Devotional
Author: Brandi With An I
•8:00 AM
Condemned by Ignorance
Wooddale Church of Christ
"God will like it because I like it" is the claim that many make. 

Many assume that our Heavenly Father will accept whatever they do in life simply because it pleases them. 

Note what Ephesians 4:17-18 says about this type of mindset:
"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."

The majority of people will be separated from God through eternity because of their own ignorance.

People fail to understand that God expects complete obedience to His will. 

We cannot decide for ourselves what is acceptable to God and what isn't. Because people do not search the scriptures for themselves (Acts 17:11) they leave themselves open to being deceived by false teachers:
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Just as in the secular world, God tells us that "ignorance of the law is no excuse." We will all be judged by the word of God (John 12:48) and that word will continue till the day of judgment (Revelation 20:12).

In order to be ready for the return of Christ, study the Bible often, read it daily and do what it says. 

Do not let ignorance of the word of God keep you from entering heaven.
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Heaven only knows.
Author: Brandi With An I
•11:14 AM
The following is a repost originally written by myself on 3.26.09. I wanted to share it once again because, right along through here, I feel it can help someone. Hope it touches and helps you. God Bless!

I am dying. 

No, I don't have a fatal disease or terminal illness, but it's true. 

I AM dying. 

I'm one step closer to death than I was yesterday. 

And if we stopped and thought for a moment, we all are. 

Life is soooo short, man. Death has no respect for age. It used to be at one time, all the older people would die off, but lately it seems as if the young ones are filling up those vacancies in those graveyards. 

One minute you're here, and the next you're gone..just like that. 

Some people don't like to think about it, or talk about it, but hey, that's reality. 
You're not here to stay. 

When you die, that's just the beginning of it all. 

I know some of us are in that mode "I'm young and i'm gonna do what I wanna do while I can do it" but that's not the mindset we should have. 

The devil wants us to think that we have all the time in the world...but in reality we don't. 

Don't you know if you die in your sins, your soul goes to him to be tortured for all eternity?

Since young people are dying as quickly as the older generation, don't you think we should be in good standing with God? 

When we die and judgment comes, we have to stand before Him and give an account of everything we did on earth. 

Some of us say "I'm a good person" or "I love God" but it takes more than just that. You can't live your life any old way and expect God to be pleased with you. You have to live according to His teachings. 

Sure, it might be hard and you'll have to give up a LOT. 
But look at the BIG PICTURE..if you live as He would have you to live and follow His word, you spend eternity with Him? 
Isn't that a wonderful thought? 

To know after all the hurt and pain and drama down here you had to deal with, you can rest in Heaven with him forever? 

Why would you wanna live a life full of hell here on earth and spend eternity in hell 'cause of how you were living? 

We need to take self examinations and change up the way we live if it's not measuring up to God's standards. 

Tomorrow is not promised...neither is the next second. 

We should stop saying "I'll worship God when I get older", who's to say you have that long left? 

You should do it NOW while there's still breath in your body and blood running warm in your veins. 

Sure you may lose some friends along the way, your family may even turn against you, but when you face God you have to answer for YOU and what you did or didn't do during your life. 

It's funny how we can talk about any and everything, but when God is brought up, there's cause for debate. 

Why can we talk hours and hours about the latest music, gossip about this and that person, but when something comes up about our soul and eternity we get defensive? 

God loves ALL OF US and doesn't want any of us to perish. 
But he destroyed the world once before and only eight survived, He has the right to do it again. 

Why take that chance? 
Don't you want to hear Him say "Well done" on that last and final day? 
Don't you want to see His face in peace instead of fear?

Some may think i'm crazy, or a "religious nut" but hey...
you think what you want. It used to bug me that people would
think I was weird for standing up and doing what was right
by telling others about God, but it doesn't bother me anymore.
I know i'm doing what God would have me to do;
and as long as He's pleased, that's all that matters to me.

Don't you want to be on someone's side who...
..will love you unconditionally?
..will be there for you all the time when others turn their backs?
..will forgive you when you do wrong instead of hanging it over your head?

Do what's right:
Live for Him♥
What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent" (Acts 17:30).

Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).

Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Want to learn more?

http://church-of-christ.org/churches/

Visit that site,
click the area in which you reside,
find a congregation near you and pay a visit.
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Thought of the Day
Author: Brandi With An I
•10:52 AM
II Peter 3:8-10 -> "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare."

While it's true that the Lord does not want anyone to perish, He also gives us free will. We can choose to achieve the great salvation, live for Him and make Heaven our home OR we can choose to do things our way, live for self, and spend eternity with the devil and his angels.

The choice is yours. . .

- B.
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The Book of Life
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:09 PM




by J. Raymond Pecoraro, Wooddale Church of Christ

“And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, & the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” (Phil. 4:3). 

These words are from the pen of the great apostle Paul. 
This article is about God’s Book of Life where He records the faithful because He knows that they are His people.


There are many books in the world. 


In fact, Solomon said, “that there is no end to book making.” (Eccl. 12:12). 


There are works of fiction, novels, technical books, self-help books, textbooks, and many, many more covering almost any subject imaginable! 


But the greatest, best-selling book ever written is the Bible. 
It contains answers to life's simple and most complex questions ever asked by man! (II Tim. 3:16, 17). 


Through the ages there have been legions of people who tried to dispute the validity of the Bible, yet to no avail! 


In Luke 2:1-5, Joseph & Mary were required by Roman law to register for taxation! Courthouses have large books containing the name of its citizens who own property, pay taxes, owe taxes, births & deaths. The government records the census of all citizens of the U.S.A. Paul tells us that our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Therefore the Christian’s name is written in God’s “Book of Life.”


The Heavenly Registry: “Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20). 


The early disciples had the ability to work miracles & they thought this was great. They rejoiced because they had this power over the serpents, scorpions, & even their enemies. (V.17). Yet Jesus said it was a greater blessing to have your name enrolled in heaven! Paul’s challenge to “rejoice in the Lord: always immediately follows the statement about the “Book of Life.” (Phil. 4:4).


Whose Names Are Enrolled In Heaven? 
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, & unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, & to an innumerable company of Angels. To the general assembly & church of the first born, & to God the Judge of all, & to the spirits of just men made perfect.” Heb. 12:22, 23 …the Redeemed). 


The triumphant of the church of the Lord:
1. Those “called out” of the world (Ekklesia).
2. People who belong to God. (I Cor. 1:2).
3. People who are sanctified (set apart from the world). (I Cor. 1:2).
4. Those who are “in Christ” …God’s children through baptism. (Gal. 3:26, 27).
5. People who are called by the gospel. (I Cor. 1:2).
6. Those who “call upon the name of the Lord. (Rom. 10:13-17).


“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; & I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, & before His angels.” (Rev. 3:5). 


Paul said, “For I am now ready to be offered, & the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (II Tim. 6, 7). 


We must keep the commandments of the Lord & our names will be there come Judgment Day! 
Make no mistake about this, friends!


The Tragedy Of Not Having One’s Name In The Lamb’s Book of Life: 
“And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15). 


There won’t be any computer errors come the judgment! 
God is the Divine bookkeeper. (Read Daniel 12:1-3). 


All jokes about heaven will cease because it won’t be funny. 


In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, & the life: he that believeth in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” 


If you haven’t yet made preparations to have your name written in God’s Book of Life, there may not be a better opportunity than now!


“One day when heaven was filled with His praises, 
One day when sin was as black as could be, 
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, 
Dwelled among men, 
my Example is He. 


Living He loved me, 
dying He saved me, 
Rising He carried my sins far away. 


One day He is coming, 
O Glorious Day.”


When the roll is called up yonder, will you hear your name? 
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people!
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A Traveler's Guide to Heaven
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:53 PM
By: Evan Pigman


Accommodations: Arrangement for accommodations must be made in advance (John 14:2).


Passports: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority (Revelations 21:27).


Departure Time: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be prepared to leave on short notice (I Corinthians 15:52).


Tickets: Your ticket was purchased by a Friend named Jesus. It should be claimed by hearing the gospel, believing in Christ, repenting of sins, confessing Jesus, and having sins washed away in baptism (Romans 10:17; Acts 2:38; Matthew 10:32; Acts 22:16) Keep its promises firmly in hand (John 5:24; Hebrews 5:8, 9).


Luggage: No luggage whatsoever is needed or allowed (I Timothy 6:7).


Immigration: All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking up permanent residence in a new country. There is no maximum quota, so all are invited to come (Hebrews 11:16; Revelation 22:17).


Air Passage: Travelers going directly by air (I Thessalonians 4:17).


Vaccinations: Not needed, as there are no diseases there (Revelation 21:4).


Currency: Deposits may be forwarded to await passenger's arrival. Make deposits as large as possible (Matthew 6:20, 21).


Clothing: A complete and appropriate new wardrobe is provided for each traveler (Isaiah 61: 10).


Reservations: Booking is now open. Since departure time is unknown you should apply at once, if you wait, it may be too late (II Corinthians 6:2).


To learn more, please consult the Holy Bible.
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Morality
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:01 PM
Morality


It is contended by some that persons with good morals, respectable citizens with clean lives, can go to heaven regardless of their relationship to Christianity.


We briefly note that if this were true:



  1. Man could have been saved without Christ's coming into the world; but he came to save (John 3:17 -> For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.)
  2. One could be saved apart from Christ's stripes; but we are healed by his stripes (I Peter 2:24 -> who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed)
  3. A person could have been saved without the death of Christ; but he died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3 ->For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures)
  4. Man could have been justified without he resurrection of Christ; but he was raised for our Justification ( Romans 4:25 ->who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification)
  5. We could be redeemed apart from the blood; but we have our redemption through his blood (Ephesians 1:7 -> In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace)
  6. Men could please God without faith; but without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6 ->But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)
  7. One could be saved without repenting; but those who repent not shall perish (Luke 13:3-> I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish)
  8. Man could deny Christ and be saved; but those who deny Christ shall be denied before the Father (Matthew 10:32-> Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven)
  9. A person could be saved without baptism; but baptism saves (I Peter 3:20, 21-> who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ)
  10. Men could be saved without being born again; but men must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:5 ->Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.")
  11. We could be saved without obeying the gospel; but Christ will render vengeance to them that obey not the gospel ( II Thessalonians 1:8 -> in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.)
  12. Man could be saved without being converted; but he must be converted to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3 -> and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.)

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