Can I make it to Heaven ?

One of the greatest gifts of God to each of us is the placing of a divine plan for our lives deep within us. God has his generalized plan for humanity and a personal plan or mission for each of us. You, me, the butcher, baker, and even the candlestick maker have a divine purpose scripted on our hearts by the Creator and it is a plan just for us. More incredible is the fact that God has equipped us to carry that plan out and in so doing, help establish his kingdom right here on earth and bring great glory to his being. What a wonder! What a blessing! What a responsibility!




It doesn’t matter who you are, where you have been, and what you have done. That divine purpose still exists inside you and with a little effort and a lot of faith, you can discover it. Start with prayer, asking God through the Holy Spirit to reveal his divine plan for your life. Be persistent in your asking; be vigilant in waiting for an answer; and be confident that the answer will come.



Also, keep in mind that it is never too late to get started on the dreams God has for you. God created you to accomplish extraordinary things and no matter how old you are, how sinful you have been, or whatever afflictions you may suffer from, God can and will use you because that is one of the primary purposes you were created in the first place. Listen as Jim Graff speaks clearly to this issue:



God uses ordinary people – with all their flaws and problems – to accomplish extraordinary dreams. You and I don’t have to wait until we have it all together, achieve a certain degree of fame, earn a specified amount of money, get a better job, or meet the right person. Instead, we can start today to embrace who we are and how God made us, knowing that he will use us. From this knowledge, wellsprings of confidence water our hearts. That confidence allows us to see our dreams and visions as God’s road maps to significant lives.



A significant life – that is what God created you for. Make a consecrated commitment right now to lead a life of excellence in cooperation and divine partnership with the Holy Spirit. The life of excellence is what Jesus demonstrated for us and it is that same kind of life to which each of us is called. Sure, we may foul up things from time to time, but God is right there with us offering a hand to pick us up, dust us off, and send us on our divinely appointed way.



As said earlier, it matters not where you have been. In fact, your past failures and problems may be part of your qualification for the task God has for you to perform. I worked for many years in the field of addiction prevention and treatment. The most effective professionals ministering to those suffering from addiction were those people who were former addicts themselves. It is this foundational philosophy upon which Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are built.



If you think your past sin(s) prevents you from carrying out your purpose for God, you have been lied to by the Master of Deceit himself. Satan would like nothing more than for you to continue walking around half-alive, depressed, despondent, and spiritually paralyzed. That’s why that little voice tells you time and time again that there is no way God will ever use you. Granted, he may use others but you, you’re a lost cause.



Listen my friend – God saved you and God will use you. The God Christians worship is not a God of wasted effort. God never does anything without a reason, a plan and a purpose. If you are saved, you are to be used. You are destined to be God’s instrument for something special. If you doubt what I am saying, go to Scripture and conduct a detailed study of Paul’s life.



Paul, formerly known as Saul, was there when Stephen was stoned to death. He even held the coats for the men who pelted the first Christian martyr. Saul was the most persistent and ardent persecutor of the early church. By the world’s way of reasoning, you would never expect that God would use Saul to spread the faith across the Mediterranean World. But that’s exactly what God did. God, thankfully, doesn’t necessarily think as the world thinks.



If God can use Paul, he can surely use you.



In China I knew a wonderful believer named Mr. Zhou (not his real name.) Now in his 60’s, Mr. Zhou was a successful businessman and used much of his income to support the efforts of the house churches in his Province and also to support young pastors in training. He also spent most of his free time training Chinese missionaries to live and work in Muslim countries. Mr. Zhou had many business interests in the Middle East and often used his stores for employing young Chinese missionaries.



What makes Mr. Zhou’s story so fascinating is how it is similar to that of Paul. Back in the chaotic years of the Cultural Revolution Mr. Zhou was a young man and a leader in the Red Guards. His specialty, as he put it, was ferreting out Christians and torturing them. He often beat them horribly, put dunce caps on their heads and signs on their backs, and then marched them through the city streets while a gathering mob hurled insults, bricks, and bottles at them.



Later, when in his late 30’s, Mr. Zhou found Christ through the efforts of a pastor he had once tortured. Now Mr. Zhou does God’s work out of a sense of love and service. God used Paul and God used Mr. Zhou.



If God can use Mr. Zhou, He can use you.



Once you finally accept the fact that God can use you, wants to use you, and will use you, it is then time to get to work. Many times sincere believers put themselves in a holding pattern, waiting for specific directions from God as to what their ultimate purpose is. Yes, we do need to discern what our ultimate purpose is and with prayer and patience we will do just that. Yet in the meantime there is plenty that we can do. No matter where you live I am certain of one thing: there are people living there who are in need of something and who are suffering. More than likely there are already groups of Christian servants working to meet some of those needs. Find out about these groups and find a way to get involved. The real question is not so much what you should do. The real question once you know in your heart that God wants to use you as his compassionate servant to a hurting world is, “Are you available?”



Only you can answer that question.



Hopefully, you are, indeed, available. You are gifted for service my friend. And no matter what form that service may take, you can rest assured of one absolute certainty: the Holy Spirit will empower you not only proceed, but succeed. He will make sure you not only survive, you will thrive.



My primary purpose in writing this article is to encourage you to understand and accept the reality that God put a potential and purpose in you before you were born and, further, he still wants that purpose to be realized. Stop looking back at the past and instead, step forward into the service that God has for you. You cannot change the past but know this: whatever happened is history in God’s eyes and in God’s heart. As a Christian you have been forgiven so turn your eyes forward instead of keeping them riveted in your rear view mirror.



Do all that you can to let this truth sink deep into the depths of your heart: where you are going, what is in your future is far more important that what’s behind you. Scripture tells us that with God, all things are possible. So if it seems your dreams have died, let the Lord resurrect those dormant dreams and allow those dreams to drive you and motivate you to be all that you can be for the glory of God and the sake of others. Joel Osteen, on of God’s gifted encouragers, speaks clearly about this:



You may feel that you are at an empty place in life today. Not much is going your way. You’ve been through severe difficulties. But God wants to restore you, to encourage you, to fill you with His hope. He wants to resurrect your dreams. He wants to do a new thing.



Continually remind yourself that you have a gift on the inside. You are talented. You are creative. That’s exactly why the enemy is trying to push you down, to keep your gifts, your creativity, your joy, your smile, your personality, and your dreams from ever seeing the light of day. He would love for them to lie dormant your whole lifetime. Thank God, it’s not up to your enemy: it’s up to you.

As mentioned earlier, it may well be that your past mistakes – the places in life where you erred the most – that will qualify you for a particular service in God’s kingdom. During my years working in ministry and social service in Dade County, Florida I witnessed this spiritual truth played out time and time again. Brad, a former homeless crack addict found the Master, found sobriety, and then founded a crisis intervention center for street addicts who had overdosed on drugs. Many lives were saved through the efforts of Brad and the outreach workers he trained.



Marsha, a one-time prostitute and talented pick-pocket wound up in the Emergency Room, severely beaten and strung out on heroin. Through the efforts of a hospital chaplain she obtained treatment for her addiction, became involved in a local congregation, and after several years of sobriety, helped start a program that provided business clothing and interview skills training to women who desired to leave her former profession.



Scripture reveals that God is a master of the art of reclamation. In today’s popular television vernacular, he is a maestro of the “total makeover.” If you doubt my word, read it for yourself. Scripture reads like a regular rogue’s gallery of offenders. John and Paula Sandford describe this aspect of God’s character:



God’s children, in whom He has done mighty things, have come from checkered careers. Moses was a murderer. Look what Jacob did with Esau and Laban. Abraham tricked King Abimelech. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had Uriah killed. Peter denied Jesus three times. John and James fought to be the highest. Paul went to Damascus breathing murder and threats. Our checkered careers, our utter sinfulness and degradation, our falling into all manner of vain seeking, become by the grace of God on the cross and in the resurrection the inevitable writing of wisdom on our hearts. Our hurts and sins have become our schooling and preparation. Would that we could learn purity the easy way. Praise God that His mercy is such that He turns the depth of our sin into the strength of ministry. We are not proud of our wrongdoing, but the sweet grace of God is such that in the end we thank Him for it. Our sins have become our training for high calling rather than our disqualification.



As the years have passed, my journey of faith has grown simpler in many ways and one of those ways involves having both awe and reverence for how God chooses to do things. As the above quotation from the Sandfords implies, no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Further, no matter what our past indiscretions might have been, none of us are so damaged that he cannot use us in some way in carrying out his will here on earth. Coupled with the aforementioned sense of awe and reverence , this awareness leads me to a profound sense of gratitude.



Think about it.

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.



4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.



8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.



13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Quit being such a BIG BABY!

When we first enter this world we all get a free pass for acting like

babies because we are .. babies. Afraid, fussy, confused, messy, tired, and

cranky is all part of our baby resume.



Toddler and Preschool years are filled with so much change (no diaper pun

intended) where we want to both independent ( "but i don't want a nap!" ) ,

and dependent ( "mommy mommy where are you?" ) all in the same little body.



In Elementary School being immature is still a given,.. and will get you

into certain careless trouble.



A Teenager is actually a 'provisional adult' where saggy fashion choices

and road warrior indiscretions leave the adult world scratching their

collective heads over what the future holds.





From ages 18 to 969 or so, we are now classified Adults. So crying ,

pouting , and fits of anger are frowned upon but obviously still present!





Next let's shift over to our Faith Walk where Paul compares new believers

to babies.



New Believers are like a babies in need of the basics (the milk) and not

ready for solid food.. but we need to grow as believers and mature to men

or women of God.



We can grow our faith by faithfully and daily reading our bibles (the meat)

and follow it’s teachings. Starting with the ‘deep simplicity’ in the two

greatest commands to love God, and love others as we love ourselves. This

needs to become our first line of obedience making way for maturing in

Christ.



The power in His Word is the unchanging uncompromising and loving truths of

God’s and are sharper than any 2 edged sword able to cut through any issue

this life presents.



In the end it is a choice .. We can stay babies afraid of a little PAPER

CUT or learn and grow with God’s truths that taps into a life that is

satisfying and complete no matter our circumstances.



May God bless each of you in your love and service to God and others. May

His peace and love give you perspective like never before. May we become

mature men and women after God's own heart!



important note: For those times where I stumble as a believer and my

behavior is less than mature, I know God's grace is always there for me

with the love of a perfect parent.

Bit Players and Power Brokers of the First Church

Today let me present Bit Players and Power Brokers of the First Church. So

far I have covered the Old Testament, followed by the Gospels.. so why not

The First Church written about in the Book of Acts.



As soon as Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven the bit players and power

brokers were all busy in their roles in and around the First Church.



- At Jesus Ascension into Heaven there was a few bit player who bubbled

over with nervous chatter.

- Just a few weeks earlier waaayyy SOUTH of Jeruselum there could be found

doubting bit players.

- Matthias, a bit player is chosen to become a power broker (aka disciple)

to replace the recently departed Judas.

- Peter and John were imprisoned after inciting a revival. Rumor was they

set up a Nativity Set in the town square.







- Stephen was stoned by the religous right of their day fearing Stephen

would rise from Christian bit player to power broker.

- Influenced by all the public persecutions, jailings, and stonings Roger,

Tim, and Bobemeus enter the very first Witness Protection Program .. as bit

players.

NEXT.. enters Saul the Pharisee Powerbroker until he SAW THE LIGHT along

the Damascus Road reducing him to blind bit player.

- Simon was a bit player in the new Christian movement, but was a power

broker in the emerging tanning industry with his very successful chain of

tanning salons Simons Tanners









- Waaayyy before Simon on American Idol there was a bit player jailer/

music critic who did not believe Paul had what it took to rise from a life

behind bars to become a first century pop star / power broker

- Waaayyy before I ever dosed in Church, bit player Eutychus nodded off,

fell to his death DURING CHURCH, then.. IT'S A MIRACLE.. he is alive again.

Long live the patron saint for those who sleep in church!

- Snake Handlers are misguided bit players in some churches today.. and to

think they were inspired by snake bit power broker Paul.



AND FINALLY..



Besides the life of Jesus Christ on Earth where bit player carpenter was

actually the son of God and true power broker of our Salvation, there has

in my opinion NEVER been a bit player used by God to be a power broker for

His will that all should know Him like the Apostle Paul.



From power broker Pharisee, then blinded by Jesus on that Damascus Road, to

living out his life where all that mattered was telling a lost world the

truth of Jesus Christ. Blinded, beaten, snake biten, persecuted, and

imprisoned..BUT he was too busy serving God to realize it.











I want to be a man like Paul, but I have a ways to go where NOTHING MATTERS

in my life except serving God. I go to church, I am a good guy, BUT.. Paul

raised the bar where few follow.



May God inspire us to love, serve, and be used by Him in ways that are

beyond any bit player status we may believe you carry.



Back pew Guy

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.