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Devotionals

The study of the Word and growing in your relationship with Christ is critical to the life of a seminarian. We have provided a weekly devotional to help you in your journey towards the ministry God has called you to.

Do YOU know what John 3:16 means?

John 3:16

 

     In Chicago during the Great Depression there was a little boy who sold newspapers on the street corner to help provide for his family.  His tattered jacket that was about three sizes too small provided little relief from the bitter Winter Chicago wind..  On one particularly cold day the young man was nearly frostbitten when a policeman approached him.

     "Son, do you know that big white house on the corner a couple of blocks up?

     "Yes sir. I pass it every day on my way to this corner."

     "Well, I want you to walk over there, step up onto the porch and knock on the door.  When the lady that lives there answers just say "John 3:16"

     The young man did as he was told.  He walked up to the door and knocked.  A kind face appeared at the door and the boy looked up and said "John 3:16".   The gentle lady opened the door wide and invited the cold, shivering, dirty little boy to come into the living room where there was a roaring fire blazing in the fireplace.  As he sat there getting warm and cozy he said to himself, "John 3:16.  I don't understand it; but it sure does make a cold little boy warm!"

     Soon that lady came out and led the boy into the dining room where there was a feast of all the foods that he loved.  She sat him down and he began to eat.  He ate until he couldn't stuff another bite in his mouth; and then he said to himself, "John 3:16.  I don't understand it, but it sure does make a hungry little boy full!"

     After he had eaten the kind woman took him up to a huge bathroom with a large bathtub filled with water and bubbles.  "You take a nice bath and then put on these pajamas", she told him.  As the young man sat in the first bath he had in quite a long time and scrubbed through the layers of dirt, he said to himself, "John 3:16.  I don't understand it, but it sure does make a dirty little boy clean."

     After his bath the lady brought him to a bedroom that had the biggest bed he had ever seen.  He laid down and immediately fell fast asleep.  In the morning he awoke to the smells of his favorite breakfast, bacon and eggs.  As he was getting dressed in the clothed the woman had laid out for him, the boy said to himself, "John 3:16.  I don't understand it, but it sure does make a tired little boy rested!"

     He went downstairs and the table was once again filled with food that he loved.  After breakfast, the kind, gentle lady led the boy back into the living room and in front of the fire.  She asked him, "Son, do you understand what 'John 3:16' means?"

     "No ma'am.  The first time I heard it was when that nice policeman told me to say it when you answered the door."

     She took her Bible and began to explain to him about the love of God and Jesus' dying on the cross.  The little boy accepted God's gift of everlasting life that day.  Then he said to himself, "John 3:16.  I still don't understand it, but it makes a lost little boy saved!"

     I don't understand John 3:16 either.  I don't understand why "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  But I believe it and I'm thankful for it.  Anyone-young or old, handsome or homely, intelligent or ignorant, rich or poor-who puts their faith and trust in the shed blood of the Lord, Jesus Christ, plus nothing, minus nothing, as the payment for the penalty of their sin,  is a recipient of God's free gift of salvation.  If you don't have that assurance get it settled right now.  It's not in what church you attend or what your social background is or even how religious you are.  Because it's not about RELIGION, it's about a RELATIONSHIP with a risen Saviour.  God bless you!

-Contributed by HBITS Vice President, Dr. Billy Kryger

Wise words from our Lord Jesus to live by today...

In today's politically correct post-modern so called Christianity, not many people want to acknowledge what Jesus actually said and did. Below is an excerpt from a recent conversation we wanted to share with all of you. Please remember - Jesus is concerned with your soul and the souls' of others. While what he says may sound harsh to an undiscerning ear, to those who dilligently study, this is the great call of our LORD and Saviour beckoning to us to trust and obey. May God Bless you as you reflect on His Word. 


 

If you think, for even one iota that you can earn, work, or 'be good', obey, teach, preach, fantasize, sing, or buy your way into heaven, look at what my good brother Paul said:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. -Romans 6:23

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9

FOR ALL OF MY LEGALIST FRIENDS Who THINK they can keep the law:

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9) If the sababth (saturday worship) is our solution to the 'rest' , then why my friends does Paul say in the book of Hebrews that the OLD TESTAMENT worshipper expected there 'remaineth a rest' ? 

20 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.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:20-22

FOR ALL THE GIRL SCOUT CHRISTIANS WHO DONT WANNA CALL PEOPLE OUT ON THEIR BAD DOCTRINE:

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17-18 (ARE YOU SIMPLE CHRISTIAN?)

NOW Look what the King of Kings called people who were at odds with God:

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34 (Jesus called them VIPERS)

BLIND GUIDES (matthew 23:16) 
YE FOOLS (matthew 23:17) 
DEAD MENS BONES (matthew 23:37)
HYPCRITES (Luke 11:44)
SERPENTS (Matthew 23:33)

Incontinent, liars, trucebreakers, boasters, lovers of self more than lovers of God, covenant-breakers, usurpers of authority HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF.

Friends, the purpose of this study is not to cause division, but rather to make you seriously consider your position with God. IF you are honest with yourself and with your maker-then an astute study of the above is necessary for your personal enrichement, and we pray you will dilligently study the scripture. 

Let me ask you church/friend/brother--is THIS the Jesus YOU PREACH? Think about it!

Matthew 7:12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

In the gym I belong to, each member has an electronic key to open the entry door. One cold day, I heard a tapping on the door's window but ignored the sound. The tapping stopped but then began again.

I glanced over my shoulder through the windowed entrance to see a young woman wearing lightweight exercise clothes and shivering from the cold. When I caught the eye of John, a fellow member, I asked, "Do you know that lady?" He replied that he didn't but then hurried to open the door. The woman had forgotten her keys when she left the gym earlier and couldn't get into her car or back inside the building.

John had immediately responded to the woman's need - treating the shivering woman as a member, a part of the family. That's the way Christ would have us treat others. He calls us to open the door and welcome them with acceptance and hope. Christ understands each person's situation and asks us to respond to that person with love and respect. In this way, we can put God's love into action and enhance our relationships with others and with God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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