Dear Friends, 9-15 WHAT SHALL WE DO TO BE SAVED?

People right now want to be safe from terrorists. But we have more to fear than what can take our lives.

Mt 10:28 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.

Those who were killed in the terrorist attacks that were saved are in heaven. Those who were not saved are in hell. It’s that simple. Did some die without God because their friends were afraid to witness? It’s possible. But God knew ahead which would accept His message and those who would, were told by someone. Perhaps in the last moments of their life, many of who had heard called out to God. Knowing you are going to or might die, gives you a quick life review, and God accepts last minute requests. You know, like the thief on the cross? What about the parable about those hired in the last hour? Even evil Nineveh was saved when they repented. God doesn’t want any to perish.†

2Pe 3:9 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.

Remember this comment that Jesus made?

Lu 13: 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

God may allow these things, but He does not cause them. His wrath is coming. But God is just. God has promised to those of us who love Him, who are called according to His purpose to bring good out of evil for the things that Satan brings upon us. Remember these descriptions of Satan’s purpose.

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus gave the solution while telling the bad news. Jesus came so that we might have life. But our life is not just in this world. True justice may not come in this world.

1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, WE ARE OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE.

This life is a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. Remember this statement:

Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Death is hard to take at any time, for the survivors. But to those going to their reward it is welcomed. If I should die, no one better raise me from the dead. I want to go home. Jesus and Paul both spoke about this:

Joh 16: 7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Joh 16: 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Joh 16: 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

So death for the saved is good:

Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Tragedy though hurts! I think one of the hurts of something like this is a selfish thought. What if it happened to me or mine? The knowledge of how vulnerable we are. But we never know what will take us home to be with the Lord, or when it will happen. Even if we are sentenced to death, (this could mean by cancer or some other disease, or if we are in prison), we have time to make peace with God. To repent is to make peace with God.†

A tragedy such as what happened in this country, is something that makes us realize we must always be prepared for death. So many people say, "I’ll accept God someday," but keep putting it of. Those who didn’t choice to accept Jesus as their Savior, died unprepared on September 11. We know where they went.†

The gospel was preached on National TV the other day as Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, was asked by a news reporter for details. He told the world how to be saved. As prayer was asked for and given, people again started thinking of God, for their country did not protect them. Their complacency is gone. It could happen here and did. That leaves an opening. Who can say, you can’t say that on TV, in the midst of this tragedy? No one is saying, your prayer offends me don’t do it now. On TV I saw an ecumenical service with our President giving a message.†

That is the scary part. A friend called and said, how the world is coming together. Did you hear what I said? Think about it. We have a war. We will have to do a lot of retribution to get such an enemy. There will soon need to be someone to step in and plead for peace. The Antichrist. The ecumenical prayers. They even had a Muslim prayer. A one world government. A one world religion. Folks, don’t you see it now?†

What does that mean? Many will now be open to the Gospel. Many will be asking questions. You can show them the Bible and the newspaper. It’s coming to pass. Now is the accepted time to tell the world about the hope that is in you.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Sanctify the Lord God in your heart.† BE READY ALWAYS! Everywhere you go people will be talking about this. They will be asking questions. Study to know the answers. You already have most of them. But here is your opportunity to be a missionary, in our country. As when the iron curtain fell, Russia was opened to the Bible, now America is open. Their hearts have been touched in a way not possible before.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

We have all nations in this country. Here is your chance. You don’t have to go anywhere, just to the places you normally go. The grocery store, the Wal-Mart, the insurance company, letters to the editor, work, church, (some sitting next to you may not be saved), ball games, the health club, PTA meetings, the library, auctions, flea markets, where ever you go, whatever you do, someone will be talking about these events. Speak up. Tell them. Ask God to give you the words. Ask God to give you opportunities. Now is the time.

You have just become an expert in what’s going on, and why all this is happening. Tell the truth. Study if you don’t know. Here is a list of Scripture to give.†

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

No one is free from sin. Not even the person who may seem so nice. We can sin in our thoughts. And many do!

Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

The Pharisees appeared to live a holy life. But Jesus said this:

Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Re 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Re 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This is what we deserve for our sins. A Holy God requires it. He cannot look upon sin. But:

Joh 3:16 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

Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

God set the punishment. He sent His Son to pay the price so that we may have forgiveness and eternal life with God. But He will not force Himself on us.†

Re 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Ro 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Now this sacrifice was not made so that we could just sin, make a quick confession and go back to doing the same thing again and again.†

Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

God know our propensity for sin, and that there would be many temptations. So He also promises a way out for us. He will help us to live for Him.†

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

What we must do is confess our sins and repent of them. Ask God to help us do this. He promises to forgive us and cleanse us.†

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But the key is to abide with God.†

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

It is God who will give us the power to resist temptation. But when we do fall, He will forgive us and give us a new start. And a new heart.†

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

God will give you the desire to follow Him.†

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

It is God who will complete the work in you. Not on your strength, but on His:

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

But you are weak, you say? God says this:

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

You can’t do it you say? God says this:

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Learn these things, and then share them with those you meet. A note, compare versions in these verses before you use your newer versions. A comparison will tell you a lot. Now you will be armed with the Sword of the Spirit. Carry your Bible. Know where to find the answers. If you are not sure, ask someone who knows. You know who they are. Go and make disciples. Go forth in the power of faith received when you pray and fast. Time is short. Go make a difference. Find out what the abundant life is really about!