Travellers guide to heaven

ACCOMMODATION - Arrangements for first-class accommodation have been made in advance. “In My Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2



PASSPORTS - Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority. “There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth… but they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:27



DEPARTURE TIMES - The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travellers are advised to be prepared to leave at short notice. “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” Acts 1:7



TICKETS - Your ticket is a written pledge that guarantees your journey. It should be claimed and its promises kept firmly in hand. “He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24



CUSTOMS - Only one declaration is required while going through customs. “I declare unto you the gospel… that Christ died for our sins… and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day.” I Corinthians 15:1,3,4



IMMIGRATION - All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking up permanent residence in a new country. The quota is unlimited. “They desire a better country, that is, an heavenly… for He hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16



LUGGAGE - No luggage whatsoever can be taken. “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” I Timothy 6:7



AIR PASSAGE - Travellers going directly by air are advised to watch for daily indications of imminent departure. “We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:17



VACCINATION AND INOCULATION - Injections are not needed, as diseases are unknown at the destination. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” Revelation 21:4



CURRENCY - Supplies of currency may be forwarded ahead to await the passenger’s arrival. Deposits should be as large as possible. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Matthew 6:20



CLOTHING - A complete and appropriate new wardrobe is provided for each traveller. “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10



TIME CHANGES - Resetting of watches will not be necessary, nor will the watches. “The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. There shall be no night there.” Revelation 21:23,25



RESERVATIONS - Booking is now open. Apply at once. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians 6:2.



CORONATION CEREMONY - The highlight of the journey is the welcoming reception and coronation which await each new arrival. “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:8

May I ask you a question? Am I saved ?

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22)

May I ask you a question?


If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven to be with God?


Hopefully, you have answered yes, but if not, please read on as we would like to show you that you can know.

People feel that they will go to Heaven for many different reasons. For example, some think they will go to Heaven because they go to church every Sunday while some think that they are a good person and that good people go to Heaven. We''ll, let''s see what God has to say.


In the Bible you can find both bad news and good news. The bad news is something about you and the good news is something about what God did for you.


Let''s take a look at the bad news first....

Bad News #1


The Bible says, you are a sinner.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23)


Even if you are a pretty good person overall, in God''s eyes you are still a sinner. In fact, God says there is no good person who does not sin.

"For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin." (Ecc. 7:20)


Being that God is Holy and perfect, He cannot allow sin in His presence in Heaven. So, therefore sin is what keeps you from getting to Heaven.

The bad news gets even worse...

Bad News #2


The penalty for sin is death.

"For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)

Because of sin, death has been earned. Not just physical death but a spiritual death. In this spiritual death a person will suffer eternal punishment and torment and be eternally separated from God.

God is a just God and sin must be punished. We can do nothing about it on our own...so the good news is that God provides a solution for our sin.

Good News #1

God loves us and sent His Son Jesus Christ to take all of our sin upon Himself and die in our place. His death paid the penalty for ALL of our sins.


"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us." (2 Corinthians 5:21)


"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." (Ephesians 1:7)

Then on the third day, Jesus rose again [came back to life] and defeated death. He is alive today!

That sure is good news, isn''t it?

The good news gets even better...


Good News #2


You can be saved from having to pay the penalty of your sin through faith in Jesus Christ.


"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." (Acts 16:31)



"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43)



So, as you can see from this good news, God made a way out for us. He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins and take the penalty for us. If we believe in Him as our Savior, He washes us clean from all our sin and gives us eternal life.



"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)


So, after hearing God''s Word here today...Do you believe?


Eternal life is a gift purchased by the blood of Jesus and offered freely to those who put their faith in Him.



If you have now put your faith in Jesus to save you, let us help you word a prayer you can pray right now (realize it''s not the prayer that saves you, it''s your faith in Jesus Christ).


"Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. Please forgive me of my sins. I am trusting you, and you alone, to take me to Heaven when I die. Thank you for saving me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen."


If you have come to know the Lord after reading God''s Word here today please email us and let us know. We would like to pray for you and send you some more information.


"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Little Boy's Explanation of God

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well? [ .... and he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it -- I guess miracles do happen! .. ]


THE EXPLANATION OF GOD:



"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.



"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.



"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.



"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.



"Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him, but he was good and kind, like His father, and He told His father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.



"His dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. Now He helps His dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.



"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.



"You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!



"Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.



"If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'



"But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases. And...that's why I believe in God.

21 Day Fast

We ended our 21 day fast last night and it was AWSOME !!!! The church was packed as full as I have ever seen. There was at least 6 that gave their live's to Jesus and lots of healings  (Body and Soul). So that brings me to ask "Why did we fast 21 days? I was ask at the start of the fast why we did it for 21 days and I didnt know so that was a big question that was on my mind from the start. While I was fasting i was reading the Bible and went to Daniel 10:2 and my question was answered. "Daniel 10:2 In those days I, Daniel was mourning three whole weeks. 3. I ate no pleasant bread, neithercame flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

This Passage is a source for the Idea of a 21 day fast. As you  set apart these three weeks to seek God, know that God has already heard your prayer. He is already at work on your behalf. What specific clarity of vision are you seeking from God during this time? Write down your prayer so you can reflect on it at the end of the 21 days. Spend time praying for God to speak to you and give you strength.

PRAYER it does a body good

Like the old milk commercial ‘Prayer.. it does a body good.’ Prayer is not

a hocus pocus moment for snake handler types. It is not using the right

words of “Presto-chango” or shouting “Abracadabra”.. and much more than 3

wishes allowed to your average Genie in Lampville. Of course in our finite

believer brains cluttered with infinite impatience (oxymoron?) we as

believers often reduce prayer to.. MAGIC.



In fact this morning as I type I have a specific very real worry on my mind

that I am praying about for someone I care about. What I am impressed on

regarding this need for prayer is that I need to share my heart to God

regarding this matter than.. LET GO.



PEACE BE STILL.. are the words Jesus used to calm the sea, and PEACE BE

STILL is the challenge for all of us when life is raging like a stormy sea.



Everyone of us have challenges, stress, loneliness, sadness, tragedy,

sickness, and/or death that greet us daily. This is a fallen world and I

know for myself I make this worse as like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus

and focus on the problems (the raging sea) of my day.



So no matter your circumstance, know that our prayers are heard by a God

who loves us, and wants what is best for us. The challenge is that this

scriptural truth of a loving God becomes cluttered in an imperfect world

that feels anything but loving.



So my prayer today if for God’s answers in my life and for a world that

needs Him. May there be peace in my mind even when I have circumstances

that challenge this peace. May I learn to trust God and lean not in my own

understanding.



One last reminder.. let’s be as the Bible teaches in an attitude of

prayer. Pray without ceasing.. meaning we communicate with God throughout

our day. This type of prayer should be the natural communication of

thanksgiving & praise, repentance, for protection & guidance, and the

desires of my heart. Flowery lofty language is not needed, but instead

honest ongoing communication about our worries and dreams with our loving

God. THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE, then PEACE BE STILL is possible in all

circumstances.

The Gift of Insults

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.



One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.



Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.



Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"



"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

"Unknown"

MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER

Christians pride themselves on being people of the Book. By this we mean that we love the Bible and we strive to follow what’s written in the Word of God as closely as possible.



However, in practice we quite often fall very short of that mark. Strangely, one of the areas where we stray from the clearly written instructions of the New Testament is the practice of gathering as a Church.



Hear me out.



If we read the letters of Paul, Peter and James we'll see what they considered to be essential for the life and growth of the Church. Therefore, there's no reason for us to do anything other than exactly what the Apostles say when it comes to gathering together. In fact, the very word for "church" in the New Testament is "ekklesia" which means "sent ones" or "a gathering together".



In other words, it should go without saying that if Paul were to enter one of our Church buildings today he should expect to see us participating in the ways that he and the other Apostles commanded.



Let's look at what the Apostles considered normative ekklesia:



“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:26



According to this verse, Paul considers the following things to be essential to the health of every Church:



Coming together (“When you come together”)

Open participation (“Everyone”)

People-led worship (“Everyone has a hymn”)

People-led teaching (“Everyone has...a word of instruction”)

People exercising their spiritual gifts freely(“Everyone has...a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation”)



How do we know that Paul considers these activities to be important and essential? Because he tells us: “ALL of these MUST BE DONE for the STRENGTHENING of the Church.”



If we ask Paul's opinion about church growth, he would tell us that it's vital that every believe participate in the leading of worship, the teaching of God's Word, and the sharing of the gifts of the spirit. Do we care what Paul's opinion is on this subject? Is it up to us to just decide for ourselves to dismiss Paul's instruction as mere suggestion and go with what we prefer?



Notice also that Paul's concern is for the Church to be "strengthened". His priority is for the believers to grow deeper, not larger in number. It's quality, not quantity that he is concerned with here.



But this isn't the only place where we find the Apostle's instruction regarding the activities of the Church.



According to the New Testament:



We should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another when we gather together: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16



We should instruct one another when we gather together: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14



We should teach and admonish (gently correct and encourage) one another and sing together: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16



We should comfort and build up one another: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11



We should urgently warn one another to follow Christ: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13



“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25



We should encourage good works in one another: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:24



We should use our spiritual gifts to bless others: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10



Notice all the "one another's" here? The ongoing ministry of the members to one another was one of the fundamental elements of church in the New Testament.



There are 58 "one another's" in the New Testament. Twenty one of these verses (the vast majority) command us to love one another. Four of them command us to encourage one another. Three of them command us to serve one another and two of them remind us to forgive one another. The rest speak of instructing one another, being patient and kind to one another, submitting to one another, singing to one another, or putting the needs of others above our own.



Taken all together, these "one another's" remind us that we are responsible for one another spiritually. Helping our brothers and sisters move towards greater Christ-likeness is dependent upon our active participation as contributing members of the Body of Christ.



This means we cannot do it alone. We need one another. And that also means that you are an important part of this process. You are necessary. You matter. We cannot grow as the Lord Jesus intends us to grow without your willing obedience to God's command to love, serve, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.



My prayer has been that the Lord would help me to invest more of myself in the community of believers I find myself in today. Honestly, I've been holding back a little too much lately, and I know that I can only get out of the experience what I pour into it.



We are given as a gift to the Body and the Body is God's gift to us. Let us practice these "one another's" with all that is within us and trust Jesus to build His Church, just as He promised He would.



"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Corinthians 12:18)



"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)