WOULD YOU LIKE A ‘TRICK OR A TREAT’?

 

 

No one likes to be tricked! But did you know that there is someone who wants to trick you? The devil is a liar.

 

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 8:44(KJV)

 

 

He wants you to believe that you don't need to think about where you will go when you die. But the truth is that "It is appointed unto every man once to die and after the judgement. You never know when to face God. It could be this very day! Are you ready to meet Him?

 

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Hebrews 9:27(KJV)

 

 

The devil also wants you to believe that you will go to heaven as long as you are a good person. This is also a trick! The truth is that " There is none righteous"!

 

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:10(KJV)

 

The Bible tells us that if we have broken even one of God's commandments, we are guilty of breaking all His laws.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:10(KJV)

 

 

God's standard is perfection and no human has ever met up to that requirement. For all have sinned.

 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:23(KJV)

 

This is where the treat comes in! Even though God cannot allow sin in His presence and we can never measure up to His standard and He was willing to take the punishment that we deserved. For He (God) hath made (Jesus) to be sin for us.

 

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21(KJV)

 

Jesus, God's perfect son, took your sins upon Himself. He allowed Himself to be crucified. God judged your sin through the death of His Son.

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16-17(KJV)

 

Jesus died and three days He rose again from the grave, proving that He is God and that He has the power to save from sin. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life.

 

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:25(KJV)

 

 

The Bible says:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9(KJV)

 

Wouldn’t you rather reject the tricks the devil is trying to play on you or accept the free gift of eternal salvation that Jesus offers to you instead?

 

You simply need to:

1. Admit you are a sinner. Tell God that you have broken His commandments.

2. Believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. He died to take the punishment of your sins and rose again to give you eternal life with Him.

3. Call on Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins and give you the eternal life that He offers freely.

 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13(KJV)

 

With Blessing in Christ,

 

David & Gay

https://onewaytograce.com

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

 

Christian baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord after salvation; although baptism is closely associated with salvation, it is not a requirement to be saved.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke 23:39-43 KJV

 

People who are baptized first believe, repent, and are already saved. Baptism is not for infants how can an infant understand they have sinned, repent and in need of a Saviour. When possible, water baptism full immersion is a public demonstration of our faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. A new believer in Jesus Christ should desire to be baptized.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:36-39 KJV

 

Jesus Christ Himself who is without sin set the example for us by being fully immersed in water by John the Baptist.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Mark 1:9-10 KJV

 

Believers of the gospel in the Holy Bible were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV

 

Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. When you repent, believe and trust in Jesus and what He done for you through His precious blood to save you from your sins you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Born again) who leads you by the truth of God's word, the Holy Bible.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3 KJV

 

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16 KJV

 

 

With Blessing in Christ,

David & Gay

https://onewaytograce.com/

BELIEVING AND TRUSTING IN JESUS CHRIST

                                                                            

In a world where we have so much access to the truth of God's word through the Holy Bible, internet, books, and other media, so many people still find it so hard to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. Many need to see in order to believe. With all this knowledge finding the reason for existence and the answers to where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Still eludes many, when all the answers are in God’s word. That is why God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who is God the Word manifest in the flesh.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1 KJV

 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 KJV

 

God also sent holy men, prophets, and apostles to proclaim the truth and to put the Bible's 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament are written by 40 different authors over a period of 1,500 years. These authors lived in different places and different times with different cultures.  They had many different occupations and lifestyles but the focus of what they have written is the same to reveal God's heart and will for mankind. Together 66 books made into one Holy Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the manual for life itself.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:40 KJV

 

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter 1:21 KJV

 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

 

Everything has instructions or manuals like cars, TV’s, mobile phones, even our food etc. How to take? How to use? How to assemble? So, it makes sense to follow the greatest and truest words of all not from man but from our Creator, the Lord God Almighty.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 20:31

 

Can we see the wind? No, but we can see the effects and feel the wind on our skin, just as we can see the effects and feel the changes in our own lives.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John 20:29 KJV

 

Making the right choice (freewill to believe) is up to the individual. To believe, repent of our sins and trust in Jesus Christ alone as our Lord and Saviour.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:15-18 KJV

 

We have made our choice by God's mercy and grace, to believe and trust in God’s word through His Son Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:16,17 KJV

 

This free gift of salvation is available for all who repent, believe, and trust in Jesus Christ alone, there is nothing more important than your eternal destiny, Heaven or Hell. No one is guaranteed tomorrow today is the day of Salvation.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV

 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 KJV

 

Blessings in Christ.

 

David and Gay

https://onewaytograce.com

 

DO PETS OR ANIMALS GO TO HEAVEN?

 

 

Many of us have felt the heartache that comes from losing a family pet or animal. They become part of the family and its painful when we have to say goodbye. We begin to wonder where are they now? Will we ever see them again? Do pets or animals go to heaven when they die?

There are animals in heaven. The Bible tells us that Elijah was taken to heaven by chariot of fire and horses.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

2 Kings 2:11 KJV

 Animals are mentioned in scripture with regards to New Earth

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.

Isaiah 65:25 KJV

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:13 KJV

 The Bible also says there are animals in the Millennium, a thousand-year earthly reign of Jesus Christ and His saints.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:6-9 KJV

The Bible is silent whether pets or animals go to heaven. We really don’t know if pets or animals will go to heaven but knowing the benevolence (kindness) of God, how much people love their pets and how the Bible says:

 

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 37:4 KJV

 We wouldn’t be a surprised that when you get to heaven God says remember that dog you loved, here it is. It’s great to lean on the side of the benevolent side of God and giving our hearts desires.

You can look at a puppy and how beautiful and appealing it is and it just expresses the kindness of God. The breath of life is in them, they got emotions and personality, you can look into its eyes and see its thinking. When the dog dies, something leaves the body, there’s life in a dog and God is the Creator and only He knows.

The Bible was not written for animals, the Bible was written for you and me. People are the ones separated from God because of sin.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 5:12 KJV

We are the ones in need of salvation and we are the ones that need to repent and believe that Jesus died on the cross, buried and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of our sins and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9,10 KJV

If you have questions whether your pets or animals go to heaven, you need to answer the basic questions first.

What’s going to happen to you when you die? Are you sure you’re going to heaven? 

 

Blessings in Christ.

 

David & Gay
https://onewaytograce.com

FALSE CONVERTS

 

 

 Perhaps one of the largest group of unsaved “religious” people in the world are those who sit in the pews of our churches. Those referred to as false converts are not what are often called “traditional Christians” (Christmas and Easter Christians”) or “nominal Christians.” Rather, these are people who profess to be born again, but have never found a place of biblical repentance. They don’t have “the things that accompany salvation.” There’s no fruit in their lives to say that they have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. They sit among the Church but they are not part of the Church.

 

 

Background

Something certainly is tragically wrong; the contemporary Church has forsaken biblical evangelism. Modern Christianity has failed to use God’s Law (Ten Commandments) to bring the knowledge of sin, and has therefore filled the Church with false converts.

 

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:20 KJV

 

These false converts have named the name of Christ, but have never departed from iniquity (“lawlessness”-transgression of the Ten Commandments).

It is a neglect of the Law that has resulted in our churches being filled with tares among the wheat, foolish virgins among the wise, bad fish among the good, and goats among the sheep. This is why so many profess Christ and have no assurance of salvation. They have no assurance because they are not saved. This is why so many profess to have the love of God in their hearts, and at the same time couldn’t care less that the world is going to Hell. Every Christian should be horrified beyond words that any human being could be cast into Hell.

 

 

Who Is God?

Idolatry is the fertile soil from which a false profession grows. The Scripture tell us that,

 

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:6 KJV

So few fear God because so few pulpits preach the fear of God. Rarely do sinners hear that God is angry with the wicked every day, that if they are friends with this world they are enemies of God, and that His wrath abides on them. Every time they sin, they are storing up His wrath that will come upon them on the Day of Judgement.

Rather, they hear the unbiblical gospel of “God has a wonderful plan for your life” or simply that God wants them to prosper. Instead of being told to repent because they have offended a holy God, they are told that God will solve their problems.

 

Who Is Jesus?

To the false convert, the Saviour is the One who died for his sins. However, you will find that there is a shallow understanding of the sacrifice of the Father. This is because he has no knowledge of God’s Law.

 

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 KJV

 

It’s only when he sees his terrible sin (that he is a terrible Law-breaker) and that he deserves consequent damnation that he will understand the unspeakable sacrifice that the Father made in Christ Jesus. The Law makes grace abound. It makes Jesus precious to him.

 

Scriptures

A false convert may believe that the Scriptures are God’s word, but he usually doesn’t see them as his life’s sustenance. He doesn’t desire the sincere milk of the word that he may grow, because he hasn’t tasted of the goodness of the Lord. “This Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book.” Because he doesn’t soak himself in the word, he is ignorant about subjects such as holiness of God, the Law of God and its functions and the reality of true and false conversion.

 

Heaven and Hell

A false convert usually lacks any depth of sound doctrine. He couldn’t explain the basics of how we are justified or sanctified. This is because, without the Law, God seems unjust to condemn sinners (most of whom he sees as reasonably good people) to eternity in Hell. More than likely he will believe that everyone goes to Heaven, except people like Adolf Hitler. Hell is a place for those he thinks are worthy of punishment.

 

Sin and Salvation

A false convert thinks lightly of sin, he doesn’t really understand the effects of sin. He is truly a “worker of iniquity”

 

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:23 KJV

 

 

Who sees nothing wrong with fibs, not keeping his word, taking things that belong to other people, and giving himself to sexual lust. His reasoning is, “Who doesn’t do that?” and God understands. You may even hear blasphemy slip from his lips.

The false convert has often been through the motions of modern “conversion” (responded to an altar call, prayed a sinner’s prayer etc.) and has consequently been given assurance by the preacher that he is saved.

 

Conclusion:

Use the moral Law (like a mirror) to show him his true state before a holy God. However, once you have shown the seriousness of sin, explain that seeing sin in its true light has been what has been lacking in his life. This will help him understand why he has never truly repented. Why should he repent if his sin isn’t too bad? Ignorance of the Law has left him seeing himself as a basically good person. Without the light of the Law, he has never seen the character of a holy God, known the fear of God, or understand the sacrifice of the cross.

 

With Blessing in Christ,

David & Gay

https://www.onewaytograce.com/

THE DECEPTION OF CALVINISM

 

Calvinism is a system of theology that attempts to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in the matter of salvation.

 

Calvinism is named after John Calvin a French theologian who live from 1509-1564. John Calvin got this doctrine of Calvinism from Augustine.

 

The teaching of Calvinism (TULIP, 5 points) which is usually:

 

Total Depravity - Means that you're so deprived and dead in your sin, you don't even have the ability to come to God on your own accord. This is not true. The Bible says:

 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13

 

Unconditional Election - Is the view that God elect individuals to salvation based entirely on His will. Some believe that you have been predestined to hell and others believe that you have been predestined to heaven. We reject that completely. God does not predestined anyone to hell. The Bible says:

 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

 

Limited atonement - The most controversial of the 5 points. It is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. This is not true because Jesus died for all but that His death is not effectual until a person repents, believes, and trust in Lord Jesus Christ alone.

The Bible says:

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

 

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 1:15

 

Irresistible Grace - Calvinist believe God calls a person to salvation, that a person will inevitably comes to salvation. This is not true, God calls all to salvation but many people resist and reject His call.

 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Acts 17:30,31

 

Perseverance of the Saints - Refers to the concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ.

 

The work has been already been done at the cross of calvary. Jesus said "It is finished."

 

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 19:30

 

We hold to eternal to eternal security, once saved always saved.

 

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:28

 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 1:6

 

Ultimately it is our view that this system fails in their attempt to explain the unexplainable. How do you know you've been chosen by God? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you just confirmed you've been chosen by God, because God gives you a choice in the matter.

 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9,10

 

Blessings

Gay & David

https://onewaytograce.com

 

 

HE IS NOT HERE HE IS RISEN

 

Above: On back of door in Tomb of Jesus

 The reason why God commands all men everywhere to repent is….

 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31KJV

 

We can have assurance that the day of judgement will take place and that Jesus will judge the earth - because of the resurrection.

 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:12KJV

 

 Above: The Garden Tomb

 The Garden Tomb is believed by many to be the garden and sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea, and therefore a possible site of the resurrection of Jesus.

So should we then try and convince an unbelieving world of the resurrection?

God’s Word is very clear about Jesus Christ resurrection appearances below:

 

 CHRIST’S RESURRECTION APPEARANCES

 APPEARED TO:

1.Mary John 20:10-18

2.Mary and women Matthew 28:1-10

3.Peter 1 Corinthians 15:5

4.Two disciples Luke 24:13-35

5.Ten apostles Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-23

6.Eleven apostles   John 20:24-31

7.Seven apostles John 21

8.All apostles Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-18

9.500 brethren 1 Corinthians 15:6

10.James 1 Corinthians 15:7

11.All apostles Acts 1:4-8

12.Paul   Acts 9:1-9, 1 Corinthians 15:8

 

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God - who was beaten and bruised for our transgressions, willingly giving up His life to conquer the grave for us! He then rose from the dead, because it was not possible that death could hold him.

 

 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts 2:24KJV

 

Above: Tomb of Jesus

 When sinners repent and believe the gospel, the eyes of their understanding are enlightened. They pass from darkness into light, from death to life.

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24KJV

 We then become a new creation in Christ with a brand new heart and new desires.

 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17KJV

 

 Above: Outside the Tomb of Jesus

It is through the power of the gospel that the world will appreciate the miracle of the risen Christ who is the resurrection, also have assurance that God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness.

 So celebrate the resurrection by sharing the good news of the gospel with someone today.

 

With blessing in Christ.

David & Gay

https://onewaytograce.com/