In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
-John 1:4-7

In Christ was life. He is the source and giver of all life. Nothing that is in existence would be in existence without Him, for all things were created through Him. Christ did not receive or inherit life, but has always had life and is the provider and possessor of all life. Regarding “and the life was the Light of men,” John Gill writes:

“…all his elect are dead in trespasses and sins, and cannot quicken themselves. Christ has procured life for them, and gives it to them, and implants it in them; a life of sanctification is from him; and a life of justification is upon him, and of faith is by him; all the comforts of a spiritual life, and all things appertaining to it, are from him, and he maintains, and preserves it.”
-John Gill

The light shines in the darkness. The better translation would be “the darkness did not overcomethe” Light. In this context, darkness represents anything that sets itself against the One who gives all life. Darkness is the opposite of light. But just as when a candle is set ablaze in a pitch black cave, so the Light, the Christ, cannot be overcome by darkness.

A man was sent from God, John the baptist. God fulfilled His purposes through this man. He was saved through God’s grace and filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15). It is said that he came to testify about the Light, so that all men might might see the life that the Light brings into a world infested with darkness.

Christ is the one who overcomes the darkness. Thus as Christians we are called to be as John, testifiers of the Light. The Gospel is the Light that overcomes the darkness. As Christians filled with the Spirit we possess the only message that brings life and extinguishes the darkness. How ignorant we are when we put a lampshade over the Light and ashamedly mumble the one message that brings hope and light to the world.

It seems to me the hardest test questions are always those that ask me to fill in the blank.  With a true or false question I can guess at the answer and perhaps get it correct, but if filling in the blank is required, there’s no guessing. Either I know the correct answer or I don’t.

Life is like that too. From the date of our birth until the date of our death, we’re allowed to live our life—“fill in the blank,” however we wish.  What we put in the blank is very important and it’s not wise to guess at the answer.  The wrong answer has serious consequences.

With the appearing of that second date on our tombstone—the day of our death, there will be no time left to “cram for finals.”  However, we need not worry if we fill in our blank with the correct answer as found in the Bible.

In Romans 3:23 it says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” To sin means to say, think or do something contrary to God’s will— to fall short of God’s glory.  We have all done it. This makes us sinners who deserve punishment for our sin—living forever in hell and completely separated from God. This is not pleasant to think about, but don’t stop reading, for there is good news.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only unique Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son, Jesus, into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:16-17 NIV).  The punishment for sin is spiritual death—separation from God forever.  God’s Son, the only non-sinner ever to live, willingly died on a cross to take the punishment we deserve.  He arose from the dead three days later, making Him the Conqueror over death and hell.

We must make a decision about what He did for us.  We can reject it, and die both physically and spiritually, and go to hell.  But if we ask Him to forgive our sins, we become a Christian.  Then, although physical death will eventually occur, spiritually we will be alive and go to live with Him in heaven.

The Bible says, “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV).  Filling in the blank correctly isn’t difficult to do, but it’s a life-changing experience.  For when we believe Jesus did what He said He did, and confess we are a sinner needing forgiveness, we will receive the Holy Spirit into our heart. He will guide us each day, showing us how to live a life pleasing to God (John 14:26 NIV).

After Jesus arose from the dead, He promised to go to heaven to prepare a home for those who have accepted Him.  He said He’d return to take them to heaven to live with Him (John 14:2-3 NIV).

Many people have chosen to believe and obey these Scriptures.  They’ve invited Him into their hearts, and asked how He wants them to fill in the blanks.  He has shown them how to do it with love, obedience and service to Him, their Lord and Savior.  They don’t need to guess at the answer.  They have filled in their blank correctly.

Have you?

Reprint ** Church of God Evangel, January 2009

Do you remember this old saying from the 1980’s?  I was reminded of this saying recently as I surfed the internet. According to khoff from englishforums.com, “There is an ironic saying ‘whoever dies with the most toys, wins’ — meaning that our materialistic society makes it seem as though the whole goal of life is to accumulate things. ” I thought this was an excellent explanation. Do you, as well, spend more time taking care of your possessions than you spend with God? Whether you are rich or poor, believing that God can and will meet your needs and show you the way is the key to living a life with meaning and purpose.  We can’t straddle the fence. We either live by God’s values or the values of the world!

We should keep our hope and faith in God and not our worldly possessions. In Luke 18:22 Jesus used the situation with the young ruler to point out that those who are not burdened by possessions find it easier to gain life and peace by following Him. In God’s kingdom, everything we have is a gift.  Instead of looking for ways to gain more possessions we should be led by love to share what we have so that everyone’s needs are met. What gifts or talents has God given to you? When was the last time you used those gifts to offer something to someone else?

Thanksgiving is a great holiday.  It’s the day when we Americans give thanks.  It makes us reflect on the many blessings in our lives.  Some of you might face real tragedy or hardship.  You might be faced with a job loss, foreclosure or even something life threatening like cancer.  You might have to dig very deep to see any blessings in your life, however, make no mistake, there is always something to be thankful about.

I think about that:
I can walk
I have Christ in my life
I have a wonderful family
I’m healthy
I can see
I can hear
I live in a great country
That I have great friends
I’m thankful for our soldiers

1 Thess 5:18 says “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.NIV (read passage on Crosswalk.com)

Having a thankful heart or being happy is not based on our circumstances…it’s a Gift from God if and when we seek him.  He is waiting…

Share with us…what you are thankful for?

If you’re hurting and you need help, call this prayer line 24/7.  You’ll find people who care with a listening ear and a compassionate heard.

May God bless you richly this Thanksgiving!

It was a very windy day in 2001 and I was going paragliding… being 60 years old at the time I was excited about the prospects of flying again.  Six months earlier I had gone to a paragliding school and learned how to take off and land.  It was exciting!  However; this was one of those days that I should have spent some early morning quiet time with the Lord…

I’m sure the Holy Spirit was trying to get my attention that blistery morning with gusts of wind that were very threatening.   My “mind” unfortunately was doing just the opposite!   After a wild takeoff, I pushed back into the ‘cruising’ position and enjoyed quite a ride.  On my way to the target landing things look normal, I could envision where I was to land and I had plenty of time before that point was arriving.  Things were going really good!  As a normal precaution I looked up to check the position of the sail and when I looked down – I hit the GROUND!  OMG! When I recovered a bit the first thing that came out of my mouth was “I AM HEALED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS – I AM HEALED!”  I WAS REALLY SCARED.

I thank God that Pastor Arland Steen taught me for twenty years that divine healing is one of our rights in Christ.  We learned to claim our healing first and THEN call 911.  The scripture 1^st Peter 2:24 says that I was healed by the stripes of my Lord!  I kept screaming it out as I realized that I could feel my toes move.  I knew that I had survived a very serious crash!  The damage to my spine was considerable.  The prognosis was not good…

During my recovery and still bed ridden a friend called on me and seeing my distress and my depression said “Hank, where is your faith?” I could only answer “I don’t know where my faith is, I only know what my confession” is – that I AM HEALED BY THE STRIPES OF MY LORD JESUS!”  The medication and pain easily confused my mind so I did not have much control of the thoughts coming and going through that brain matter.  I could however; control what came out of my mouth and thereby could control and override what went through that mind of mine!

This constant confession reinforced my faith position of being healed even though I would not see the manifestation for years.  Since my salvation in 1985 I have always believed that my salvation and my healing were both received by me BY FAITH because of God’s Word.  The words that come out of our mouths demonstrate our faith position.

I have always said “tape yourself for 24 hours and then play it back – you will then know what you will receive!”  I may not know many scriptures – but the one I do know I believe without doubt!  My precious ones are; Rom 10:9,10, 1 John 1:9, Gal 6:7, 1 Peter 2:24, Phil 4:19. Even today years after experiencing the manifestation of my healing when I am asked “Hank how are you?” – My answer is ALWAYS “I’m well!”  In Jesus Name.

There are many times when our vote or decision matters.  You might think that the vote for the crucial healthcare bill is important, or that the vote for the Climate Treaty is crucial.

There are also decisions you and I make for our families that have long lasting good or bad consequences as every decision we make does. 

If we make the wrong decision about money it might cost us a few hundred dollars or even our entire nest egg like some did with the Madoff Scandal.

The MOST IMPORTANT VOTE or decision we will ever make in our lives is about our decision concerning Christ.  No other decision comes even close.  It is a matter of life and death and it’s a vote that should not wait until tomorrow.  You might think that you have time – that there’s no pressing reason to make this decision today.  Maybe you think you’ll wait and see if the Christians you know are right.  You’ll make your decision if and when Christ appears in the sky.  But none of us knows our last day.  Your or my last day could be today. 

If today is our last day on earth…tomorrow will be too late.

If you’re unsure…research it, study it…your life depends on it.  And eternity is a long, long time…

Here are some resources:
Salvation – Success After Death
Are you a good person – A Test
Answers to Tough Questions
Christian Success

“My dad is not expected to live,” Bill told his pastor. “I’ve shared with him many times how he can simply ask Jesus to forgive his sins and then he’ll know he’s going to heaven when he dies, but he hasn’t ever asked. I’m so anxious for him to do this. Please, Pastor Johnson, would you do me a big favor and go talk to him?”

The pastor went to Hank immediately, but his eyes were closed and he seemed very weak. Silently he prayed this dying man would still be able to hear and communicate with him. Leaning closely, Pastor Johnson took his feeble hand and explained who he was and why he had come.

Having received no acknowledgment of his presence, the pastor wondered what he could do. Finally he said, “If you can hear me, just squeeze my hand.” Time seemed to stand still as he waited for a response. Finally he felt it— gentle though it was. Ever so thankful for a response, the pastor proceeded with what he wanted to say.

He shared several verses from the Bible that tell about Jesus who willingly died on a cross for the forgiveness of everyone’s sins and three days later rose from the dead. He said all one had to do was sincerely believe this and ask Him to forgive your sins. Then a home in heaven would be yours when you died. Once again Pastor Johnson said, “If you understand, just squeeze my hand.” As before, the pastor waited for a response. It did not come right away, but once again he felt it.

The pastor went on to say, “Hank, Jesus wants everyone to go to heaven to live with Him. Right now He is in heaven preparing a home for those who have asked for forgiveness.” For a third time he said, “If you understand, just squeeze my hand.” Patiently he waited and then he felt it. This time it was not as strong as before.

Sensing he must leave because Hank was very tired, Pastor Johnson asked one more question, the question he had come to ask. “Would you like Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to heaven? If so, just squeeze my hand.” Now the minutes seemed like hours as he waited for the squeeze of his hand. Would it come? Had Hank really heard and understood? There was no response. He repeated his question. “Would you like Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to heaven? If so, just squeeze my hand.”

And then he felt it.

Three days later Jesus welcomed Hank to his new home in heaven.

With His nail-pierced hands open wide, Jesus comes to each one of us asking those same three questions. “Do you hear me talking to you? Do you understand what you’ve heard? Would you like me to forgive your sins and take you to heaven when you die? If so, just squeeze my hand.”

It is not difficult to see these days how the world measures overall success. Fancy cars, large houses, piles of money and loud splashy jewelry proclaim success for many people in this country. Teenagers and twenty-somethings watch video after video on MTV, VH1, and BET to see which rapper, R&B singer, or rock star has the latest “bling” (jewel encrested necklaces, bracelets, or earrings), the longest limo, the biggest SUV, and the most “benjamins” ($100 bills) falling from their pockets. But how do we as Christians measure our achievements and obtain personal success? In the world, personal achievement is the way to the top, but in God’s Kingdom, true greatness is not measured by what we own or how well we perform.

Christ tells us that desiring to freely serve Him and rendering assistance to others is how we honor our debt to Him (see Matthew 9:35). Jesus left the glories of heaven and came to earth to minister and give His life for our salvation (see Mark 10:45). So we must identify with Jesus Christ in His service and suffering. He sets the example of true servanthood. Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:35 that feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or imprisoned are the same as serving Him. True ministry is an act of service to God that seeks to give to others without expecting earthly rewards in return.

Are you trying to find your personal ministry in God? Try this little exercise:

1. Make a list of all the possible ways that you can serve in your local church.

2. Make a 2nd list of all the ways you can be a servant in your local community.

3. Pick at least one item from each list and carry it out this week.

Post a comment and let us know how you did with this exercise.

The sun was starting to rise over my shoulder as I walked the Oregon shoreline that soon led me to Haystack Rock.  Something about this rock at the ocean’s edge compelled me to it like iron to a magnet.  I’d heard it was huge, yet from my starting point a mile away, the rock seemed small and far from me.  I could not determine its characteristics—size, weight and color.  I had yet to experience it “up close and personal.”

As I continued walking, the rays of the sun moved to various parts of the rock, revealing more of it.  I began noticing new things about it, and so with each step my eagerness to get closer began to grow.  My pace increased.

Now at low tide, I stood as close as possible to the rock beholding its true size, beauty and magnificence.  Haystack Rock appeared huge beyond my imagination, and it looked so firmly planted that it surely would never move.  As I gazed at this rock, new sights caught my attention: the swirling water and tide pools at its base, and the many birds coming and going from their nests upon it.  I would have never noticed these had I not come close.  I wanted to stay there all day enjoying the breath-taking sight before me.

But in the long run it was not what I saw that impressed me most, but rather what I felt. In the presence of the rock I was suddenly aware of how massive and heavy it was, and what great strength and power I attributed to it.  By comparison I felt small, frail and helpless.  Yet it was not the rock that told me I was that way.  It was only when I drew near that I could make my own comparison.

Sometime later my thoughts returned to that walk on the beach and the feelings I had seeing the rock.  The experience somehow paralleled the spiritual walk I have taken over the years, drawing closer to my Savior, the Rock of my salvation.  I was drawn to Him, but at first He seemed small and far away.  I didn’t have any idea what a mighty God He is, but as I drew closer to Him, I began to see Him more clearly.  And the more I saw of Him, the more eager I became to stay close beside Him.

Time I spend in His presence is so pleasurable, so rewarding, that getting to know Him better has become my desire. In His presence, I realize my small size and weakness, but I also see what a big God He is.  Strong, unmovable, powerful, are just a few of His attributes, yet He loves me so much He died for the forgiveness of my sins. He bids me come, to know Him better and to allow His strength to flow through me.  With nail-pierced hands open wide to receive me, He simply says, “Come unto me.”

I gladly accept His invitation.

“For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (Psalm 18: 31-32 NIV)

Booker T. Washington has left us the following words to consider.  “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”  As Christians in a material world we often forget that our success is not measured by the wealth we obtain or how important our job title is.  Many people waste their lives chasing worldly success and public acknowledgment. Matthew lets us know that these accolades are only temporary (Matthew 6:19).  It is not your possessions or your “public profile” that defines who you are, it’s what you give during your lifetime. 

As practicing Christians we must give our lives to Christ, our best effort to the Gospel, and our hearts to heaven.  If we do this everything else will fall into place.  As it says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” True Christianity is not concerned with what one may be able to gain, but how much one is able to sacrifice. In the long run, if we shamefully deny Christ to gain the pleasures of this sinful world, then He will reject us as well to his Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:33)

Many people when you asked them “do you think you will go to heaven?” will tell you…” yes.   

Take the 2 minute Who goes to heaven QUIZ.

If you asked them why, they will tell you that they have been pretty good or they tell you that they are better than other people they know.

Other people will tell you that even though they are not perfect, God is a merciful God and therefore we will all go to heaven.

Many people believe that Jesus died for all of our sins and therefore we’re all going to heaven.

Others believe that you can work your sins off in purgatory.

Some say that there are many ways to salvation.  Or they say that all religions lead to salvation.

What does the bible say about “How to get into heaven” or “Salvation“?  Find out here.

Also check out:

The good person Test – see how you score.

Good Works