** It's IN CHRIST !!!

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for (Ephesians 1:11 MSG).

'A personal relationship with God begins with an event Jesus called a new birth (John 3:3). WHEN we are born spiritually into God's family we become His children and members of His spiritual kingdom.

To begin this personal relationship, take these steps:

Admit your need. We come into this world physically alive but spiritually dead - missing out on the quality of life for which God made us. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10), and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). THEREFORE, we need a Savior.

REALISE what God has done for you. GOD loved us enough to send His own Son into this world to rescue us from the devastating effects of our sin (John 1:1-14, 3:16). JESUS died in our place, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. WITH one sacrifice (because He is God's Son), He paid for the least - and the worst - of our sins.

PERSONALLY believe and receive God's gift. NO one is saved by trying to be good. WE are saved by trusting in Christ. THE Bible says, "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).

THE actual words we say to God to receive this gift may vary. WHAT is important is that we believe Him enough to be able to say something similar to the following:

God, I know I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and that He rose from dead to prove it. Now I accept Your offer of full forgiveness and eternal life. I accept Jesus as Your gift for my salvation.

IF this is the honest (sincere/earnest) expression of your heart, you have entered into a personal relationship with God !

We encourage you to start attending a good Bible-teaching church and to let a pastor know of your decision' - RBC Ministries.


** Also, you may read 'A Christian's Growth' !! IT is encouragingly documented in the NOVEMBER 2011 postings of this Blog. Cheers.k.

* "I BELIEVE IT" !! *

"Everything is possible for him who believes (MARK 9:23)."

"A friend of mine died today. IT had been some time since we talked and laughed over a hot fudge sundae or went shopping. I had not seen her for several days, and on that last occasion I had done all the talking. WHITNEY had been in a coma. BUT now she was gone - freed from her silent prison. I had honestly believed that she knew when I was there. I believed she was aware of things that were said and done. MOST of all, I guess, I believed that Whit was putting forth every effort she could.

NOW I am not sure. Had she really received the extensive brain damage they said she had? DID she just plain give up? But I want to believe that Jesus said, "LET'S go home. You've had enough." And I do believe it and believing it, I have peace.

*WHEN a dream dies or a relationship ends or a close friend passes on, we like to think there was a purpose. WE want to know all the reasons. We would like to have all our answers answered. SOMETIMES we strive and struggle and bend every effort. MAYBE we give up. MAYBE Jesus intervenes and says, "LET'S move on." I want to believe that God miraculously works in our lives. And I do believe it. And believing it, I am at peace." PAM BERTOLET

* CONTINUING Love ! !

* JOHN 15: 1-16.

"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love" (v.9).

Christianity is a loving relationship with God and Jesus.

Daily joy:
IF you are trying to live a successful (Christian) life but are finding it difficult, ask yourself: "How much do I love Jesus?" (*then, ask Jesus to give you "faith in Him").

~ AMPUTATE your Leg ??? ~ ..

"WHO would ever dream of amputating his own leg? Nobody - unless that person had lost his mind or was faced with the grim choice of losing either his leg OR his life.

THAT was Bill Jeracki's terrible predicament, according to The Denver Post, when he was out fishing all alone in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. He was trapped when a boulder fell on his leg, and he was unable to free himself.

Knowing that as night came on he might die of exposure, Bill did what he knew he had to do. Relying on his skill as an assistant to a doctor at a Denver hospital, he took a nylon rope out of his tackle box, tied it tightly above his knee, and cut off his leg with his knife. He then dragged himself to his car and drove 10 miles to the nearest town. He not only survived the trauma, but with an artificial limb he is out fishing again.

What a decision-your leg or your life! BUT what if the stakes were even higher? Suppose you had to give up some habit, ambition, or relationship, and giving up heaven. THE Lord made the issue of following Him THAT decisive. He said, "What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, AND loses his own soul?" - Matthew 16:26. It's a question you and I must answer". VCG.

"If I gained the world but not the Savior,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?" - Olander.

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"HE IS NO FOOL WHO GIVES WHAT HE CANNOT KEEP TO GAIN WHAT HE CANNOT LOSE" - Elliot.
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