“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” These words are found near the end of Christ’s “Sermon on the Mount.” They stand as a reminder that going to Heaven requires more than merely wishing for it to happen. Going to Heaven demands that men be active! I have seen cars that had “Honk if you love Jesus” bumper stickers. Is honking horns all that Jesus wants? Of course, not! It is not enough to say “Lord, Lord.” Good intentions will not save us, either. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus demands action! He demands that we act upon what we know and obey Him. Jesus says the one who does God’s will has the opportunity to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Are you living a life of obedience to the Lord? If not, why not?

- Jarrod Jacobs

Spotlight On A Bible Verse: Matthew 17:5

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” The context of this verse records the event when Christ was transfigured. At this time, He was joined by Elijah and Moses, as Peter, James, and John stood by. When Peter suggested that three tabernacles or tents be made for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, God’s voice thundered from the cloud (v. 4-5).

Peter learned a lesson we need to learn. He needed to listen to Jesus Christ the Son of God. We need to do this as well! It is His voice that is authoritative (Matt. 28:18). It is His words that have life (Jn. 6:63). It is His words that will judge us one day (Jn. 12:48). Therefore, let us “hear Him” in everything and be blessed (Heb. 1:1-2, 2:1-3, 5:9, 12:25-26).

- Jarrod Jacobs

                   “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” These words were spoken on the day of Pentecost following the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. On this day, when the Jews were rightly accused of killing Christ (Acts 2:23), they then asked what they could do (Acts 2:36). Acts 2:38 is the answer to this question, and by extension, the answer to our question when we ask what we must do to be saved from our sins! Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized? If not, why not? Repentance and baptism is necessary to remit (forgive) your sins and put you in a right relationship with God. Why are you waiting?

- Jarrod Jacobs

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This verse is set in the midst of a context where Paul reminds the Romans what is necessary to be saved (v. 13-17). He goes on to say that the Jews had heard the truth, and yet they continued to disobey (v. 18-21). Let us learn that true Bible faith comes when we hear and make applications to self. Faith does not come without God’s word, but through it! All the great faith heroes are such because they first listened to God’s word and then obeyed what they heard (Heb. 11). Are we listening? Do we have faith?

- Jarrod Jacobs

“God Said It; I Believe It; That Settles It.”

Jarrod Jacobs

            The above statement has been popular for some years, now. I am sure most of our dear readers have heard this from time to time. It has been on multitudes of bumper stickers, and in fact, one book I own has this phrase at the end of every chapter! It is a good thought, and I appreciate the sentiment expressed. This statement conveys the message that since God said it, then I believe it. It is then “settled” because I will not argue with my God about it, nor will I listen to anyone who may try to get me to question the word of God.

            There is an even more accurate way to state this truth, though, and it is: “God Said It; That Settles It; I Believe It.” Put simply, once God says something, that settles it, regardless of whether or not I believe it! When God speaks the truth, it is settled (Ps. 119:89). If one fights and argues against the will of God, a man’s “unsettled” mind has no effect upon God’s truth (Ex: II Kings 5:10-14). At the same time, when one accepts God’s word completely, the acceptance and obedience to His word had no effect on the truth, either (Acts 2:41, 47)! God said it, and that settles it! Therefore, I need to believe it.

            God’s word has been man’s standard from the beginning. So long as we live upon this earth, this standard will not change (Matt. 24:35; I Pet. 4:11).