The Way to Eternal Life

Condemned To Eternal Death! What Can I DO?

Jesus' Mission

Jesus left the glories of Heaven with God, the Father, and God, the Holy Spirit, and came to earth with a specific mission. He came to be the only way man could be redeemed and reconciled to their Creator. He was to become the perfect and sinless sacrifice for sins. He often stated "I must be about my Fathers work". This should also be our ambition. He had been teaching His message, the Good News” while performing many miracles including bringing back to life some who had not only died but had been buried and had begun to decay.

Everyone who truly has the desire to please God wants to know and understand God's word and how it applies to them. Therefore, they often ask "What shall I do" sometimes adding "to be saved". The Bible answers this important question or other similarly worded questions in many different passages and examples. They also encourage you to take the action the individuals in the examples did when you hear and understand like they did. These passages and examples provide the answers to those yearning to know and do whatever is necessary.

First asked on Pentecost

"As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51) The Passover was near. As Jesus and His disciples neared the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem near Bethany and Bethpage, great crowds followed because of his miracles and their desire to make him king thinking He would overthrow the hated Roman occupiers. They welcomed Him as a king by placing palm branches on the road shouting "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38) He did not arrive with grandeur, or with a great army of soldiers, horsemen and chariots. Instead, He came riding on a peasant's beast of burden.

The leaders of the Jews arrested Jesus, conducted a mockery of a trial and turned Him over to the Roman authorities requesting He be crucified. They created a mob atmosphere among the very people who a short time before wanted to make Jesus their king. Pilate, the Roman governor, examined Jesus founding Him innocent of anything deserving death. After several attempts to release Him, he yielded to the mob and ordered Jesus to be crucified. The religious Jewish leaders and the mob witnessed this cruel death. On the third day following His death Jesus came forth from the grave. He walked, talked and ate with His disciples for forty days being seen by many followers.

Jesus led His disciples out to the vicinity of Bethany where He was taken up into heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem and waited according to Jesus' command. Pentecost was at hand and Jews from all over the Roman Empire assembled in Jerusalem for this solemn occasion. When Pentecost came and while the disciples were assembled together, the sound of an enormous violent wind was heard by thousands. People came from everywhere; no doubt they were as curious as you and I and wanted to see what was happening. What they witnessed astonished them. Unschooled men from Galilee were speaking and everyone heard in their own language (tongue). But what they heard terrified them. They realized they had contributed to the death of Jesus who had performed miracles and recognized he was from

• They heard reliable witnesses testify that He was raised from the grave and had ascended to Heaven to be with God. They had killed the

Messiah, the Christ. So, in fear they asked "What shall we do?"

Peter and the other apostles answered their question in such a clear way that over 3,000 understood that Jesus was God and obeyed the apostles' message They were told: God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. Repent and be baptized {immersed} for the remission of sins.

Those who accepted the message were baptized and they continued, devoting themselves to the apostles teaching.

Saul of Tarsus

Saul had been a student of Gamaliel, a teacher of the law and honored by the people. Later in life Paul referred to himself as a Pharisee of Pharisees as he was very zealous of the law and in his belief that he was doing the will of God. On a trip to Damascus to arrest those who belonged to the Way (their term referring to Christians), he suddenly became aware that he was fighting God rather than serving Him. He was told to go into the city where he would be told what he must do. Following a visit by Ananias he was baptized (immersed into Christ Blood).

Cornelius

Cornelius was a Gentile centurion, a God-fearing man who gave generously to those in need, and prayed often to God. Peter was a Jew and an apostle but still believed the custom of the Jews that they should not enter in a Gentile's house. God revised Peter's thinking by means of a vision while he was in Joppa at Simon the Tanner's house. Cornelius sent for Peter and upon arriving with other Christian Jews Peter spoke to Cornelius and his household about the good news, the gospel, of Jesus. He concluded with "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?" (Acts 10:47)

Philippian Jailer

Paul had gone from Troas to Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia. At the river he taught Lydia and her household and they were baptized. While in the city teaching and performing miracles he was arrested, beaten and put in prison in stocks without a trial even though he was a Roman citizen. God opened the prison gates freeing all from their chains. Seeing this, the jailer drew his sword to kill himself but Paul stopped him. Paul taught him about Jesus. When asked "What must I do to be saved?", the jailer and his family were baptized.

Summary

There are other examples in the Bible of people responding to Jesus' gospel. All of them put their trust in God by doing whatever He wants them to do. By examining these recordings one can conclude the following is necessary to obey:

• Hear - Listen to and study the Word of God.
• Understand a.

All men are sinful having disobeyed God's righteous commands b. Acknowledge they had sinned in not living according to God's commands c. Sin results in eternal death d. One must be forgiven to have eternal life with God e. Christ is the only sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins

• Believe Jesus a.

Jesus was and is God b. Jesus came to earth in the flesh as Jesus of Nazareth c. Jesus lived a sinless life among men d. Jesus willingly gave His life as the perfect and only sacrifice for sins, being crucified. e. Jesus was buried

• Jesus arose from the grave on the third day
• Jesus appeared to hundreds of his disciples following His resurrection
• Jesus ascended back to heaven to be with the Father
• Repent - Change their life from sin and disobedience to trust and obedience
• Confess - Proclaim their belief and faith that Jesus is the Christ, the

Son of God.

• Die - Put to death their old sinful, worldly, life.
• Seek – Call upon God to forgive them of their sins by the act of baptism.
• Be Buried - Put to death their sinful life by being buried in the grave of baptism (being (immersed in water) into the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and allowing God to raise them from the grave as a new creation.
• Receive - The Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.
• Become - A new Christian put into Christ church by God.
• Live - Continue to live steadfastly and obediently to Christ and the apostles' teachings. Paul emphasized this to the Ephesian Christians: "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Questions

• The question “what shall we do” was first ask on Pentecost. One response was since you killed the Messiah there can be no forgiveness.

True ___ False ___

• Peter and the apostles replied that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ: repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. True ___ False ___
• Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius and the Philippian jailer were told that all they needed to do was repeat the “sinners prayer.”
• True ___ False ___
• Immersion in water baptism was not necessary to be forgiven as

God will save everyone as He does not want anyone to be lost. True ___ False ___

• How does one get added to Christ’s church?
• ___ Vote of members of a church
• ___ A pastor, priest or preacher
• ___ Only by God

Jesus of Nazareth

The message of redemption is recorded in the Bible. It contains the mind of God, the way of salvation and the doom of sinners. We should read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be happy and holy. It contains light to direct us, food to support us, and comfort to cheer us. It should fill our memories, rule our hearts, and guide our feet. It involves responsibility and will reward our labor, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents. It offers assurance for old age, comfort for death, and salvation for eternity.

We are commanded to study and understand it. God said in Hos. 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” Man should take time to study the only Book that tells of his origin and destiny. Man is a dual being consisting of the “inward man” and the “outward man.” Paul speaks of the “outward man” as the things that are seen and the “inward man” as the things not seen. And this unseen man is ETERNAL. So, by studying the Bible we get the proper food for the “inward man,” or the soul. Jesus says in Matt. 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

The very fact that God gave us the Bible is proof that he wants us to read it, study it, and live it. (Naomi Etoil Coleman)

In the Judgment to come we will face this word which we area now commanded to study and live, and by it we will be judged. Jesus said “The one who reject s me and does not receive my words has a judge; the words that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)

The apostle John said in Rev 20:12, I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

The Light of the World

From the beginning, Jesus is the eternal Word who was with God and who was God. At a moment in history, He became flesh and dwelt among us. He came as the true light that gives light to every human being and as the manifestation of the Father’s love. He Himself declared: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 1:1,14; Jn 8:12).

A Miraculous Birth

Jesus was born of Mary through the work of the Holy Spirit. An angel announced that the child would be called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Thus began the earthly life of the Son of God, growing in wisdom, grace, and obedience before God and men (Mt 1:20–23; Lk 1:35; Lk 2:40,52).

Nicodemus and the Call to Be “Born Again”

One night, Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, sought Jesus in secret. He recognized that His signs were proof that God was with Him. But Jesus surprised him with an unexpected teaching: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Nicodemus asked how an old man could be born again. Jesus answered clearly: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” In this way, He showed the necessity of a spiritual birth to see and enter the Kingdom (Jn 3:1–8).

To a Samaritan Woman: “Worship in Spirit and in Truth” On His way to Galilee, Jesus passed through Samaria and stopped at a well where He met a woman. He spoke to her of living water that satisfies forever. She wanted to know where people ought to worship

• Jesus answered: “The hour is coming when you will worship the

Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such

people to worship Him.” With these words, He taught that worship is no longer tied to a physical place but flows from a living relationship with God (Jn 4:19–23).

Jesus Reveals His Divinity and Offers Rest

Throughout His ministry, Jesus identified Himself with expressions that reveal His divine nature:

• “I am the bread of life” (Jn 6:35).
• “I am the door” (Jn 10:9).
• “I am the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11).
• “I am the resurrection and the life” (Jn 11:25–26).
• “I am the true vine” (Jn 15:5).
• “Before Abraham was, I Am” (Jn 8:58). But He also extended a tender and hopeful invitation to all who feel weary and burdened in heart: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28–30).

He Died So We Can Live

Finally, Jesus gave His life on the cross, bearing the sin of the world. There He cried: “It is finished.” With these words, He showed that He had completed the Father’s work. His body was buried, but on the third day He rose again in power, defeating death, the power of Satan, and bringing eternal hope (Jn 1:29; Mt 27:35–50; Jn 19:30; Mt 28:5–6; Lk 24:6–7).

Baptism: Dying and Being Born Again

The new birth that Jesus spoke about to Nicodemus is fulfilled in baptism. There the believer dies to sin and rises to a new life in Christ. Paul explained it this way: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life” (Rom 6:3–4). Baptism is the immersion, a burial in water, into the spiritual

body of Christ and His way of living to please a righteous and holy God).

The Purpose of the Gospels

The miracles, teachings, and words of Jesus were recorded to awaken faith. John himself explained the purpose: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (Jn 20:31).

Your Decision

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave His disciples the supreme mission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name, by the authority, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt 28:19–20). He also said: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk 16:15– 16).

The circle of faith is complete: Born of water and the Spirit → Worship the Father in Spirit and truth → Die and rise with Christ in baptism. This is the gospel that saves, written to give life in the name of Jesus and proclaimed to all nations.

But the message is not just history — it is a personal invitation to you. Jesus still calls: “Come to me…” (Mt 11:28). If you are seeking truth, peace, and a new life, reach out to someone who can guide you through the Scriptures. Ask questions. Learn more. And when you are ready, take the step of faith to be baptized into Christ, to rise with Him into a new life filled with hope, purpose, and eternal promise. (Roberto Santiago)

THE DEVIL WON’T WIN HEAVEN BEFORE EARTH CREATED

There have been many questions over time:

Where did we come from? Where did any life come from? How did it all start? Questions with no answers! This is because these concepts are incomprehensible.

We are unable to understand how this could be. Our sciences can only learn of what is now, but cannot answer how and why it all began. We can measure things that exist in nature but we cannot measure or understand things that came before nature. The unnatural, (supernatural) the invisible, a force, and source that was always there and established that natural type of existence we now see, touch, and are a living part of.

IN THE BEGINNING – THERE WAS NO BEGINNIG Something had to be in place to create something else, and that all things existed in some form, some kind of energy source, and some kind of intelligence.

The oldest sources of knowledge and the existence of man go back to a source of The Bible is one of the oldest sources of information about life on this planet and in the universe around

• What does it say? We need to know!

IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS NO GOD! There was always an invisible and eternal great spirit! (As the native 'Americans" who occupied this continent called it.

Can something invisible become visible? God says He is invisible, but that He has 'born' for Himself an image. That image can be seen by something that has a mechanism capable of seeing. That

would be when God created angels' principalities, and powers who could see the image of God.

Let's look at the scriptures, these old writings, and see what we can learn about this source of all things! Can we really know all about Him?

I Corinthians 2:6-16, "However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; [or had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared or those that love Him. " "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man except the spirit of man that is in him? "... "Now we have received not the Spirit Of this world, God that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. " "not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, but, the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. God, the Spirit, is 'incomprehensible'. Romans 11:33 & 34, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor

A spiritual warfare with man a morally free agent began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were able to choose between good and evil. In the Book of Job, we read of

God and Satan, a rebel angel, in a contest for the conduct and spirit of Job. Even Jesus, the Son of God was confronted by choice as Satan tempted Him, as recorded in Luke 4:1-13. The Apostle Paul warns us of the struggle with the forces of good and evil in Romans 7:15 and 8:10. We may not want to be free moral agents, but we have a choice to make anyway, a choice of good and evil, and what religion to believe.

We will also have to look at how man-kind has dealt with God, and other things supernatural, to determine the path of truth and error in religion.

THERE WAS NO BEGINNING

The proof of that is that we are here and could not have come from nothing. Nothing is zero, no air, no water, no dirt, and no space to put them. Then God created the Heavens and Earth as stated in Genesis 1. Thus, the beginning of the place God will place where will put man. {inserted by editor}

BUT WHY DID GOD CREATE HEAVEN AND EARTH?

Often the questions are asked. "How" or "When" the earth was created but the "Why" question is not debated much by scholars.

The creation of the entire universe includes the creation of the unseen, spiritual realm of existence; God created the angels and other kinds of heavenly beings. He also created heaven where His presence was evident. The prayer of Ezra says very clearly,

"You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships poll."

Here we see that those created did worship and bring glory to their creator; He who is worthy of their admiration and worship.

But there is conjecture that all did not continue to worship Him. One is thought to have had some thought of pride in himself and in his beauty. While addressing the fall of the King of Babylon the prophet Isaiah presents a parallel often used to indicate sin and rebellion in heaven by one named Lucifer. Isaiah 14:12-15. "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High! Yet you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the pit.

The full nature and scope of Lucifer's rebellion is not told to us. The scriptures have given hints that suggest Lucifer's ambitions and another parallel can be drawn from Ezekiel's "lamentation for the king of Tyre" in chapter 28, "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden the garden of

• [Every precious stone was your covering; The

Sardis, topaz, and diamond. Beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your tumbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.] You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you, you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked hack and forth in the midst of fiery stones, you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you. by the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned, therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you corrupted your wisdom för the sake your sanctuaries the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; therefore,

brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. You have become a horror and shall be no more forever. His beauty, glory, and wisdom led to his perversion and ruin, attempting to take the glory that only belongs to God.

God could have just eliminated this rebel angel, Satan, but God chose him to test the humans placed on the earth, beginning with Adam and Eve, and all who would live on this planet. Men will sin and Satan will provide ways to aid us in our sinful ways, as he did with Eve and with Adam. He told Eve a lie and she was influenced in her decision to take of the forbidden fruit. He has many ways of deceiving each of us. God had even demonstrated His power, mercy and grace by sparing this rebel angel, actually called him "THE god OF THIS WORLD."

True science teaches that all things have cause and effect in this world. You will have trouble." In another place He, Jesus, said. "But he who is faithful to the end shall be saved." What is the cause of the heavens? What is the cause of the earth? These are two different things! God has always been! But what caused Him to create the world? Eternal, the closest idea of eternal may be represented by a circle; it has no beginning and no end. Nothing else existed. Romans 4:17 implies that God called things into existence that did not exist. He Himself is the total energy source to make it happen. God has a different kind of existence, an existence without the passage of time, a kind of existence we would have difficulty to understand. Job 36:26 reads, "Behold, God is great and we do not know Him; nor can the number of His years be discovered.

Now here we have a clue that other beings were present when the earth was formed. And as the scriptures un-fold we will see how and maybe why a plan was made for our existence also. Jesus was there and called God's Son. Colossians 1:15 & 16 reads, "He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are

on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things created through Him and for

• And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

What about these "principalities”? Romans 8:36-39 indicates that there is a struggle going on and "We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in al/ these things we are more than conquerors thru Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers , nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ, Jesus our Lord. "

Ephesians 6:11 & 12. tells us who the enemy is and to prepare ourselves by putting on the armor Of God; "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do nol wrestle against /lesh and blood, hut against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness o(this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.

2 Corinthians, ". . . the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the likeness of God.” Jesus, is the Savior.

Hebrews 9:26 indicates that Christ as our High Priest would have to suffer, since the foundation of the world. but made that sacrifice once to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Where did all this evil and sin originate? Ephesians 2:1 & 2 "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which vou once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. This great foe has

access to the atmosphere around us and has power over other spirits who are in disobedience to God.

This 'prince of the power of the air'(A spirit) has many names relative to his evil functions.) Satan, Beelzebub, Abaddon, Lucifer, The ancient Serpent, & the Devil.

In Genesis 3. By power of suggestion and hints of glory he (the ancient serpent) enticed the innocent woman Eve, to eat of the forbidden fruit, the only object Adam and Eve were warned not to touch. She fell into sin and Adam did it too. Satan came as a serpent, a subtle, wise, and attractive but deceitful creature.

There is something in this that we can learn. Satan needs permission from God before he may put us under trial but, we will be put under trial. Determining who in this created world will withstand the trials of the devil and obey God and remain faithful to God. This is what the theme of the Bible is about from Genesis to the final victory in the Book of Revelation.

I Corinthians 10:13 reads, "There has been no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able hut with the temptations will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

When in Genesis 3, the serpent told the lie that caused Eve, then Adam to take the forbidden fruit, God, after being used by Satan the Lord God said to him, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. " (Genesis 3:14-15

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed, He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heal. " The heal was definitely bruised with nails driven into the cross of crucifixion, while the devil would believe this would be in his favor; and while Satan is not dead, he

has lost his power, in his head. Jesus body was dead for a few days but His resurrection proves life eternal for the King of KINGS. I Corinthians 15:55. "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Satan knows that in the resurrection his head is broken. Glory be the Christ (Savior) Son of God, for this. "Blessed is he whose transgressions is forgiven. Whose sin is covered." (Psalm 32.1)

In this we may see one of the reasons and purposes of God as to "why" He created the earth and the humans on it. Will we be faithful to God thru all the days that He gives us on this planet? Jesus said " In this world you will have trouble, in another place He said, He who is faithful to the end shall be saved." And the

devil will not win!

We have in the Book of Job an example of how God allows the devil to test us but God knows who will be faithful and God can allow Satan to test a man, knowing that He can say. Go and test him, but all will know that "This one is mine" And the devil

won't win!

When Satan was among the sons of God to present themselves before the Lord, the Lord said to Satan as written in Job 1:8 "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?

Job 1:9-10 "So Satan answered the Lord and said. " Does Job serve you for nothing? " "Have You not made a hedge around him, around all his household, and around all that he has on every side. You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”

Job 1: "But now, stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and surely he will curse You to Your face!"

Job 1:12: "And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person. "So, Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Satan then attacked Job's health and his wealth, and his children. His wife questioned his integrity and suggested that he "Curse God and die!"

Satan is going forth among the people of the earth and a person who becomes a Christian and is trying to be faithful to God, he will do what he can to test their faithfulness in a similar way. When he finds believers and sees them behave in ways where the enemy will not win! Christians should be happy in their souls, peaceful and serving God righteously. Satan will try to find a way with his great power to disturb this situation using various ways to test them. Health or wealth, or loss of loved ones can sometimes take away opportunities and to maintain our desires to see ways to serve God, and His saints. We need to trust God to send His angels to guide us.

These are times when we should pray and ask God to bless and give us ways to resist the work of the evil ones, and remember God's promises to send His angels to guide us in all of our ways. These are times to sing to the Lord and to shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation with thanksgiving for what we have, as we read in Psalm 95:12, and to rejoice in the Lord always, as we find in Philippians 4:4. Strength and trust in the Lord is what need in a time of being tested! Idle people give the enemy opportunities to tempt them. Our Lord knows exactly how far He would let Satan go!

God is sovereign, and Job recognized this. When almost everything was taken away, he still worshipped the Lord and in Job 1:21 he said "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

We will not be tempted without our Lord's permission. Jesus pleads for us and The Father has given us promises, that if we trust Him, He will care for us. He will with the temptation make a way of escape and give us grace to stand steadfast in His service. And God shall have our praise for blessing us.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore do not lose heart. Even though our outer man is perishing, yet the inner man in being renewed day by day. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, is working for us afar more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not FIX OUR EYES at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Just as David faced the giant knowing that God would give the victory, while all of God's army feared Him, we should trust God though any test or challenge. I Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. " I Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. " He wants us & God wants us. Who will win in your life?

I Peter 5:9, "Whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world," Think Jesus, Jesus, Jesus whenever doubt or fear entered your thoughts. Satan will do a lot of mischief unless God's mercy prevents or limits him. Our enemy, like someone fishing, will adapt the bait to control his prey. We can be caught in his trap if we fail in trusting God though each test or trial which comes our way. Satan knows our weaknesses where we are open to his attacks. We must be aware of these attacks and pray to God often and trust Him to guide us.

Revelation 12:3, 4, 9, 10 and Revelation 20:10 tell of the victory. "And another sign appeared in heaven; behold a great dragon, With seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems upon his heads. His tail swept down a third o the stars of heaven and cast them to earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan the deceiver of the whole earth and his angels were thrown down with him.

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is salvation and the power and kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, [or the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God."

"And the devil who has deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet wee, and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

"And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. "And the fallen angels won't win! Why? Because the man-child, Jesus Christ has met Satan and his followers in conflict. God will not share Hs glory!

BUT WHY DID GOD CREATE US?

God created heaven and earth because it was God's "You are worthy, Lord to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and for Your pleasure they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:11the King James Version)

I John 3:8 tells us why Jesus came and was shown to us. "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. "For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

It is the responsibility of the church to preach and tell the world of this eternal plan. In Ephesians 3:8-11 Paul wrote "To me, who am the least of all the saints, this grace was given to me, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which [rom the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things thru Jesus Christ: to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known bp the church to the principalities and powers in heavenly

places according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Cause and effect? Colossians 2:15, "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He Inade a spectacle of them." The result of our faith, belief, and obedience to Christ and acknowledging His shed blood in the participation in the Lord's table each week has an eternal purpose.

God has an eternal purpose for Himself and for the entire universe in “defeating the devil” (l John 3:8) and in disarming and making a spectacle of principalities and powers in heavenly places (Colossians 2:15). That plan required that humans be created to demonstrate to those 'Principality and Powers,' including the devil himself and all of his followers in heavenly places, that entities created with free will could and would learn to love, honor, obey, and worship Him without coercion. Acts 17:26-27 gives us one Clue, "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth and has determined their pre- appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him though He is not far from us. " Man must have enough interest in knowing his origins and why we are here, where we came from, "that they might grope for Him and find Him." and they must look for Him is the right places!

Mathew 6:33 reads, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will he added unto you " The subject here was a concern for where provisions of food, drink, and clothing would come from.

It may also include all the desires of the flesh, nice housing, pleasure, joy, happiness, entertainment, etc. etc. All these things are valuable and useful but. . . they have nothing to do with your

eternal purpose for being given life on this planet. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!

Solomon told of his search for the 'why' of earth and the things of heaven and he wrote as we have it in Ecclesiastes 1:13 "And I set my heart to seek and search for wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task (sore travail) God has given to the sons of man by which they may be exercised."

God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, (l Timothy 2:4) Jesus said as recorded in John 12:32 that He would draw all peoples to Himself. God will be faithful to keep His promises but all peoples do not draw themselves toward an understanding of what God has offered, the gift of eternal life with Him.

We must do our part! We must know and respect the word of God. All must seek God and learn to trust Him for themselves. We must become dedicated Christians committed to Christ and obedient to Him and submit to Him in immersion for the forgiveness of our sins. Then to stand firm in the hope that is within and be able to prove to ourselves and others our relationship to God even without using the Bible to prove it.

As Romans 1:20 says "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse.

The Bible is the only source of history that explains the world from creation until it will be destroyed one day. It explains why we are here, why there is suffering in the world, how to overcome depression, and why there is evil all around us. We must learn to think for ourselves and avoid 'group-think', where we do things and live along with cultures that others dictate, while ignoring God and the price Jesus paid to redeem us from all of this. We must be willing and capable of 'standing alone.'

We must value our commitment to family, spouse, children, and friends who we want to spend eternity with, and remember to have a strong prayer life to ask God to protect each of these.

Remembering also to stay pure, God wants us to be holy as He is holy, and to focus on heaven during happy times as well as sad and trying times. WHAT IS THE POINT? To know and remember our purpose! To be faithful and even sacrifice some things for our purpose.

The whole story taking up the Old Testament tells of those who followed God and were blessed and those who did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not gain these blessings, and finally were placed in a foreign captivity for their rejection of God's ways, In His time, the promised Savior came, established and loved His church enough to die for them, and the remainder of history tells how some sought to follow the Savior and again others devised their own ways of life and their own worship systems and even to this day this is happening. And now there are many religions to choose from beside the church of our Lord. The Bible is written to require faith and trust in God. Few there are that find it. Seek and you shall find!

We currently have a moral crisis in our societies including: Same sex marriages and a redefinition of marriage. Transgender issues and immoral teachings in public schools, mandates for no prayer or Bible reading in public places, lack of respect for authority, especially the authority of Jesus Christ and for many, materialism. In many places the religion (belief system) of evolution is taught as science.

WHAT IS THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER?

“Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty ofman, for God shall bring every work into

judgment, with every secret thing: whether it be good or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Our time on this planet is short! Will we pass thru these days with love, and obedience to God knowing that the time of our departure is soon, and the time we have to honor and worship our Lord will soon be done. And in this sojourning on this planet will we have the zeal encourage others to obey God's commands and live for Him in the time that they have on this planet, Jesus said “Few there are that find it (Salvation).” We will all be judged for what we have done in the body.

That devil will have a period as his empire is nearer to its end. The evil ones shall go to deceive the nations and they will be gathered in great hosts, fierce for the conflict, to battle of that great day of God, almighty, Revelation 16:14. The Lord will triumph and smite his adversaries to their final defeat. In Revelation 20:10 we learn that the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and will be tormented day and night forever,"

Whenever the opposition to the gospel reaches an outrageous level, and men seem as if they would murder the preacher of the truth; God's word, that this may indicate that the power of the evil opposition is nearing its end. The devil will try not to lose his subjects, if the Lord be willing to end things this way, the evil ones will put forth all their strength to keep them under their power. There will be many tested and many will be assaulted. This is certainly a time when the whole armor of God as listed in Ephesians 6:10-17 will be needed along with the prayers and supplication in the spirit, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, will be important to maintain faithfulness until the end. Do not be surprised if Satan works against you. He knows that he will be defeated but if he can't kill you, he will try to wound you. He will labor to remove the truth out of place and lie like he did with Eve in the garden of Eden. Remember that which began the enmity between the seed of

the serpent, and the seed of the woman. Faith in the Lord Jesus the Savior will be needed to make sure that the devil won't win in your life! Temptations and tests by devils and demons will try to drag you down.

We must remember to overcome the powers of the evil ones in our lives. Jesus can cast out demons and has defeated Satan with His blood shed on the cross. We also can overcome the wicked one because we have known Him who is from the beginning, being strong and having the Word of God abiding in us, as recorded in 1 John 2 verses 13-14. We can drive out this prince of the power of the air. Now is your time to put your trust in Jesus, who is mighty to save. What can you do against Satan? Satan may be mighty, but not if we seek the Almighty

• When the evil one accuses you, refer him to your advocate and when we sin remember I John 1:7, "The blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin," And that blood will drive the devil away.

Satan can hinder us, it is record in I Thessalonians 2:18 that he did this to Paul Silas, and Timothy. Satan also hindered Paul at Berea by raising a storm of persecution against him. This persecution also delayed his visits to other places.

Satan always dislikes Christian fellowship and will try to keep Christian apart, or cause delays in their work of evangelism. Just as he did with the Apostle Paul. As Satan when asking God about His care for Job, Satan asked, "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he on very side." (Job 1:5)

The devil was active all thru time. With the children of Israel when Moses told the Pharaoh that God has said, "Let my people go." Satan hindered. Today we have many who assemble as "Christian churches but the true gospel found in the New Testament is not followed. These are man- make organizations but doctrines taught in the New Covenant churches (which began as recorded in Acts 1 & 2) are not followed.

Sprinkling babies as members, the sinner's prayer, and Faith or Grace only doctrines, all made following the teaching of men; would you think that Satan has done to these as he did to Eve in the garden. One word "not" is all Satan had to say to void the truth. It is still happening today. The prince of evil is still very busy in hindering those just coming to Jesus the Christ.

Satan will hinder Christians even when they are in earnest prayer. You could never have a victory over him, had you not engaged in conflict with him! Know in your heart that the Devil won't win! You lose if you do not resist him. Remember, Jesus the King of Kings with the crown of thorns had fought the enemy and has triumph for you. (Jesus is our Lord and our Savior.) "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

When Jesus appointed 70, and sent them two by two to places where He was planning to go in Luke 10, and when the 70 returned with joy saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." He said "to them, " I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. " Christ has assumed His reigning power' And, the great accuser has been cast down from his seat to reign no more.

Revelation 12:9-10 NKJV. "So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth. And his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God-day and night, has been cast down."

If Christ is in you, the Holy Spirit has joined you in your baptism, (Act 2:38) nothing that comes your way should destroy your faith, but you will have to overcome the world, the flesh, or the devil. We must resist the devil, and remember "the devil don't

win! But in Luke 4:13 we see that when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season," That means, don't let you guard down. He will be back and try you again. I Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

I Corinthians 10: 21-22, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?"

Joshua 24:15"Choose this day whom you will serve."

Matthew 10:22; "And you shall be hated; "of all men for my name 's sake." but he that endures (is faithful) to the end shall be saved. Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. " We are to cast down every evil imagination. 2 Corinthians 10:5. You are what you think. Proverbs 23:7 WE CANNOT

KEEP EVIL THOUGHTS OUT OF MIND

UNTIL WE LEARN TO REPLACE THEM WITH GOOD AND

RIGHTEOUS THOUGHTS! Bad things happening? Turn it over and see what God is going to do with it.

Have you ever stopped to wonder what this world is all about? Why you're here an where you're going when you lease on life is about? Maybe you've been far too busy trying hard to reach your goal. Will you let me ask you kindly, have you thought about your soul?

You may reach your highest portals and your dreams may all come true, while all that may be your portion and success may shine on you. All your friends may sing your praises, and you

think you're on a roll, what about the great tomorrow, have you thought about you soul?

Don't forget your days are numbered and you may be riding high, but like all of us poor mortals some day you will just up and die. Your success and fame in glory won't be worth the bells they toll, let me ask you just one question. Have you thought about your soul? When we meet our Lord in judgment, then we'll think about our soul!

Once I was lost and led far astray, so far astray. The hand of God's children showed me the way. They showed the way. A hand of friendship, a smile and a prayer, I needed prayer, Made my life happy and free from despair, I'm free from all care.

So, reach out and touch those that need Him today, today, today. That they might know Jesus, to trust and obey, obey, obey. Their lives will be richer because you did care, because you cared. Because of Christ Jesus, your smile and your prayer. They needed your prayer.

In the spiritual battle of life, beware of those who would compromise us on the battlefield. Leave them behind! Separate ourselves from those who would divert us from total devotion to Christ and who would complicate our lives with entangling alliances with the world or apostate doctrines.

We need as found in 2 Timothy 2:21, to be, "sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. We cannot fight a battle with a retreating mind.

Live to be sure!

THE DEVIL DON'T WIN'.

Who Do I Serve?

Christ or Satan

I was on the road to eternal death when I heard and understood Jesus’ saying “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".” I had a desire to be forgiven. So, I changed the way I was living. I pleaded with God to forgive me of my sins and make me His servant Therefore, I did what Ananias, at the direction of God, told Paul to do. 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' (Acts 22:16)

Also, what Paul stated in Romans 6:3-7. “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.”

Peter stated 1 Peter 3:21-22 “…baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal (to plea, beg or request) to God for a good conscience (remove the guilt of my sins)— through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, But I say, walk by the Spirit, thereby serve God or fulfill the desire of the flesh serving Satan. Satan’s way of living.

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Christ’s way of living

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger,

disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:16-26) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. NASU