 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Your Story How Will It Turn Out?
Every one of us has at least three things in common. We are born, we
die, and in between those two events, we are in the process of writing a
story called “life.” We can’t know exactly what twists and turns of plot may
take place in each chapter of our lives. How will it turn out? The
chapters of your life, whether filled with adventure, impact, or
insignificance, combine for an ultimate end. The truth is, as you live your
story, you never know when the last chapter will be written. There is a way
however, to assure victory whether your story contains happiness or
sadness, success or failure, riches or poverty, health or sickness.
In the Bible, God’s true love story written for humanity, we discover
some important things: God is interested in your life story.
God created you, “For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in
my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made” (Psalm 139: 13-14). [God, who knows you best, still loves you the
most!] God’s purpose for you is to have eternal life. The eternal life
promised in the Bible not only refers to everlasting life in heaven, but also
to significance, fulfillment, meaning, and purpose in this life.
God Loves You. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16).
God has a plan for you. “I have come that they might have life, and that may
have it more abundantly” (John 10: 10).
When we attempt to write our own life story our sin stands in the way of
God’s purpose “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
(Romans 3: 23). “I’m a good person,” is a phrase we frequently hear.
Actually, no person is truly “good” based on God’s standard, which is
perfection. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Humanity takes sin so lightly! But
God takes it so seriously! The wages (penalty) for sin is death and defeat in
this life, and separation and suffering in the afterlife. And, remember, all
have sinned. Sin costs! Its ultimate cost is death and an eternity apart from
God. But God loves us and has provided a way for us to experience
forgiveness of sin, abundant life here, and everlasting life in heaven. That
way is Jesus Christ. He is the door you must go through to enter heaven.
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and
out and find pasture.” (John 10:9).
JESUS CHRIST CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE STORY
• Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, “Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and then He rose
again the third day according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15: 3-4). Do
you remember that the wages (penalty) of our sin is death, according to
God in the Bible? When Jesus died on the cross He was paying the penalty
of death that we owed for our sin.
• Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
(John 14:6).
BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH JUST TO KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT JESUS.
We must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Then,
and only then, can we experience the full and meaningful life He offers.
“But as many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of God” (John 1:12). Trying to earn salvation by doing good works is like
trying to do math using only zeros. Nothing is always the result! But
salvation through Jesus is a gift! He offers this gift to you right now.
Receiving Jesus involves placing your faith (trust) in Him. “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).
Receiving Jesus involves turning from away from your self and toward
God. This is called repentance in the Bible. “Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
How to receive Jesus. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you
will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with
the mouth confessing is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
Remember the sincere attitude of your heart is more important than just
reciting words. A simple confession, “I am a sinner”, a simple word of
repentance “Lord, I’m sorry”,” Jesus forgive me of my sin”, a simple
invitation, “come into my heart and life today.”
If you have read this writing and believe that Christ died for you sins,
follow the pattern described above and you can claim salvation in Christ
Jesus.
I wonder if you would take a few moments and make your decision known
to me. I will place you on my list of daily prayer. Our God is a God of
forgiveness and love.
A New Chapter In Your Life Story Has Just Begun!
There are a few ways to make contact with me or my wife Jean. On the
home page there is a place to click and a contact page will come up, or
write a letter to the mailing address listed on the page. If you have a
question please give us a chance to help.
I would like to list a few ways to help you grow as a follower of Jesus Christ:
• Read the Bible every day. Begin in the book of John. Learn as much as
you can about Jesus.
• Pray daily. Prayer is talking with God. You can pray anytime, even when
you sin or fail. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
• Attend a good church, one where Jesus is honored, the Bible is
taught and fully believed, and everyone is welcomed.
• Tell someone who would be happy to hear of your commitment to
Jesus.
Pastor teacher,
Steve Shipley
Every one of us has at least three things in common. We are born, we
die, and in between those two events, we are in the process of writing a
story called “life.” We can’t know exactly what twists and turns of plot may
take place in each chapter of our lives. How will it turn out? The
chapters of your life, whether filled with adventure, impact, or
insignificance, combine for an ultimate end. The truth is, as you live your
story, you never know when the last chapter will be written. There is a way
however, to assure victory whether your story contains happiness or
sadness, success or failure, riches or poverty, health or sickness.
In the Bible, God’s true love story written for humanity, we discover
some important things: God is interested in your life story.
God created you, “For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in
my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made” (Psalm 139: 13-14). [God, who knows you best, still loves you the
most!] God’s purpose for you is to have eternal life. The eternal life
promised in the Bible not only refers to everlasting life in heaven, but also
to significance, fulfillment, meaning, and purpose in this life.
God Loves You. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16).
God has a plan for you. “I have come that they might have life, and that may
have it more abundantly” (John 10: 10).
When we attempt to write our own life story our sin stands in the way of
God’s purpose “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
(Romans 3: 23). “I’m a good person,” is a phrase we frequently hear.
Actually, no person is truly “good” based on God’s standard, which is
perfection. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Humanity takes sin so lightly! But
God takes it so seriously! The wages (penalty) for sin is death and defeat in
this life, and separation and suffering in the afterlife. And, remember, all
have sinned. Sin costs! Its ultimate cost is death and an eternity apart from
God. But God loves us and has provided a way for us to experience
forgiveness of sin, abundant life here, and everlasting life in heaven. That
way is Jesus Christ. He is the door you must go through to enter heaven.
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and
out and find pasture.” (John 10:9).
JESUS CHRIST CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE STORY
• Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, “Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and then He rose
again the third day according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15: 3-4). Do
you remember that the wages (penalty) of our sin is death, according to
God in the Bible? When Jesus died on the cross He was paying the penalty
of death that we owed for our sin.
• Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
(John 14:6).
BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH JUST TO KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT JESUS.
We must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Then,
and only then, can we experience the full and meaningful life He offers.
“But as many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of God” (John 1:12). Trying to earn salvation by doing good works is like
trying to do math using only zeros. Nothing is always the result! But
salvation through Jesus is a gift! He offers this gift to you right now.
Receiving Jesus involves placing your faith (trust) in Him. “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).
Receiving Jesus involves turning from away from your self and toward
God. This is called repentance in the Bible. “Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
How to receive Jesus. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you
will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with
the mouth confessing is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
Remember the sincere attitude of your heart is more important than just
reciting words. A simple confession, “I am a sinner”, a simple word of
repentance “Lord, I’m sorry”,” Jesus forgive me of my sin”, a simple
invitation, “come into my heart and life today.”
If you have read this writing and believe that Christ died for you sins,
follow the pattern described above and you can claim salvation in Christ
Jesus.
I wonder if you would take a few moments and make your decision known
to me. I will place you on my list of daily prayer. Our God is a God of
forgiveness and love.
A New Chapter In Your Life Story Has Just Begun!
There are a few ways to make contact with me or my wife Jean. On the
home page there is a place to click and a contact page will come up, or
write a letter to the mailing address listed on the page. If you have a
question please give us a chance to help.
I would like to list a few ways to help you grow as a follower of Jesus Christ:
• Read the Bible every day. Begin in the book of John. Learn as much as
you can about Jesus.
• Pray daily. Prayer is talking with God. You can pray anytime, even when
you sin or fail. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
• Attend a good church, one where Jesus is honored, the Bible is
taught and fully believed, and everyone is welcomed.
• Tell someone who would be happy to hear of your commitment to
Jesus.
Pastor teacher,
Steve Shipley