The Devil's Family and God's Family

Your Decision to trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the greatest. decision you could ever make but... it is unlikely that you understand the true significance of what has happened in your life.

I'll try to explain briefly how your decision has affected your basic relationship with God.

There are two spiritual families in the World.

The Devil's family and God's family.

Everyone is born into the devil's family at birth because their earthly father is a mortal man and a descendant of sinful Adam. Adam's first child was Seth. Genesis 5:3 says, "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth."

You inherited your sin nature from your father Adam. Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

As a result of being born into this sinful family of the devil, you will die.
Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." and I Corinthians says, In Adam all die."

The Bible clearly points out this family of the devil in John 8:44, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do."

A verse that shows a distinction between the two families is John 8:38 where it says, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which ye have seen with your father."

How do we get into God's family?

By birth also. But a different kind of birth. It's a spiritual birth by God the Father. John 3:3 says, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

So how does one be born again?

John 1:12-13 says, "But as many as received him (which is the decision to trust Jesus Christ as your Savior), to them gave he power to become the sons of God (your entrance into God's family), even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man (it is not a physical birth), but of God."

You see then... that it is a "spiritual" birth.

This new spiritual birth puts you into God's family just as your physical birth put you into your earthly father's family.

Once you are in God's family, you are separated from the Devil's family.

Your body is now the temple of the Holy Ghost. God's Holy Spirit lives inside you.

I Corinthians 6:19, says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

After a person becomes born again and has the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them, they will usually want to give up drinking and smoking. They will be careful where they go and will not go into bars any more. They will stop wasting their time watching hours and hours of useless television shows.

A born again child of God will begin to seek God's will and not his own. His desires, goals, and purpose for living will change. If you are not seeking a new life in Christ, perhaps you weren't sincere when you asked God to save you. Or...
it could be that you are hanging out with the wrong crowd and need to pull away.

Your new life is summarized perfectly in II Corinthians 5:17-18 where it says,
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ..."

That's why when you get saved, most of your old friends don't want to be around you any more because you aren't like them. You have changed. You stop doing the things you used to do when you belonged to the Devil's family.

If your friends and family don't get saved and don't want to belong to God's family, they won't be willing to make the changes God asks. Instead of making changes and continuing to be your friend, they will either stop hanging out with you or they will try to pull you down with them. They might not be doing it on purpose but never the less, it can happen if you don't consciously make a decision to go to God for help during times of temptation.

If you find yourself being pulled back into your old life, the Bible says to, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you." James 4:7-8.

So you see, God will help you leave your old life with it's sinful activities behind.
You belong to God's family now and he will help you make new friends who want to please God.

Christian Home Business Help & Church Funding Contact Linda @ http://linda.christianhomebusinesshelp.com

Where to Start Reading the Bible

As a newly saved Christian, your Bible reading focus should be on places which talk about your new relationship with God the Father.

The Gospel of John, the Epistle of 1 John, and Psalm 119 are good places to start.

The Gospel of John was written so that you could see that you need to believe on the Lord Jesus to be saved and have eternal life.

John 20:31 says, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing ye might have life through his name."

The Epistle of I John was written so that you could have complete assurance of your salvation.

I John 5:13 says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Note: If you find something that you don't understand as you are reading the Bible, don't worry about it for now. Just keep reading. God will reveal it to you when you are ready.

John 16:12 says, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Just make sure you live the things that you do understand. God won't ask you to do something that you are unable to handle. As you apply what you are learning, God will begin to trust you with more.

Christian Home Business Help & Church Funding Contact Linda @ http://linda.christianhomebusinesshelp.com

Famous Bible Quotes

"The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter.

Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be open at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents."

Christian Home Business Help & Church Funding Contact Linda @ http://linda.christianhomebusinesshelp.com

A Brief History of the Bible

The Bible has a total of 66 books. It was written by more than 40 authors and written over a time span of about 2,000 years.

It is totally accurate of history and prophecy.

The Bible doesn't have one contradiction.

It all fits together perfectly as if it was written by one man.

Take a real good look at this and realize the awesomeness of this seemingly coincidental fact...

The middle of the Bible is Psalm 118:8. It reads, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

The middle two words in that verse are "the Lord."

The Lord is the center of the Bible!

Christian Home Business Help & Church Funding Contact Linda @ http://linda.christianhomebusinesshelp.com

The Purpose of the Word of God

1. The Word of God guides you.

Just as an owner's manual for your car or appliance tells you how to operate it, the Bible shows you exactly (with clear instructions) how you are to follow and serve the Lord.

"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:17

2. The Word of God sustains you.
Christians often call God's word, "spiritual food."

There are many verses in the Bible that refer to God's Word as nourishment.

1 Peter 2:2 calls it "milk."
Psalm 119:103 and Proverbs 16:24 calls it "honey."
Proverbs 7:2 and 25:11 calls it "apples."
Luke 4:3 calls it "bread."
Isaiah 55:12-14 and Ephesians 5:26 calls it "water."
Hebrews 5:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 calls it "meat."
Psalm 78:24 calls it "vegetables."

3. The Word of God Keeps you Clean

Psalm 119:9-11 says, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to they word." With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from they commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." and John 15:3, says, "Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

4. The Word of God is Reliable

The Word of God is more to be relied upon than the audible voice of God.
Never totally rely on your experiences, emotions, or intelligence when making decisions for your life. I Corinthians 2:14 says, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God."

So... you need to turn to the Bible instead. The written Word of God is even more reliable than the physical appearance of God.

II Peter 1: verse 16-21 says, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that sinneth in a dark place, unto the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretaton.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

And Matthew 17:1-9 says, "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart.

And was transfigured before before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for moses, and one for Elias.

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.

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, unto the Son be risen again from the dead."

5. The Word of God is the Truth

Sometimes God teaches you things through books, preachers, articles, teachers, even blogs like ours, but the ultimate Truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit as he leads and guides you into all Truth through reading God's Holy Word.

John 14:26 says, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Faterh will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said onto you."

And... John 16: 13-15, says "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, tht shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

Christian Home Business Help & Church Funding Contact Linda @ http://linda.christianhomebusinesshelp.com

The Importance of the Word of God

1. The Word of God is the "absolute" written authority from God as to how you should live your life. The Bible should supersede anything else you might choose to resort to for insight, wisdom, and direction for your life. That includes books, CD's, pastors, counselors, therapists, and teachers, or any other source."

2. The Word of God is essential to a Christian's growth, grace, and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In it's pages lie every detail as to how one should govern his life. It's principles will guide every facet of your walk with Jesus Christ.

3. The Word of God lays out the plan of salvation (the way to Heaven.)

1 Peter 1:23 says a man is born again "by the word of God." The Word of God is the agent by which a person experiences the "new birth."

The Bible clearly reveals your sinful condition and your need to accept God's plan of salvation in order to be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith..." Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

James 1:21 says the Word of God is, "...able to save your souls."

Paul summarizes the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4... Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures.

Christian Home Business Help & Church Funding Contact Linda @ http://linda.christianhomebusinesshelp.com