Head-dibs

Is it possible to believe the Bible and not be saved? No doubt, when one says that he believes the Bible, he means that he accepts it as being true. But believing the Bible to be true even to the point of defending it in the face of opposition is not salvation. Yet, no one can be saved who does not believe the Bible, for " faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God " (Romans 10:17). Now perhaps this sounds confusing to you. But, dear friend, if you will take the time to seriously consider what the Bible has to say to you, you will be able to understand clearly what is meant by these statements. Salvation is not based on one's belief of the Bible, but rather is based on one's faith and trust in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ ( John 5:39,40 ; 8:24 ). Abraham of old has a very prominent place throughout the whole Bible, but the supreme testimony given to him in the Bible is that he believed God and God accounted this to him as righteousness ( Romans 4:3 ...

Each week my family enjoys an outing to the Richland County Public Library or one of its regional branches. Recently we visited the St. Andrews Branch wherein I was able to enjoy some very good conversation with a few patrons. I had a very good conversation with a 19 year-old patron who was patiently waiting for an open computer for internet access using the “ Character Survey .” Shortly afterwards I engaged a young African-American father waiting for an open computer. He was a rather large fellow, wearing black jeans, a red tee-shirt and his head was covered with a black stocking. I approached and asked, “Excuse me, sir. I am taking a survey and was wondering if you would be willing to help me with some information through a brief interview.” “Sure,” he said, “No problem.” And he graciously invited me to sit. I pulled up a chair. Thanking him, I gave him a brief run-down of what will transpire the next few minutes. “I am working on a project involved in the study of personal characte...

A vessel had been sailing near the northeastern coast of South America, when, due in part to miscalculation and in part to accident, the ship's crew had lost their bearings and did not know where they were. Soon after, they ran out of fresh water. Day after day they had drifted on under the scorching rays of a tropical sun until at last the exhausted sailors lay on the deck totally unable to guide the vessel. When hope had died out of every heart, the sail of a ship appeared on the horizon. It was seen by one of the sailors, who, with supreme effort, shouted "Water, water; give us water; we are dying of thirst!" Quickly and distinctly came back the answer, "Dip it up!" It seemed like a mockery, but they obeyed. The water was fresh! They had been drifting for days within the mouth of the Amazon where the ocean meets the fresh water. They had been dying of thirst while surrounded by fresh water on every side! The joy, and also the surprise, of these poor sailors b...

As the rivers increase in size and importance with their increase in length, so do the events in the history of this world. Year by year finds them increasingly full of interest. Everything is heading up. Things are assuming new and strange forms. Many feel that significant, foreboding events are at hand. Why is this? It is, we believe, because the greatest of all events now facing men is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this world. He has been here before. We have all heard of the perfect, sinless life of love and goodness He led here on earth--a life never before lived or known among men. We also know how men rewarded Him for it, how they crucified Him, hanging Him between two criminals. We have learned, too, how He came forth triumphant in resurrection three days later, and ascended back to heaven, from where He had come. Before going back, however, He left testimony about His return in its two aspects. First the Lord Himself will descend from heaven to rapture every...

“The message of salvation can be presented through means of the printed page. It never flinches, it never grows tired, never grows disheartened; it works while we sleep; it travels cheaply and requires no rented building; it never loses its temper; and it works long after we are dead. The printed page is a visitor which gets inside the home and stays there; it always catches a man in the right mood, for it speaks to him only when he is reading it; it always sticks to what it has said, and never answers back. The printed page is deathless: you can destroy one, but the press can reproduce millions. As often as it is martyred it is raised. It can enter doors locked to the evangelist; it preaches in the factory, the train, the kitchen; it visits the school and the jail; it whispers in the ear of the dying. The printed message can reach those whose religions forbid them to go to church. It can reach the student who, proud of his intellectualism, refuses to listen to the Gospel or relate him...

"God has saved multitudes through Gospel tracts, so always carry them with you, and take a moment to encourage other Christians to do the same. Let them know that Christian literature can be used as a conversation opener. One of the most difficult things about witnessing is starting up a conversation about God. A tract can do that for you. It can be left with the person you have spoken to, so that he or she can read further about the way of salvation. Tracts can be given to people when it's not convenient to speak to them. Simply say, 'Did you get one of these?' If you find that difficult, you could at least leave them in places without the daunting thought of human confrontation. Whatever you do, never let a day go by when you don't do something to reach the lost while you still can. There goes another minute. Gone forever. Go share your faith while you still have time." From Way of the Master Minute . [or say, "Here, hold this for me." ;-)]