So, in today's day and age, we've been seeing an increase in:
...just to name a few.
This world has gone through trials and tribulations with greater frequency and intensity with everything seemingly happening at once. More people are gravitating to the message of the Gospel, as outlined below.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, in which people were forced into isolation, a spiritual awakening occurred to some degree.
People began to either turn to God or go deeper in their faith.
When I walked the floors of two Kentucky hospitals visiting numerous patients, the one thing that stands out in memory about those conversations is this:
Multiple patients expressed that if it wasn't for their faith, they wouldn't be able to make it through their circumstances.
Now, it's important to emphasize that turning to the faith does not make all of your or the world's problems magically disappear. What it does do is strengthen you as a person. Faith is what helps you persevere.
Would you rather have hope or no hope?
Once again, as patients in the hospital rooms told me, faith is the ONE anchor which they are able to hold on to during times of crisis.
Although I am building this site for a Christian audience, those of you who have not embraced this faith most certainly can read through the pages on this site and apply insights to your situations including grief, for example.
If you're not ready to accept the Christian faith or have no interest at this time in doing so, I still welcome you and encourage you to read through whatever topics apply to you. I also welcome feedback and questions as well: joecopywriter2020@gmail.com.
If you're of another faith background, though I'm committed to the Christian faith, I am open to whatever you would like to share.
Before giving a synopsis of the message of the Gospel, I often hear that people avoid going to church because it's filled with hypocrites.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. Is there hypocrisy in the church? Absolutely. However, I don't think it's fair to label every churchgoer as belonging to that category.
2. Some people may have this idea that Christians should walk around with halos above their heads and not make any mistakes. The whole reason we believe in the need for a Savior is well, because people including Christians---you guessed it...make mistakes. We aren't perfect. We believe Jesus is though.
In the world of Christianity, the kind of mistakes I'm specifically referring to is called sin.
Have you ever tried to throw a rock to the moon? I think I did that when I was a kid. Or...Did you ever imagine what it would be like if you tried to swim across the ocean?
In both cases, you might throw the rock closer to the moon than me, and I might swim farther than you to try to get across, but we both fall short.
That's kind of what sin is---falling short of the goal.
The above pictures illustrate how large of a gap between God's perfect standard and our attempts to achieve that goal.
Sin is something we do, such as lying, that goes against God's holy standards.
If you believe God created the world and the overall universe, He kinda has a right to set those standards, don't you think?
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
That's where our need for a savior comes into play.
Because God is holy, He cannot accept sin into heaven. However, God sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins, so we can spend eternity with Him. Such an act is a demonstration of His perfect love...
John 3:16: 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.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The message of the Gospel is as follows:
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
After rising again, the Scriptures say Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12)--the very place where He will bring us to be with Him:
John 14:3: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
So, how do I become a Christian? How do I know for sure I am going to heaven after I die?
The Book of Christian doctrine--Romans 10:9 says, 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.
Unlike other religions, Christianity is about receiving the gift of salvation as opposed to earning our way into heaven:
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
If you want to become a Christian--if you're ready to receive this gift, please say the following prayer--based on the information and verses above:
Dear Lord,
I know I'm a sinner. I have fallen short of Your perfect standard. I need a Savior. I ask that You forgive me for all of my sins. Right now, I trust in You as my personal Savior. I receive your gift in faith asking that You would be the Lord of my life. Thank You for Your grace in saving me from sin and eternal death. In Jesus' Name, Amen!
If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you are by grace and through faith--a Christian.
Beyond this point, there are ways to grow and mature in the faith--in your relationship with the Lord. This can be done through:
Another great way to start is by visiting the following site, which offers free courses on the core message of the Gospel.
Looking to Jesus (settingcaptivesfree.com)
The Cross Applied (settingcaptivesfree.com)
Set Free (settingcaptivesfree.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you struggle with assurance in your salvation? This page provides some guidance on the subject from the Scriptures.
https://www.encouragementscriptures.com/assurance-in-salvation.html
If you would like additional help and guidance, or if you have questions, feel free to reach out to me at: joecopywriter2020@gmail.com. You're also welcome to contact me via the prayer requests page: