Start Here ...

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

82 awesome benefits for believing in Jesus NOW


 

There are two main things often associated with believing in Jesus. They are,
1. I get to go to heaven
2. I don't have to go through judgment
Those are two awesome benefits. And anyone should be content with these. But both of these are in the futurea very bright future, indeed.

Does God have anything good in store for us now in this life? Absolutely! Many benefits of believing in Jesus will come later. But many are available right now.
 
God told the straying Israelites that they were going after gods that do not benefit (Jeremiah 2:8–11). The true God and His Son are, by contrast, fat with benefits, and worthy to be believed, known and loved.
 
Hear this clearly: the good news is, my salvation, and your salvation, and the world's salvation is not dependent upon us following Jesus, as in keeping the law, like He did perfectly as the only truly faithful Israelite. That would be trying to earn salvation by works. And that doesn't work. We were all saved (yes, that's in the past tense) only by the work of Jesus and His Father through Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus makes it clear in John 3:17 why He was sent,

For God does not dispatch His Son into the world that He should be judging the world, but that the world may be saved through Him.

 
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE DID—SAVE THE WORLD, ALL OF IT. 
 
Most don't believe this. Do you? Whether you believe it or not, it's still true. But believing it now will open the door to benefiting from this truth now.
 
When God chooses to grant you belief in His work through His Son, then you realize, and can then enjoy, the salvation that He accomplished for you long ago. Philippians 1:29,
for to you it is graciously granted, for Christ's sake, not only to be believing on Him, but to be suffering for His sake also
 
Some will say, "If all are saved, I don't need to bother with knowing God and Jesus now." OK. I hear you. But I suggest checking out these benefits before you go your merry way. There is great advantage in believing Him now.

If I told you there was unclaimed money (a lot of it) in your name, and you were completely unaware of it, would you postpone the enjoyment of your money? No way. You'd want it now. Believing in God and Christ, and the benefits that accompany Them, are far more valuable that any amount of money. You know what I'm telling you is true.

Believe the good news,
Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand,
2 through which also you are saved, if you are retaining what I said in bringing the evangel to you, outside and except you believe feignedly.
3 For I give over to you among the first what also I accepted, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
4 and that He was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day according to the scriptures
— 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

 

Some of the many benefits that come with believing Jesus NOW  

 
1. You have fellowship with God's Son, Jesus our Lord—1 Corinthians 1:9
2. You have access to the Father through Jesus—Ephesians 2:18
3. You can access God with confidence—Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:22
4. You have access to God's grace—Romans 5:2
5. You have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit—Romans 14:17
6. You are exempt from, and will be saved from, the coming indignation of God through Jesus—Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10
7. You have overflowing hope—Romans 15:13
8. A righteousness of God, through Jesus Christ's faith, will be on you—Romans 3:22
9. You're raised up to sit together with Christ in the heavenly realms—Ephesians 2:6
10. The Holy Spirit prays for you when you don't know what to pray—Romans 8:26
11. God justifies you freely—Romans 3:24–30
12. Christ dwells in you—Colossians 1:27
13. You can store up treasure for yourself in heaven—Matthew 6:19–20
14. You're adopted by God to be a son or daughter—Romans 8:15
15. You're taught by God to love others—1 Thessalonians 4:9
16. Jesus reveals the Father to you so you can know Him—Matthew 11:27
17. You have exceeding great and precious promises from God—2 Peter 1:4
18. The Father and the Son make Their home in you—John 14:23
19. Your Father strengthens you with power through His Spirit in your inner being—Ephesians 3:16
20. Your Father gives you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in order to know Him better—Ephesians 1:17
21. The opening of the eyes of your understanding—Ephesians 1:18–19
22. You overcome the world—1 John 5:3–5
23. The full assurance of understanding—Colossians 2:2
24. God makes you stand firm in Jesus—2 Corinthians 1:21
25. You have the abundant life—John 10:10
26. You can bear fruit for God—Romans 7:4
27. You're an heir of God—Romans 8:17
28. You're a co-heir with Jesus—Romans 8:17
29. You have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for you—1 Peter 1:4
30. You're united to Jesus—1 Corinthians 6:17
31. Your name is written in heaven—Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23
32. You partake of the divine nature—2 Peter 1:4
33. You're shielded by God's power through faith—1 Peter 1:5
34. God is able to keep you from stumbling—Jude 24
35. The peace of God will guard your heart and mind—Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15
36. Your guilty conscience will be cleansed—Hebrews 9:14; 10:22
37. You'll be useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work—2 Timothy 2:21
38. You'll receive abundant grace—John 1:16
39. You can understand the depth of Jesus' love—Ephesians 3:18
40. Jesus helps you in your weakness—Romans 8:26
41. You'll be filled with all the fullness of God—Ephesians 3:19
42. You'll have the mind (thoughts) of Christ—1 Corinthians 2:16
43. God gives you faith—Ephesians 2:8–9
44. God gives you His righteousness due to the faith of Christ, not your works—Romans 4:1–8
45. You can be built up and given an inheritance by God's grace—Acts 20:32
46. You receive powerful spiritual weaponry—2 Corinthians 10:3–5
47. You access the whole armor of God—Ephesians 6:10-18
48. You're blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ—Ephesians 1:3
49. You receive His divine power to live a godly life—2 Peter 1:3
50. The Spirit of God gives you power, love, and self-control—2 Timothy 1:7
51. You receive encouragement and good hope—2 Thessalonians 2:16
52. God's Spirit lives in you—1 John 3:24; 4:13
53. Jesus gives you understanding so you can know God—1 John 5:20
54. You receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken—Hebrews 12:28
55. God hears you—2 Corinthians 6:2
56. God helps you—2 Corinthians 6:2
57. You can understand the things God has freely given you—1 Corinthians 2:12
58. You're a container for God's light—2 Corinthians 4:6–7
59. God has prepared you a new body in heaven—2 Corinthians 5:1
60. God has given you life for the eons, and this life is in his Son—1 John 5:11
61. You have received the light—Hebrews 10:32
62. You'll experience the heavenly gift—Hebrews 6:4
63. You'll share in the Holy Spirit—Hebrews 6:4
64. You're enlightened—Hebrews 6:4
65. You'll experience the goodness of the word of God—Hebrews 6:5
66. You'll experience the powers of the coming eon—Hebrews 6:5
67. You're delivered from the power of darkness—Colossians 1:13
68. You're brought into Jesus' kingdom—Colossians 1:13
69. All things become possible when you believe—Mark 9:23
70. You're served by angels—Hebrews 1:14
71. In all things God works for the good of those who love him—Romans 8:28
72. The Lord is your Helper—Hebrews 13:6
73. God is for you—Romans 8:31
74. You have a better kind of hope through Jesus—Hebrews 7:19
75. There is no condemnation for you who are in Christ Jesus—Romans 8:1
76. You have peace with God through Jesus—Romans 5:1,10-11
77. You know the truth—1 John 2:20–21
78. The privilege of walking in the light—1 John 1:7
79. Believing now will lead to eonian life—John 3:16
80. Believing now will lead to early immortality—1 Corinthians 15:22-28, 51-55
81. The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the holy spirit which is being given to us—Romans 5:5
82.  In everything are you enriched in him, in all expression and all knowledge—1 Corinthians 1:5
 
This isn't a complete list of all the benefits of knowing Jesus now. Part of the joy of reading the Scriptures is discovering the great blessings that come from knowing our Savior. Then you'll be strengthened and encouraged to live your life for Him, knowing that He is with you every step of the way, in good times and bad.


Sincerely,
Wes

P.S.  Reading a list of benefits is nothing compared to experiencing them. If you don't yet know Jesus, you can know Him right now. He's already saved you on the cross. Believe in Him and experience the salvation He's already bought for you.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

You are 1 of 107,602,707,791 important reasons Jesus came to earth

2000 and some odd years ago God launched into the next mind-blowing phase of His plan for the world.

All of heaven listened and watched intently as God told His Son it was time for Him to go. Without question, His Son rose up from His majestic throne, laid down His crown as second-in-command in the heavenly realms, removed His magnificent royal robe, and dove head first toward sin-enslaved earth. He made a nearly splashless entry into the very world that He created.

Only a small group of shepherds were called to see Him on His first day as a human. No invites were sent to the upper crust of the earth.

The earth has never been the same since Jesus was born long ago.

Why did Jesus leave His perfect home in heaven to come to this earth? He told us very clearly the purpose of His mission:

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:17)

Yes, God sent His Son for you and all the billions of people who've inhabited this earth because He loves each and every one of us. Be thankful for God's awesome gift of Jesus, and celebrate Him coming to save the world.


Merry Christmas!
Wes

P.S. Stay tuned: The Master's plan is continuing to unfold...



Sunday, December 20, 2015

Invest in this secret "super account" that the government can't touch (because they don't even know it's there)



The government taxes us, and taxes us, then taxes us some more. Tired of getting squeezed like a lemon, just so the fat cats can get fatter?
 
If you could invest in something that they can't touch, and that won't be affected by inflation and other economic swings, would you?


Sad but true... you can't take it with you

Image result for money  and time image
There's a time limit on how long we get to use and enjoy our earthly possessions. We all know that whatever money and stuff we gain that remains at the end of our lives will stay here when we die.  And some of it may very well be taken by people we don't want to have it - like the government, greedy relatives, leechy lawyers, and smelly bankers.


Glad it's true... you can send it ahead of you


"You can't take it with you" is an unchangeable fact. But there is another mucho more powerful economic fact concerning planning and investing for your future.    

God recently revealed to me that I needed to put away more for my future. I had been making small investments here and there. But He showed me that I needed to really step up my game. It made me think hard about the investments I had been making. God impressed upon me this Bible passage that I had read many times. Jesus said,  


19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6)

I've believed these words since the first time I read them many years ago. But recently they have carried a heavier meaning for me personally. Part of the reason for this is the fact that I'm not getting any younger. And I'm thinking more seriously about the investments I'm making.

Up to this point in my life, the investing I was doing was important, but most of it I was only going to enjoy for such a short time - the years I have left in this life. I'm 47 now, so that wouldn't be a very long time compared to my future immortal existence in God's kingdom.

So I had a choice:

Invest more for a quickly evaporating future in this life
 - OR - 
Invest more for a future that will never end


It's not easy to delay enjoyment. But at this point of my life this decision was pretty easy to make.   


How to store up treasure for yourself in heaven


Step 1: Open your secret super account in heaven

You must first open your heavenly account so you can make deposits. You do this by coming humbly to the bank owner - Jesus. You can't build up savings in heaven until you are saved by Jesus. When you come to Him, He will reconcile you to Himself by forgiving you of your sins. And He will give you a new, better life. When you come to know Jesus, your account is open - no social security number required, no debit card or checkbook required. Best of all...no government regulations or taxes.

Step 2: Make deposits into your heavenly account

All that you do for and with Jesus builds your heavenly bank account that you can enjoy forever in the next life. And that bank account will NEVER be negatively affected  by anything on the earth. Jesus is running the heavenly system, not the greedy men of earth. You can trust in His power and faithfulness to protect what you've invested.

Image result for money  and time imageHere's one example Jesus gives us of how someone stores up treasure in heaven.

"Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward." (Mark 9:41)

Giving a cup of water in Jesus' name - that's pretty simple. You can make large deposits and small deposits into your heavenly account. The point is - make deposits.

You and others will be blessed immediately in this life when you do things in Jesus' name. And you'll store up treasure for yourself in heaven to enjoy in the next life. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

But this isn't just about how you spend your money. It's also about how you spend your time. Are you spending your time and money on Jesus' behalf?


Ways to build your heavenly account


Following are some things that will grow your heavenly account:

  • Give to the needy secretly (Proverbs 19:17; Luke 6:27-36)
  • Do good to your enemy (Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:43-48)
  • Suffer persecution for following Jesus (Matthew 5:11-12)
  • Pray secretly (Matthew 6:5-6)
  • Fast secretly (Matthew 6:16-18)
  • Be welcoming to God's people (Matthew 10:40-42)
  • Work to help others know Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 1 Corinthians 9:17)
  • Do good deeds in Jesus' name (Ephesians 6:7-8)
  • Seek God seriously (Hebrews 11:6)
  • Fear and respect God (Revelation 11:18)


Are you doing any LONG TERM financial planning?


Jesus told the following story of a man who thought he was wisely planning his future:

15 Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And He told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12)

There's a lot to learn from this story. What stood out to you as you read it? Does it cause you to rethink anything you're doing for the future?

Let's say as an example that your financial planning is not "rich toward God" and starts when you're 25 years old and encompasses the rest of your earthly life - say until you're 85. That's a 60-year plan. That's relatively "long term." But what is it compared to being "rich toward God" and planning for your next life, which will last forever? All of a sudden, your 60 year plan looks pretty short-sighted.

There's nothing wrong with investing and saving for this life. It's good to try to be prepared. But is that all you're doing? Ask yourself, "Where is my treasure, on earth or in heaven?"


Who will you live for?


Here's Jesus' desire for our mindset. This was written to people who have already done Step 1 above.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3)

This isn't always easy to do. Earthly things are constantly bombarding us and trying to steal our attention. This is a mental and spiritual battle. Are you willing to fight this battle? If so, Jesus will empower you for the victory. Realizing that this world is so very temporary should help us to set our minds on Jesus and our never-ending future in the next life.

The following is one of my favorite Bible verses. It's also one that challenges me constantly to consider how I live my life. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I succeed. Nobody said life would be easy.

And [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)

Is there any higher calling in life than to live for our Savior, the One that has done so much for us, and has such a great future for us? Bonus: As we live for Him, we store up treasure for ourselves in heaven.


Sincerely,
Wes

P.S. - Merry Christmas to all. Celebrate Christ this Christmas. He is the reason for every season.


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Jesus and the zombies


I freely confess that I'm a former zombie.

Let me explain...

"Freddy Krueger's the best!"
I didn't look or live like what you might imagine is a typical zombie. I walked without a limp, spoke somewhat coherent English, ate with mid-level manners, didn't have horrible body odor, laughed, and loved. I played football and was pretty good at math. And I know I looked cool sittin' at the drive-in theater with my super-hot zombie girlfriend. But there I was...super dead.

The strange thing was that I didn't know I was dead. Nobody ever told me I was dead. Even when I went to the doctor, they said nothing about me being dead. They didn't even look at me funny. They just stared into my ears, then gave me some drugs and a bill. But now that I think about it, I do remember every once in a while the bully in school would yell at me, "You're dead!" But I thought he just wanted to kill me. Maybe he was a prophet, and I should've paid more attention to him.

But, in my defense, I had no basis for comparison. Everyone around me was also dead. Even my friend Rob was a zombie.

Zombieism is like a disease, but it can't be detected with heart monitors and stethoscopes. It's a spiritual thing. So basically, zombies don't know they're zombies, and they don't care that they're zombies...initially.


The dead live and breed


All people are born spiritual zombies (yes, zombies reproduce). Mankind is literally the walking dead. Now I say "literally" because it's true, even though we don't perceive the living's deadness with our eyes or nose.

But Jesus has spiritual eyes, and He knows the deep inner workings of man. He sees that we are all dead. He can probably smell us too. Here's a few examples from the Bible of Jesus talking to and about zombies.

A zombie who wanted to follow Jesus said to Him,

“Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:21-22)

Dead gravediggers? That's interesting.

Jesus said to zombie religious leaders who tried to teach other zombies about God,

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27)

The blind leading the blind is not good. The same with the dead teaching the dead. Jesus saw the deadness of man, but it was pretty clear no one else did.


The only cure for zombieism


The walking dead cover the earth. But there is a cure...one cure.

Paul, a high-ranking former zombie who became one of Jesus' closest followers, was given the ability to see the zombie condition. He wrote to a bunch of former zombies,

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:1-6)
"I got this!"

You may need to slowly read that again. There's a lot of good stuff in there.

It reveals the cause of our zombie condition - sin (which we are all born into), and disobedience toward God. We follow the ways of the world, not God's ways. We follow the spirit that leads us into disobedience, not God's Spirit.

We also read here that all of us have been zombies at one time. And this condition of sin and disobedience deserves God's judgment.

But some have been cured and made spiritually alive. And we see the only cure for it - God. His great love, His abundant mercy, and His power to give zombies real life through them coming to know Jesus. We are made truly alive when we are with Christ.

The Bible says,

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:12)

Pretty clear, huh? Got Jesus? Not a zombie. Don't got Jesus? Zombie.

Some people don't like the fact that Jesus is the only cure for spiritual zombieism. But man will never make a pill or concoction that is able to do what God can do for the walking dead. Man can't make physical life in a test tube, and he also can't make spiritual life in a test tube.


Seriously, Jesus is the only cure


Here are some verses from the Bible that show us that this power is only found in Jesus. He doesn't need a patent for this cure. Amazingly, it's totally FREE to all who will believe. And it really works.

"For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself." (John 5:26)

 Jesus and His Father have life, and They are not dependent on others for this life. Humans are dependent on God for physical and spiritual life.

Jesus said to the zombie Jewish leaders who were persecuting Him,

"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life." (John 5:39-40)

Some try to find life apart from Jesus - even through good things like the Bible. Sometimes they are so focused on this, that they don't come to Jesus. They're still zombies.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

He came to give spiritual life to zombies. Let Him give you life RIGHT NOW!

"[God] has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, Who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the good news." (2 Tim 1:9-10)

God has saved all of us. Jesus has already destroyed death and revealed life and immortality. But we don't yet see the full effect of His work. Some zombies have entered into salvation and are now enjoying some of the limited aspects of Jesus' work. But not all zombies have entered into this salvation by connecting with Jesus.

Jesus truly is the only way. The Bible says of Him in Acts 4:12,

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

This fact should save you a lot of time as you search for spiritual wisdom in life. Why waste your time looking to anyone but Jesus for answers?


How to become a former zombie


Jesus said,

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)

If our ears are open to really hear Jesus, and if we believe in Him, we will be rescued from the deathly zombie disease. And Jesus will give us true life. He transports us from zombieland to abundant-life land. It may be hard to understand. That's why you should experience it for yourself by hearing Jesus and believing Him and His Father.

When you come to Jesus with a repentant attitude, ask Him to give you His Spirit.

“So I (Jesus) say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11)

The Holy Spirit that God gives to zombies is the power source that transforms them. It is the Spirit of Jesus living in you giving you spiritual life. Without His Spirit living in you, you're a zombie. Paul (former zombie) wrote in the Bible,

"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." (Romans 8:9)

Ask and the Spirit will be given to you. And you will truly live.   


Former zombie spills his guts


When God opened my mind to understand Jesus through the Bible, He became my standard of comparison. I then knew I was super dead and that He was super alive.

He brought me to Himself and rescued me from zombieland. I experienced what it really meant to be alive.

I knew at times before this that I wasn't the person I needed to be and wanted to be. But I was powerless to change myself to the degree that I needed to.

My zombieism would reveal its ugly head in many different ways, and people around me were suffering because of my zombie actions and attitudes. Those same people were blessed when I was cured by Jesus. This isn't just about us as individuals. This involves all of our loved ones who are affected positively or negatively by our lives.

Be a blessing to others by getting cured today.


No appointment necessary


I've said Jesus was super alive. He was so alive that, when He died, He came back to life again. And this was by His own power. He said,

"The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down My life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

Now that's power you can't get in a bottle. Did I mention this power is available to all who come to Jesus? And it's FREE. And you don't need an appointment. Jesus is available around the clock and throughout the calendar. But most importantly, He wants you to come to Him. He said,

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11)

What do you want? An engraved invitation? Jesus didn't say, "Come to church." He didn't say, "Give me your money." He did say so clearly, "Come to ME...ALL..."! Whatever reason you can think of to not come to Jesus is a weak excuse. He is the cure!

Untold millions have come to Jesus and been cured by Him. Maybe you're a former zombie. Maybe you're still a zombie, but you know someone who has been cured. Ask them to tell you their story. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to do so - it's encouraging great news.


The zombie resurrection


The Bible foretells a time when zombies who have died will be resurrected, but still in their zombie condition.

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. (Revelation 20:11-13)



Not all zombies will be cured in this life. But after this resurrection, God, Jesus and His followers will continue to work until all zombies are cured. This is God's will.

"[God our Savior] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)

Here is a picture of our heavenly Father's heart toward all zombies. Jesus said,

20 "And he (a zombie) arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.'
22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to be merry." (Luke 15)
 
The walking dead become the walking living when they come to their Father.

At some point God opens the eyes of the zombie. And for the very first time, when he looks at himself he knows that he's a zombie. Then he is brought by God to the knowledge that he cannot fix his own deadness. Then God reveals to him the cure - Jesus. The zombie, now wanting to truly be alive, comes to Jesus and is made alive by the powerful Spirit of God.

There will come a time when zombies are no more.

Sincerely,
Wes

P.S. 





 



Friday, December 4, 2015

One story you MUST understand...because you're in it


Can you spot yourself in this story? The details may not fit you exactly, but you're in here.

Please don't just do a casual read of this, because it's your story, and my story, and everyone's story with God in a powerful nutshell.

Let it sink down deeeeep into your heart.

Jesus said,

Gospel of Luke Chapter 15-4 (Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media)
"This is the life?"
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there wasted his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
Return of the Prodigal Son 1667-1670 Murillo
"My son!"
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has wasted your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”


No matter what you've done, never ever, ever, ever, ever...ever...EVER doubt the depth of your heavenly Father's love.
Image result for prodigal son images
"I'll miss you Fatty. But I'm goin' home!"



Say "Sayonara!" to sin and the swine. It's time to come home to your Father and enjoy the best steak you've ever had. 

Jesus said, "...there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Believe in Jesus so they can party in heaven.


Sincerely,
Wes

P.S. This story is from Luke 15:11-32

______________
Images
Man with pigs; Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
Father and son; Bartolomé Esteban Murillo [Public domain]