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SalvationFEBRUARY 1

Bible Reading: I John 5:13-21Key Verse: 13- These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the

Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on

the name of the Son of God.Key Words: Believe on the name of the Son of God

The most important decision that anyone makes in life is the decision in regardto their eternal destiny. Which raises the question of how can we be saved? Theanswer is found in Gods Word: I John 5:11-12 says:And this is the record, that Godhath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life;and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

How do we have the Son? One of the most popular verses in the Bible tells us.John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, thatwhosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Salvation only comes by believing in Jesus Christ.There is a story I love to tell about Dr. Lee Roberson. It seems as though one

Sunday morning a young boy went down to get saved. That night he was baptized.The next Sunday, here comes the same little fellow down the aisle again, telling Dr.

Roberson he needed to get saved. That night after making a profession of faith, hewas baptized again. The next Sunday, you guessed it: here he comes again. Thatnight at the baptismal service Dr. Roberson dunked him under the water and heldhim there. After a few seconds, he brought him up and asked him what he wanted.The little fellow said, Air, please, air!

Dr. Roberson said, Wrong answer! and dunked him again. After a few secondshe brought him up and asked again, What do you want?

The little fellow cried, Mother, save me!To which Dr. Roberson said: Wrong answer, and dunked him again. A fewseconds later he brought him up and again said, What do you want?

To which he replied, Dear Jesus, please save me!To which Dr. Roberson said, Now youve got it, son. Now youve got it!Salvation comes by believing in Jesus Christ- nothing else and no other way.

Thats it. That is a foundational truth!

What to do: Read and study the following verses: John 3:16, 18, 36; John 5:27;

John 1:11-13; Romans 10:9,10; Romans 1:16

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Assurance of SalvationFEBRUARY 2

Bible Reading: I John 5:1-3Key Verse: 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the

Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on

the name of the Son of God.Key Words: that ye may know that ye have eternal life.

The Book of I John was written in order that you and I could have full joy (IJohn 1:4). John goes on to write about this particular subject. In I John chapters 1 &2 he writes about our fellowship with God, and in chapters 3-5 he writes about theassurance of our salvation. He gives us two primary ways of knowing that we aresaved. First, we love the brethren; and second, we love God.

Loving the brethren means that we dont use or abuse them (see Romans 13).Loving God means we desire to keep His commandments-not to be saved butbecause we are saved.

There is no joy in not having assurance in ones salvation. Sometimes when youare in an airport, observe the difference between passengers who hold confirmedtickets and those who are on standby. The ones with confirmed tickets readnewspapers, chat with their friends or sleep. The ones on standby hang around the

ticket counter, pace and smoke, smoke and pace. The difference is caused by theconfidence factor. If you knew that in fifteen minutes you would have to stand in

judgment before the Holy God and learn your eternal destiny, what would yourreaction be? Would you smoke and pace? Would you say to yourself, I dont knowwhat God is going to saywill it be Welcome home, child, or will it be Depart fromme; I never knew you?

Do you have assurance of your salvation? You can, you know!

What to do: Read the following verses on assurance of salvation. John 10:28-30,

Romans 8:16 & 28-35, John 6:37.

If you are unsure and want to talk to someone, you can contact someone on ourstaff by e-mail: admin@mountainviewbaptist.org or by phone: (205) 854-2741.

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Security of the BelieverFEBRUARY 3

Bible Reading: II Timothy 1:1-12Key Verse: 12-For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not

ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to

keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.Key Words: he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him

The Bible teaches once saved always saved. Let me be clear: You cannot loseyour salvation. Salvation is not based upon what you do but what Jesus did. Weread in John 19:30 where Jesus said, It is finished. Jesus was not talking about hislife being finished; but Gods plan of salvation was finished.

In I Peter 1:5 we read, Who are kept by the power of God through faith untosalvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In I John 10:28-30 we read that once you are saved you are in the hand of God.Therefore, if you can lose your salvation, it is not you that loses it but God. And thatis not possible.

In Ephesians 1:13 & 4:31 we are sealed unto the day of redemption. The wordsealedmeans secure.

Watchman Nee tells about a new convert who came in deep distress to see

him. No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem tobe faithful to my Lord. I think Im losing my salvation.Nee said, Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained; he nevermakes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have ason, a baby son. He makes a mess, he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes;he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my kingdom? Not my dog; my son ismy heir. You are Jesus Christs heir because it is for you that he died.

We are Christs heirs, not through our perfection but by means of His grace.Need I remind you that David did not say, Restore unto me my salvation, but

restore unto me the JOY of my salvation. (emphasis added)Also, Peter denied the Lord. Jesus didnt ask Peter if he was saved but, Do you

love me?I would encourage you to examine yourself to see if you are saved, but I also

remind you that once saved, always saved. (II Corinthians 13:5)

What to do:Read the following verses: John 5:24; 10:28-30; Romans 8:35-39; andHebrews 13:5.

Think about it: As a believer you are in the hand of God; you are covered by theblood of Christ; you are sealed by the Holy Spirit- sounds pretty secure to me!

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The TrinityFEBRUARY 4

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-15Key Verse: 4-Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:Key Words: The LORD, our God

What does the Bible say about the Trinity? The truth is that the word trinity isnot in the Bible, but the concept of the Trinity most definitely is. So just what is theTrinity? The Trinity is one God existing in three Persons. That is the essence of theTrinity. God the Father is God, God the Son (Jesus) is God, and God the Holy Spiritis God. Yet there is only one God. Advocates of other religions who do not believe inthe Trinity will immediately object at this point and say that this is impossible. But the

truth is that God is so much greater than us and so far beyond our understandingthat it is not for us to say what is or is not possible for God. As we shall see, theScriptures very clearly tell us that the Father is God, that Jesus is God and that theHoly Spirit is God; and yet that God is one God. Some have tried to compare theTrinity to water. You see, water can be a gas, a liquid or a solid-and yet it is stillwater. That metaphor is quite imperfect, but it can be helpful to an extent. The realityis that no metaphor is going to be fully able to describe God, but God has revealedHimself in His Word, and when we turn to the Scriptures, we find all the answers that

we need.In I Corinthians 8:4 we read the words There is no God but one. In Galatians

3:20 it says: Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.Other reference verses are: I John 5:7, I Timothy 2:5 & Isaiah 45:5.

What to do:

Let Gods Word guide you. Remember the words of Jeremiah 29:13which states, And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall searchfor me with all your heart.

The Inspiration of the ScriptureFEBRUARY 5

Bible Reading: II Timothy 3Key Verse: 16- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Key Words: all scripture is given by inspiration of God

Believing in the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures is the very foundation of theChristian faith. If the Bible was not divinely inspired, then it is subject to error and all

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we believe is unreliable. But thanks be to God we can know that the Bible is GodsWord divinely inspired by Him.

The word inspired means God breathed. When men were used to write thewords God spoke, they were merely vessels for Gods use.

Because the Bible is the divinely, inspired Word of God, it is profitable for

doctrine (teaching us what is right), for reproof (teaching us what is not right), forcorrection (teaching us how to get right) and for instruction (teaching us how to stayright).

I believe every aspect of Gods Word is inspired even down to the punctuationmarks which are vital as well.

Maria Fedorovna, wife of Czar Alexander III and empress of Russia, once useda comma to save a prisoner from Siberian exile. Alexanders warrant had read,Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia. Maria intervened and moved the comma

so that the note read, Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia. The prisoner wassubsequently released!

Today, you can trust Gods Word because it came from God--not man!

What to do: Read the following verses that teach the verbal inspiration of Scripture:

II Peter 1:20-21; I Corinthians 14:37; John 14:10,24; Psalm 12:6;Romans 10:11; Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 11:7,9; II Samuel 23:1-3.

What A BookFEBRUARY 6

Bible Reading: Psalm119:1-8Key Verse: 1-ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of

the LORD.

Key Words: who walk in the way of the Lord

Every verse of Psalm 119 mentions Gods Word. For example, in verse 1 HisWord is called the Law; verse 2--His Testimonies; verse 3--His Ways; verse 4--His

Precepts; verse 5--Thy Statutes; verse 6--His Commandments; verse 7--HisJudgments.

Robert Hastings writes:I remember vividly the first day of English literature when I was in the eighth

grade. Our teacher, Winifred Perry, walked to the chalkboard and wrote, What is abook? Then she said, Bring me your definitions tomorrow.

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To ourselves, at least, we snickered. Doesnt this woman even know what abook is?

But the next day we discovered she was serious as each of us took turnsreading our definitions. Then she quoted John Miltons classic definition, which Ishall never forget: A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit,

embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a Life beyond Life.In the years since, I have often applied this to the Bible, that Book of books,which truly is the spirit of God Himself, preserved with paper and ink.

This does not mean the Bible is to be venerated, but rather, it is the teachings ofthe Bible that have meaning for our lives. A pastor visiting a sick lady asked if shehad a Bible handy from which he could read to her, Oh yes, she responded,reaching under her pillow, I keep it here for good luck all the time!

During the Vietnam War, a news photo showed a soldier holding his bullet

riddled helmet. Inside was a Bible his mother gave him before he left for overseas,and it had helped deflect the bullets. A few days later another news story describeda soldier whose life had been saved by letters from his girl friend, which he, too, hadstuffed in the liner of his helmet.

In honesty, was it the Bible as a good luck charm that deflected the bullet, orsimply the fact that it was made up of so much protective paper, much like theletters from the girl friend?

We cheapen the Bible to use it like a rabbits foot. Only when its preciouslifeblood becomes our guide and rule does it have any real meaning. Bibles are tobe loved and studied. Its the God of the Blessed Book that makes the difference.

What to do: Use the Bible as Gods Word for you, not as a good luck charm.

GivingFEBRUARY 7

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 5:12-21Key Verse: 17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Key Words: he is a new creature

Do you realize that everything created by God gives?

God created the sun, and it gives. God created the moon, and it gives. God created the grass and herbs, and they give. God created the animals, and they give.

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God created the fowls of the air, and they give. God created the fish in the sea, and they give. God created water, and it gives. God created air, and it gives.God is the Great Giver, and everything created by God gives. Not only does it

give, it was created to give and give not of necessity but willingly and freely.The point being one way we know that we are a new creature (born again) is

that we freely and willingly give. Giving is a part of being a child of Gods.When you go to the doctor for your annual check-up, the doctor will often begin

to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, Does this hurt? Howabout this? If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctorhas pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity; or, more likely, there is somethingwrong. And the doctor will say, We had better do some more tests. Its notsupposed to hurt there!

So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain memberscry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastorhas pushed too hard, or perhaps, there is something wrong. In that case, I say, Myfriend, we are in need of the Great Physician because its not supposed to hurtthere.

Giving, it comes with being created in God (born again).

What to do: Remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

God Is LoveFEBRUARY 8

Bible Reading: I John 4:1-8Key Verse: 8- He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.Key Words: God is love

There is nothing that God does or allows that does not spring from His love.

God is Love.Often people will question Gods love and ask how could God? A thorough

study of Gods Word would reveal that God protects His own, an example being theEgyptian army drowning in the Red Sea was to protect His people--Israel. Just asyou would protect your family out of love, God protects His own as well. But wecertainly cannot question Gods love for us: For God so loved the world, that he

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gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, buthave everlasting life.

A certain medieval preacher announced that he would be preaching the nextSunday evening on The Love of God. As the shadows fell and the light ceased tocome in through the windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the

altar, the preacher lit a candle and carried it to a crucifix. First of all, he illumined thecrown of thorns next to the two wounded hands, then the spear wound. In the hushthat fell, he blew out the candle and left the church. There was nothing else to say.

He had just illuminated the demonstration of Gods love.Oh, how He loves you and me!

What to do:

Demonstrate your love for God by living for Him!

FundamentalismPart 1

FEBRUARY 9

Bible Reading: Titus 3Key Verse: 14- And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses,

that they be not unfruitful.

Key Word: necessary

In recent years the term fundamentalism has received a bad reputation because

of extremists like Muslim terrorists and others who call themselves fundamentalists.These groups and individuals are not fundamentalists. They are terrorist murderers,fierce depraved rebels who are not fundamentalists at all.

A fundamental is an essential, or a necessity. It is something that is basic. Forinstance, there are some things that are fundamental to the operation of anautomobile. Without these things the automobile will not operate. The battery isfundamental. You can have the most expensive automobile in the world, but withoutthe battery, it will not operate. As a matter of fact, you may as well not have an

automobile. You would be better off with a tricycle than an automobile without abattery. It simply will not run without it. The battery is necessary to the operation ofthe car. That is fundamental.

The engine is also fundamental. You can have the nicest, plushest seats, air-conditioning, power windows, AM/FM radio, a beautiful paint job, tinted windows,and everything else they offer with modern-day vehicles; but without the engine, it isuseless. It is simply a beautiful piece of junk. The car wont move an inch without the

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motor. So the engine is fundamental. It is necessary to the operation of theautomobile.

If it is a gasoline-powered automobile, then gasoline is a fundamental. The carwill not run without it.

On the other hand, there are things that are not fundamental to the operation of

the automobile. For instance, the air-conditioner is not fundamental. One can makea trip without air-conditioning. It makes the trip more comfortable to have it, but youcan make the trip without it. It is not necessary to the operation of the automobile.The AM/FM radio is not essential. The car will operate, and one can travel in itwithout the radio.

The same is true of Christianity. Certain doctrines are fundamental to theChristian faith. I believe everything in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, buteverything mentioned in the Bible is not essential to my salvation. For instance, I

could go to Heaven without being baptized. I am a Baptist, and I have alwayspracticed baptism by immersion. Sprinkling or pouring is not baptism.

I believe in baptism almost as strongly as the man who preached on baptismevery service. Several weeks went by, and the deacons approached the preacherand said, Dont you know anything but baptism?

Oh, yes, he replied. I can preach on anything in the Bible.One deacon suggested that he preach on the text, The axe is laid unto the root

of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,and cast into the fire, thinking that the preacher surely could not get baptism fromthat verse.

The next Sunday morning the pastor stood and said, I am preaching thismorning from the deacons text: The axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every treetherefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire .

After a few preliminary remarks, he raised his voice and shouted, And what do youthink they were cutting those trees down for? God bless your heart! They were

clearing out a path to get to the river so they could have an old-fashioned baptizing!Now, that man believed in baptism! And I believe in it almost that strongly.

However, one can be saved and go to Heaven without being baptized. As a matterof fact, you can be baptized, capsized, and simonized and still miss Heaven unlessyou have been born again. So baptism is not a fundamental, not an essential, notnecessary for salvation; but it is certainly emphasized for spiritual growth.

What to do: Make sure you are fundamental in your beliefs.

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Fundamentalism: the ResurrectionPart 2

FEBRUARY 10

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 15:1-11

Key Verse: 4- And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day accordingto the scriptures:Key Words: that he rose again

According to I Corinthians 15, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is theGospel. And that is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Thedoctrine of the resurrection of Christ is the keystone in the arch. Remove it and thearch collapses.

There are some doctrines that stand or fall together.For instance, disprove His resurrection and you destroy His deity. Romans 1:4

says He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit ofholiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Disprove His resurrection and you destroy His substitutionary death. Theresurrection of Christ is a declaration of God that He is satisfied with the paymentJesus Christ made for our sins. The fact that God raised Him and took Him back toHeaven shows that His atoning work was complete; the job was finished; thesinners debt was paid.

Disprove the resurrection of Christ and our faith is vain; we are still in our sins,and our hope of resurrection is perished. In I Corinthians 15:17, 18 the Bible says,

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they alsowhich are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

No resurrection equals no salvation. Romans 10:9 -That if thou shalt confesswith thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised

him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. The literal, physical, bodily resurrection ofJesus is a fundamental of the Faith.

A small girl was talking about Jesus. A skeptic who overheard the conversationsaid, Little girl, there are many christs. Which one do you believe in?

She replied, I believe in the One Who rose from the dead.The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fundamental doctrine of the faith.

What to do: Believe the fundamentals of the faith, of which the resurrection is an

essential.

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FundamentalismPart 3

FEBRUARY 11

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Key Verse: 23- Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, andthey shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.Key Words: a virgin shall be with child

Fundamentalism means an essential. For the Christian faith this is something

essential for salvation.

The Virgin Birth is essential. Someone asked, What difference does it make

whether or not Jesus was born of a virgin? It makes all the difference betweenHeaven and Hell! If Jesus Christ is not the virgin-born Son of God, then Jesus is a

sinner just as we are sinners. Romans 5:12 says,Wherefore, as by one man sinentered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that

all have sinned. According to this verse, sin entered the human race by one man,

Adam; and all the offspring of Adam are sinners.Romans 5:19 states, For as by one mans disobedience many were made

sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. There is a

difference between sin and sins. Sin is what we are, and sins are the things we do

because we are what we are. Sin is the root; sins are the fruit. Every child was born

with a sin nature. In Psalm 51:5 David states, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and

in sin did my mother conceive me. The Bible warns in I John 1:8, If we say that we

have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. For a man to deny that

he has a sin nature is self-deceit.

Now if Jesus Christ had an earthly father, then He is the offspring of Adam and

inherited the same sin nature we inherited. And if He inherited the sin nature, then

we do not have a sinless Substitute to die in our place; and without a sinless

Substitute there is no plan of salvation. There is no way to be saved. Our only hope

of Heaven is the substitutionary death of our sinless Substitute, Jesus Christ.

You see, the virgin birth of Jesus is not something you can take or leave. It is a

fundamental of the Christian faith. If Jesus Christ is not the virgin-born Son of God,

all of us may as well close our Bibles, burn our churches, close down our ministries,

and go about our merry way because the whole world is going to Hell. We have no

plan of salvation. The virgin birth is not negotiable; it is a fundamental of the

Christian faith.

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That is one of the reasons I am a fundamentalist. I believe in the virgin birth,

and if you believe, as I do, you are also a fundamentalist.

What to do:

Remember that faith does not require that we explain the virgin birth. Itsimply requires that we believe it.

FundamentalismPart 4 FEBRUARY 12

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53Key Verse: 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:

when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shallprolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Key Words: his soul offering for sin

In our doctrinal statement we say that we believe in the vicarious sufferings ofChrist. Two thousand years ago God took every sin that I have ever committed orever will commit and laid those sins on Christ. The Bible plainly states in Isaiah 53:6,the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. I Peter 2:24 says, He bare our sins inhis own body on the tree. And II Corinthians 5:21 states, For he hath made him tobe sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God inhim. Jesus Christ bore the sins of the whole world. The Bible says in I John 2:2,And

he is the propitiation [atoning sacrifice] for our sins: and not for ours only, but alsofor the sins of the whole world.

The sinner owes a penalty. God said to Adam, for in the day that thou eatestthereof thou shalt surely die. In Romans 6:23 the Word of God states, The wages ofsin is death. That death is described in the Bible as the second death. Revelation20:14,And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death .

If sinners pay what they owe, then they must die, go into Hell, and stay there

forever. That is the price for sin. But Jesus Christ died for sinners. Romans 5:8, ButGod commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ diedfor us. His death paid in full what I owe as a sinner. He suffered my Hell andsatisfied the just demands of a Holy God. God looked down from Heaven and wassatisfied with the payment.

The Bible states in Isaiah 53:10, Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he that put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin The wordpleased in this verse means satisfied. God looked down from Heaven, saw Jesus

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die in our place, and was satisfied. He accepted the death of Jesus as payment forour sins, and we must either accept the satisfaction that Jesus made to God for oursins or satisfy God ourselves. And the only way we can satisfy Him is to die, go intoHell, and stay there forever. That is the price He demands for our sin.

My only hope of Heaven is the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross. The

substitutionary death of Jesus is a fundamental of the Christian faith. If He did notdie for sinners, then no one can be saved.

What to do: Believe that Jesus is your only hope of Heaven.

CreationFEBRUARY 13

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:1-8Key Verse: 1-In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Key Words: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

There it is! No explanation needed, and none given. For without faith it isimpossible to please Him. We simply accept Gods Word by faith.

Some say that creation was the result of chance. Others say it was God. Thosewho rely on chance have some big explaining to do. Here is one simple illustrationof the improbability of man just happening.

Take ten pennies and mark them 1 through 10. Put them in your pocket andgive them a good shake. Now try to draw them out of your pocket in order, from 1 to10, returning each coin to your pocket after each try.

Your chance of drawing number 1 on the first try is 1 in 10. Your chance ofdrawing 1 and 2 in succession would be 1 in 100. And the chance of your drawingout 1, 2, and 3 in succession is 1 in 1,000. Your chance of drawing 1, 2, 3, and 4 insuccession is 1 in 10,000 and so on.

Now listen to this. Your chance of drawing the pennies in perfect successionfrom 1 to 10 would be one chance in ten billion!

And yet there are some who say that all the complex and essential conditionsfor life on our earth as we know it could have occurred in the proper sequence justby chance.

The French mathematician, Lecompte de Nouy, examined the laws ofprobability for a single molecule of high dissymmetry to be formed by the action ofchance. De Nouy found that, on an average, the time needed to form one such

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molecule of our terrestrial globe would be about 10 to the 253 power, or billions ofyears.

But, continued de Nouy ironically, let us admit that no matter how small thechance it could happen, one molecule could be created by such astronomical oddsof chance. However, one molecule is of no use. Hundreds of millions of identical

ones are necessary. Thus we either admit the miracle or doubt the absolute truth ofscience.But it doesnt really matter what we say. God clearly said it for us: In the

beginning God created the heaven and the earth. That settles it for me. How aboutfor you?

What do to:

Remember men do not reject creation because it is unbelievable butbecause they do not like to acknowledge God in their lives.

Knowing the Will of GodFEBRUARY 14

Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 4:1-12Key Verse: 3- For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should

abstain from fornication:Key Words: For this is the will of God

Many of our Christian young people (even adults) are living in perplexity. Theyare concerned about knowing the will of God for their lives and knowing the will ofGod is of the utmost importance. To be out of Gods will results in lost joy, peaceand victory in our lives. It would be simple if we could do as Gideon did in Judges 6and put out a fleece at eventide, go to sleep, wake up the next morning and havethe will of God lying before us.

A great deal has been written on knowing Gods will, and the over abundanceof literature proves the interest of the subject by Gods people. But I am afraid all theliterature on knowing Gods will still leaves most Christians looking for answers, still

asking the question, How can I know Gods will?Well, let me see if I can be of any help on this particular subject by suggesting

the following three things.

Suggestion #1: If I am to know the will of God, I first must be willing to do the willof God. In John 7:15-17, Christ is speaking about truth that He sought to impart andHe said that an unwillingness to receive truth precludes a man from understanding

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the truth that is being taught. A man must be willing to learn before you can teachhim anything. Discovering the will of God is determined by this principle (readRomans 12:1,2). So before I can know Gods will I must be willing to do Gods will.

Suggestion #2: Knowing Gods will does not come from man, pastor, mom ordad. It comes from the Word of God. Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my

feet and a light unto my path. Gods will comes from Gods Word. Let me show you.1. Adam and Eve knew not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of goodand evil. How did they know? Genesis 2:16,And the Lord commandedthe man, saying

2. Achan knew the will of God. He knew not to take the spoil from Jerichobecause God had commanded them not to do so.

3. Elijah knew Gods will by Gods Word, I Kings 17,18.4. Moses knew to lead Israel. How? God commanded him through His

Word.5. Jonah knew to go to Ninevah because Gods Word told him to go.

So I know Gods will by Gods Word. I am afraid that is why we have so manyignorant of Gods will. It is because they are ignorant of Gods Word.

Suggestion #3: It is not my responsibility to find Gods will but rather it is God

Who is responsible to reveal His will to me. So much is made of seeking Gods will.Gods will is not so much to be sought as it is to be caught (or received).1. Paul did not seek Macedonia. God sought Paul for Macedonia, Come

over into Macedonia and help us. Acts 16:92. Jonah was called by God to Ninevah. He, of himself, never sought

Ninevah.3. God revealed to Elijah to stand before Ahab and the prophets of Baal.

So the cry should be, Wherever you lead, Ill go.

Lets close by reviewing:Suggestion #1: Before I can know Gods will, I first must be willing to do the will

of God.Suggestion #2: I know Gods will because I know Gods Word. (Gods will

comes through Gods Word.)

Suggestion #3: Gods will is not so much to be sought as it is to be caught.

What to do: Remember: in order to know Gods will it helps to be willing to do it.

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HellFEBRUARY 15

Bible Reading: Mark 9:38-50Key Verse: 46- Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.Key Words: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched

How can one look on a volcano spewing forth the coals of the earth and still

deny the reality of Hell?

Below is what Christian leaders of the past have said in regard to Hell:

There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than

this [hell] if it lay in my power. But it has the full support of Scripture and, especially,

of our Lords own words; it has always been held by Christendom, and has the

support of reason. ~C.S. Lewis

Wisdom directs us to admit that there is no Biblical alternative to the Biblical

doctrine of eternal punishment; to settle in our minds that Jesus, chief exponent of

the doctrine, surely knew what he was talking about, and never to forget or conceal

the inevitability of hell for those who will not lay hold of eternal life. ~ J.I. Packer

As the Lord liveth, sinner, thou standest on a single plank over the mouth of

hell, and that plank is rotten. Thou hangest over the pit by a solitary rope, and thestrands of that rope are breaking. ~ Charles Spurgeon

Once you fall into hell, after millions of ages are elapsed, you will be as far from

coming out as you were at going in. ~Reverend Williams Secker

That which makes hell so full of horror is that it is below all hopes; and that

which makes heaven so full of splendor is that it is above all fears. ~Reverend

Williams Secker

A hard look at this doctrine should first change our view of sin. Most believers

do not take sin as seriously as God does. ~John Thomas

As hell was becoming for many no more than a swear word, sin was also an

accepted way of life If people can ignore what the Bible calls sin, then they can

quite logically discount what it says about the reality of hell. ~Billy Graham

The last sermon on hell I heard I preached myself. And that was nearly thirty

years ago. ~Kenneth S. KantzerMy congregation would be stunned to hear a sermon on hell. ~Reverend Mary

Kraus, pastor of Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.

We cannot, of course, form any adequate notion of hell, any more than we can

of heaven, and no doubt it is good for us that this is so; but perhaps the clearest

notion we can form is that derived from contemplating the cross. ~ J.I. Packer

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Hell is a real place! Not because man says so, but because God says so.

Matthew 5:22, Mark 9:42-48, Revelation 9:1-2,11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1,3,10,14.

Hell is a real place for real people who reject Jesus Christ as Savior. My prayer

is that thats not you!

What to do: Read all the Scriptures in the devotional and then ask, Is this where I

want to spend eternity?

HeavenPart 1

FEBRUARY 16

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Key Verse: 3- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Key Words: theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The word heaven is found 550 times in the New Testament alone, and it isnever in a fictional sense. In other words, heaven is real.

In a recent news survey, 81 percent of Americans expect to go to heaven whenthey die. However, many of them hardly ever pray, read the Bible or attend church.They admit that they live to please themselves instead of God. I wonder why thesepeople would want to go to heaven.

In an article titled, Are We Ready for Heaven? Maruice R. Irwin points out thatonly 34 percent of the American people who call themselves Christians attendchurch at least once a week. He says, We sing When all my labors and trials areoer, and I am safe on that beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore willthrough the ages be glory for me. However, unless our attitudes towards the Lordand our appreciation of Him change greatly, heaven may be more of a shock than aglory.

What to do: Live for heaven on earth and youll be ready for the heavenly in

heaven.

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HeavenPart 2

FEBRUARY 17

Bible Reading: Revelation 22:1-12

Key Verse: 1- And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.Key Words:proceeding out of the throne of God

While 85 percent of the people surveyed by the Fox News Media believe thereis a heaven, only 34 percent of the people surveyed by Marice R. Irwin say they areready for heaven. This raises an interesting question as to why so many whichbelieve in heaven say they are not ready to go to heaven. I read an interesting story

in the Moody Anecdotes which, in all likelihood, reveals why so few people areready.

There is an old legend of a swan and a crane. A beautiful swan alighted by thebanks of the water in which a crane was wading about seeking snails. For a fewmoments the crane viewed the swan in stupid wonder and then inquired:Where do you come from?

I come from heaven! replied the swan.And where is heaven? asked the crane.Heaven! said the swan, Heaven! Have you never heard of heaven? And the

beautiful bird went on to describe the grandeur of the Eternal City. She told ofstreets of gold, and the gates and walls made of precious stones; of the river of life,pure as crystal, upon whose banks is the tree whose leaves shall be for the healingof the nations. In eloquent terms the swan sought to describe the hosts who live inthe other world, but without arousing the slightest interest on the part of the crane.

Finally the crane asked, Are there any snails there?

Snails! repeated the swan. No! of course there are not.Then, said the crane, as it continued its search along the slimy banks of the

pool, you can have your heaven. I want snails.This fable has a deep truth underlying it. How many a young person to whom

God has granted the advantages of a Christian home has turned his back upon itand searched for snails! How many a man will sacrifice his wife, his family, his all,for the snails of sin! How many a girl has deliberately turned from the love of parentsand home to learn too late that heaven has been forfeited for snails!

Is that not what the masses are doing? They are forfeiting heaven for snails!

What to do: Do not forfeit an eternity with God for a few snails on the earth.

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The ResurrectionFEBRUARY 18

Bible Reading: Acts 26:1-8Key Verse: 8-Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should

raise the dead?

Key Words: that God should raise the dead

I often ask myself how it is even possible that men should doubt the resurrectionfrom the dead. It is far more incredible that there should be no resurrection. Thequestion of Paul to King Agrippa was, Why should it be thought a thing incrediblewith you, that God should raise the dead? If there is no resurrection, this life reallyhas no meaning, it becomes hollow and empty. Then God who created us is a God

of sheer sorrow...is this life all there is? Just a few years of alternating betweencrying and laughing, mostly crying, and then death? Then we must say with the Apostle Paul, If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men mostmiserable. But the resurrection should not be incredible to us, for all things aroundus remind us of the resurrection. The buds on the trees, the flowers in the garden,and the emerging of life after a long winter of inactivity, all point to the resurrection.

In an ancient tomb in France, buried under the debris, archaeologists foundflower seeds which had been there for 2,000 years! The explorers took the seeds

and planted them and to no ones amazement, they grew. Egyptian garden peaswhich had been buried for 3,000 years were brought and planted, and you guessedit, within a few days, they had germinated and broken groundburied 3,000 yearsand then resurrected to life! Why then should it be thought a thing incredible thatGod should raise the dead? If God can cause a lump of clay to become alive at thecreation of man, then again, I ask, why can man not believe in the resurrection? Tome, the most incredible thing would be for Jesus to live the life He lived and then

remain dead. Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Up from the grave He arose,With a mighty triumph oer His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,And He lives forever with His saints to reign:He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Amen and amen! And because He lives, I too can and will live for eternity. Socan you, by believing that Jesus is the Christ, your Savior.

What to do: Make sure you are ready for the great Resurrection Day!

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AngelsFEBRUARY 19

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:1-10Key Verse: 2- And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and

sat upon it.Key Words: the angel of the Lord

The word angel comes from the Greek word anggelos which means a

messenger. The matching Hebrew word is malak which means messenger as

well.

Angels are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in

the New. Now, there is much we can know about angels without stretching theimagination. Here is a brief look at what we do know:

The Bible does not give the number of angels. It simply describes the

number as great. Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:5-3; Hebrews 1:4

Angels are described as being ministering spirits. Hebrews 1:4 Angels have appeared before men. Matthew 28:5; Hebrews 13:2 Angels are not omnipotent (all powerful). Proverbs 103:2; II Peter 2:11 Angels are not omnipresent. They come and go. See Acts 1:11 and

Matthew 28:2,5.

There are three types of angels:

Seraphim. They appear to guard the throne of God. (Isaiah 6:2,6).

Cherubim. They appear to have led in worship. (Ezekiel 28) And they also areused to protect the things of God. (Genesis 3:24)

There are also guardian angels, as little children have guardian angels. Matthew

18:10.

I read a story about missionary John Paton who was serving the Lord in the

New HebridesIslands.One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out

the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night

that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their

attackers had left. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ.

Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from

burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise Who were all

those men with you there? Paton knew no men were present, but the chief said he

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was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments

with drawn swords circling the mission station.

Now, while angels do exist, we do not worship angels. We worship God! Amen!

What to do: Worship God not the angels He created.

Fallen Angels

FEBRUARY 20Bible Reading: II Peter 2:1-10

Key Verse: 4- For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down tohell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Key Words: spared not the angels that sinned

The fallen angels are angels that sided with Satan in an attempt to overthrowGod. We are told they are kept in prison according to Peter in II Peter 2:4. The

prison is described as darkness and is full of smoke. Psalm 9:2They are also evil angels, which are free to roam the earth. They are usually

mentioned in connection with Satan as their leader. Matthew 25:4; Revelation 12:7-9These fallen angels are called principalities, powers, rulers of darkness. They

are spiritually wicked.A brief review of fallen angels reveals the following:

1. all of them lost their original holiness and became corrupt in nature andconduct (Matthew 10:1; Ephesians 6:11,12; Revelation 12:9).

2. some of them were cast down into hell and are held in chains until theday of Judgment. (II Peter 2:4)

3. Some remain free and engage in opposition against God. (Romans12:7-9; Daniel 10:12,13,20)

But praise God that He that dwelleth in us is greater than he that opposes us.To God be the glory!

What to do: Stand in the power of God instead of not standing at all.

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Evil SpiritsFEBRUARY 21

Bible Reading: Luke 22:21-34Key Verse: 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to

have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Key Words: that he may sift you as wheat

There has been some who have questioned the very existence of demons, buttheir existence is verified by the Scriptures.

Jesus recognized their existence in Matthew 12:27-28.The word devils comes from the Greek word daimon ordemon which is bad

spirit or nature.

The seventy to whom Jesus appointed and sent out two by two acknowledgedthe existence of demons. (Luke 10:17)Even the apostle Paul recognized the existence of demons. (I Corinthians

10:20-21)Demons are subjects of Satan and servants to him. Their mission seems to be

to carry on his warfare with God and to do his work. (Matthew 12:22-30)Demons are spirits of low moral character. They are vile and vicious in conduct.

Demons have knowledge and discernment. (Matthew 8:29; James 2:15)

Demons seem to cause dumbness (Matthew 9:32,33), blindness (Matthew12:22), and suicidal mania (Matthew 9:22).That is not to say, that all dumbness andblindness is the result of demon activity, but we do know that according to Scripture,demons operate in that manner. We also know some blindness and dumbnesscomes upon people for the glory of God.

There is a debate among some who believe in devils that fallen angels aredemons while others think not. To me, it matters not. They both oppose God and His

Word. They both attack Gods servants and desire to see the servants of God suffer.(II Corinthians 12:7,8) They both do the work and will of Satan, which means theyare both the enemy of God and thus my enemy as well.

I challenge you to stand fast, for Satan desires to have you, that he may sift youas wheat.

What to do:

Stand fast or you will fall fast.

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The ChurchFEBRUARY 22

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:18-27Key Verse: 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;

Key Words: as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it

In his book on Christian theology Emery Bancroft writes the following in regard

to the church:

There is great danger of losing sight of the church in the endeavor to emphasize

the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven or Christendom. We are prone to think it a small

thing to speak of the church; the Kingdom and Christendom seem so large in

comparison. We are tempted to distinguish and contrast Churchism, as it issometimes called, and Christianity, to the disparagement of the former. It is well to

remember: 1- Jesus Christ positively identifies Himself with the Church (Acts 9:1-5)

and not with Christendom; 2- He gave up His life that He might found the church

(Ephesians 5:25); 3- The apostle Paul sacrificed himself in his endeavors to build up

the church, not Christendom (II Timothy 2:10; II Corinthians 11:2,23-28); 4- Paul

speaks of his greatest sin as consisting in persecuting the Church of God (I

Corinthians 15:9); and 5- The supreme business of God in this age is the gatheringof the Church. {To take out of them [nations] a people for His name. Acts 15:13-17.

See also Ephesians 4:12.}

What to do:

Remember: There are four main bones in every organization: the wish bones: wishing somebody would do something about the

problem.

the jaw bones: doing all the talking but very little else. the knuckle bones: those who knock everything. And the back-bones: those who carry the brunt of the load and do

most of the work.

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The Mission of the ChurchFEBRUARY 23

Bible Reading: Acts 20:17-32Key Verse: 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a

man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God

hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.Key Words: the church of God

The word church means an assembled body of believers.The church is Gods plan today for carrying out the Great Commission. The

importance of the church can be seen by the fact that 25 of the 27 books of the NewTestament were written to local churches and in the 26 th book, Matthew refers to thechurch. Never doubt Gods love for the local assembly. He died for the church. (Acts20:28)

What makes a church a church? There are several things:1. The church is commissioned to go in Matthew 28:18-20. The church

then must be a place where soul winners hear, and then go and winothers.

2. It is a place of teaching. (Matthew 28:18-20)3. The church is commissioned to baptize. (Acts 2:41; 8:36-37)4. It is a place where the ordinance of the Lords Supper is observed. (I

Corinthians 11)5. A church must have officers. (Acts 6; Titus 1:5-8)6. A church must stand against the gates of hell. (Matthew 16:11)7. The church must glorify God (Ephesians 3:20-21) and edify its

members. (Ephesians 4:11-13)Many say the church is dead. I say, Not so.Growing up on the Gulf Coast, I spent long hours working on intricate sand

castles; whole cities would appear beneath my hands. One year, for several days ina row, I was accosted by bullies who smashed my creations. Finally, I tried anexperiment: I placed cinder blocks, rocks, and chunks of concrete in the base of mycastles. Then I built the sand kingdoms on top of the rocks. When the local toughsappeared (and I disappeared), their bare feet suddenly met their match. Manypeople see the church in grave peril from a variety of dangers: secularism, politics,heresies, or plain old sin. They forget that the church is build upon a Rock (Matthew

16:16), over which the gates of hell itself shall not prevail.

What to do: Find a good Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, God-fearing church and

get involved.

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The Power of the Local ChurchFEBRUARY 24

Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-20Key Verse: vs.18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I

will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Key Word: I will build my church

We are told in Matthew 16:18,And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, andupon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Have you ever considered the power of a church united together to stand for rightand against evil?

Dr. Louis Evans tells the story of a man from Boston who in the early days was

riding next to the driver of a Western stagecoach. Being very adept with the use ofthe whip, the driver began to demonstrate his ability. Pointing to a thing lying in theroad, he said, See the twig? Watch it. He cracked the whip and broke the twig intwo.

A butterfly flew ahead of the coach. See the butterfly? Now, watch it. Thewhip cracked and the butterfly became nothing more than powder and paste on theend of the whip.

After a moment he said, See the hornet on the harness? Watch it! He

snapped the whip and the hornet was no more. Quite impressed, the passengerrode on in silent wonder.

Suddenly he said to the driver, See that gray thing hanging from the big oaktree? Ill bet you cant hit that!!

The driver carefully looked and said, I certainly could, but I wont. Dont youknow thats a hornets nest?

But, protested the passenger, you had no trouble with the other hornet.

I know, I can handle an individual, but those boys are organized.Now, the moral of the story is that powers of evil can play fast and loose with anindividual believer, but they cannot withstand the strength of human hearts standingshoulder to shoulder in a church of like believers organized and ready to stand forright.

People often ask, Why should I be a member of a good Bible-believingchurch? Well, one reason is there is power in organized numbers.

What to do: Be a part of the power of the church because if you are not you will

become a part of the reason it is weak.

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The RaptureFEBRUARY 25

Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 4:14-18Key Verse: vs.17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together

with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with

the Lord.Key Words: caught up

The word rapture is not found in the Scriptures, but the words caught up come

from the Latin word rapture. That is where we get the word rapture.

The rapture is the next event to take place on Gods prophetic calendar. This is

when those who have died before the rapture occurrence will have their spirit and

body reunited.Paul tells us in II Corinthians 5:8 to be absent from the body is to be present

with the Lord. At our death, the body goes to the grave, but our spirit goes to heaven

to be with the Lord. Thus, at the rapture both body and spirit will be reunited.

For the believers who are still living at the rapture, both body and spirit will go

up to glory; and, according to Paul in I Corinthians 15:51-58, its here we receive our

glorified body.

The time of the rapture, I believe anyway, is rapidly approaching. I encourage

you to live everyday as if this is the day of the rapture.

The word maranatha is a Syriac expression that means our Lord comes. It

was used as a greeting in the early church. When believers gathered or parted, they

did not say hello or goodbye but Maranatha! If we had the same upward look

today, it would revolutionize the church. O that Gods people had a deepening

awareness of the imminent return of the Savior!While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a

few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to

go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an

avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready

and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island

than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the

explorer said to his men, It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!

They replied, We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we

rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, The boss may come today.

The hymn writer Horatius Bonar exhorted us to be ready for the last moment by

being ready at every moment so attending to every duty that, let Him come when

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He may, He finds the house in perfect order, awaiting His return. The trump may

sound anytime. How important for us as Christians to be packed and ready to go!

As you leave home today, do not say goodbye. Say Maranatha.

What to do? Live today and everyday ready to leave this old earth and be with the

Lord.

The Anti-Christ

FEBRUARY 26Bible Reading: II Thessalonians 2:1-12

Key Verse: 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son ofperdition;

Key Words: the man of sin

After the rapture takes place confusion and destruction will be rampant upon theearth. This is when the Anti-Christ makes his dramatic entrance.

The term anti-Christmeans one who pretends to be the Messiah but in realityis just the opposite of Christ. The anti-Christ will oppose Christ.

*Christ comes from above. (Job 6:38)Anti-Christ ascends from the pit. (Revelation 11:7)

*Christ comes in His Fathers name. (Job 5:43)Anti-Christ will come in his own name. (Job 5:47)*Christ humbled Himself. (Philippians 2:8)

Anti-Christ exalts himself. (II Thessalonians 2:4)*Christ was despised. (Isaiah 53:3; Luke 23:18)

Anti-Christ will be admired. (Revelation 13:3-8)*Christ came to do His Fathers will. (John 6:38)

Anti-Christ will come to do His own will. (Daniel 11:36)

*Christ came to save. (Luke 19:11)Anti-Christ will come to destroy. (Daniel 8:24)*Christ is the True Vine. (John 15:1)

Anti-Christ is the vine of the earth. (Revelation 14:18)*Christ is the Holy One. (Mark 1:24)

Anti-Christ will be the lawless one. (II Thessalonians 2:8)

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*Christ is the Son of God. (Luke 1:38)Anti-Christ will be the son of perdition (II Thessalonians 2:3)

John warns us in I John 2:18 that the spirit of Anti-Christ existed in his day andso even the more today. Today there is a spirit of open opposition to Jesus Christ.

Do not let that discourage you. Occupy until He returns for it shall not be long!

What to do: Keep the faith and march on. Remember that we are in a war that is

real.

The TribulationFEBRUARY 27

Bible Reading: Daniel 9:20-27Key Verse: 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy

city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make

reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal upthe vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Key Words: to finish the transgression

Most born again believers are at the least familiar with the seven-year tribulationperiod that begins at the time of the rapture, but are you familiar with the purpose ofthe tribulation period?

There are reasons given for the tribulation in our key verse.

First, it is to finish the transgression. This refers to the transgression of Israel. Itis to turn Israel to God permanently.

Second, it is to make an end of sin. There will be no more sin. This is the finaljudgment of sins upon the earth.

Third is to make reconciliation for iniquity. The word iniquitycarries the idea ofmoral injustice. Israels rejection of Jesus as the Messiah is being dealt withfinally.

Fourth is to bring in everlasting Righteousness. Finally, the knowledge of theLord will cover the earth. (Habakkuk 2:14)Fifth is to seal up the vision and prophecy. Israel will no longer need a vision or

prophecy. They will rejoice in the true and living Messiah.Sixth is to anoint the Most High. He will be anointed the King of kings, the Lord

of lords. It is at this point that all men will fully understand then their responsibilitywas and is to God.

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Daniel Webster, when Secretary of State under President Fillmore, was diningonce with twenty gentlemen at the Astor House in New York. Unusually reticent andaloof from the course of conversation, he sank into a reverie. In order to draw himout, one of the men asked him this rather unusual question for a dinner table, oranywhere else: Mr. Webster, will you tell me what was the most important thought

that ever occupied your mind?Webster passed his hand over his forehead and said in a low tone to the onenext to him, Is there anyone here who does not know me?

No, said the man, all are your friends.Then Webster said aloud so that all could hear, The most important thought

that ever occupied my mind was that of my individual responsibility to God. Hediscoursed upon this theme for twenty minutes, and then rose from the table andretired to his room.

To God be the Glory! What a day that will be.

What to do: Do not wait until then to understand that your most important

responsibility is to God.

P.S. Pastors note: Today is the day of salvation while there will be some saved inthe tribulation period, it will not be those who could have and should have acceptedChrist before the tribulation.

The Second ComingFEBRUARY 28

Bible Reading: John 14:1-14Key Verse: 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive

you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Key Words: I will come again

At the close of the seven-year tribulation period, Christ will return to earth.

We read about His promised return throughout the Word of God: Acts 1:11,Daniel 7:13, Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27; I Thessalonians 2:10; IIThessalonians 1:10; Romans 1:7- just to list a few of the verses that tell us about theSecond Coming of Jesus.

A 2008 survey by the Pew Forum research center is very revealing about whatpeople think in regard to the Second Coming of Christ.

Do you believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ? Yes: 79%, No: 17%

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Do you believe that Jesus will return to Earth in your lifetime? Yes: 20%, No:39%, unknowable: 14%

Is the time of the second coming revealed in Biblical prophecies? Yes: 33%; No:40%

Before the second coming, the world situation will: worsen: 34%; improve: 4%;

unknowable: 37%Can peoples and nations affect when Christ returns? Yes: 23%; No 50%While no one knows the time of the Lords return, we do know that He will

return. You can count on that.

What to do: Occupy until He comes!

The White Throne JudgmentFEBRUARY 29

Bible Reading: Revelation 20

Key Verse: 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whoseface the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Key Words: great white throne

There are a number of judgments that have taken place.First, there was the Judgment of the Son, which took place at Calvary.There is self-Judgment. This is what each believer should do on a continual

basis.There is the Judgment of the believers work. This takes place after the rapture

at the Judgment Seat of Christ.There is Judgment of the lost, those who rejected Jesus as their Savior. This

takes place at what the Bible calls The Great White Throne Judgment. TheJudgment will take place at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. Thosewho stand before the Great White Throne will be cast into the lake of fire.

But let me hasten to say, it is not too late. You do not need to stand before

Jesus at the Judgment. He came, died, was buried and rose again so you can haveeverlasting life.

A pastor was dealing with a young lady who was arguing that she had plenty oftime to decide about her eternal destiny. So the pastor handed her a piece of paperand said, Would you sign a statement that you would be willing to postponesalvation for a year?

No, she said. I will not.

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How about six months? asked the pastor.Again she said, No. Then she began to see the folly of her argument because

she had assurance of only the present now.So it is with all those who are not born again. Today is the day of salvation as

well. None of us is assured of having tomorrow. So today, now, yes, this very

moment, if you are unsaved, will you ask Jesus Christ to save you from your sin?

What to do: You can bow before Him today as your Savior or you will bow before

Him at the Great White Throne Judgment.

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I deeply appreciate the help of

Laurie Blankenship

Trisha Bookout

Kathy Endicott

Cathy Fortenberry

Sandy Lancaster

Cathy Lang

Marie Moore

Mary Parsons

John and Tascha Piatt

Reba Pontbriand

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to helpthis devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse