Christian Development

Here our some topics that might be of great help in your Christian walk. Check back often for additions to this list.
Are you sure you are Heaven bound?
    5 Conditions of Answered Prayer for the Lost
    A Heart Like His


Are you sure you are Heaven bound?
In your personal opinion what do you think it takes to get to heaven? Is it going to church every Sunday? Or is it standing in the Choir leading the church in worship? Maybe it's teaching Sunday school or helping with vacation bible school? Could it be doing your personal best to be as good as possible? Well, the Bible has given us clear answers to this very question.

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Have you ever failed to do the right thing? You knew it was wrong but you continued to do it anyway. Lying about your next door neighbors to your best friends just to look good. Taking the company's supplies, "they don't pay me enough anyway, I am only taken what is rightfully mine." ...All those small things that you have done, or haven't done are seen as sin in God's eyes. The Bible says 'All have sinned and are separated from God.' (Romans 3:23).

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We cannot reach the God of Heaven if we are separated from him. The Bible clearly says 'For judgment is without mercy' (James 2:13)NKJV. God shows no mercy on people he doesn't know. Jesus Says, 'Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord,Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 7:21)NKJV. The next question is if you have sinned how is it possible for you to reach Heaven?

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The Bible gives a clear answer to this question. 'In him [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins' (Ephesians 1:7) NKJV. The bible also states 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that who so ever believed in him will not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16). Why is forgiveness (or repenting) necessary to go to heaven if Jesus did it all. You have to look at it as a free gift. When some one gives you a gift you must accept it before it can actually become yours. 'For by grace are ye saved thorough faith; and not of yourselves: It is a GIFT of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)KJV

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So, what does it really take to get to heaven; Admitting you have sinned (Romans 3:23), Believing that the blood of Jesus will redeem you from your sins (Ephesians 1:7), and Commit your life to Jesus by faith (Ephesians 2:8,9) and remember 'For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Romans 10:10,13).

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5 Conditions of Answered Prayer for the Lost
1. Do not doubt. Be assured that it is the Lord's will to save them, for He wills that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth 'who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. (1 Timothy 2:4). We have assurance 'that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us' (1John 5:14).

2. Never plead for their salvation in your own name, but in the blessed name of your precious Lord Jesus, and on His merit alone; 'And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth' (John 1:14).

3. Always firmly believe in the willingness of God to hear your prayers; 'Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them' (Mark 11:24).

4. Confess any sin, 'if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me' (Psalm 66:18).

5. Persevere in believing prayer. Mr. George Muller prayed for more than fifty-two years for the lost, and continued until God's answer came: 'Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him?' (Luke 18:7)

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A Heart Like His*
What if, for one day, Jesus were to become you?
    What if, for twenty-four hours, Jesus wakes up in your bed, walks in your shoes, lives in your house, assumes your Schedule? Your boss becomes his boss, your mother becomes his mother, your pains become his pains? With one exception, nothing about your life changes. Your health doesn't change. You circumstances don't change. Your schedule isn't altered. Your problems aren't solved.   Only one change occurs.*
    Your heart. Jesus is now you. Every reaction will be his. Everything that you do is the same action, motion or movement he would take. With Jesus making all your choices, Would you be the same? Remember: "Think and act like Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).
excerpt from: "Just like Jesus"
                by: Max Lucado
                      Word Publishing 1998
           ISBN: 0-8499-1296-2 (hardcover)

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