Thursday, May 29, 2008

Temptations. Can You Handle It?

Every temptation is an opportunity to do what is right and what pleases our Lord. Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you. Everyone is tempted of all kinds. Lustful desires, covetous minds and hidden agendas only are mind knows, are just few examples. Come to think of it. Even our Lord and Savior was tempted by Satan three times but never sinned. Being tempted is not bad, but yielding to it is a sin. We think temptation lies around us, but God says it begins within us. How can we avoid yielding to it? What are the ways to be victorious against temptations? Here are the ABCs over temptation...

A void situations where temptation occurs.
B ecome more familiar with the Bible.
C ount on God's promises (1 Corinthians 10:13).
D evelop accountability partnerships.
F ocus on Jesus' example.
G o to God in prayer for strength.
F ind a friend that you can count on when you feel like tempted.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Your Most Important Decision

Have you ever felt that you were all alone, with no one who really understood you?

Would you like to have a good friend who would never leave you, who could help you whenever you needed it?

You can meet a friend like this right now. His name is Jesus. He has written you a “letter” to let you know about Him, about who He is and what He did to try to become your friend. The most personal part of that is the book you have in you hands.

Jesus wants to be with you all the time, but there is a problem. He cannot stay where there is sin. Every time we lie, cheat, disobey or do other wrong things, we move further from Jesus. We must remember He cannot stay where there is sin.

But Jesus loved everyone in the world just as they are and he keeps loving us the same way today, even though we have sinned.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:36)

In His letter Jesus tells us the best way a person can show the love is to be willing to even die for his friend.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

That’s just what Jesus did for us. But why did He have to die? In order to show us just how He wanted to be our friend, Jesus decided to take our punishments for us. That way we could be forgiven without having to pay for our own sins. God could treat us just as if we had never sinned, and Jesus His Son could be our friend forever.

So do we have to die too? Not for our sins, because Jesus died for them so we wouldn’t have to. And not forever, because Jesus died and resurrected so we could live forever with Him. In the letter He says:

“In my Father’s house are many rooms….I am going there to prepare a place for you….I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.”(John 14:2,3)

That is what “eternal life” means in His letter.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36)

What do we have to do to get rid of our sin so Jesus can be our friend? It’s really easy. First we have to believe that what He wrote us in His letter is true. And then all we have to do is ask Him to do what He said He would do. In the letter it is called “praying”. Some of Jesus’ closest friends one asked Him to teach them how to pray. They had seen Him doing it all the time, so they wanted Him to show them how to pray. He taught them to pray to their heavenly Father and ask him to forgive their sins. So He taught them to pray:

"Our Father in heaven….forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sin against us.” (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:4)

So why not do it right now? Just say:

Sinner’s Prayer
“HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR SON JESUS TO DIE FOR MY SINS. PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR ALL THE BAD THINGS I’VE DONE. I WANT JESUS TO BE MY SAVIOUR AND FRIEND, NOW AND FOREVER.” AMEN.

With Jesus in your heart, you have eternal life

“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:11, 12)

“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me….has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)

When your body dies, you are present with the Lord.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

If you have prayed the sinner’s prayer, CONGRATULATIONS! & “WELCOME TO GOD”S FAMILY.”

How to keep following Jesus?

ü Go to Bible-believing churches. I recommend churches that only believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life and no other than like good works or graven images.

ü Read verses from the Bible (the Word of God) every day and hide them in your heart by memorizing special verses which help you.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine (what you believe), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”2 Timothy 3:16)

ü Talk to Jesus in prayer anytime.
§
Thank Jesus for all the good things in life.
§ Praise Him for things He has done for you and for saving your soul. Pray for any need you have. Pray in Jesus’ name.

“If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)
“Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John 16:23)
“….pray for one another….” (James 5:16)
“Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

ü Jesus wants you to witness to others
(at home, at school, at church, anywhere)

“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Mark 5:19)