01 Jan HOPE FOR THE LIVING
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope (Ecclesiastes 9:4a)
TOPIC: GRACE OF SALAVTION FOR ALL
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12)
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I wish you all and your loved ones a very happy, fulfilling and fruitful New Year. May God Almighty protect, preserve, promote, prosper and give you perfect health this year and may this year 2023 be a better year than all your past years in Jesus name, Amen.
1. Praise and Thank God Always
That you are alive today gives you every reason to praise and thank God because some people you know or heard about started the year 2022 but did not cross over to 2023 because the year 2022 saw the end of them but it was not your portion for as Job says, Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit (Job 10:12) and the Psalmist says that Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:8) and again He says O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 136:1). Therefore, no matter your present situation or condition you must praise and thank God always for it is written that For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
2. A LIVING DOG
For as it is written Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Revelation 22:14-15)
Dogs are
(a) The Wicked (Mathew 7:6)
(b) The Sinners and Unbelievers (Mathew 15:26)
(c) The Backsliders (2 Peters 2:20-22)
A living dog is better than a dead lion for the simple reason that there is no repentance in the grave for a dead dog but to him that is joined to all the living there is hope.
HOPE OF
Repentance for The
(a) Wicked
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7)
(b)Sinners and Unbelievers
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)
(c)Backslider
Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction (Micah 2:10)
3. The Importance of Salvation
If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour then today is the day to do so for tomorrow might be too late for as it is written in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (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) Again it is written that Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6). Your soul is more valuable than all the wealth in the world for as it is written Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19). Are you redeemed? If you are the redeemed of the LORD, say so (Psalm 107:2) If you are not then now is the time for you to repent from your sins, forsake them and surrender your life to Jesus as your Lord and Saviour for it is written But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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 10:8-10)
5. Two Important Things To Note
(a)For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (Romans 10:11)
(b)For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:11)
4. Prayer For Salvation
Please Say this prayer
HEAVENLY FATHER I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF YOUR ONLY BEGOTTEN SON JESUS CHRIST, WHO SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD AND DIED FOR ME ON THE CROSS I BELIEVE YOU RAISED HIM UP FROM THE DEAD. FATHER BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE AND COMPASSION ON SINNERS , HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER AND FORGIVE ME ALL MY SINS (CONFESS THEM), I NOW REPENT AND FORSAKE THEM, WASH ME AND CLEANSE ME WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS.I CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH LORD AND SAVIOUR, I SURRENDER MYSELF TO HIM AS MY PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOUR. FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT IN JESUS NAME I PRAY.AMEN
Congratulations for you are now
(i)A son of God (John 1:12)
(ii)Fellow citizens with saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19)
(iii)Member of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10)
(iv)Member of the commonwealth of Israel and covenants of promise (Ephesians 2:12)
For Christ in you, the hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27)
Conclusion
Never forget that it is written 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 for as it is written Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the LORD God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)
No Comments