Death By Snake Bite

Posted on February 25, 2014 by heatonkent

Snake handler webDeath By Snake Bite

The news of Jamie Coots death is sad on many levels. For his family they are without a husband, father and friend. No matter the cause of death grief will fill the hearts of loved ones in the loss and separation. A second level of sadness will be the manner in which he died. Jamie Coots was the pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name located in Middlesboro, Kentucky where snake handling is a common practice. Refusing treatment after a rattlesnake bite Coots went home where later his wife also refused treatment from the ambulance crew and later died from his injury. The family’s explanation was “when it’s your time to go, it’s just your time to go” (ABC News Nightline, February 17, 2014).

What is more tragic in this story is the bite people receive from “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). With respect to the grieving family the worst bite Coots and his followers are inflicted with is a false understanding of the word of God. Jesus warned of those who worshipped outside the bounds of the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23) and it is sad to find good and honest hearts deceived by the mockery of Satan.

Snake handling takes its teaching from the gospel of Mark: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). An example of this can be found in Acts 28:1-6 when Paul was bitten by a viper and received no harm. The snake however suffered a righteous end by dying in the fire (much like the “serpent of old” will suffer – Revelation 20:10).

Today those who handle snakes (and are bitten frequently) believe they are showing the power of God in their lives to handle venomous snakes without being harmed. This has never been the case as even Coots lost a finger to a snake bite. Paul did not lose his arm when he was bitten by the viper. The purpose of the Lord’s admonition in Mark 16 was to confirm the Word through the accompany signs (like taking up serpents or drinking anything deadly). Snake handlers by their actions deny the Word of God has been confirmed. There are many snake handlers in the world today that do so without regard to religion. What these Pentecostals are doing is nothing more than handling dangerous snakes. Where is the practice of drinking deadly potions (Mark 16:18) among religious folk today? They died out immediately. What demons are cast out or speaking in foreign languages by the power of God or laying hands on the sick is done today? These miracles happened in the 1st Century to confirm the word of God “But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:10). “That which is perfect” is the Bible!

Snake handling is found in Mark 16:18 but obedience to the gospel is found in Mark 16:15-16 and is seldom (if ever) taught by Pentecostals. The way of salvation is still active and true today but the confirming of signs as found in Mark 16:17-18 has been done away with. Satan is filling the hearts of good people today with the lies of his deception to reject the word of God. Death by snake bite is a horrible way to die especially when a cure is available. The curse of the devil is a more horrible manner of death to be deceived into believing a lie that will bring about a more serious death than the first death. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15).

Our prayers are with the Coot family. There is a need for greater prayer to help those blinded by the false teachings of the master liar to “open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus Christ]” (Acts 26:18).

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The Challenge Of Young Adult

Posted on February 11, 2014 by heatonkent

The Challenge Of Young Adult

Graduation from High School is an exciting time for young people. With great anticipation they look forward to a new dawn of opportunities taking them to new places and meeting new friends. Plans are made to move away to college or pursue jobs in many fields of interest. Some join the military while others marry and find a settled job that satisfies the needs of a family. So many decisions await the young mind that at times it seems to overwhelm the imagination.

The transition from high school is an awkward time as the excitement of leaving home meets the face of reality. Independence is much desired but comes at a cost few realize until thrown into the midst of responsibility. The accountability of a free spirit still requires paying the bills and feeding the body. There are myriads of temptations that lay on the threshold of a young man’s life that can destroy a good character. Decisions made now will impact the rest of one’s life. This period of ‘wilderness wandering’ is fraught with many dangers that if not kept in check will bring misery and heartache to the lives of the young adult.

From the beginning of time the Creator of man has shown the creation how to make the right decisions. The young person must recognize that he is made in the image of God and that happiness and completeness in life can only be found by seeking the wisdom of God. Six lessons will help all young people know their place in life and guide them to a long and fruitful life.

(1) THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO LIFE. One of the lessons learned in science is that for every action there is a reaction. The apostle Paul reminds us of the consequences of our actions – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8). The fun you have today will bring a harvest tomorrow. Sowing wild oats in youth will bring a future marred by regret and sorrow.

Wisdom for youth knows that while the heart should be filled with the joys of this time in life, “God will bring you into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). There will be a day of reckoning as in all things in life. Fill your days of youth with the good things you can take with you tomorrow. The treasures of today will be a lot more enjoyable in the years to come than trying to live down the mistakes of the past.

Be careful with the decisions you make in regard to your career (Matthew 6:33), your friends (1 Corinthians 15:33), the one you marry (1 Peter 3:7) and your faith (Acts 16:2). You stand at the headwaters of your life to decide the course your life will take. Make certain your decisions are guided by the hand of the Creator.

(2) LIFE IS ONLY ONE TRIP: THERE ARE NO DO-OVERS. In golf you may be allowed a mulligan but life offers no such reward. A mulligan allows you take to take the shot over again but playing golf does not imitate life. Every day is imprinted on the pages of history and cannot be changed. We are victims of our past, prisoners of the present and judges of the future. What we do today cannot be done over; we can only seek to make better decisions today.

The challenge of life is not to live without regrets but rather to live life with a few regrets as possible. King David was a man after God’s own heart but he lived with regret. Showing the consequence of sin the Lord through the hand of Matthew reminds everyone of the sin David committed with Bathsheba in Matthew 1:6. There can be no doubt David wanted a ‘mulligan’ in life to change his fateful decision but he had to live with the decision he made. He remained faithful to the Lord and overcame his sin but the memory of it remained.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). The decisions you make today will set a course of decisions tomorrow. Some things you can change but some things you cannot change. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). The wisdom literature in the Old Testament is especially valuable for young people to read and learn valuable life lessons from.

(3) LIFE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. The days after high school seem to be framed with golden days of frolic and frivolity. So often young people leave the embrace of home and run headlong into the embrace of a cruel world that cares nothing for them. The young man of Jesus’ parable in Luke 15 found that out the hard way. He wanted freedom and he got freedom for a while until he found himself feeding swine and wishing he could eat their slop. The freedom of choice in youth does not take away the penalty of tomorrow’s payment that will come due. There are many dangers waiting to consume the young heart and bring a life of regret.

The crafty woman of Proverbs 7 is all too often the life story of many a young person. Enticing speech and flattering lips lead many hearts to drown in sorrow. The dangers of pornography, sexual promiscuity, challenges to faith in God, ridicule of religion in general, rejection of parental advice and an appeal to making it rich no matter the cost stand at the threshold of a young person’s life. Without a resolve to withstand the harsh world by the determined faith in God a young man or woman will find themselves in many troubles. “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

(4) FAITHFULNESS TO GOD BEGINS WITH YOU! The faith of your parents and grandparents is a very important part of your life. Examples of godly people that you may have known growing up help mold you life in many ways. Friends will encourage you to be a good person as you spend time with them. But when you leave home and enter a world given over to unbelief your faith must come from a heart developed by your own love of truth. Your parent’s faith will not save you because of your last name. Satan will be defeated because your faith is what you have made your own.

When Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers (Genesis 37) the faith he had in the Lord God came from his trust in God’s love. He did not have anyone to lean upon but the belief that God would provide for him. David stood in the valley of Elah facing Goliath without the army of Israel, neither the blessing of his brothers nor the advice of his father. He stood alone. Yet in faith he gained the victory. Daniel and his three friends faced an onslaught of faith challenges in Babylon without the support group they may have had in Jerusalem. Young man Timothy made his faith his own. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

(5) YOU ARE AN ETERNAL BEING. The previous four points are dependent upon knowing the decisions you make will have consequences not only in this life but also after death. Understanding you are an eternal being is to say that you know you will never cease to exist. Death may seem like a far off mystery to you but learning early not to fear death and to see it as a bridge from mortality to immortality will help in making the right decisions. The book of Ecclesiastes is written for the young man and young woman to consider the questions of life. When all is said and done – what is life all about? Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). You see, you are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and although your body will die you will not. Life is short but on this short span of time eternity will be determined.

(6) BUILDING A GODLY LIFE IS A LIFE OF JOY. “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Living a life for God will temper the impact of sin upon your life. This does not suggest that bad things cannot happen to young people. Disease, death, sorrow and the challenges of life are for all ages. But living a godly life will bring a greater amount of joy to life than sowing wild oats today and praying for a crop failure tomorrow. Being a godly man and woman will bring greater fulfillment in life with wisdom from above. “I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word” (Psalm 119:102).

The wisdom of man will only bring despair. Finding the wisdom of God will bring clarity and understanding for life. Listen to the older folk who tell you of the regrets made in life when they did not follow a path of godliness. The right answers are found in God’s word. Happiness in life is built upon a faith in the way of the Lord. Living for the Lord is a life not to be regretted. May God bless your hearts and minds to serve him each day and find the joy of living in Jesus Christ.

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The Last Enemy

Posted on February 8, 2014 by heatonkent

resurrThe Last Enemy

Since the beginning of time and throughout the world in every corner of civilization a common picture is found. Scattered on hills and mountains and filling the valleys of earth scenes of memorials declare the lives of the countless millions who walked as mortals but now repose in the shadow of death. Markers bear the names and dates of a life lived and concluded in the arms of mortality. Millions more lie undiscovered through the ages as death reigns among the legions of men. The apostle Paul reminds humanity that “death spread to all men” (Romans 5:12) and from the pen of the Hebrew scholar comes the declarative cry that “it is appointed for men to die” (Hebrews 9:27).

Death is a common part of life that no one has ever escaped regardless of age, gender, wealth, power or fame. George Herbert said, “Old men go to death; death comes to young men” (Jacula Prudentum 1651) declaring the uncertainty of death to all ages. A man does not choose to be born and he cannot dismiss the call of death. The frailty of life is summed up as a “vapor” in James 4:14. The first man Adam lived a remarkable 930 years and had a descendent who lived 969 years called Methuselah (Genesis 5:5,27). The lesson of Genesis 5 is the oft repeated phrase “and he died.” Living over nine hundred years means nothing because death came to them all.

The spirit of death is portrayed as dark and menacing with evil intent and purpose. A cloaked image of a skulled being carrying a sickle brings fear and torment to the imaginations of men who paint the presence of death of horrific and full of dread. This comes from the mystery of death and how overwhelming the touch of death invades the lives of all men and buries them deep within an ocean of despair. The finality of death cannot be reconciled in man’s wisdom. Throughout the centuries philosophy attempts to encapsulate the borders of death and dying into a realm of understanding and falls short of explaining its nature to man. Death cannot be understood in the halls of man’s wisdom. He builds great pyramids to embrace a false hope of an afterlife and finds nothing more than dust and corruption. Marble edifices dot the landscape that fade in time to a distant memory.

To understand death one must understand life. The Creator of life is the only one who can help the creation see the mortality of his existence. Death does not happen because the body ceases to function. The end of life comes because the Creator of life has determined the habitation of creation with limitations. Death is designed in the cords of life as birth is the beginning. When God formed the man from the dust of the ground and created the woman from the side of man He ordained the body at that moment to be mortal. Death is not a mystery. “And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). The tree of life was taken from man “lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22). Paul shows that death came as a consequence of sin (Romans 5:12).

The Bible is the only book that explains the nature of life and death. With the exception of Enoch (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah (2 Kings 2) all have suffered at the hands of death – including Jesus Christ. Many died and were resurrected (2 Kings 13:21; Matthew 10:8; Hebrews 11:35) but only one died and was raised to never die again.      “Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20). The death of Jesus was in the fashion of all men and He went to Hades where he lay in the bosom of Abraham. It was the third day that everything changed. “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead” (Acts 13:29-30). Death has always been for man a final departure and without understanding. The resurrection of Jesus takes away the finality of death and completely fills the void of understanding with the love of His Father.

Through the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of God to raise Him from the dead, man has the answer to death. “’Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54b-57). Because of God’s love there remains no longer a fear of death and the world of death (Hades) will no longer have dominion over man. “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). What a joy to know that death is not a horrible and unknown beast filling us with fear. “Death would be terrifying if there were not alongside it, resplendent immortality” (Adrien-Emanuel Roquette, 1882).

All men must die and whether accepted or not it is a reality (save the coming of the Lord Jesus). Our loved ones will die and our friends will suffer the pains of death. The world is still held under the sway of bereavement with wails of sorrow and remorse in the separation death brings. For the child of God death is not a finality but a beginning of an eternal presence with the Father. Francis of Sales wrote, “We must die! These words are hard, but they are followed by a great happiness: it is in order to be with God that we die” (1567-1622). The greatest joy we share as promised children of the covenant of God is the knowledge that death also is mortal. The mortality that we fear has its own mortality. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:20-26).

Death is our enemy but Jesus Christ has conquered death and conquers death every day the world exists. There is coming a day when the enemy of life will be destroyed and will never inflict its sting upon man. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14). Victory! Overcoming! Finality! Destruction! Death is no more. Praise God He takes away the fear of death. “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:8-9).

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The True Man

Posted on January 29, 2014 by heatonkent

Bibles013The True Man

The Jews had a hard time accepting the man from Nazareth as a person of worth and consideration. They never denied His miracles but constantly battled Jesus over His teachings. In John 7 they could not get past the problem of His education. “Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this Man know letters, having never studied?’ Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him’” (John 7:14-18). The teachings of Jesus astonished the people (Matthew 7:28-29). He was the son of a carpenter and unlearned but taught with such authority the Jewish leaders could never trap Him in His teachings.

Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He affirmed His teaching was not His own but from the Father. Every word He spoke came from the Father above. Later Jesus would tell the Jews, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things” (John 8:28). The Son of God established that all truth came from the Father and not Himself. The true man is one who teaches what the Father has said. If Jesus would tell the multitudes His teaching was His own apart from God He would glorify Himself apart from the Father. Jesus knew His mission was not His own but His Father’s.

The temptation of the pride of life would weigh heavy upon Jesus in His work. He was adored by the multitudes when He turned five loaves of bread and two fishes into a banquet for over five thousand people (John 6:1-14). “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone” (John 6:15). Satan tempted Jesus with the pride of life in Matthew 4:8-9 offering Him the kingdoms of the world. The Lord retorted to the devil that worship belongs only to the Lord and to Him alone (Matthew 4:10). He knew that all He did was for the glory of the Father and not Himself. It was imperative that all men know the teachings of Jesus were the words of the Father.

Jesus established a pattern for truth that comes from the throne of God. Standing before Pilate, the Son of God was asked, “What is truth” (John 18:38)? The answer is not found in the wisdom of men but the authority of the Father. All of the teachings of Jesus came from the mind of God and establishing truth must come from the mind of God alone. Creation is established upon the word of God as written by Moses (Genesis 1-2). Righteousness finds its character in how the Father defines what is right and wrong (Genesis 3). The consequence of disobeying the word of God is demonstrated by the flood in Genesis 6-7. Found in the flood is the grace of God and the need for obedience by man. The nation of Israel shows the nature of what is right as the Old Testament unfolds their history and final rebellion and punishment. The law of God glories the Father. The law of man glorifies man.

Religious error comes from men establishing their own law of truth exalting the wisdom of creation over the Creator. No religion would stand if they appealed only to the law of God. The word of God is the sole foundation for authority and whether a person agrees or disagrees with the Bible it does not change what is true. A person can believe the world is flat but that will not change the truth. Churches today can peddle their goods of religious zeal and fervor but without truth it is vain. Jesus told the woman at the well that “the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

“What must I do to be saved” can only be answered from a diligent study of the word of God. The man who is true is the one who will seek only the word of God for his answer. Worship cannot be based upon a “feel good” religion of popular ideals that excite the senses of the spirit. Worship must be according to what the Bible directs. Marriage is confirmed by the words of God and divorce is explained only through the word of God. Morality can never be measured by the whims of societal placations. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Too many Bible studies are studies without the Bible. The opinions of men and norms of worldly minded experts begin to define what truth is appealing to the multitudes who desire to live as a law to themselves. There is only one body of truth and that comes from the Father above.

Jesus said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16). No man should take a lesser stand than Jesus. Peter exhorts the early disciples, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (1 Peter 4:11). The apostle echoes the words of his teacher. God must be glorified in our teaching regardless of what men say or do. Paul told Timothy to “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). What else is there?

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She Stood At The Tomb Weeping

Posted on January 20, 2014 by heatonkent

AP0306She Stood At The Tomb Weeping

 It was the last day she would be able to enter the tomb to dress the body of Jesus. Joseph and Nicodemus had hurriedly prepared the body on Friday placing Jesus in the tomb of Joseph. Returning on the first day of the week final preparations would be made to the body for entombment. The day after Sabbath was the last day friends would be able to come and commune with their teacher as he lay in the tomb. Sadly when Mary came to the tomb her heart was rent in two finding the tomb empty. What had happened? How could this be? The stone had been removed and realizing that something was terribly wrong Mary hastened to Peter and John telling them the alarming news the body of Jesus was missing. The two disciples raced to the tomb finding it empty. Puzzled and dismayed they returned home leaving Mary in the garden weeping and broken hearted.

The lone figure of a weeping woman filled the garden with the mournful tears of fear and sadness. Still disbelieving her Lord was taken she looked inside the tomb and found two men sitting where the body of Jesus lay. They asked Mary, “’Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him’” (John 20:13). She did not know who the “they” were but she could not understand why “they” had taken his body. The soldiers who had guarded the tomb were in the city reporting to the chief priests what had happened (Matthew 28:11-15). How could anyone take the body of Jesus? Why would they desecrate the tomb by taking the body? She wanted to know where her Lord’s body was!

Standing behind her a man appeared. She did not know it was Jesus and thought He was the gardener. “He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him’” (John 20:15-16). A little frustrated anger rises up in her broken heart because if this man did something with the body of her Lord then he better tell her right now where it is and she will take care of it. How dare he take the body out of the tomb? He should know what happened to the body and she demands to know what happened.  A determined woman.

And then it happens. Can you see this moment? Can you see the face of Jesus as He utters these words, “Mary”? Now turn the camera on the face of Mary as “she turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’)” (John 20:16). Tears of grief become a flood of joy and she wants to grab him and squeeze him so tight He would bust. Her joy is tempered by the Lord’s admonition that His presence does not suggest He is there to stay. Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'” (John 20:17). He knows that in forty days He will return to His Father. His work on earth will be accomplished and the task of teaching the lost the good news of a risen Savior will rest upon the shoulders of people like Mary. Racing back to the disciples she expresses with unbounded joy the news of the risen Lord.

She stood at the tomb weeping. Someone had taken the body of her Lord and she was distraught. The deep feelings of grief filled her heart because of her love for Jesus. Her feelings were not uncaring, uninterested nor indifferent. We hear often of people dying but our feelings are not expressed with weeping and sadness of heart. A simple reason is we do not know the person and while we may mourn the loss because of a tragedy our connection does not create feelings of deep sadness. Mary stood at the tomb weeping and broken-hearted because she loved her Lord. She would learn in the next few days how special Jesus was and after Jesus ascended to His Father she would grow to love Him more and more. But at this moment she was a broken woman because of her relationship to the man from Nazareth. We all need to spend time at the empty tomb weeping for our Lord.

The challenge for us is that we know He rose and that He lives and reigns at the right hand of God. But the empty tomb means more than a cavern void of a body. It signifies the cruelty of Jesus’ death on a cross and the sting of death. He suffered in the days of His flesh and learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:7-8). Mary wept because of her love for Jesus. She had been crying for three days as she witnessed the crucifixion, spending a Sabbath day without her Lord and finding on the first day of the week His body was gone. We need to have the heart of Mary to experience the feelings of sadness for what man (you and I) has done to the Son of God. Our weeping is trying to understand what cannot be understood. How can a loving God save such a wretched creature like man? Look in the empty tomb and you will find the answer. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5-6)!

Mary Magdalene knew the horror of Satan (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2) but she found peace in the presence of Jesus. It is probable that Mary was among the women of Acts 1:14 (see John 19:25). The story of Jesus to those early disciples would include the day she stood at the empty tomb of Jesus weeping. But she would tell them of her tears of joy when she saw her Lord face to face. He was not just a figure to her; He was her “Rabboni.” Our faith will only be as strong as the tears we shed standing at the empty tomb of Jesus and finding the power of the resurrection to change our lives.

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Suffer The Little Children

Posted on January 14, 2014 by heatonkent

AP0505Suffer The Little Children 

The Lord had just finished a tense discourse with the Pharisees who were trying to trap Him in His teaching about divorce when little children were brought to Him “that He might put His hands on them and pray” (Matthew 19:13). His disciples sought to refuse the disruption rebuking the parents for troubling the Lord with children. However it was the Lord who rebuked the disciples because He longed to be with the children. “And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).

Jesus, the Son of God, took time for children. He understood the value and worth of the little minds that needed to see His Father as much as the hardened hearts of the Jewish leaders. He not only took time for them but He laid His hands on them and prayed with them. Paint the picture: there is the Creator of the world holding children in His lap, caressing their hair, speaking words of comfort and joy to their little ears, smiling and thanking His Father for the joy of young hearts.

David the psalmist knew the power of children. “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen– even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth” (Psalms 8).

Children have a pure heart. They are not corrupted with the prejudices of life that change the hearts from a simple trust in God to the dark wisdom of man. The little ones are amazed at the stars and the sun and the moon. Their eyes see butterflies, bugs, leaves and ripples on the water. Forgiveness is not hard for them and it matters not who the other child is and what color skin they have. Children love children because they have a child’s heart.

Earlier Jesus had taught that to be part of the kingdom of God a heart of a child was needed. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:3-5). It is sad when children grow up and lose the humility that characterized their first years. Adults teach the values to children that destroy that innocence when children should remind adults the nature of being a humble person.

Every aspect of the life of a Christian is measured by the heart of a child. Forgiveness only comes from a heart that is humbled by the forgiveness granted by the Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:14-15). Esteeming others better than one self (Philippians 2:1-11) is developed from the mind of a child. So often the fusses within families and churches stem from those who fail to act like children in the proper setting of kindness and love. Children do not have wrinkles on their brow because they do not worry but trust the Father. They do not have to understand everything to believe in the Father; it means more to them to be able to hold His hand in dark storms and feel secure.

The Lord took time for children. It would seem a bother to the disciples to interrupt the schedule of such an important man like Jesus. And Jesus lived an exhausted life. But one has to imagine how treasured and precious those fleeting moments of holding children were to the Lord to refresh His spirit and bring a smile to His wearied face. Can we do any less?

It goes without saying that fathers need to realize the time with their children is fleeting and there is no time like the present. Your work and your hobbies are not as important as the time you spend with your children – holding them and praying with them. There will come a time they will no longer sit in your lap but they will always be able to pray with you. They need to hear your voice in prayer and learn how to talk to the Heavenly Father as you talk to Him.

One of the great needs in the church today is for the shepherds or elders who tend the flock to also realize the need to tending the children. The example of Jesus would suggest that time should be spent for the shepherds visiting with the children and praying with them. Often elders are so busy with the adults they neglect the children and young people. What impact did it have on the children who sat in Jesus lap and heard Him pray? How wonderful to teach our children the important role elders have in shepherding the flock of God and for them to see and experience firsthand the prayers of the elders.

Children are not the church of the future but rather the church of today! They have so much to teach us in their humility and their love. We should never dismiss them from gatherings of adults but rather encourage them to sit quietly at the feet of their parents listening and learning about God from the hearts of the adults. There is a time to go and play and enjoy the company of other children but do not neglect the golden opportunities to teach them respect and honor for the grownups. Suffer the little children!

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Jesus Died For Food, Fun & Frolicking

Posted on December 31, 2013 by heatonkent

Jesus Died For Food, Fun & Frolickingcrucifixion carry cross

As the covering of the garden surrounded the band of 12 men and darkness overshadowed their presence the chimes of eternal glory began to sound forth the coming event of man’s salvation. The Almighty looked upon His only begotten Son bowed in sorrow as He pleads for mercy in the coming sacrifice. Soldiers and leaders of the nation of God drag Jesus through humiliating courts filled with envy, hatred and fear. Finally on a hill of death the Roman Empire exacted its feeble power to execute the man from Nazareth. Death settled upon the land in darkness both literally and spiritually as the smug hypocrites of the Jewish nation rejoiced at the miserable death of that troublemaker whom they feared.

The first day of the week changed all that when light spread throughout the whole world and the gospel was born upon the shoulders of the disciples of Christ who took the redeeming message of God’s grace to every corner of the world. Peter and the eleven pronounced before a vast throng of devout Jews they had killed the Messiah. The apostles would be brought before councils being warned not to teach in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and yet boldly go forth rejecting the counsel of men. Saul of Tarsus would become one of the great harbingers of salvation showing the world the dying Savior for all generations to see. The early church preached the message of redemption to a world filled with pagan idolatry, immoral virtues, murderous political agendas and according to Paul, “was preached to every creature under heaven” (Colossians 1:23).

To the Roman crowd Paul would show that faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Speaking of his own preaching the apostle reminded the Corinthian church that he only presented the truth without fanfare and trappings of man. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

The goal of Paul’s preaching was not to attract disciples by the wisdom of man and tickle the ear with the allurements of fleshly desires. He preached Christ crucified so their faith would be in the only salvation man could hope for. He did not need to dress up the gospel or make it more appealing so more people would accept his message. Repentance comes from the heart that is filled with godly sorrow and preaching the gospel of Christ inflicts the sorrow of sin to be regretted (2 Corinthians 7:10). That is all Paul preached when he traveled. Peter and the eleven went throughout the whole world making “disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

In Athens Paul stood in the midst of the idols of man’s totems and declared the true and living God (Acts 17). If the aged apostle were alive today he would stand in the parking lots of many churches of Christ declaring the “unknown God” they have left behind in their pursuits of appealing to the fickle nature of man’s inner desire for food, fun and frolicking. Two thousand years removed from the garden of Gethsemane and Golgotha stand monuments to the failing belief in the power of the gospel message of Jesus Christ and the message of a dying Savior on a cross. The itching ears for entertainment is now the siren song of churches of Christ who fill their numbers by becoming like the protestant churches around them. The belief is that to interest people in the crucified Savior He must be cleaned up and sanitized with the appeal of a modern world.

The charge is made that to interest the world in the gospel an appeal must be made to their desires. Some churches of Christ are beginning to use instruments of music in worship to satisfy the whims of converts. Women are taking on leadership roles to keep in step with the religious norms of society. Marriage, divorce and remarriage are swept under the rug of indifference in fear of causing many to reject the gospel. Adultery and homosexuality are viewed with less concern. The social gospel of bounce houses, cotton candy, popcorn, big screen televisions and festivals year round draw the multitudes to the weakened message of a modern philosophy of social acceptance. Food, fun, frolicking and fellowship is why Jesus died on the cross; at least that is the message given.

Man has never been satisfied with the way God does things. The First Century disciples preached the gospel to a world more hostile than anyone has seen today and yet their message spread like fire. Their appeal was the Word! They sought to make disciples not fill the bellies of men with hotdogs and hamburgers. Lives were changed because people were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) not growling in their stomachs. Sin was conquered through the blood of Jesus Christ; not ketchup on a bun. The cotton candy of modern theology is creating a system of religious tolerance that accepts anyone who walks under a sign as a child of God.

Paul and Barnabas faced great opposition in Iconium “when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there” (Acts 14:5-7). Did they change their preaching? Did they seek to appeal to the Iconium’s desires? They kept preaching the same message. Later Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. Paul left for Derbe and kept preaching the same gospel.

The gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). If the gospel is that powerful why does man need to dress it up with allurements of the world? Hearts are in need of change. Lives are in need of change. I hesitate to include the old adage that says if you convert someone with fried chicken, sweet tea and ice cream you wind up with people as dead as the chicken, weak as the tea and cold as the ice cream. There is a grain of truth to that. Jesus died on the cross to bring penitent and remorseful people sorrowing over sin seeking the mercy and grace of a loving Father to their own cross bearing (Luke 14:26-33).

Jesus taught the need of separation from the attractions of the world. “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:26-27). Many of His disciples walked with Him no more after He taught them the lesson of the “bread of life” (John 6:32-69). Many today will not follow Him because the appeal of a crucified Savior is not enough. Not enduring sound doctrine “but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

It must also be understood that the modern appeals of many churches of Christ find no authority in scripture. Bill Hall said, “We are either going to take this matter of restoration of New Testament Christianity seriously or we’re not. We are either going to take the idea of ‘speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent’ seriously or we are not. If we are not going to take the concept of restoring New Testament Christianity seriously, then by all means let’s quit giving it lip service. Let’s just forget the whole thing and do anything we want to do, whether we have Bible authority for it or not. But, on the other hand, if we are really serious about restoring New Testament Christianity – if we are really serious about making the local church according to the pattern given in the New Testament – then let’s rid ourselves of these things that have been introduced into the church for which there is no New Testament authority. Let’s go back and become what the Lord intended His church to be. It’s one way or the other. We can’t have it both ways, talking about restoring New Testament Christianity while accepting all kinds of innovations for which there is no New Testament authority. It just won’t work.” (Restudying Issues of the 50’s and 60’s; A historical perspective.)

God’s design is always best and when we follow the design of the New Testament then we will be blessed. Stand only for the word of God. Stand for truth.

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Jesus Loves The Little Children (Gary Ogden)

Posted on December 25, 2013 by heatonkent

Don-and-GaryJesus Loves The Little Children

(Gary Ogden)

Jesus was a busy man. His days were filled with teaching, healing, and dealing with opponents. Large crowds pressed upon him and pressing concerns occupied his attention. He constantly had to correct misconceptions of his disciples, especially the Twelve who worked with him every day.

Near the end of his earthly ministry, the disciples were arguing again about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mark 9:34). That discussion had to get old for the Lord because they just couldn’t seem to get it straight. Once again, Jesus said, “If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Then he took a little child into his arms and said, “Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me…” (Mark 9:36).

It wasn’t too long after as Jesus was immersed in teaching the multitudes (Mark 10:1), that some of the parents brought their little children to Jesus for him to touch and bless them. In spite of what Jesus had so plainly said about “receiving little children” the disciples rebuked the parents for bothering the Master (Mark 10:13). This bothered Jesus, he was moved with indignation toward his disciples, and stated matter-of-factly, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children” (v.14, Sim. Eng. N.T.). He further stated that “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” At that point, he took the children in his arms and blessed them (v.16).

What a sight it must have been, Jesus with all the important things he had to do, all the important people he had to see and discuss high matters with and he took the time for little children. He did not just use them as object lessons for his sermons, but truly loved and cared for them. I’m sure it must have been a great drain on his time and energy to take time out for the children, but he was gracious to do so. If I had been a parent living in that time, I think I would have wanted the Lord to hold my sons in his arms and bless them. Can’t you just see the smile on Jesus’ face as he held the little children and infants?       

“Let the little children come to me.” It would seem that there is more to the statement than just allowing them to come into his presence to be touched and blessed. Jesus would be concerned with ultimate spiritual welfare of these children and one day would want them to come to him in faith and obedience.

What about the parents who wanted their children to be touched and blessed by Jesus? What parent, in his or her right mind, wouldn’t want God to bless their child and to be in his presence? Good parents today still want that for their children. They want them to become acquainted with Jesus and the Heavenly Father. They want their children to “come to Jesus.”

Jesus is no longer on earth so developing faith in our children by teaching them about the Lord must be a priority. It is the prime responsibility of Christian parents to instill in their children the knowledge of Christ, God, the Bible and the spiritual relationship that is called the church. They read Bible stories to their children just like they read nursery rhymes. They pray with their children and talk with them about Bible principles. They faithfully take them to assemblies where the Bible is taught and worship is performed. They want their children to be comfortable “in the presence of the Lord.”

Can these little children be taught such high and lofty principles? It might astound you what they pick up, even in the nursery class. I heard the other day that toddler Brett taught newcomer Savannah to say “Bible.” He said, “Bible” about a dozen times and she finally said it. How many little children in our society today know how to say “Bible” much less what it’s all about?

Jesus still wants the little children to come to him, but not enough parents are bringing them! Unfortunately, some Christian parents are falling down on this great responsibility. They’ve lost interest themselves and so their children are going to suffer from the loss. Jesus has some choice words for such parents and anyone else who would hinder a child from coming to Christ: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). What greater sin is there than extinguishing the fire of faith in Christ in the heart of a little child? Think about it!

Sometimes, we feel we just don’t have time for the little children. We get so busy with so many “important” things that we don’t find the time to fit the little children into our lives. We don’t intend to neglect or ignore them, but our priorities are mixed up. If Jesus could find time to pick up, caress and bless the toddlers and infants, surely we can show them some attention and affection. Are you any busier than Jesus was?

We need to spend time and affection on little children because Jesus said that when we humble ourselves as little children we are fit subjects for his kingdom. Those who despise the children and the child-like spirit cannot get through the door of the kingdom.

In the words of the children’s song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world…..They are precious in his sight.” Do you love the children? How are you showing it? Do you possess the child-like spirit of humility?

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One Thing I Do: 2014

Posted on December 25, 2013 by heatonkent

2014-Numbers-Happy-2014-New-Year-Images-WallpaperOne Thing I Do: 2014

Every 365 days we renegotiate our resolutions we failed to live by the previous year and promise to try harder in the next 365 days to uphold the resolve so easily entrusted to our temporal spirit of flesh. Within 90 days of said new resolutions we find ourselves squandering away the tenacity that so easily ensnared us with hope New Years. Man is the only creature that makes these kinds of promises. The animals live day to day with the knowledge of where their food comes (Isaiah 1:3) and how silly those created in the image of God frantically seek for satisfaction in new acquired resolutions to frame their lives with.

The need to find resolve in our hearts is what the Lord has always wanted for his people. Joshua uttered those wonderful words of declaration when he said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Abraham was a man known by God “that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him” (Genesis 18:19). David was a man after the heart of the Lord “who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). These men had resolutions in their lives that guided their hearts to the throne of God.

Paul had a simple set of resolutions he lived by. It was not a complex set of requirements that demanded a long list of do’s and don’ts. He did not try to make unreasonable expectations upon himself. His motto in life year by year was clear and demonstrative: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

The apostle from Tarsus knew the struggles he faced in life and how often he failed to live up the grace of God (Romans 7:13-24). The thorn in the flesh was paramount in his life to teach him the sufficiency of the grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). His life was measured by the battle lines draw against the “spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12). The race he ran was filled with hardships of tribulations, distresses, imprisonments, needs and suffering (2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 11:23-28). How was he able to live such a full life without fear but with power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)? He did ONE thing: he forgot those things behind and reached for the things ahead!

Standing before King Agrippa the prisoner Paul declared that he did many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. “This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities” (Acts 26:10-11). New Year’s resolutions do not remove the guilt of yesterday; only the grace and mercy of God. Paul was able to clearly affirm that his past did not define who he was nor did it determine his future. Forgiven of his sins (Acts 22:16) he was reaching forward to those things which were ahead. Paul was going through life ‘looking through the front windshield not the rear view mirror.’

On the mountain Jesus instructed His disciples to seek the rule of God in their lives and not worry about “tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). If I am not to be concerned about the next day why should I fret about my yesterdays? Forgetting those things that are behind is the knowledge that we can make better choices today because we are reaching toward a higher call. All of my decisions will be framed within the will of God. Only Satan wants us to focus on yesterday to see what miserable failures we are and how worthless we become in examining our lives. Driving with yesterday’s failures will only cloud what we can accomplish today.

As I approach a New Year my resolve should be to forget the things that are behind. To forget something is to “disremember” it (fail or be unable to remember something). Remove the stain of guilt with God’s love. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12). He did not say north and south: He said EAST and WEST. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). The “abundant mercy” of God helps us forget the past.

Peering over the horizon of a new year our focus should be to do “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). Reaching forward is how Paul planned his day. He wanted to lay hold of what he had put in front of his life: a goal! Henry David Thoreau said one thing right: “We only hit what we aim at.” Unlike Thoreau the apostle Paul had a goal of eternal reward as he patterned his life to the true and living God. Everything in life must be measured by this goal. Whatever resolutions are made should only be made with the goal of a higher call in God.

The life of a child of God is filled with promise and hope. It will not be measured by the futile pursuits of materialism or pleasure. Our resolutions will be built upon the simple truth of God’s will. Like Paul I will do one thing: forget what is behind and reach forward to what is before me. I will make my goals to reflect in my prayer life, my time in God’s word, my time with my fellow Christians, my efforts with the local family of God and my hope in the promise of eternal life.

When 365 days fade from the sands of time many we know will no longer be with us. For some who are reading these words time will be shorter as life is taken during this year. The reality of the coming of the Lord should never be far removed from our knowledge as he will return as a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). But does it matter? Enoch lived in such a way that when he “was translated so that he did not see death” (Hebrews 11:5) it was not a surprise to him. Saints of God live 365 days a year with the expectation of the coming of the Lord and when that happens they will be found waiting not wanting (Luke 12:35-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12).

Moses the man of God said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). With the passing of an old year and the promise of a new year we should number our days in accordance with the grace of God. Be thankful for the breath of life given by God that we are able to see another day. Plead the promises of God to guide you through another year. Live each day looking to Jesus as Savior, King, Lord and Teacher so that when time is no more we may all stand on the eternal shores of God’s promise and give praise and glory to Lord God Almighty.

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The Simple New Testament Gospel (Gary Ogden)

Posted on December 20, 2013 by heatonkent

PICT0062 (2)

The Simple New Testament Gospel (Gary Ogden)

Nearly 2,000 years ago, a man of Galilee walked the earth, said many things and by his life and death changed the world forever. He claimed to be more than a mere man; he said he was the son of God and that He was with the Father from the beginning of time. To prove those claims, he performed miracles of healing and showed his power over nature by calming storms and even raised the dead. The ultimate proof of his claims was that he was raised from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.

He said he was going to die and be raised again and it happened just as he said. He made many disciples, some of who would die telling the story of the crucifixion of the Savior and his resurrection. The Lord had commanded his apostles to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This gospel was what would save men from the horror of sin; it was the power of God unto salvation.

As these men fulfilled that great commission, those that believed their message responded in a favorable way by being baptized for the remission of their sins: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them’” (Acts 2:37-41).

Then they banded together in accordance with the Lord’s command and became a congregation to worship and work together after God’s ordinances: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). They were known simply as the church, or the Lord’s church, the church of Christ. They were followers of Christ and were called simply, Christians: “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

The church of Christ is a congregation established and patterned after the New Testament blueprint. Terms of church membership are taught exactly as they were taught by the apostles 2,000 years ago. The same gospel taught by Paul and Peter and John and all the inspired men are taught in Bible classes and from the pulpit. If the gospel of Christ was the power of God unto salvation 2,000 years ago (“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16), can there be any question that it will still save men and women today?

All need to be made the friends of God because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from the God of the universe and the gospel is God’s remedy for the problem. If we die in our sins, then we must spend an eternity away from the presence of God in flaming fire of hell.

Thanks be to God that he provided a sacrifice for our sins and revealed the terms of pardon in the Bible. It is extremely important for all of us to learn the simple gospel plan of salvation if we want to go to heaven when this life is over. It makes no difference how moral or religious we think we are, we still need to know the truth as revealed in God’s holy word, the Bible.

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