Spiritual Welfare

PLEASE READ LISTED VERSES.

I have a deep concern for your spiritual welfare. I am concerned about a more subtle danger than that of outright persecution. That is, the tendency to be content with a shallow Christian experience.

The hidden riches of God's grace are never known, even by born again believers, until they are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor.2:9. The beauty and the power of Christ's way of life, as shown in the Gospel, is missed by those who fail to live according to the Word of God.

When we practice doing the Word of God in various situations in life, our inner man is wakened to the Presence and power of God Who lives in us. John 8:12, 31-36; 14:21-23. When we practice the Word, it's effects on our inner man is like a sleeping person waking up. This is stated in Eph.5:14. According to Jesus, we are foolish if we don't do what His Word says. Our experiences of doing our "own thing" proves to us His accuracy.

A person who has been born again, but fails to closely follow Jesus by entering into the deeper things of God, stays immature. Heb.5:12-14. Notice what 1 Pet.2:1-3 says about how to grow, spiritually speaking.

Jesus expressed concern about spiritual drowsiness and its dangers, in Lu.21:34-36 and other places. Notice also what the Holy Spirit inspired in Heb.10:25.

There is a great tendency to neglect regular church attendance, because of being "busy" with other things. "Earning a living" and enjoying the "good life" takes so much of our resources, that we can't "find the time" or the will, to deeply pursue the Lord. Sometimes, there isn't much interest either, because our minds and affections are so saturated with natural and material interests.

God has chosen through preaching to save them that believe. 1 Cor. 1:21. Hearing messages via the media, as good as they are, is not a substitute for personal interaction with the Holy Spirit in Spirit filled church meetings.

Not only is neglect of God's Word and attendance at church areas of concern, but so is neglect of prayer. Every person of spiritual stature in the Bible, was a person whose prayer life was more than ritual.

One of the early Spiritual principles in the Gospels is Mt.6:33. We ought to give primary importance to obeying God's Word, to fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and with the people of God, and to fervent prayer. I dare say that "seeking God's kingdom" cannot be done without these things.

We must never forget God's concern for lost souls, John 3:16; 2Pet.3:9. We easily over look the eternal horror that will be the lot of a person who dies "lost" in sin. There is a heaven to gain, and a hell to shun. Every person we know, including ourselves, are on our way to ONE of those two places! ONLY those who are born again (John3:3-5) CAN go to heaven: EVERY ONE ELSE IS GOING TO HELL! We need to concern ourselves with that fact.

My concern is that we don't neglect these vital things. If we do, we will become spiritually drowsy, and so insensitive that we could miss the glorious meeting with Jesus in the air, 1Thes.4:16-17; Luke 21:36.

I am confident that 1995 will not "naturally" encourage these activities in us. We shall have to MAKE time for them. Though many talk of peace, and sign peace accords, and though efforts are made to "curb crime", the Bible says its going to get worse, 2Tim.3:13. But be of good cheer, Lu.21:28; John 16:33. Our victory does not depend on the world getting better, it depends on BELIEVING and obeying the Word of God! "...If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31-39."

FACT VERSES

Fact Verses are those statements of facts that are recorded in the Bible. They are not necessarily promises. They are conditions that God and Christ have caused and established, without human contribution. Jesus mentioned this premise in Acts 1:7.

THE FACT is that Jesus died on the cross: no man took His life, (though men crucified Him) He laid it down. John 10:17-18.

THE FACT is: "in Him we have redemption through His Blood, Col.1:14".

THE FACT is: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins...(1 John 1:9)". You should have that verse memorized!

THE FACT is: He is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before Him. From Jude 24.

THE FACT is: Who ever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. 1 Jo.5:1.

Our birth is God's doing, not ours.

THE FACT is "Of His Own will begat He us...(James1:18).

THE FACT IS: Beloved, now are we the sons of God...(1 John3:2)".

THE FACT is: "...if God be for us, who can be against us (Rom.8:31)"?

THE FACT is: He is coming again, to receive us to Himself. John 14:3.

THE FACT is: God is GOD! There is none else. Isaiah 45:5. LET Him be God to you, though obedience, as in Rom.10:9 and 2 Cor.6:14-18.

God and Christ have established these facts as fixed parts of redemption. They CANNOT be changed by man or devil. And they do not fade away with time. They are eternal FACTS.

I love you.