March 1

GOD SO LOVED

John 3: 16 & 17 NKJV: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

We are continuing the “search” of “Looking unto Jesus”. There is no better place to go than to the Third Chapter of the Gospel of John. Anyone with even the slightest knowledge of scripture has probably heard of the verses above.

However, it is a sad truth that among people of today’s generation, there are many who have never been told that encouraging word. We find, among youth in particular, there is a little understanding of what the Bible is all about; that fact seems to tell me, my generation and the ones following, did not “take care of business” sharing the Good News of the Gospel, we COULD HAVE done a better job.

Still, we should take heart! The young people living today ARE looking for SUBSTANCE—that is—they want the REAL thing, it seems they can discern a “con artist” a mile away. Jesus WAS and IS WHO He said He was. His message will be received when it is presented in the right way.

When Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night, he had an honest question—Jesus did not turn him away or “put him down.” There are NO dumb questions—it COULD BE a dumb thing NOT to ask a question.

The “New Birth” Jesus told Nicodemus of is more than “simply being saved”—it is a totally new way of looking at life. It opens up possibilities and new dimensions for people which they have never known before. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a person so they will be open to receive the Gift that is offered to EVERY living soul.

It is important we look to scripture and find the way to make certain we understand how to be “Born Again.” Romans 10: 8 – 10 NKJV: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is the word of faith that we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

In essence that scripture says that you must SPEAK with your mouth and BELIEVE in your heart that Jesus is the risen Lord and you will be saved. If you have never done that I would encourage you to talk to the Lord and tell Him you are looking for “new dimensions” in your life—make the decision TODAY—Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart and you WILL experience LIFE ETERNAL!

You also will know: THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!