Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday October 31, 2009 and we are completing our studies in the book of Luke, please read chapters 23-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-31

Today's Message: Do You Know?
God's Word tells us that we can know for sure that we are saved. Do you know for sure?

As we continue to read about salvation through the Gospels, we learn more and more what salvation truly is. It's easy for us to believe someone who tells us that when we call on Jesus as our Savior we are saved by His blood, but it much harder to believe once saved, always saved. Many religions stress that we must continue the work of Christ or be baptized to keep our salvation. However, this can not be further from the truth and is proven time and time again that one does not have to be baptized or even live righteously to keep his/her salvation. It is a gift given by the grace of God and does not return void. “but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” - II Timothy 8b-10.

As Jesus was being crucified two other men were being crucified also, Jesus was hung in between the two thieves. “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” - Luke 23:32,33. On one cross was a hardened criminal who sank deeper into sin and defied and railed upon the Savior. On the other cross was one who, although a criminal, defended Christ. “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. The second man knew Christ really was and repented that very second. He did not have time to get baptized, he certainly had no time to show any works. He just called on Jesus to save him and joined Him in heaven. There is no reason to doubt that this thief was a great sinner and deserved to die, but he was suddenly saved.

Christians rejoice in the cross of Christ, for it was there that He paid the price for our redemption, not by works, but by our faith in Him. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. And we rejoice also in the resurrection of Christ, for it assures us of our heavenly home with Him. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:5-7. This is the great and glorious hope of every Christian, the comfort at the graveside of a loved one, the victory that removes the sting of death, and the anticipation that we too shall be made heirs with Jesus. It is wonderful to know we have been forgiven of all our sins and have the assurance of soon being with Christ, but until that time, we can praise Him that we have been set free from Satan, hell, and the power of sin. Never let a person, priest, or pastor tell you that you are not saved or can lose your salvation. ALL are saved who call on the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Even if you committed the worse sin ever after you accepted Jesus as your Savior you can not lose your salvation. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You have given us the road map to follow through the guidance of Your Holy Scriptures. You have established that Your way is the only way to eternal life. It is the only way that we can have victory in our walk here on earth and the assurance of a victorious eternity in heaven. Though Scripture describes the Christian’s walk as being a straight and narrow path it certainly has steep inclines and its route will also take me through deep valleys.  If I wander off-course I’m grateful for Your Holy Spirit who reminds me of my commitment to follow You, once again calling me to my heavenly destination. In Your Name, Jesus.......Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday October 30, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Luke, please read chapters 21-22 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-30

Today's Message: Freedom
We do not have to live a life without freedom, Jesus' death on the cross delivered us from Satan, and set us free from the bondage of our sins in order to receive eternal life.

Freedom is a word that many people know, but few understand or realize what it actually is. The word freedom is defined as one being exempt or released from something or someone that controls, restrains, or burdens ones life. We do not realize it, but many of us, including Christian's are bound by something that controls, restrains, or burdens us. This could be a career, a person, a hobby, a possession, or a habit, but there is one thing that can bounds us more than anything in the world, our emotions. Satan loves to bound us with our emotions, that is why he sends us so much affliction and temptation. If he can get us focused on things that control, restrain, or burden us than he can get us away from God, which is his main objective.

The Israelite's were blessed with freedom and as a reminder of that freedom they observed Passover each year. The Passover meal was a reminder to them that it was the blood of an innocent lamb and obedience to the Word of God that made it possible for them to be redeemed from death and Egyptian slavery, which their ancestors were held captive too, and to enjoy freedom in the promised land. On the evening of the Passover meal, Jesus had one last supper with His disciples. “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” - Luke 14-20. At this Passover, our Lord identified Himself with the sacrificial Passover Lamb. Jesus is preparing them for the time after He has been crucified, resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven. The unleavened bread is given for our remembrance of those stripes that He took for us, as well as the crown of thorns that was placed on His head, the nails that were driven into his hands and feet, and the spear that pierced His side. It is by His stripes that we are healed. The cup is given for our remembrance of His blood that was shed. The Old Testament laws are now about to be replaced by the shedding of His blood. The blood of Christ fulfills the part of the ordinance of the law demanding an animal sacrifice for sins committed. Jesus is going to become and fulfill that sacrifice once and for all. So the Old Covenant or Testament is being fulfilled by this act by Christ when He goes to the cross and His blood is shed, establishing the New Covenant or Testament. It paid the price for one and all times, for He was perfect and we are not.

We are no longer required to observe the Passover as it was replaced by the Blood of Christ, we can now rejoice and observe the New Covenant in remembrance of Him and the suffering that He went through for each of us. It was from this act of suffering and defeating death that He gave all those that would believe on Him eternal life. He left that choice up to you, whether you will have the faith to believe, or reject this sacrifice He has made for you, is all up to you. When we repented and asked for forgiveness from our sins through Jesus Christ we became protected under the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, and that action forgives all our sins. Once sins are repented and forgiven, the remission is complete, those sins are gone forever, yet many people like to hang on to their past for vanity sake. They still hold themselves guilty, as if Christ did not forgive them. This act of vanity is offending to the Almighty God, and to His Son, Jesus Christ. When anything is repented, in Jesus name, it is over and done with, so it is time to move on and become free forever from that bondage.

It is time to enjoy the true meaning of freedom, we can be free from control, restraints, and or burdens by simply doing one thing. Calling on Jesus and asking Him to save you and free you. If you are reading this and thinking that receiving Jesus means that you will be bound to His control, just get it out of your head. Freedom is a gift from God through His mercy, it's not by works (captivity) that we enjoy freedom, it's by faith that we are saved. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” - Titus 3:5,6.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, without the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus, we are weighed down by the shackles of sin. It spreads as a disease from our hearts to our minds separating us from You and keeping us in bondage to Satan. Thank You, Lord for sending Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, who by His intense love and sacrificial death, freed us from the bondage of sin. He turned our mourning into dancing as He lifted our condemnation and replaced it with eternal hope. We love You Jesus and receive You into our hearts. In Your Name, Jesus...........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

Need More Inspiration?
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
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Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation