Healing
Published on Nov 19, 2015
Disciples of Christ should go out and heal people, and spread the Gospel. What does the New Testement tell us is the True Gospel.
MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
WHY HEALING?
HEAL THE SICK - FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE
"He that believeth on me, the works that I do, shall he do also.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do." (John 14:11-14)
"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." (James 5)
James 5
14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
John 14:13
– And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14
– If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 15:16
– Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 16:23
– And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:24
– Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:26
– At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you.
Notice the extraordinary value of a good name. Besides a man’s soul, this is the most important possession a man has. We should cherish a good name because it refers to virtue and integrity. It must be nurtured and respected as a most precious possession.
Acting in the Name of Another
Doing something in someone else's name has two implications. First, you come by the authority of the other person. You are not coming in your own authority but because someone else authorized you to take these actions. When David fought Goliath, he came unto him "in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied" (1 Samuel 17:45
). He was not coming in his own power or authority but in that which belonged to God alone. This gave David the authority and ability to fight against the giant Goliath…and win.
Second, when you come in someone’s name, you come in his stead. The person to whom you come is expected to react to you, not on the basis of who you are, but as if the person who sent you was there himself. They are to treat you as they would treat the one who authorized you to come. When David sent servants to Nabal to ask for food, "they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David" (1 Samuel 25:9
). Therefore, when Nabal insulted David's servants (who came in David's name), he insulted David just as directly as if he had spoken to him to his face.
APPLICATION: Praying in the Name of Jesus
Now, let's apply this to praying in the name of Jesus. What is the significance of this? First, it means that when we come to the Father, we come because Jesus sent us. It is not simply our own idea to speak to the God of heaven and earth. We are sent to Him by His own Son. No wonder we walk into the throne of grace in boldness (Hebrews 4:16
). If one of the angels were to ask us on the way in, “What are you doing here?”…We can reply, “The Son sent me.” What a glorious commission! We are sent by the Son to seek help from the Father!
Second, the Father is obligated to treat us as He would His own Son because we come in His stead. We represent the Son when we come to the Father. You don't believe this? You say that this is just too much? Then listen to these verses.
Ephesians 1:5-6
– Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Romans 8:17
– And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
We are adopted into the family of God as children. We are accepted in the beloved. Since Christ is the beloved Son, that means that the Father accepts us as He would His own Son. Finally, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We share in the same inheritance. The Father looks upon the redeemed as if He were looking on His Son Jesus Christ. What a blessing that Christ has told us to approach the Father in His name! What a glorious heritage!
You see the benefit of coming to the Father in the Son’s name. However, is this just referring to adding a phrase to the end of our prayers? No. It is much more than that. It means that you come to the Father with the knowledge that your only right in approaching Him is that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He Himself has sent you to the Father. It means that you know that you are totally unworthy of receiving anything from God and that the only reason God should grant your requests is that you come in Jesus’ name. It is not a magic formula, but a heart attitude.
Often, in my times of serious prayer about a particular need, I will spell this out. I acknowledge that I am unworthy to receive anything from God. I affirm that I come only in the name of God's Son Jesus Christ. I remind God of what He said in Romans 8:32
[“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”]. I remind Him that He did not withhold His own Son from me and that He promised not to withhold any good thing from me. I declare that I only ask for these things in the name of His Son.
In all my prayers, I try to say, "in Jesus' name." However, I know that the phrase means nothing without the heart attitude. I am nothing. Therefore, who I am makes no difference. But, when I come in the name of Jesus--that is authority and that is power!
One final word of warning: this is not a secret mystery or magical way to get your way with God. This is simply a reminder that the right we have to approach God is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The authority we have to ask requests from God is in the favor of the risen Christ. Many have had the attitude of humility and trust without the formula: “in Jesus’ name.” My concern is that many use the right formula without having the right attitude.
http://www.learnthebible.org/praying-in-the-name-of-jesus.html
14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
John 14:13
– And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14
– If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 15:16
– Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 16:23
– And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:24
– Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:26
– At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you.
Notice the extraordinary value of a good name. Besides a man’s soul, this is the most important possession a man has. We should cherish a good name because it refers to virtue and integrity. It must be nurtured and respected as a most precious possession.
Acting in the Name of Another
Doing something in someone else's name has two implications. First, you come by the authority of the other person. You are not coming in your own authority but because someone else authorized you to take these actions. When David fought Goliath, he came unto him "in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied" (1 Samuel 17:45
). He was not coming in his own power or authority but in that which belonged to God alone. This gave David the authority and ability to fight against the giant Goliath…and win.
Second, when you come in someone’s name, you come in his stead. The person to whom you come is expected to react to you, not on the basis of who you are, but as if the person who sent you was there himself. They are to treat you as they would treat the one who authorized you to come. When David sent servants to Nabal to ask for food, "they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David" (1 Samuel 25:9
). Therefore, when Nabal insulted David's servants (who came in David's name), he insulted David just as directly as if he had spoken to him to his face.
APPLICATION: Praying in the Name of Jesus
Now, let's apply this to praying in the name of Jesus. What is the significance of this? First, it means that when we come to the Father, we come because Jesus sent us. It is not simply our own idea to speak to the God of heaven and earth. We are sent to Him by His own Son. No wonder we walk into the throne of grace in boldness (Hebrews 4:16
). If one of the angels were to ask us on the way in, “What are you doing here?”…We can reply, “The Son sent me.” What a glorious commission! We are sent by the Son to seek help from the Father!
Second, the Father is obligated to treat us as He would His own Son because we come in His stead. We represent the Son when we come to the Father. You don't believe this? You say that this is just too much? Then listen to these verses.
Ephesians 1:5-6
– Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Romans 8:17
– And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
We are adopted into the family of God as children. We are accepted in the beloved. Since Christ is the beloved Son, that means that the Father accepts us as He would His own Son. Finally, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We share in the same inheritance. The Father looks upon the redeemed as if He were looking on His Son Jesus Christ. What a blessing that Christ has told us to approach the Father in His name! What a glorious heritage!
You see the benefit of coming to the Father in the Son’s name. However, is this just referring to adding a phrase to the end of our prayers? No. It is much more than that. It means that you come to the Father with the knowledge that your only right in approaching Him is that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He Himself has sent you to the Father. It means that you know that you are totally unworthy of receiving anything from God and that the only reason God should grant your requests is that you come in Jesus’ name. It is not a magic formula, but a heart attitude.
Often, in my times of serious prayer about a particular need, I will spell this out. I acknowledge that I am unworthy to receive anything from God. I affirm that I come only in the name of God's Son Jesus Christ. I remind God of what He said in Romans 8:32
[“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”]. I remind Him that He did not withhold His own Son from me and that He promised not to withhold any good thing from me. I declare that I only ask for these things in the name of His Son.
In all my prayers, I try to say, "in Jesus' name." However, I know that the phrase means nothing without the heart attitude. I am nothing. Therefore, who I am makes no difference. But, when I come in the name of Jesus--that is authority and that is power!
One final word of warning: this is not a secret mystery or magical way to get your way with God. This is simply a reminder that the right we have to approach God is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The authority we have to ask requests from God is in the favor of the risen Christ. Many have had the attitude of humility and trust without the formula: “in Jesus’ name.” My concern is that many use the right formula without having the right attitude.
http://www.learnthebible.org/praying-in-the-name-of-jesus.html
THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS
AND ALL THINGS, WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING, YE SHALL RECEIVE
Matthew 21:22
Photo by Nino.Modugno
WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO YOU?
- A seed was planted
- You felt, saw and heard
- But did you understand with your heart?
- "You will be converted - and I will heal You"
HOW DO I BECOME CHRISTIAN
- Repentance towards God
- Believing in Jesus
- Baptism in water
- Receiving the Holy Spirit
"Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and I want to be saved. I repent of my sins, every one. I don't want to do evil anymore, I want to do righteousness through the blood of Jesus. I'm asking you to please forgive me of my sins against you. I want a new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to be everything that You created me to be. I believe that Jesus shed His blood and died for me so that I could be saved from my sins. I believe that He rose from the dead on the third day. I want to be your child and follow the holy scriptures. Thank you for being merciful to me, a sinner. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving my soul from sin. Please fill me with your precious, Holy Spirit so that I can live a righteous, self-denying life for you. I'm giving you myself. Please show me what you want me to do. Please help me to understand your word and to walk in your word. Please guide me for Jesus' sake. It is in Jesus' Name I pray, Amen
You need to be baptized. You need to be baptized in the water like Christians in the Bible. In baptism, we are identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ--
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
When we go under the water, we show that we are dying to the old life, being under the water shows we have died to the old life, and when we come up we show we are purposed to walk in newness of life. In baptism, we are also shewing the washing away of our sins (ref. Acts 22:16).
You need to be baptized. You need to be baptized in the water like Christians in the Bible. In baptism, we are identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ--
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
When we go under the water, we show that we are dying to the old life, being under the water shows we have died to the old life, and when we come up we show we are purposed to walk in newness of life. In baptism, we are also shewing the washing away of our sins (ref. Acts 22:16).
BORN AGAIN
A NEW SPIRIT
REPENTANCE
- A heartfelt sorrow for sins
- A renouncing of sins
- Sincere commitment to forsake sins
- Begin to walk in obedience to Christ
- A healthy fear of God and His Wrath (Hell)
In the Bible, God tells us what we need to do to have eternal life. He tells us how we can get to heaven and join Him.
He wants to know us and he wants us to make it into heaven. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
You are about to read the most important information that you will ever read. It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ.
SALVATION
God's grace by which He pardons us of our sins, and provide upon us the gift of eternal Life.
The Salvation transform us.
The Bible says that nobody is good enough to get into heaven.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6)
HAVE FAITH IN GOD
- Trust in Jesus as the Son of God
- Ask Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins
- Hold on to God even under bad times
- God has EVERYTHING under CONTROL
- God can do EVERYTHING
JESUS CAME TO SAVE YOU
- Soon He will return to harvest the good seed and burn the tares
- Jesus wants everyone to follow Him
- Jesus died on the cross for your sake, and He conquered death
- The Holy Spirit is our Comforter while Jesus is in Heaven
- Sun (God) sends Light (Jesus) which give us Warmth (Holy Spirit)
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. (Romans 10:9)
If you are ready to save yourself from this untoward generation, if you are ready to reject what this wicked and perverse world has to offer, if you are ready to be safe and stay safe in God Almighty, if you want Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, if you want to be reconciled to your Creator, if you want to go to heaven, if you want to escape hell -- then put your faith in the only one who can do something about it! Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for you? Do you believe that He rose from the dead? Do you repent of your sins? Do you want to follow Jesus?
If so, REPENT of your sins and talk to the Lord in prayer in your own words right now. Ask God to forgive you of your sins and to help you to do what is right. BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus. CONFESS the Lord Jesus with your mouth. This is not a long, drawn out, hard process. Do you believe in the blood of Jesus? Do you want God to pass over you in the day of his wrath so that you are not cast into hell and the lake of fire with the wicked? Do you want to be saved?
If you are ready to save yourself from this untoward generation, if you are ready to reject what this wicked and perverse world has to offer, if you are ready to be safe and stay safe in God Almighty, if you want Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, if you want to be reconciled to your Creator, if you want to go to heaven, if you want to escape hell -- then put your faith in the only one who can do something about it! Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for you? Do you believe that He rose from the dead? Do you repent of your sins? Do you want to follow Jesus?
If so, REPENT of your sins and talk to the Lord in prayer in your own words right now. Ask God to forgive you of your sins and to help you to do what is right. BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus. CONFESS the Lord Jesus with your mouth. This is not a long, drawn out, hard process. Do you believe in the blood of Jesus? Do you want God to pass over you in the day of his wrath so that you are not cast into hell and the lake of fire with the wicked? Do you want to be saved?
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind. THIS is the first and great commandment. (Matt 22:36-38)
What is love? Keeping God's commandments!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE?
- Your body dies but your soul continues.
- Most people believe they are good enough, because they do
- more good than bad, but we are all sinners (thiefs, liers etc).
- Therefore we come short of God's standard & His new Kingdom.
- We must pay for our crimes or turn to Jesus who sacrificed His blood.
Opposites but also
on the same scale.
Hate - Love
Cold - Warm
Dark - Light
Bad - Good
Left - Right
God is holy - we are sinful. By his very nature, God cannot have fellowship with us sinners. There is no amount of "good" that we can do to make up for our crimes against God.
They must be punished. And the wages of sin is DEATH. Somebody has to DIE to pay for sins against God. We all have to die physically, sin requires that. But you've got a choice about that SECOND DEATH where a man goes to the lake of fire that burneth with fire and brimstone.
WHO IS GOD
- The Creator
- The Holy Living God
- The Almighty
- The Eternal
JESUS PAID THE PRICE
IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SAVE YOU AND CHANGE YOU AND TO MAKE YOU HOLY. When you are unsaved, sin has dominion over you. Sin is your boss and you cannot do anything BUT sin.
Photo by victor_nuno
The Bible teaches that the ONLY way to have eternal life is through the Lord Jesus Christ - the Son of God.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
"When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. " (Galatians 5)
WHAT IS LOVING JESUS
HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME
Photo by garryknight
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
- Love - Joy - Peace
- Longsuffering - Gentleness - Goodness
- Faith - Meekness - Temperance
Galatians 5
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Photo by Zuhair Ahmad
1. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
2. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
3. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
4. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a 100, some 60, some 30. (Mathew 13)
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.
Photo by Etrusia UK
"Och han sade med hög röst: Frukten Gud och given honom ära; ty stunden är kommen, då han skall hålla dom.
Ja, tillbedjen honom som har skapat himmel, jord och hav och vattenkällor.
Och ännu en annan ängel följde honom; denne sade: Fallet, fallet är det stora Babylon, som har givit alla folk att dricka av sin otukts vredesvin." (Upp boken 14)
HAVE FELLOWSHIP
WITH JESUS AND WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS
"Och ännu en tredje ängel följde dem; denne sade med hög röst:
Om någon tillbeder vilddjuret och dess bild och tager dess märke på sin panna eller på sin hand, så skall ock han få dricka av Guds vredesvin, det som är iskänkt i hans vredes kalk, obemängt; och han skall bliva plågad med eld och svavel, i heliga änglars och i Lammets åsyn.
Och när de så plågas, uppstiger röken därav i evigheters evigheter, och de hava ingen ro, vaken dag eller natt, de som tillbedja vilddjuret och dess bild, eller som låta märka sig med dess namn.
Här gäller det för de heliga att hava ståndaktighet, för dem som hålla Guds bud och bevara tron på Jesus." Upp bok 14
PRAYING
DONT HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE, SO THAT YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOUR WRONGDOING
Mark 11
25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 25And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.
26 26 26"But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 25And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.
26 26 26"But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
JUDGEMENT DAY
- There will be a great tribulation
- Jesus will return after Antichrist
- Books will be open - the book of Life
- Time of Deception and Lawlessness
- Who will have Your Authority (Mark of the Beast)
“Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood live in Me, and I live in them.
The Father Who has life sent Me, and I live because of the Father. So those who feed on Me will live because of Me” (John 6:56-57)
How One Is Saved
Salvation begins and ends with the Lord Jesus Christ, God Almighty and Creator of all that exists:
“Looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 MKJV).
Jesus said: “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 MKJV).
Reader, put aside all your religious background, experience, and doctrine. Simply put it all away. Your relationship with God has nothing to do with those things. What you need is Jesus Christ's blood. Without His blood, you are dead, no matter what or how much you know or do. Without His blood IN you, there is no difference.
When once His blood is coursing through your veins, you have life, new life, lasting, indestructible life indeed. His blood IN you makes all the difference. It is His life in you (the life is in the blood). Then you know you are right with Him. Then will you have His assurance and peace.
Jesus said: “Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood live in Me, and I live in them. The Father Who has life sent Me, and I live because of the Father. So those who feed on Me will live because of Me” (John 6:56-57 GW).
He also said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6 MKJV).
By the Spirit of God, John the apostle wrote: “And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12 MKJV).
You are either saved, or you are not saved. You either have the Son, or you do not have the Son.
The apostle Peter said: “And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other Name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 MKJV).
He was speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, also known in Hebrew as Yehoshua HaMashiach, which means “YHVH – God - is salvation” or “He Who is (or will be) saves,” the Anointed.
One cannot make up his mind to be saved or choose the time or way. It is entirely God’s work:
“For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10 MKJV).
If you find yourself abhorring yourself and your sin, finding this world losing its attraction and meaningfulness, and desperately desiring to know God and do His will, it is only because He has given this to you. These are all very promising indicators, for which you will one day be thankful if you follow through to the end. All these things are in the Lord’s hand; He makes the way and chooses the time and instrumentalities, the people, words, and circumstances, to bring one to salvation. Of Him it is said:
“No one can come to Me unless the Father Who has sent Me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Therefore everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:44-45 MKJV).
Religion will not save you. Church membership and attendance will not save you. Good deeds will not save you, no matter how great they may be. “Being good and not hurting anybody” will not save you. Doctrine, even if true, will not save you. Much study and knowledge will not save you. Knowing truths will not save you. Understanding and wisdom of the world will not save you. Your pastor or priest or elder or parent or any kind of spiritual mentor or guide will not save you.
One is not physically born with, or into, salvation, no matter your family religious affiliations, and no matter if your parents are saved. Only Jesus Christ revealing Himself to, and apprehending, you will save you. There is nothing you can do to save yourself except what God gives you to do. If you are given to do what we now present, it is your time for salvation.
The Scriptures, as written by Paul the apostle, declare:
Romans 10:6-13 MKJV
(6) But the righteousness of faith says this: “Do not say in your heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?” that is, to bring Christ down;
(7) or “Who shall descend into the deep?”; that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.
(8) But what does it say? “The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart”; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim;
(9) Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
(10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
(11) For the Scripture says, “Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame.”
(12) For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
(13) For everyone, “whoever shall call on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
Know and understand that all of mankind are sinners, that we cannot save ourselves; only God can do so, and will, when He chooses. If you find yourself crying out to Him, as I did, your day of salvation approaches. Put away pride and stubbornness; be prepared to put away your comfortable doctrines and receive the Truth; be prepared to believe not what you want to believe or have been taught to believe, but what you must believe to be saved. If you are not saved and are not at peace, consider that what you have believed has not been effective for your salvation. Still, He will do all that for you:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13 MKJV).
Jesus said: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32 EMTV).
And: “Therefore if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free” (John 8:36 EMTV).
Know that there is a false and deceptive gospel and way to salvation being commonly preached by millions of very nice and sincere people claiming to be saved, which gospel has deceived many. In a nutshell, they may instruct you like this: “Say, ‘Jesus, I confess I am a sinner (because all men are sinners). I know that You died on the cross for me and everyone else to pay for all sins. I accept You as My Savior and ask You to come into my heart.”
Jesus is the One Who will do the accepting here with you and with all. He is Lord; He rules the universe He created. He is not here begging or wishing you would let Him do something for you or that you would do something for Him, as though He needs you. Believe me, He doesn’t. Hear what John the Baptist had to say to the presumptuous, who thought they were doing God a favor by coming out to see John and be baptized:
“Then he said to the crowds which came out to be baptized by him, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones. And even now the ax is being laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and is thrown into the fire’” (Luke 3:7-9 EMTV).
He is Lord, don’t you forget it; and the only way He will ever be your Savior is by being your Lord, your Master, your Possessor, all of which He is, regardless of where you stand or what you think. He reigns supreme over all, always has and always will.
I will not put words in your mouth or assume that you can do things rightly, but I advise you that if God is drawing you, then talk to Him, not religiously or formally - nothing fancy - but with respect, in reverence. You cannot fool or surprise Him. Trust Him. He knows you completely and is in full control. The Bible says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please God, for it is necessary for the one approaching God to believe that He is, and that He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 EMTV).
Ask Him to give you faith, which is a gift and nothing you can muster up. Seek after Him and do not ever quit, no matter how discouraged you may feel at any point. Here is a Scriptural promise by the Spirit of God through Jeremiah the prophet:
“And you will go on crying to Me and making prayer to Me, and I will give ear to you. And you will be searching for Me and I will be there, when you have gone after Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 BBE).
Ask the Lord of lords to take over your life and make it new. Ask Him to take away your sins and grant you repentance and a new nature so that you will not sin any more. Sin is breaking God’s Law as recorded in the Scriptures and condensed in the Ten Commandments.
While you must try and will know you need to keep the Law of God, you will fail and come to find that keeping It will not save you; It is impossible to keep. That is why you need salvation. Salvation is God’s enabling you to keep the Law by a new nature. That is what grace is – His enabling you to be in harmony with His will.
The Law is there to lead you into the grace of God in Christ:
“Therefore the Law has become our custodian, leading us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24 EMTV).
If you start on the Way, do not rebel and seek another way, but continue on faithfully, and He will give you grace. Remember, “...a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16 HNV).
How are the fallen righteous (those who seek to do right) raised up?
“But I call on God, and the LORD saves me” (Psalms 55:16 GW).
For God says: “Call on Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalms 50:15 HNV).
Know that God would have you to prosper in doing what is right, and to have life. That is giving Him honor.
How can you know that when you need help doing right, He answers? Here is a promise through John the apostle, who spoke these words by Jesus Christ:
“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we should ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we may ask, we know that we have the requests that we have requested from Him” (1 John 5:14-15 EMTV).
How do we know we ask according to His will if we ask Him to save us? Here it is:
“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” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).
There is much testimony in Scripture that declares God wills that all come to salvation in their due time. Always remember and be fully persuaded of these words He spoke for those who seek Him:
“So I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. And which father among you, if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, by how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13 EMTV)
He knows you. He knew you ages ago. He knows all about you. Don’t play games with Him or with His servants. What He wants is that you be honest with Him, as bad as you are, as bad as you think, as ashamed as you are. He does not accept you the way you are, as many teach. On the other hand, you cannot make yourself presentable or acceptable to Him. He will receive you as you cry out to Him, and He will then begin to change you to be what He originally intended you to be.
The moment you are saved, life will only begin for you. You will realize you were dead. You will begin the journey of being able to be your real self, the person He intended you to be, which has been impossible for you until salvation, as impossible as it is for the miserable remains of an old car, torn apart and rusting in a junkyard or bush, to run. As that wreck experienced nothing but death and defeat and could do nothing useful, so you will discover the same for yourself. But as that car can be restored to a new, shiny specimen to be admired by many, so you will be restored to newness of life and to true usefulness.
Just don’t be expected to be admired by the world, however. The Lord has promised and warned that just as they hated Him, so they will hate you if you identify with Him. It is the price you must pay, so count the cost before you start:
“And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. And the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated of all men for My name’s sake, but the one who endures to the end shall be kept safe. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into another; for truly I say to you, In no way shall you have finished the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he is like his master, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his household?” (Matthew 10:21-25 MKJV)
Having said that, the Lord did promise great things for the faithful:
“And Jesus answered and said, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel’s sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30 MKJV).
“And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him Who subjected it on hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:17-21 MKJV).
Read Our Testimonies. Write or call us if you have questions. We are here to aid all those the Lord calls and chooses at this time and in the future to be His. Read Holy Waters, and ask us for direction, no matter who you are or what kind of sins you may have committed, or even how good you think you should appear to be – put away your pride – it is a great barrier to God. The Bible says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
As God is no respecter of persons, so we, by God’s grace, are no respecters of persons. We care not if you are black, white, rich, poor, young, old, married, single, a murderer, thief, blasphemer, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, homosexual, drug dealer, prostitute, theologian, Bible teacher, elder, deacon, pastor, evangelist (famous or otherwise), priest, bishop, nun, cardinal, or even the pope. Believe us – they all need saving, and the staunchly religious have the hardest time of it above drunkards, addicts, and prostitutes, because they think they have it together but do not. Jesus even said so:
“But what do you think? A man had two children. And having come to the first, he said, ‘Child, go, work today in my vineyard.’ But he answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but later he regretted it and went. And having come to the other, he said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I am going, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, The first. Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; but you, having seen, did not repent afterwards, that you might believe him” (Matthew 21:28-32 EMTV).
Warning: Do not go to those who charge in any way for their counsel, or even sell you anything. Do not go to those who put their names in lights or name some religious organization after themselves. They cannot help you because if they could, they would not charge or promote themselves in any way. These preach another gospel, I assure you:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 EMTV).
Warning: Do not ever believe He cannot save you:
“Therefore He was obligated to become like His brothers in all respects, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, in order that He might make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that which He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18 EMTV).
Again, Jesus said that with God, all things are possible.
Warning: Do not believe the devil is too powerful or that temptations are too great for you to overcome. These are only unjustified fears or lies or excuses to hang on to your gods and thwart you from the great blessing of life:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it. Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:13-14 EMTV).
God bless the earnest seeker for Him (He always does). Know that He is altogether able and faithful:
“And looking on them, Jesus said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 EMTV).
Of Jesus, the Hebrews writer says: “But He, because He remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those coming to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25 EMTV).
Warning: If you are hearing this Word of God that He has sent us to preach, do not forsake the fellowship of His Body. Come and submit yourself to the Head through those whom He has appointed as ministers of the gospel and shepherds for your souls. There are no lone rangers in the fellowship of believers, but all are brought together for the same Goal:
“Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:7-8 MKJV).
“Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly more than all the things which we ask or think, according to the power which is working in us, to Him be glory in the church in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 EMTV).
When you are saved, you will not necessarily feel saved, but you will know you are saved. The witness of God’s Spirit to your spirit will confirm you are saved:
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16 MKJV).
Remember that your life will be transformed:
“So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 MKJV).
Know also that there are three steps of the salvation process, as God illustrated by the three basic solemn feasts - Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
For an example of this in real life, read my testimony - Victor Hafichuk. Read Our Testimonies as examples of God’s grace and the faith of Christ at work. Read these teachings in particular: Here Is the Way It Is, Holy Waters, Repentance, Obedience, The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, The Three Degrees, Counterfeit Christianity, and The Church. All of our teachings and writings are instructive in the Way of God and are fit food for the seeker of Truth. That is because the Truth has inspired them.
Humble yourself; ask, believe, repent, pay the price, and persevere to the end. Read the Scriptures and seek our counsel and fellowship with us.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32 MKJV).
Victor Hafichuk
Salvation begins and ends with the Lord Jesus Christ, God Almighty and Creator of all that exists:
“Looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 MKJV).
Jesus said: “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 MKJV).
Reader, put aside all your religious background, experience, and doctrine. Simply put it all away. Your relationship with God has nothing to do with those things. What you need is Jesus Christ's blood. Without His blood, you are dead, no matter what or how much you know or do. Without His blood IN you, there is no difference.
When once His blood is coursing through your veins, you have life, new life, lasting, indestructible life indeed. His blood IN you makes all the difference. It is His life in you (the life is in the blood). Then you know you are right with Him. Then will you have His assurance and peace.
Jesus said: “Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood live in Me, and I live in them. The Father Who has life sent Me, and I live because of the Father. So those who feed on Me will live because of Me” (John 6:56-57 GW).
He also said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6 MKJV).
By the Spirit of God, John the apostle wrote: “And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12 MKJV).
You are either saved, or you are not saved. You either have the Son, or you do not have the Son.
The apostle Peter said: “And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other Name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 MKJV).
He was speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, also known in Hebrew as Yehoshua HaMashiach, which means “YHVH – God - is salvation” or “He Who is (or will be) saves,” the Anointed.
One cannot make up his mind to be saved or choose the time or way. It is entirely God’s work:
“For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10 MKJV).
If you find yourself abhorring yourself and your sin, finding this world losing its attraction and meaningfulness, and desperately desiring to know God and do His will, it is only because He has given this to you. These are all very promising indicators, for which you will one day be thankful if you follow through to the end. All these things are in the Lord’s hand; He makes the way and chooses the time and instrumentalities, the people, words, and circumstances, to bring one to salvation. Of Him it is said:
“No one can come to Me unless the Father Who has sent Me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Therefore everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:44-45 MKJV).
Religion will not save you. Church membership and attendance will not save you. Good deeds will not save you, no matter how great they may be. “Being good and not hurting anybody” will not save you. Doctrine, even if true, will not save you. Much study and knowledge will not save you. Knowing truths will not save you. Understanding and wisdom of the world will not save you. Your pastor or priest or elder or parent or any kind of spiritual mentor or guide will not save you.
One is not physically born with, or into, salvation, no matter your family religious affiliations, and no matter if your parents are saved. Only Jesus Christ revealing Himself to, and apprehending, you will save you. There is nothing you can do to save yourself except what God gives you to do. If you are given to do what we now present, it is your time for salvation.
The Scriptures, as written by Paul the apostle, declare:
Romans 10:6-13 MKJV
(6) But the righteousness of faith says this: “Do not say in your heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?” that is, to bring Christ down;
(7) or “Who shall descend into the deep?”; that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.
(8) But what does it say? “The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart”; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim;
(9) Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
(10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
(11) For the Scripture says, “Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame.”
(12) For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
(13) For everyone, “whoever shall call on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
Know and understand that all of mankind are sinners, that we cannot save ourselves; only God can do so, and will, when He chooses. If you find yourself crying out to Him, as I did, your day of salvation approaches. Put away pride and stubbornness; be prepared to put away your comfortable doctrines and receive the Truth; be prepared to believe not what you want to believe or have been taught to believe, but what you must believe to be saved. If you are not saved and are not at peace, consider that what you have believed has not been effective for your salvation. Still, He will do all that for you:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13 MKJV).
Jesus said: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32 EMTV).
And: “Therefore if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free” (John 8:36 EMTV).
Know that there is a false and deceptive gospel and way to salvation being commonly preached by millions of very nice and sincere people claiming to be saved, which gospel has deceived many. In a nutshell, they may instruct you like this: “Say, ‘Jesus, I confess I am a sinner (because all men are sinners). I know that You died on the cross for me and everyone else to pay for all sins. I accept You as My Savior and ask You to come into my heart.”
Jesus is the One Who will do the accepting here with you and with all. He is Lord; He rules the universe He created. He is not here begging or wishing you would let Him do something for you or that you would do something for Him, as though He needs you. Believe me, He doesn’t. Hear what John the Baptist had to say to the presumptuous, who thought they were doing God a favor by coming out to see John and be baptized:
“Then he said to the crowds which came out to be baptized by him, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones. And even now the ax is being laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and is thrown into the fire’” (Luke 3:7-9 EMTV).
He is Lord, don’t you forget it; and the only way He will ever be your Savior is by being your Lord, your Master, your Possessor, all of which He is, regardless of where you stand or what you think. He reigns supreme over all, always has and always will.
I will not put words in your mouth or assume that you can do things rightly, but I advise you that if God is drawing you, then talk to Him, not religiously or formally - nothing fancy - but with respect, in reverence. You cannot fool or surprise Him. Trust Him. He knows you completely and is in full control. The Bible says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please God, for it is necessary for the one approaching God to believe that He is, and that He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 EMTV).
Ask Him to give you faith, which is a gift and nothing you can muster up. Seek after Him and do not ever quit, no matter how discouraged you may feel at any point. Here is a Scriptural promise by the Spirit of God through Jeremiah the prophet:
“And you will go on crying to Me and making prayer to Me, and I will give ear to you. And you will be searching for Me and I will be there, when you have gone after Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 BBE).
Ask the Lord of lords to take over your life and make it new. Ask Him to take away your sins and grant you repentance and a new nature so that you will not sin any more. Sin is breaking God’s Law as recorded in the Scriptures and condensed in the Ten Commandments.
While you must try and will know you need to keep the Law of God, you will fail and come to find that keeping It will not save you; It is impossible to keep. That is why you need salvation. Salvation is God’s enabling you to keep the Law by a new nature. That is what grace is – His enabling you to be in harmony with His will.
The Law is there to lead you into the grace of God in Christ:
“Therefore the Law has become our custodian, leading us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24 EMTV).
If you start on the Way, do not rebel and seek another way, but continue on faithfully, and He will give you grace. Remember, “...a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16 HNV).
How are the fallen righteous (those who seek to do right) raised up?
“But I call on God, and the LORD saves me” (Psalms 55:16 GW).
For God says: “Call on Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalms 50:15 HNV).
Know that God would have you to prosper in doing what is right, and to have life. That is giving Him honor.
How can you know that when you need help doing right, He answers? Here is a promise through John the apostle, who spoke these words by Jesus Christ:
“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we should ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we may ask, we know that we have the requests that we have requested from Him” (1 John 5:14-15 EMTV).
How do we know we ask according to His will if we ask Him to save us? Here it is:
“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” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).
There is much testimony in Scripture that declares God wills that all come to salvation in their due time. Always remember and be fully persuaded of these words He spoke for those who seek Him:
“So I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. And which father among you, if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, by how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13 EMTV)
He knows you. He knew you ages ago. He knows all about you. Don’t play games with Him or with His servants. What He wants is that you be honest with Him, as bad as you are, as bad as you think, as ashamed as you are. He does not accept you the way you are, as many teach. On the other hand, you cannot make yourself presentable or acceptable to Him. He will receive you as you cry out to Him, and He will then begin to change you to be what He originally intended you to be.
The moment you are saved, life will only begin for you. You will realize you were dead. You will begin the journey of being able to be your real self, the person He intended you to be, which has been impossible for you until salvation, as impossible as it is for the miserable remains of an old car, torn apart and rusting in a junkyard or bush, to run. As that wreck experienced nothing but death and defeat and could do nothing useful, so you will discover the same for yourself. But as that car can be restored to a new, shiny specimen to be admired by many, so you will be restored to newness of life and to true usefulness.
Just don’t be expected to be admired by the world, however. The Lord has promised and warned that just as they hated Him, so they will hate you if you identify with Him. It is the price you must pay, so count the cost before you start:
“And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. And the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated of all men for My name’s sake, but the one who endures to the end shall be kept safe. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into another; for truly I say to you, In no way shall you have finished the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he is like his master, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his household?” (Matthew 10:21-25 MKJV)
Having said that, the Lord did promise great things for the faithful:
“And Jesus answered and said, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel’s sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30 MKJV).
“And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him Who subjected it on hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:17-21 MKJV).
Read Our Testimonies. Write or call us if you have questions. We are here to aid all those the Lord calls and chooses at this time and in the future to be His. Read Holy Waters, and ask us for direction, no matter who you are or what kind of sins you may have committed, or even how good you think you should appear to be – put away your pride – it is a great barrier to God. The Bible says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
As God is no respecter of persons, so we, by God’s grace, are no respecters of persons. We care not if you are black, white, rich, poor, young, old, married, single, a murderer, thief, blasphemer, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, homosexual, drug dealer, prostitute, theologian, Bible teacher, elder, deacon, pastor, evangelist (famous or otherwise), priest, bishop, nun, cardinal, or even the pope. Believe us – they all need saving, and the staunchly religious have the hardest time of it above drunkards, addicts, and prostitutes, because they think they have it together but do not. Jesus even said so:
“But what do you think? A man had two children. And having come to the first, he said, ‘Child, go, work today in my vineyard.’ But he answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but later he regretted it and went. And having come to the other, he said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I am going, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, The first. Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; but you, having seen, did not repent afterwards, that you might believe him” (Matthew 21:28-32 EMTV).
Warning: Do not go to those who charge in any way for their counsel, or even sell you anything. Do not go to those who put their names in lights or name some religious organization after themselves. They cannot help you because if they could, they would not charge or promote themselves in any way. These preach another gospel, I assure you:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 EMTV).
Warning: Do not ever believe He cannot save you:
“Therefore He was obligated to become like His brothers in all respects, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, in order that He might make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that which He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18 EMTV).
Again, Jesus said that with God, all things are possible.
Warning: Do not believe the devil is too powerful or that temptations are too great for you to overcome. These are only unjustified fears or lies or excuses to hang on to your gods and thwart you from the great blessing of life:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it. Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:13-14 EMTV).
God bless the earnest seeker for Him (He always does). Know that He is altogether able and faithful:
“And looking on them, Jesus said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 EMTV).
Of Jesus, the Hebrews writer says: “But He, because He remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those coming to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25 EMTV).
Warning: If you are hearing this Word of God that He has sent us to preach, do not forsake the fellowship of His Body. Come and submit yourself to the Head through those whom He has appointed as ministers of the gospel and shepherds for your souls. There are no lone rangers in the fellowship of believers, but all are brought together for the same Goal:
“Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:7-8 MKJV).
“Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly more than all the things which we ask or think, according to the power which is working in us, to Him be glory in the church in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 EMTV).
When you are saved, you will not necessarily feel saved, but you will know you are saved. The witness of God’s Spirit to your spirit will confirm you are saved:
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16 MKJV).
Remember that your life will be transformed:
“So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 MKJV).
Know also that there are three steps of the salvation process, as God illustrated by the three basic solemn feasts - Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
For an example of this in real life, read my testimony - Victor Hafichuk. Read Our Testimonies as examples of God’s grace and the faith of Christ at work. Read these teachings in particular: Here Is the Way It Is, Holy Waters, Repentance, Obedience, The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, The Three Degrees, Counterfeit Christianity, and The Church. All of our teachings and writings are instructive in the Way of God and are fit food for the seeker of Truth. That is because the Truth has inspired them.
Humble yourself; ask, believe, repent, pay the price, and persevere to the end. Read the Scriptures and seek our counsel and fellowship with us.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32 MKJV).
Victor Hafichuk
