tabernacle, and later, the Temple. These laws showed the people that their sins needed to atoned for by the shedding of blood – that is, the sacrifice (or ritual killing) of an animal so that the guilty party how had repented could be free from the penalty of death.

The writer of Hebrews says it this way in Hebrews 9:22:

“According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

The VOICE translation says:

“Under the law, it’s almost the case that everything is purified in connection with blood; without the shedding of blood, sin cannot be forgiven.”

The tabernacle provides a rich study into the empty types and shadows that ultimately pointed to the rich and meaningful substance found in their fulfillment, Jesus Christ. You see, we tabernacle with God when we enter into an abiding relationship with Jesus, and we have our sins forgiven because of the sacrifice of sins that Jesus paid for by His blood being shed in our place!

The Temple and Laws pointed His people and future generations to the coming Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. The Temple served to teach about the atoning blood of Jesus Christ as the only sacrifice for all sin. The Temple taught the people that God wanted to “be their God” and that He was looking for a people who would gratefully and lovingly serve in the greatest Temple there ever was – one not made on this earth, but made without hands.

Which leads us to the second point.

Where Does God Dwell?

Well, there is no denying that there was once a physical Tabernacle and Temple under the Old Covenant, instituted by God. But after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus revealed the heavenly tabernacle and temple not made with hands, and inaugurated earthly worship in this heavenly tabernacle by focusing on relationship rather than on real estate; on love rather than location.

Jesus alludes to it in John 2, starting at verse 19

John 2:19-22
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

You see the old worship patterns were based off of many physical patterns and earthly examples that were meant to lead us into a worship of God in Spirit and in Truth.

Empty repetition or rituals have never been the goal. God has used these in the past to teach us about spiritual truths and heavenly realities, but God has always wanted us to worship Him in Spirit. He has always wanted us to serve Him at all times and in all places, out a pure, tender heart of love toward Him and others.

David reveals the heart of God in Psalm 51:

Psalm 51:16 –Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

This was in part Jesus’ mission. He helps us to clearly see this as He talked with the Woman at the Well, where He said:

John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

In other words, Jesus’ whole ministry is about opening our eyes to who God is, what His will is for us, and what TRUE worship looks like.

In Hebrews 8:1 we are told this in plain words:

Hebrews 8:1-2 (NKJV)
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

Did you here that? Our High Priest, Jesus, is the final and only high priest now ministering over the true tabernacle which the Lord built, not man. He goes onto say that the earthly priests “…serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” So all that was done on the earth were copies, types, shadows… but NOT of any substance. Jesus is the substance, to Whom all the copies, types, and shadows pointed, but of themselves where nothing.

Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit in the beginnings of the Chuch, expounds on the tabernacle, the temple, and the TRUE dwelling place of God:

Acts 7:44-50 (NKJV)
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house.

“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’ “

There you have it. The Most High does NOT dwell in temples made with hands, but rather in people who confess their sinfulness and start loving and obeying Jesus.

Listen to part 2 of this series!

Jesus says there are only two doors (or gates) and only two paths that people choose in this life. But according to Jesus, only ONE of them leads to ETERNAL LIFE. In this Eternal Promises Radio Show broadcast, Jeff Tobler walks us through an even deeper exposition behind Jesus’ difficult saying of “NARROW is the gate and DIFFICULT is the path that leads to Life!”

Listen to part 1 of this 2-part series!

Listen to ALL broadcasts!

Radio Show Transcript

Thank you, Scott. Welcome to Eternal Promises Radio Show. I’m your host, Jeff Tobler. I want to personally thank you for joining us on the broadcast today and remind you that one of the quintessential promises we have is found in John’s first letter to believers where He emphatically states  “and this is the promise God has promised us, even Eternal Life!” (1 John 2:25)

Now that is an exciting promises. One that many would like to lay hold of, but if we’re not very careful, might miss out on the promise.

Another messenger of God, Paul (Saul of Tarsus), wrote to the believers in the ancient city of Corinth, reminding them that “all of the promises of God IN CHRIST are “YES” and in Him, “AMEN”. (2 Cor 1:20)

Implicit in Paul’s statement is that these promises of God relating to eternal life require one very important condition be met. That is, that we believe, repent, love and obey His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is, after all, In Christ, that the promises are actualized.

And so, when we here John’s exclamation that God has promised us eternal life, the inference is that those how have the promises are those who have made the choice to identify themselves with the risen, living Lord Jesus Christ. Look how simple God has made salvation.

Well, this week we are going to dig even deeper into Jesus’ eternal promise of the narrow door and the difficult way that leads to life. And we will be contrasting His path with the broad, crowded path that leads to destruction. We want to be very specific and to learn how to navigate to the correct door and start walking on the right path.

Let’s hear directly from Jesus again in Matthew 7: 13-14:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Now, to give this more amplification, let’s read it out of The Voice translation:

There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many people manage it.

To be very clear about this, all of those found in the wide, easy, crowded road are those who will NOT receive Eternal Life, but rather eternal damnation, condemnation, and never-ending torment. These multitudes are going their own way and not living in obedience to God but continue to love themselves or other gods more than the One and only Eternal God, known as Yahweh, having revealed Himself as consisting of the Father, and the Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

But why will they end up in torment? Well, just like there are two doors and two roads to travel, there are also two masters for us to align ourselves with. The one TRUE master is the Lord Jesus Christ. The one counterfeit lord is Satan or Lucifer, a one-time remarkably beautiful angelic being with great authority over other angels whom God created to serve in His Kingdom, but who early on chose to rebel against God and convinced many other angels to rebel with him.

You see, Satan wanted to have the attention God alone is due. He wanted to be worshipped like God rather than remaining a worshipper of God. Therefore, Satan was cast out of his place of authority, and God prepared a lake of fire for Satan and those other angels who chose to follow their new dark lord.

This is how Jesus puts it in Matthew 25 starting at verse 41:

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

You see, those who have chosen to rebel against God or following their leader, Satan, or the Devil. And Jesus makes it very plain that everyone who has chosen an evil nature will be tormented along with Satan in the lake of fire, forever and ever. This is Eternal death, or Eternal destruction, or eternal torment or everlasting punishment. This punishment never ends. Just as the one receiving eternal life will have blessings that will never end, the one receiving eternal punishment will have never ending torment. God is communicating this to warn us now of the consequences of not choosing Life, of not believing in and following Jesus.

Jesus ends this warning clearly stating that those who end up serving Satan will end up with eternal punishment:

Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Satan is God’s enemy and by extension the chief enemy of all mankind. His goal is to steal, kill, and destroy as many as he can from God. And sadly, many are choosing to be a servant or slave of Satan by continuing to live in their sin and by rejecting the LIFE that God has offered through His Son Jesus Christ.

You see, God is just and must punish lawbreakers just like we would want any earthly judge to do. But think about it, those who will be punished refused to accept the gift of eternal life God has offered everyone. What a dark day that will be for many people.

SEGMENT 2

Welcome back to the show, this is Jeff Tobler, and we are getting a very detailed look at the characteristics of those who walk the narrow path vs the broad path.

We are talking about Satan’s role, our role, and how we can be set free from Satan and sin to now serve the TRUE Master, Jesus Christ, the hope of every person from every tribe and tongue on the planet. It’s all about who we identify with.

You see, anyone who chooses Satan or remains in the service of Satan, receives his destiny. If Satan’s judgment is to be thrown into Hell, then those who identify with satan will also be thrown into Hell, being seen as traitors like their dark lord. Think of it as being an accomplice to THE crime of all crimes against God.

This is how Paul put it in Romans chapter 6 starting at verse 16:

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Satan’s destiny is Hell, and he knows it. You need to understand that he is desperately trying to convince those who follow God to deny the Lord and live a life outside of the boundaries God has established.

What does this look like? What does the Broadway path look like? Thankfully, Paul helps us out on this one. He gives us a clear picture of this in not just one letter, but in at least three.

Let’s examine each instance. Here, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth and warns them not to be deceived. This is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

And here in a letter to the believers at Rome, Paul is very explicit about the behavior of those who walk in the broad way that leads to destruction. This is found in Romans chapter 1:

By choosing a foolish lie over God’s truth. They gave their lives and devotion to the creature rather than to the Creator Himself, who is blessed forever and ever. Amen. This is why God released them to their own vile pursuits, and this is what happened:they chose sexual counterfeits—women had sexual relations with other women and men committed unnatural, shameful acts because they burned with lust for other men. This sin was rife, and they suffered painful consequences.

… Their days are filled with all sorts of godless living, wicked schemes, greed, hatred, endless desire for more, murder, violence, deceit, and spitefulness. And, as if that were not enough, they are gossiping, slanderous, God- hating, rude, egotistical, smug people who are always coming up with even more dreadful ways to treat one another. They don’t listen to their parents; they lack understanding and character. They are simple- minded, covenant- breaking, heartless, and unmerciful; they are not to be trusted. Despite the fact that they are fully aware that God’s law says this way of life deserves death, they fail to stop. And worse— they applaud others on this destructive path.

And writing to the Ephesians, in chapter 5, he is consistent in warning those who may be straying away from the difficult, constricted path that leads to life:

Ephesians 5:1-7 (NKJV)
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Look at the contrast between walking in the Spirit, in love, imitating Christ vs walking in the flesh, in immorality, imitating Satan.

Lastly, let’s read out of Paul’s letter to the Christians at Galatia. This is Galatians 5: 16-25 and we see a very clear contrast between a believer’s ability to walk pleasing to God by the power of the Spirit or to choose to grieve the Spirit of God by walking contrary to God’s power and instead choosing to please our old sinful nature, that should be staying dead.

Here’s Paul with a promise that should take to heart and believe with all of our heart:

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Now, Paul follows with a description of what it looks like to NOT walk according to the God’s desires, not submitted to the Spirit’s leading:

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now listen to the contrast again of a surrendered life willingly under the authority of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Beloved, we have a choice. It’s so clear that we can choose between to sources: Jesus or Satan. Jesus leads to LIFE; Satan leads to DEATH.

SEGMENT 3

Welcome back, this is Jeff Tobler with Eternal Promises, and we are going to wrap up this two-part series on The Narrow Path by some exceedingly great promises from God as well as instruction on how you can receive the Promise of Eternal Life through Christ!

Before we get to that, let’s be very clear about one thing. Satan does NOT have to try to convince those who are already his servants. He already has them right where he wants them.

No, he wants everyone to remain instead comfortable in their abiding death sentence – to make them think that the life of comfort and ease they are enjoying will have no dire consequences. But Satan is the Chief liar – the father of lies. Satan’s path leads to destruction, because it leads us away from God, the source of all LIFE!

But it doesn’t have to be that way for you! No, today and for the rest of your life going forward, you can choose life and escape the wrath to come by repenting – turning away from a self-centered life of sin and toward a life of loving and serving God – and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

For you remember the promise the Jesus Himself stated to Nicodemus, and be extension to all of us:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting LIFE!” (John 3:16)

Maybe now that little phrase “shall not perish” makes more sense and the urgency of turning back to God today is the door of your heart.

This is how you go through the narrow door. Jesus Christ is the Door that leads to life, and He not only offers life but abundant life – both here and for eternity.

Earlier we read out of Romans 6 about our slavery to sin and Satan, but now let’s read about our freedom from slavery when we turn to the Lord:

…having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness…

What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Well the good news is that Jesus is not only the Door but also the Way or the Path that leads to Life. If you enter in through Jesus and continue to walk in His path you will end up receiving Eternal Life!

[After all, Jesus said “I am the door, if anyone enters by me he will be saved” and later to He said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me”. These sayings are recorded in the Gospel of John, and I encourage you to read it for yourself!]

But did you hear that? If you enter through Jesus you will be saved, and if you follow Him all your days, with all of your heart, you will enter into eternal life when you die and be in the presence of your Heavenly Father forever!

Well, the Good News is that if you receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, you will receive the free gift of salvation and the Promise of the Holy Spirit. Your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of LIFE and saved from eternal damnation and the Lake of fire! Not only will you be able to spend eternity in His blessed presence, you will be able to live a life that begins to please God on this earth.

If you haven’t yet received the Lord and experienced the gift of being freely forgiven, but would like to receive Jesus and start following Him, let’s pray together. And if you mean it from your heart, God will honor the prayer and do what He has promised to do. You have his word on it, so let’s pray together:

“Father in Heaven:

I confess that I’m a sinner. I have sinned aginst you and I need a savior. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. I believe with all my heart that He was raised from the grave on the third day.

I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I repent of living for myself, and give my whole life to you, Heavenly Father.

Thank you for your amazing love, for adopting me into your family, and for the gift of salvation!

For this day forward, I will serve Jesus Christ as my King!

I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer you have just been granted privileged access into the Kingdom of God and become a child of the living God. Because this is the promise He has promised us, even Eternal Life!

Please let us know if you’ve received Eternal Life today by going to to eternalpromises.org/newlife. We want to encourage you, and send you FREE resources to equip you on your new journey.

And that’s a Word of Promise today to you from Eternal Promises. I’m Jeff Tobler, and I want to encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found, because if you seek Him with all of your heart, the promise of God is that you will find Him.

The Lord richly bless you!

The topic is “Forgiveness of Sins”. Jeff explains WHAT sin is, WHO sinners are, WHY we need our sins forgiven, and HOW we actually go about receive forgiveness of sins.

Listen to ALL broadcasts!

The Transcript of the Radio Show

Welcome to Eternal Promises Radio Show. I’m your host, Jeff Tobler. I want to personally thank you for joining the broadcast today and remind you by way of encouragement that “this is the promise God has promised us, even Eternal Life!” (1 John 2:25)

Because, “all of the promises of God in Christ are “YES” and in Him, “AMEN”. (2 Cor 1:20)

Those two verses, 1 John 2:25 and 2 Cor 1:20 are our two foundational verses. But today we will be focusing on the eternal promise of having our sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus.

This overarching promise is found everywhere in the Bible. It starts in Genesis and ends in Revelation. The answer to sin is the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. The answer to righteousness is found in the resurrection of Jesus from the Dead on the third day.

But today we are going to focus on many of the promises that relate to the blessed hope of having our sins forgiven and forgotten by God.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to establish:

1. what sin is
2. who is a sinner
3. why we need to have our sins forgiven
4. and how we have our sins forgiven.

1) THE DEADLY DISEASE: What is SIN?

John says it this way:

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness”

The Amplified bible explains it this way:

“…ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will”

At the heart of lawlessness is a heart of selfishness and self-centeredness, rather than a heart tender toward God and bent on serving Him.

The underlying issue is that we have decided to disregard God’s laws, His perfect and holy desires, and instead break His laws by living the way WE wanted.

In America, if we cross the clearly marked boundaries of what is lawful, such as speeding, stealing or even murder, we become lawless (or without law in our lives) and furthermore, we are found guilty under the law, whether they catch us or not.

Now, whether or not we are caught on this earth or not, we will stand some day before THE judge of the universe, Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead in righteous, impartial judgment. Every deed, whether good or bad, will be brought into judgment, and there will be no leniency, no corruption, and no liberal interpretation of the law as we have with many judges today.

God’s judgment does not allow the guilty to go unpunished. Did you hear that? No, God’s judgment not allow the guilty to go unpunished. If you’re found guilty before the Lord, you can expect eternal punishment.

2) THE TERMINAL PATIENT: Who is a sinner?

Did you realize that God has seen every thing that you have every committed? He has read everything wicked thought that you and I have ever thought, going all the way back to our childhood and into our teenage years, and even today. Whether we have committed the evil in darkness or in broad daylight, God has seen it and recorded it. No one will escape God’s righteous judgment.

Now, in some instances, this is reassuring. Imagine Hitler and the ISIS leaders of today actually receiving what they deserve for killing, torturing, and the untold horrors they committed. Almost everyone is happy to hear that, even if they escape justice on this earth, they will NOT escape the fierce wrath of God on judgment day. They will pay for their crimes against God and against humanity.

But where things get a little uncomfortable is when God points a finger at us. Are you and I without blame? Have we never done evil in God’s sight? Let’s see:

Have you ever lied? Even once? Now, come on… now is not the time to lie. Well, what does God say about liars?

In the book of Revelation He says this:

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

If so, that makes you a liar. Just one lie is all it takes.

Have you ever committed adultery? Many may admit it, but their are many who would say no. But let me ask you a related question: have you ever looked at someone and sexually lusted after them? Now, notice Jesus didn’t ask you slept with them. No, just looked at them and lusted. Have you? Well, if you have, Jesus says you have already committed adultery with them in your heart.

If so, that makes you an adulterer. Just one lustful thought is all it takes.

Maybe you don’t think you’ve lied or committed adultery. But have you ever murdered someone? Surely most of you are saying, “Why, no, I’ve NEVER murdered anyone!”

Well, let’s rethink that one. John says if you have every hated anyone, you are a murderer.

Well, if you’ve answered yes to breaking these three laws, that makes you a lying, adultering, murderer. And that’s just scratching the surface.

You see, there are none righteous, no not one. For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

THE NEED FOR TREATMENT: Why sin brings not only death but eternal punishment and torment.

It’s not just that we have sinned, but that because we have broken the law, a price must be paid. What is that price demanded by the Law? Our life. It’s called the death penalty.

Let me read to you from the Lord Himself: He says in the writings of the prophet Ezekiel “the soul the sins shall die” and Paul writes in Romans 6 that “The payoff for a life of sin is death”.

Jesus warns the unbelieving Jews that if they die in their sins they will perish. And both John and Paul proclaim that the wrath of God abides upon the unrighteous, upon all those who have not been washed by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.

We have already shown that all are unrighteous sinners in need of a savior and redeemer. That includes you and me. No amount of good deeds can undo the crimes we have committed against God’s Kingdom.

The CURE: How to cheat death penalty and escape the wrath of Judgment.

But the good news is that while sin brings death, and none of us are good enough to avoid the penalty of sin, One who is perfect – sinless – came to die in our place, for our sins. The innocent (Jesus) for the guilty (us).

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was sent to be the once-for-all time sacrifice for our sin. That’s why John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”.

In case you missed it, that is an eternal promise: that Jesus is the sacrifice for sin and that this sacrifice will remove sin in a powerful way.

I like how the VOICE translation puts it:

“Look! This man is more than He seems! He is the Lamb sent from God, the sacrifice to erase the sins of the world”

The Jews would’ve clearly understood what this statement was implying. God had taught them through the sacrificial system that the only way for sin to be atoned or forgiven was for the blood of a spotless animal to be shed. And for all those years, God provided the example of sheep, bulls, and goats to be offered up as a sacrifice and offering for sin, pointing to when Jesus, the Messiah, would come and be the fulfillment of the type and shadow of the Old Covenant sacrifices.

Look at how a Jewish believer in Christ wrote this eternal promise in the book of Hebrews:

“Think about it: if the blood of bulls or of goats, or the sprinkling of ashes from a heifer, restores the defiled to bodily cleanliness and wholeness; then how much more powerful is the blood of the Anointed One, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself as a spotless sacrifice to God, purifying your conscience from the dead things of the world to the service of the living God? This is why Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant:through His death, He delivered us from the sins that we had built up under the first covenant, and His death has made it possible for all who are called to receive God’s promised inheritance”

You see, all of the forgiveness by God in the Old Testament was based upon Jesus’ as the future sacrificial “Lamb of God”. While Jesus’ crucifixion on the earth was in roughly 33AD, the scriptures say that the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. In other words, God has already foreordained or put into motion that Jesus would be the sacrifice for all mankind. It was His plan to redeem all would would willingly accept the gift and enter back into a relationship with Him.

And so, He could forgive them based upon Jesus’ obedience from the beginning to go through with the greatest gift of all time — that one would give their life for another, especially considering that we were sinners, enemies of God when He died for us.

You can imagine that people would die for their friends or family members, right? Of course, it happens even today. But how often do you hear of someone dying for their most violent and wicked enemies? That is unheard of. And yet, Jesus loved us enough to offer Himself for us, that through His pain and suffering we might find life and life more abundantly.

I think it’s expressed best in the third stanza of the famous hymn, “How Great Thou Art”:

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

God sent Jesus to die. He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!

Truly, I scarce can take it in. That He gladly bore my burden of guilt and shame to make a way for me to escape the penalty of my sin.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I hope you can see the amazing gift that God is offering you.

Now, I’d like to refer back to that wonderful eternal promise we looked at: “Look! This man is more than He seems! He is the Lamb sent from God, the sacrifice to erase the sins of the world”

Do you feel as though your sins have been erased? I hope so, but if not, by the end of the broadcast I pray you will avail yourself of the cure, the gift, the cleansing power of Jesus Blood and find the peace of God.

Here’s another eternal promise:

“If we walk in the Light as the He (God) is in the Light, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.”

And elsewhere, while God has promised the soul that sins shall die, He has also promised the soul that repents shall live:

“… there is good news even for the wicked. If the wicked turn away from their sins, choose to uphold My laws, be honest, and live a righteous life, then they will surely live. They won’t die. I won’t remember any of their previous wrongs against them because of the right things they have done. They will surely live. Do I enjoy watching the wicked die? No. I, the Eternal One, would prefer for the wicked to stop doing the wrong things they do and live…”

You see, it is not enough to just do good deeds. No, the righteous person we just read about is someone who turned from wickedness to now live for the Lord – to have a heart that wants to please God by obeying His ways. But I hope you saw that God will accept you and I if we turn from our wicked ways and look to Him for our hope and to be our very life! To live for Him is the highest goal we could hope to attain.

Before we leave this topic, there are a few more promises that are very encouraging:

This is from Psalm 103:

“Measure how high heaven is above the earth; God’s wide, loving, kind heart is greater for those who revere Him. You see, God takes all our crimes— our seemingly inexhaustible sins— and removes them. As far as east is from the west, He removes them from us.”

Even Old Testament saints new that they could find forgiveness through the Lord

Here’s one more that’s very conversational:

“Come on now, let’s walk and talk; let’s work this out. Your wrongdoings are bloodred, but they can turn as white as snow. Your sins are red like crimson, but they can be made clean again like new wool. If you pay attention now and change your ways, you can eat good things from a healthy earth. But if you refuse to listen and stubbornly persist, then, by violence and war, you will be the one devoured”

Please listen to the Lord trying to gently reason with us before it’s too late: “Your sins are red, but they can be made clean again!!”

This is what the Lord promised in preparing a new covenant for us:

“I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean. I will wash away all of your dirtiness, and you will be clean and pure, free from the taint of idols. I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stubborn, stony heart and give you a willing, tender heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit inside of you and inspire you to live by My statutes and follow My laws” (Eze 36:24)

Not only that, but the Lord also says in Jeremiah that:

“I will be merciful when they fail and forgive their wrongs. I will never call to mind or mention their sins again.”

So, what does it take?

Simply this. Surrender your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Confess your sins and believe that He is the Son of God, that He died and was resurrected the third day. Get water baptized and begin learning everything you can about the Lord through His living Word, the Bible.

You don’t want to die in your sins. I don’t want you to die in your sins. And today, if you are hearing this broadcast, this message is for you. Don’t delay. Receive the free gift of salvation and rejoice in the love of the Father that He would so lavishly spend His Son on us to save us from eternal damnation and the Lake of fire and to place our names in the Book of Life that we would now be able to spend eternity in His blessed presence.

If you haven’t yet received the Lord and experienced the gift of being freely forgiven, but would like to receive Jesus and start following Him, learning from Him about the fullness of God and of His will, than let’s pray together and if you mean it from your heart, God will honor the prayer and do what He has promised to do. You have his word on it, and God cannot lie.

Let’s pray together

“Father in Heaven:

I confess that I’m a sinner. I have sinned against you and I need a savior. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. I believe with all my heart that He was raised from the grave on the third day, defeating death

I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I repent of living for myself, and give my whole life to you, Heavenly Father.

Thank you for your amazing love, for adopting me into your family, and for the gift of salvation!

For this day forward, I will serve Jesus Christ as my King and I give my full allegiance to Your Kingdom and your laws

I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

Congratulations and Praise the Lord!

If you prayed that prayer you have just been granted priveleged access into the Kingdom of God and become a child of the living God. Because this is the promise He has promised us, even Eternal Life!

When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our old nature is buried with Christ – and become a new creation. You’ve been spiritually reborn with a new heart, and new nature by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of Christ is in you and will help you finish the journey the He has just begun in you. Your job is too simply love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And do His will!

Resources to help you get started..

Now, to help you get started, we have an online resource. Go to EternalPromises.org/newlife and you will find help, direction, and encouragement.

Some of the first steps are to find a solid fellowship of believers. You can start by joining the community of believers on Eternal Promises. It’s FREE and you will be encouraged and spiritually fed by others. Go to EternalPromises.org/join and signup for FREE today!

Second, immediately get water baptized in obedience to Jesus’ command.

Let us know that you’ve received Eternal Life today!

Go to eternalpromises.org/newlife and fill out the NEW LIFE form so we can walk along side you, encourage you, and send you FREE resources to equip you on your new journey.

And that’s a Word of Promise today to you from Eternal Promises. I’m Jeff Tobler, and I want to encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found, because if you seek Him with all of your heart, the promise of God is that you will find Him.

We use the Authorized Version (aka King James – KJV), New King James Version (NKJV), New English Translation (NETP), The VOICE (VOICE), and a few others to help communicate God’s Word.

For the Old Testament, we quote from both the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament that Jesus and the Apostles quoted from) and Masoretic Old Testament (700-900 AD) found in most modern bibles. Because the Proto-Septuagintal manuscript family was in use and quoted by Jesus and the Apostles, we feel it has significant worth in bolstering the reliability of the scriptures.

However, the difference between all of these is negligable and all still tell the amazing story of God’s redemption through Christ, from the beginning to the end.

With whatever version you have:

• READ the Word
• SPEAK the Word
• MEMORIZE the Word
• PRAY the Word
• And be DOERS of the Word!

IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING, WE HAVE UPDATED SOME OF THE OLD ENGLISH RENDERINGS IN THE KJV (THOU > YOU, ETC.), FOR READABILITY.

Have you ever witnessed a day in the life of a sunflower?

A wonderful change takes place as new life shoots upward from the small colorless, seemingly lifeless seed. That precious, delicate seedling thrives in good soil, with plenty of sunlight and water.

While both light and water are necessary for growth, light also exposes things once in darkness, and water cleanses that which is unclean. These concepts are foundational to our walk in Christ.

Basking in the Light

The sunflower thrives on sunlight, and therefore you will find the fledgling sunflower always facing and pointing toward the sun. Why? This is where it finds life.

Wouldn’t you think it strange to discover a sunflower heading face-down, returning to the ground? With plenty of sunlight and water, it doesn’t have an option but to grow and live. Remove these two essential elements, and you will soon discover the delicate seedling does not have an option but to perish.

The sunflower doesn’t have to perish, though.

Jesus said, “I am the the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by (or through) Me. (John 14:6)

Jesus also said: “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” But no one can live an abundant life (temporally or eternally) without coming to Him in sincere repentance and heartfelt brokenness, realizing they have sinned against a holy and just God.

Jesus Christ is our life!

Jesus Christ is the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2). The maturing sunflower looks to the sun and follows it by the second. It thrives by this simple, childlike behavior. As believers we are called to be childlike in our relationship; to abide in the light of the Son; to keep our eyes on Jesus, as Peter did, albeit momentarily, on the sea many years ago and was safe, lest we look elsewhere and sink into the dark depths of the raging sea around us.

But what if we kept our eyes on Jesus every day, for every need, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5)… do you think we would thrive? We are promised abundant life and growth. As we die to ourselves, as in the case of the fully mature sunflower, not only is abundant fruit our witness of our walk with the Lord Jesus, but a multitude of seeds are sown to those around us.

But, this is only IF we are properly positioned… surrendered. Dear brother or sister, are you properly positioned in Christ? Are you in the Light of the Son? According to Jesus, many will think they are, but will NOT make it in to be with the Lord.

Then said one unto him, “Lord, are there few that be saved?” And He said unto them, “Strive to enter in at the strait [narrow] gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

(Luke 13:23-24)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?’  And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ ”

(Matthew 7:21-23)

You might be asking what it means to be “positioned” in Christ, but we need not look any further than His Word:

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.
(Luke 14:33)

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
(Matthew 16:24)

And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
(Mark 8:34)

Notice Jesus was not talking only to the twelve. He was talking to anyone who will follow Him. This includes you and me. Are we willing to come after Him and follow Him… forsaking ALL?

Jesus’ paid a costly price for you

Being a disciple of Jesus is more than mere words; it means giving it all over to Him (heart and possessions) and then obeying His leading in your life. You have been purchased with a price: the blood of Jesus Christ.

You are bought with a price; don’t be the servants of men.
(I Corinthians 7:23)

For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(I Corinthians 6:20)

In Christ, we have no rights of our own. Our life is no longer ours, but now we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to our precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(Romans 12:1)

Without the sun, the sunflower will perish. Without the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, there is no life, no growth and no fruit, just withering and death. However, God’s Word promises:

if we abide in the light of the Son we will bring about abundant growth and life (John 10:10; John 15:1ff).

How do we position ourselves and abide in Christ? We must die to ourselves and our desires. But how do we do that?

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.” John 12:24

How will a seed bring forth much fruit if it dies? Before you cry, “the seed does NOT die – the germ is alive!,” I agree with you and so does the Word of God. Let me explain.

If a seed falls to the ground, in good soil, the seed will die to itself and be used to produce the seedling. The germ consumes the body of the seed to produce the new growth. After the seed has been used of it’s own nourishment, it looks to the soil for the rest. If the soil is good, the plant will continue to thrive. However, if the soil is malnourished or hasn’t been broken up, the seedling will not thrive, and will ultimately perish.

Did you know that millennia-old wheat discovered in Egyptian tombs can’t produce a crop? No wonder: it is past the point of vitality – the germ is past the point of being revived.

Nurture the Seed of Truth in you

New believers are like a new, living seed. Unless you are in the ideal conditions, you won’t grow or bear any fruit. You will die like the cached Egyptian wheat. Think of the Germ as the Holy Spirit or Christ in us, and think of the remainder of the seed as our sinful nature, what the Bible calls our flesh. It says:

If you live after (or by) the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify (cause to die; kill) the deeds of the body, you shall live.

(Romans 8:13)

The seed of new life in Christ can’t bear fruit unless we are dying and dead to our old sinful life and the ways of the world. Put another way, we cannot be a new creation with prayers of “My will be done” instead of “Your will, Father, be done!”

This theme is repeated over and again in the Bible:

And other [seed] fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. …And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
(Mark 4:8,20)

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(Matthew 7:17-19)

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
(Matthew 12:33)

Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  (James 3:11-12)

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn (cut) down, and cast into the fire.
(Matthew 3:10/Luke 3:9)

Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. …Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
(John 15:2,4-6)

John goes to the heart of the matter:

He that saith he abides in Him (Jesus) ought himself also so to walk, even as He (Jesus) walked.
(I John 2:6)

Now, back to the sunflower….

As a sunflower grows, it is always positioning itself under and toward to the sun. For instance, throughout the day, the top of the maturing flower finds and faces the sun. Are you?

If the seed of the Gospel has been planted in the rich soil of true repentance, allowing the roots to grow deep, and is abiding (basking) in the light of the Son, Lord Jesus, and is being watered by Living Water by the Word, you will bring forth much fruit. You will grow in your faith and walk. You will be perfected and holy, as he commands us to be. But without those conditions, you have no assurance and very little hope. Your hope is only found in running to and clinging to your Savior, Jesus Christ!

And this prescription isn’t just for super-spiritual Christian. God’s plan and will is for everyone in Christ, babe and father alike, milk drinkers and carnivores, to come to Him and abide in Christ.

And why would we want anything less, Saints? Jesus says his yoke is easy and his burden is light! If you are walking in the Spirit, this is not a chore.

Let me ask you a few sobering questions:

Do you profess to be free, but find yourself still chained deep within a dark dungeon?

Do you desire to be made free but failure and doubt sit at the doorstep?

Do you consider yourself a disciple of Christ?

Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, thenare you my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

If you don’t have a love and desire for His Word, then something is terribly wrong. Please don’t skim over this point, loved one. I say it again: if you don’t have a hunger and thirst for the Word of God, drop everything and seek the Lord.

As the Apostle Paul warns:

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? {that is, imposters; mere professors of faith but of no abiding faith}
(II Corinthians 13:5)

Are you thinking, deep in your heart… between you and God alone, that your walk was been a lie? If so, repent and humble yourself before the Lord. It is far better to be honest with yourself now than when you stand before the Lord on that day. Cry out the Lord with godly sorrow and He will save you!

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.
(II Corinthians 7:10)

Has your walk been growing cold and weary? Repent and humble yourself before the Lord…

For the Lord says, “I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured [helped] you:” behold, now is the accepted time;behold, now is the day of salvation.
(II Corinthians 6:2)

I want to give you great encouragement through a man of God greatly used by God.

I was reading the Biography of George Müller and toward the end of his life he recalls that he had read through the Bible 200 times (that’s about three times a year; every four months). But what’s more remarkable is that 100 (half) of those times were on his knees in meditation and prayer. He was praying and meditating the Word of God.

If you’re not familiar with Brother Müller, the significance is that God answered His prayers – all of them. George believed the Word and lived by God’s Word. He never asked anyone for a single penny to fund the many orphanages that God directed Him to found and manage. No, George was resolved from the beginning to go to God with all his needs.

The result? God never let George down. There were tests of faith, but in the small and big things alike, God was faithful.

Do you want such a faithful walk with God?

If you want to walk with God, read His Word. Stop simply reading books about the Bible, written by men, and first read the Bible, faithfully. You will be transformed by the living Word of God:

…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:2)

The first thing is to stop eating moldy bread. You may not realize it, but you are being conformed daily by some influence: Billboards, radio, TV, magazines, co-workers, family, friends… words and thoughts… the world is screaming at us, but God tells us to be still and listen… “continue in My Word.”

Fill up on the Bread of Life. Break bread with the Lord daily!

It’s either the prince of this world or the Prince of Peace; the spirit of antichrist or the Holy Spirit. If you are not filling up on God’s Word and pushing out all lies and dirt of the Father of lies, you will be conformed by the world… by simply doing nothing.

Dear Christian, we must press into the Kingdom and take it by force! Don’t let Satan steal it from you. Surrender your will and press into the Father’s will!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7)

• Read the Word of God.
• Speak the Word of God.
• Sing the Word of God.
• Pray the Word of God.
• Internalize the Word of God (memorize it; hide it in your heart).

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
(Luke 4:4)

We are told that the washing of water by the Word of God sanctifies and cleanses, and is able to present to the Lord a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:26-27)

Dear brother or sister, please understand that none of that is possible without the supernatural, indwelling work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is not salvation by works. This call is to stop trying to “do” in our own power, and rather surrender our whole life (to the smallest detail) to the Lord Jesus, letting Him be the Author and Finisher of our faith. Amen?

Beloved, the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe. Are you abiding in the name of the Lord today? Have you built your faith on sand or the Rock? Are you living the way the Lord said those who are redeemed should live, or are you living a lie?

Now is the time to be honest, and repent (turn from all known sin) and surrender your life to the Lord Jesus. The Lord is waiting patiently and all of Heaven will rejoice… return to your first love, dear brother and sister. Love the Lord your God, and offer your body (everything you have) as a living sacrifice to Him!

He has promised us this wonderful promise: “And you shall seek Me, and find Me , when you shall search for Me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:13)

Seek Him with your WHOLE heart and may God bless you richly with all wisdom and knowledge of Him. Position yourself in the Light of the Sun of Righteousness, and bask in His warmth and nourishment.

And if you know of someone in the Church who has festering wounds (bitterness, anger, lust), or is growing cold (apostasy; unbelief), pass this on to those in need of a Physician. Return them to their first love.. Jesus Christ!

Until we see him face-to-face,

Jeff Tobler

Are you an unbeliever?

This article is for anyone who doesn’t believe in God or in Jesus as the exclusive way to God. First, know that God’s primary will is for you to know Him and to be blessed. But in order for you to receive the blessings He has planned for you, you must understand the conditions God has put in place. To help illustrate these truths, we will be using a sunflower.

Are you a “flower child”?

Have you ever witnessed a day in the life of a sunflower? It’s a beautiful site to behold. A wonderful change takes place as new life shoots upward from the colorless, lifeless little seed.

This precious, delicate seedling thrives in good soil, with plenty of sunlight and water. It is these two latter elements we will examine: light and water.

While both light and water are necessary for growth, light also exposes hidden things, and water cleanses that which is unclean. These concepts are foundational to critical understanding.

Full Exposure

To understand what this is all about, it is crucial you see yourself as God sees you.

And for that, we will use the light of God’s Law to show you exactly where you stand. It’s simple, fast, and effective! It’s guaranteed to have results.

So, let’s get started:

Test Yourself

Do you think of yourself as a good person?

If you would say, “I’m a pretty good person,” God’s Word says there are none good, no not one… for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Don’t believe it? Take this simple test:

• Have you ever told a lie? If you’re quick answer is, “No!,” please consider that white lies are still lies. Anything that isn’t the truth is a lie. Have you lied about being sick to get out of going to work? Did you ever lie to your parents? To friends? Teachers? This is between you and God, so now is the time to be honest.
• Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours (regardless of its value)? We can steal time from an employer (playing computer games at work or running an errand “on the clock”), which is the same as stealing money. What about keeping extra change given you in error by a sales clerk? If you didn’t return it, you stole that money.
• Have you ever committed fornication or adultery? Before you answer so quickly, look at what Jesus said:

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” [emphasis added]
(Matthew 5:28)

If you’ve answered yes to all three, then by your own admission you are a lying, adulterous thief. This is how God sees you right now in your sin, and as such you are under the wrath of God.

On Judgment Day, if He judges you based upon the Ten Commandments, will you be innocent or guilty? If guilty, do you think you will go to Heaven or Hell at the end of your life?

Not convinced yet?

That was just three of the Ten Commandments. We haven’t touched on whether you’ve loved God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength yet, nor have we touched on idolatry (making a god in your mind to suit your desires, or worshipping money or things or people).

What about honoring your parents? Have you always done this? What will you do when you stand in judgment before the Living God who created you?

Are you aware that it only takes one transgression of the law, one time to be guilty of sin?

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
(James 2:10)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(Romans 3:23)

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(Romans 5:12)

Test What You Hear Against God’s Word

Maybe you’ve heard comforting words from your church or a televangelist and you think that everything is just fine, but consider what His Word says:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(II Timothy 4:3,4)

Don’t you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (men acting, dressing like women), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (homosexuals), nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
(I Corinthians 6:9,10)

Consider your future, now, before it’s too late

How will you do when you stand in Judgment before a holy God? By now you should recognize your sin, but you might be tempted to think that God will overlook small sins (white lies) because you’re better than most people. Are you sure?

Beloved, knowing the terror of the Lord, I persuade you to reconsider and keep reading… the Truth will make you free!

Dear Santa…

Don’t be deceived in to thinking that God is a cosmic Santa Claus or Grandpa (which is a form of idolatry). He is holy, perfect, divine, just and wholly righteous. God is not in existence for you, rather you were created for Him; to glorify the Lord and to worship Him.

Don’t be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(Galatians 6:7,8)

Jesus Christ is coming to judge the living and the dead

The Bible makes it clear that someday we will be judged in righteousness, by God’s Law. If we haven’t perfectly kept His law, we will perish. “The soul that sins, it shall die!,” says the Lord. Since you can no longer claim innocence, will you plead for the Judge to show you mercy and to let you go free? Not even the earthly judges do this, so why would a perfect and just God let you go when the wages of sin is death? It is too late at that point. He will have no option but to sentence you to an eternal death in Hell.

If you’re not convinced of the reality of Hell or Judgment, please soberly consider what God’s Word says:

Hell is Real

Satan’s job is to convince you that Hell isn’t real, and that you won’t end up there. Contrary to popular belief, often he doesn’t come looking ugly, but deceptively spiritual. Let God be true, but every man a liar, including Satan. Read the truth below… which voice will you heed?

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Matthew 10:28)

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
(Mark 9:43-44)

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
(Matthew 13:41-42)

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(Matthew 24:50-51)

If you think that’s bad, listen to what is to come…

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
(Revelation 20:11-15)

You can Escape the Wrath to Come

At this point you should be feeling the heat and looking for a way of escape. You should also be deeply grieved at offending the Creator, who has given you life and many other blessings during this life, of which you were not worthy to receive. Why? Because He has been incredibly longsuffering (patient) toward you…

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(II Peter 3:9)

God is waiting for you to repent – turn away from your sin – and be cleansed by the blood of Christ.

Demand for Payment

Do you now understand that the Law demands a payment for your sin, and you don’t have enough righteousness of your own to make the payment in full? Do you understand this terrifying truth? Your future good works can’t ever make up for or pay for the sins you’ve committed in the past. Your current position before God demands your death; the shedding of your blood for the remission of sins.

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
(Hebrews 9:22)

You are as good as dead in your sins, you just didn’t know it… until now. But Jesus is famous for raising the dead. He can do this for you… today!

Debt Relief

Good News!  There is a Way to the Father – to be cleansed and justified before God. This is the message of reconciliation. Not by having you pray a certain prayer enough times or by paying for prayers. Your debt has already been paid by Jesus’ work on the Cross; His shed blood!

In times past, God’s people sacrificed lambs and other animals, and used the blood as an atonement for past sins. But each year there was a remembrance of sin because the blood offering only pointed to a future, once-for-all sacrifice and offering. The Law had to be kept 100% perfectly for this sacrifice to pay to the debts of sin.

Listen to what John the Baptist called Jesus:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
(John 1:29)

Why the “Lamb of the God?” He offered His own body for a perfect sacrifice, one that could satisfy the debt. A spotless, pleasing sacrifice to the God.

And how is it that He takes away the “sin of the world?” Jesus’ suffering was terribly intense… and He was unjustly punished. Jesus never sinned while on earth, yet He had to suffer a beating, a crown of thorns pushed into His head, bloody scourging (whip with chunks of metal and bone that tears away flesh with each successive blow), He carried His cross after having endured the scourging, was nailed to the cross (large nails/stakes driven through his feet and hands/wrists) and finally lifted up and crucified. He was in intense agony and pain and He was left to hang and die.

The Weight of the World

A few days earlier, Jesus was in the garden at Gethsemane, praying to His Father. Here is some of what He prayed:

Then came Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane… And He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry (wait) ye here, and watch with He.”  And He went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.  And He came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and saith unto Peter, “What, could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Your will be done.”
(Matthew 26:36-42)

In Luke, there is addition detail of just how much agony Jesus experienced as He contemplated was to come:

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
(Luke 22:44)

Could it have been the crown of thorns? What about the scourging? The actual crucifixion? I may have been all, but it is fair to consider that the greatest of all suffering He would and did endure was when the weight of the whole world’s sin was laid upon Him, during which His own Father forsook Him. Can you imagine willingly going through with such a thing? He took upon himself the sin of murders, child molesters, liars, homosexuals, adulterers, idolaters, and the list goes on.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
(Hebrews 9:28)

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
(II Corinthians 5:15)

After that, He said, “It is finished!” and gave up the Spirit.

The Rest of the Story

Now, if that were the end of the story, there wouldn’t much to tell. Many people were crucified, and many false Christs – even then – were around. Even His disciples were in despair… until, that is, on the third day, as He prophesied, when He rose from the dead and left the tomb! Praise the Lord! He was seen of many and, until His ascension forty days later into Heaven, He performed more miracles and ate and drank with the disciples. He was seen of them and they touched Him!

How do we know this, you might be asking. Couldn’t someone have taken the body? Couldn’t this just be another story rooted in fiction rather than fact?  If it weren’t for the events following His ascension, you might have a case. But what happen afterward changed the world.

Jesus’ disciples, of whom included simple fishermen, as well as educated tax collectors, preached this message to all who would listen… even to the point of death. All but a few of the disciples were martyred. Now, ask yourselves this question: would that many men die horrible deaths, not recanting at the last minute, all for a lie? The obvious answer is, no!

But the story doesn’t end there. Countless others have had a beautiful encounter with the living Saviour and He has radically changed their lives, too. Some have given their  lives in martyrdom and some have experiences miracles up to this very age of ours. Many have set out to disprove Jesus and the Bible and Christianity, and have come back knowing the Saviour. Archaeologists, doctors, children, housewives, farmers, kings, and witch doctors have come to Jesus and been born again. What about you?

Believe, Repent, and Surrender

Do you believe that Jesus is Lord, and that He came in the flesh to offer His body for your sins? Do you believe that you’re a sinner? Do you want to be forgiven and cleansed, to know the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ?

Jesus is Lord of all and you can know Him!  One’s lack of believe doesn’t negate the truth, as we are reminded that it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
(Philippians 2:10)

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.
(John 3:16)

Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
(Acts 16:30-31)

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
(Acts 3:19)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 2:38)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9,10)

If you are truly repentant, pray to the Lord in your own words, confess your sins, and confess that Jesus is Lord and that you believe He died as payment for your sins. Psalm 51 is a wonderful prayer of repentance:

Psalms 51

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it : thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Basking in the Light

If you have received the Gospel seed in a repentant heart (good soil), you are born again and Christ is in you – you are a new person, and He will give you new desires – that’s His promise!

You will no longer enjoy “evil” things, rather you will now desire to do what His will is for you. You have been bought with a price – a precious, priceless gift of His life for yours, and to willfully sin would be to crucify the Lord afresh. Stay pure and holy (separate from sinful activities, temptations and evil influences).

Now, what will you give in return? Your life! Surrender everything to Him in obedience.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(Mark 8:34)

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:33)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:1,2)

This is the just the beginning of a wonderful walk, but you will want to be equipped for this journey. Read our seedlings page for helpful teachings and suggestions on how to stay and grow in the Light of the Lord.

Live your life for Jesus and proclaim this life-saving message, the Gospel, to others!  Gospel tracts are a great way to get started, if you’re worried about what to say or how to approach others. Just find a way to get them the message and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

If you’re wondering about all those “hypocrites” in the Church, the Lord himself confirmed that many of them would be among true believers along with a stern warning that they would NOT make it into Heaven. Worry about your relationship with the Lord first, then you will be able to encourage others around you.

What’s with the sunflower?

Oh, and you’re probably wondering about the Sunflower, right? It’s simple: as the mighty sunflower reaches its heights due only to much water and sunlight, only those who abide in the Light of the Sun of Righteousness (Jesus), and in His Living Water shall see life.

Thank you for reading this important message, and may the Lord bless and keep you in grace and mercy.

Until we see Him face-to-face,

Jeff

This website is powered by the Eternal Promises of God’s Word. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life… and the Word. One such promise is that God’s Word shall not return void (empty) ISAIAH 55:11. Another is that Jesus’ words are spirit and life!JOHN 6:63

So it is that we esteem the Word of God on this web site. God’s name is holy, yet He magnified (exalted) His Word above His name PSALM 138:2. It is the Word of God that changes lives and brings the power of God into the living dead, shining Light where darkness once reigned.

The Word is likened to a sword in both Hebrews and Ephesians:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. HEB 4:12(Emphasis added)

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God … and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Eph 6:11-18 (Emphasis added)

Have you noticed that the Sword is primarily an offensive weapon designed to cut the enemy down quickly? The Hebrews application is obviously dealing with those who are either enemies of Christ (under the wrath of God because of their unbeliefJOHN 3:36), as well as those in Christ. This sharp scalpel, expertly wielded in the hands of the Physician, is thrust into those who hear the Word and believe, to perform an immediate heart transplant and give new life, as well as the removal of unseen cancerous sin in His followers. He performs flawless heart surgery. He does the surgery, yet He commands us to hold the blade.

When we go into battle, we definitely want armor, but without a weapon, there is little chance for survival. His Word is our Sword for our spiritual battles EPH 6. With His Sword in hand, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!

Interestingly, witnessing and proclaiming the Gospel to the lost utilizes both of these functions. The unbeliever has a hardened heart, and nothing else but the Sword of the Spirit will penetrate this rocky soil. The larger struggle is that the sinner is blinded by “the god of this world,” 2CO 4:4 aka satan, and most likely under demonic influence. The Word of God is your fail-safe solution; the weapon of choice for any soldier of Christ.