Where I am Right Now, And What Do I Need To Accomplish This Year 2016?

All the people in the world are aiming for a better and a fulfilled life. It is natural need for each person to satisfy and meet his/her physical, emotional, intellectual, social, religious and other needs to be fulfilled and become happy in life. If these needs are not met, different negative behavioral issues will arise like having poor self-confidence, self-esteem, withdrawal from other people or group, become too shy, self-pity, less inner strength to cope up in many pressures in life that result to less or no productivity in life. Our mind is one of the precious gift of God to man. It is here where the control, planning, thinking, and executions to make decisions to act originate. All of us have this wonderful gift from God and no one should say that I can't do it, cause I am small, thin, ugly, uneducated, poor, sickly, and other negative understanding of one self. In Genesis 1:27 says, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him male and female he created them". This means, man, I or you exists not out of nowhere but we were all created by a mighty and powerful God. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well". Psalm 139:13-14 Friends, you and I are so special to God. We can do a lot of beautiful and beneficial things for our family, others and for ourselves. Accept the truth that I am special cause I am wonderfully and perfectly made by God. Remove all negative views of yourself or what others are telling you and might tell to discourage you but rather, be thankful to God that you can do all beneficial things for everybody including you cause God has deposited in you the wisdom in your mind to function effectively, to create something beautiful and helpful to others and for you and to become more productive this year 2016. It is about time to take away our negative understanding of ourselves but rather, acknowledge the truth that you and I have talent, wisdom, strength and resources that God has entrusted to us for our disposal. Use these for other people, for yourself, and for the glory of God. Don't waste it. Remember the words of Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:13 that says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Instead of entertaining negative thoughts in our minds, open our minds and let these be stored in our minds today: "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" Philippians 4:8. Make a plan today. Write in your notebook or computer what do you want to accomplish by the end of Write all activities that you have to do to accomplish your written target, goal or what you want to accomplish this year. Write your strengths, available resources like inner strength, inborn talent, even small amount of cash (optional), connections, opportunities, time, that you can start using to attain your goal. Write when do you plan to start to implement your action steps to reach your goal or target. Focus and discipline yourself to reach your goal. Write in a big paper your goal and post it on your wall or near your bed to remind you daily of your goal or take a picture of the thing you want to achieve. If you have goal or target and you have the inner desire to get it, truly, you can have it. Act now for a sure change cause Immanuel, God with us. God's grace is always sufficient for you and for me. A blessed New Year to all. Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan in your life. For your comments, suggestions, prayer requests visit me at http://www.savelifewtihjoy.com, blog: hopeandlifeforyou.com, Eugenio "EJ" Juarez and email ad: agn623@gmail.com

What Is My Life Without Jesus?

Do you know what is the purpose why you are living?  Do you have a clear meaning and direction in life?  What do you think man's life without Jesus?  These are some of the very important questions man should know and needs to experience personally to live victoriously in life.

In the book of Matthew 1:18-25 is a true to life story that was written in the bible - our true foundation on how to understand the meaning of life.

Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, a righteous man and from the line of David.  And upon knowing that Mary is conceiving a baby, he decided to divorce her secretly to protect her from disgrace and penalty of the law of Moses as death to all who commit an adultery of marital unfaithfulness.  Joseph didn't know that the baby in Mary's womb came not because of having a marital unfaithfulness but because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

And in a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said to him take Mary home for what she conceived is from the Holy Spirit.  Mary will born a child and you will give him a name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins  verses 18-21.  This was the fulfillment of the prophecy written 700 years ago in the book of Isaiah 7:14 that says, The virgin will conceive and give birth  to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, "God with us".  Joseph accepted  the words of God through the angel and took Mary home and took care for her

until she gave birth to Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.

The people of Israel were patiently waiting for the fulfillment of that prophecy as the time that they will be liberated from the hands of the mighty and cruel Roman government.  They were waiting for the coming of the Messiah.  But the word of God through the angel has cleared clearly that the name Jesus means, in verse 21 as "he will save his people from their sins" and not from the cruel hands of the Roman Empire.  It is spiritual salvation that will surely change even the crooked governance of the Roman government.  The root cause of Jesus birth was to liberate men from the power and punishment of sin.  For the wages of sin is death - both physical and spiritual or eternal separation of men from the presence of God and will experience eternal punishment, agony, and pain in hell Romans 6:23.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23.  Man's effort and self-righteousness are not enough to satisfy the holiness of God.  God's holiness demands punishment that only the blood of his only Son Jesus can truly satisfy the magnitude of sin and of the holiness of God.

Holiness demands holiness.  And without holiness, no one can see God, for God is holy I Peter 1:16 The hope of Israel's spiritual salvation or hope is Jesus and this is the meaning of his name.  God has answered the root cause of the problem of men of sin that leads to death and punishment through the birth of Jesus. And if God didn't send his only Son on earth to be born to die, what then is the meaning of life and surely, there is no salvation or hope in men.  What man shall it profit if he loses his soul? Mark 8:36  If man has no salvation or hope, what is the meaning of life? Man is going to nowhere. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish in hell, but to have eternal life in heaven"  John 3:16.  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus" Romans 6:23. 

Friends, we are so blessed cause God has solved our impossible and incurable sickness or sin through Jesus, the reason why we have Christmas.  God's great love was shown and given to men more than two thousand years ago when He sent Jesus to be born of Mary to die on the cross once and for all for the forgiveness of sin Romans 6:10  Jesus is the only acceptable payment or solutions to meet the standard of God's holiness or else all of us will surely be with Satan and all his evil angels and followers in hell for eternity - a place of agony, pain, and hopelessness.  "The thief or Satan came to steal, to kill and to destroy but Jesus came on earth to give us life and to have this more abundantly" John 10:10  Don't be deceived, Satan is so clever and deceitful.  Many are ignoring the salvation that is offering of God through Jesus but many are still desiring to have more material things than to accept the precious gift of God.  Open your eyes and mind.  Satan is killing people softly through pleasures, sensuality, love of money, power and others rather than God.  If you are wise, you will chose the best of the best in life, no other than Jesus.  Turn away from your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior today as the only sure way to have a meaningful life here and after this life.

For all Christians, please send your short personal testimony before and after you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior to put in our blog and website that others may read it as a way of sharing the good news to all people in the world.   For your suggestions, comments and prayer concerns, please visit our website at http://www.savelifewithjoy.com, Eugenio "EJ" Juarez, hopeandlifeforyou.com, agn623@gmail.com.  Continue to pray for our ministry until the coming of Christ.

A blessed and a joyful celebration of Christmas Season to all.

Are You Looking For The True Source Of Joy In Life?

Billions of people in the world today are very eager to find lasting joy for themselves and for their families.  It seems that money and having freedom financially that could enjoy life in beautiful places in the world and of the excellent taste of life are the things that can truly give them lasting peace and joy.  Yes, these things are important and to meet these needs are of great value and could give men the inner peace knowing that there is something good in them that can lead them to freedom and joyous life with their family.  But these are temporal and limited in nature, there is one sure truth that can satisfy men of his quest for real joy that money and material things can not buy and this is the free gift of this season, The Real Reason Of This Christmas Celebration - JESUS.

The greatest good news that was announced was heard and received by the shepherds in the town of Bethlehem.  The ordinary and common poor men that are weak, low profile, simple and exposed in danger and put even their lives at stakes just to protect their flocks from the wild wolves and ferocious animals.  They were also thinking silently and talking as a group whether there is hope that will come  for them and their families under the cruel leadership of the Roman Empire.

In Luke 2:10 says, But the angel of the Lord said to them (shepherds) "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior  has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord".  How come that these words of the angel were considered as good news?  The shepherds were economically and emotionally in distress and wanted to be freed from these unpleasant situations.  These men had some knowledge of the prophecy in the old testament that one day, all the Jewish people will be saved from the tyranny of the Roman Empire. In Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with a child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel".  This prophecy was fulfilled after 700 years in the book of Matthew 1:23 that says, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, God with us".

At first, they were all afraid of the appearance of angel Gabriel to them and can't believed to see an angel but they were surprised to hear the comforting words that they should not be afraid for the good news of great joy has come in the person of Jesus, the savior of the world. They left their flocks and went to Bethlehem to confirm all the things the angel has told them and when they arrived, truly,  they saw with their eyes the fulfillment of the promised savior, " ... Jesus because he will save his people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21.

The shepherds have understood clearly the meaning of a savior as not liberation from the mighty power of the Roman Empire but forgiveness of sin that leads to life.  They left the manger filled with new joy and shared this without shame and boldly to all people they met the good news of great joy - Jesus or Immanuel, God with us.

Friends, all of us are in the midst of different issues in life.  Some are sick, some are financially in need, some are emotionally disturbed, some have marital and family concerns and others.  The promised of a savior has come and he lived a simple life here on earth and died like a criminal and took our place instead we should be hanged and killed on the cross.  For the wages of sin is death, both physical and spiritual.  We can't do anything to save ourselves from the punishment and power of sin  Romans 3:23.  But the gift of God is life everlasting Romans 6:23.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16  God through Jesus has shown his great love that we might have life and to have this more abundantly but the thief or Satan came here on earth to kill, to steal and to destroy men's relationship with one another John 10:10.  Sin is the source of all evils in life both physical and spiritual that will surely lead men to eternal separation from the presence of God, which is hell.

Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness ; by his wounds you have been healed I Peter 2:24.  God is so concern to our souls, but he loves also that all will experience physical healing and wellness in this life.  God sent Jesus on earth for our physical and spiritual needs and what we need to do is to accept his free offering of salvation by faith and you and I will receive true forgiveness that will lead and help us to live a new life with true joy.  When Jesus saw that the leaders of the Sanhedrin and their followers were about to stone Mary Magdalene to death, he told them, whoever has no sin be the first to stone her. One by one, they thrown their stones to the ground and left Mary and Jesus said to her, your sins were forgiven and sin no more.  From that day on, Mary found true joy and meaning in life in Christ Jesus.  She followed Jesus's teachings until she died.

What man shall it profit in this life if he loses his soul Matthew 16:26.  The gift of God of forgiveness that leads to life is for all and for you.  Remember, God loves you so much.

For your suggestions, comments and concerns or if you want to share your personal testimony how you find true joy in your life, this might help others who are in like situation as you had before

Why I Need To Be Thankful To God?

God knows that all of us are so busy taking care for our family, education of our children, go to work daily, studies, and other concerns in life.  We all have 24 hours daily doing many activities but sad to say that we are just giving a very little time to be alone and have some reflections and recollections about ourselves, our goal, resources, strengths, weakness, failures, success, and others.  Some of these are in us and we are experiencing these in different time, place and degree.  Majority are always struggling in money and other related concerns about it, sickness, vices and others.  Let us all pause or stop for a while and evaluate whether we are heading to our goal or target correctly.

All vehicles and machinery need the right fuel to run.   Gasoline engine needs gas and diesel engine needs diesel to run smoothly.  Our minds need also the right information to function effectively.  We need to know the best source of inner strength that comes from the information stored in our minds.  What's in your mind will affect your  behavior, values and actions.  It affects also where you are right now.  What are the reasons why the 1% to 2% of the population  the world of 7.09 billion people in 2014 are seemingly controlling the $106 Trillion economy worldwide? (see world economy - wikipedia.org). Many are the reasons like knowledge, connections, wealth begets wealth principle, greediness, techniques in business and others.

The bible is very clear source of how can all people in the world like you can contribute to the growth of the world economy for the benefit of all the people.  Some people were able to learn immediately the "secrets" but these can't be considered anymore cause the Word of God has opened the answer for this already and what we need to do is to hold this truth as true and is for you and for me too and not only for the minority who controls the world economy now.  We have to know the truth and learn how to apply the truth.  The book of Psalm 139:13-14 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  And in Genesis 1:27 says, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him male and female he created them".

These two verses in the bible teach us clearly that God has made us all fearfully and wonderfully or perfect.  We are all provided the resources that we need like wisdom, strength, confidence, and others to sustain us to become more productive for ourselves and for others for His glory.  We are all special and precious to God.  We are all complete in Him.  You can not say to yourself that I am weak, can't do it, don't know how to do it, or I am at lost!  Friend, only one thing that distorted all of these beautiful and blissful plan of God for men, and this is sin.  For the thief or Satan came into the world to steal, to kill and to destroy, but Jesus came here on earth to give us life and to have this more abundantly John 10:10.  This is the hindrance why men became defeated, lose his confidence and esteem in life, became lame and ineffective and see success physically as very dim or too far to reach.  Men in all walks of life need Jesus.  We need to be released from the cursed both physical and spiritual.

Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved.  The main goal of God is to give you new life here on earth and sure hope in heaven, our eternal permanent home with God and other believers and angels.  God doesn't want that all men will perish in hell but to have eternal life John 3:16.  God has redeemed this chaotic situation of men through Jesus at the cross of Calvary.  He was hanged and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins that no one can do except Jesus' once and for all offering of his body on the cross I Peter 2:24.  He destroyed the power of Satan and his forces worldwide and outside the world through his precious blood that was shed on the cross.  The door of salvation has now opened to all who will accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  It means, you will say yes that you sinned and should be hang on the cross but because of God's love for you and for me, He sent his only Son Jesus to take our place instead, Jesus took all the penalties and punishment on his body just to save you and me.  What we need to do is to admit that we are sinful and ask for God's forgiveness.  Let us promise that we will no longer be the slave of sin but rather to follow the word of God starting today.  If you will do this decision, the promise of God is true and he is faithful to say like what he said to one of the robbers beside him on the cross like this, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43.  It means, you will receive God's promise of eternal life and will no longer perish in hell for eternity because you believe in Him.

All of us need a savior and be released from all chaos and negativism, fear, doubts and losing of confidence and hindrances to become more productive in life.  God has freed us from both eternal punishment and is now restoring even the world's ugly condition by the power of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit through you and me.  Jesus came to restore the broken world and for this reason, the Holy Spirit is now working with all the people who decided to follow Him to restore and bring back the beauty of this world.  That's why, we have to be thankful for the opportunity God gave us through Jesus Christ to share the good news of salvation to all and to become more productive in life for others.  God has gave us the special role to play right now.  Are you willing and ready to change your lifestyle of being defeated always.  We have to be freed from the ugly thoughts in our minds that lead us to defeat.  We can only help ourselves if we will surrender our sins that cause us to become vulnerable to Jesus. Ask for God's forgiveness and He will forgive you and you will have a new and strong outlook in life II Corinthians 5:17.  Even a person has the wealth and intelligence in life if he has no personal relationship with Christ, he can not change the world for the better. Only the God-fearing person/s can make a major change in this rotten world.

The world needs people whose minds are renewed and guided by love and holiness of God.  Now that you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can say to your self that I am free and can be the Ambassador of bringing the good news of salvation to all and be the channel of restoring the old and evil systems of this world that promote economic burden to many helpless and weak, immorality and materialism mentality to the world which is dominated by love and holiness.  Change in our society and of the world can only happen through the lives of people who decided to follow Christ teaching of love and holiness. Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  Let us be thankful to God cause He gave us the new life that is full of meaning and purpose.  So, don't waste this golden opportunity.  Use it now!

For your comments and suggestions email us at agn623@gmail.com.  Or visit our website: www.savelifewithjoy.com, or in our blog in Eugene "EJ" Juares for more messages about life, death, victory over sin, tips for success and others,  May the Most High God bless you all.

What Happens To The Spirit Of Man When He Died?

http://www.savelifewithjoy.com Short history of the celebration of Halloween Worldwide.

     The celebration of Halloween worldwide can be traced back 2000 years ago in Ireland.  The folks living in part of this land was called the celtics and they believed that the spirits of their loved ones who died should be respected and celebrate through prayers, lighting through bonfire or lamp using the turnips, preparations of fruits, vegetables, and various foods and put these stuff in front of the house of the deceased member as a sign of welcoming and to show their love and high regards for him/her.  These people should do this yearly especially during the last three days of October, the end of the summer or harvest time.  They believed that the abundant harvest in their fields has something to do how they treat the spirits of the dead.  If they treat those spirits well, their harvest will become plenty or abundant, vice versa.  They called this time as Samhin ( pronounced as sow-in) or the Celtic Harvest Festival.  Before the celebration of "All Hallows Eve"  or "All Saints Day on November 1, this was first celebrated in the eve of October 31 of each year -  to honor and to give respect to the spirits of the dead people or they called them, fairies. 

In the year 609, the folks were celebrating this occasion every May 13 of each year but in the year 835, Pope Gregory lV was changed this date of celebration of remembering of the deads to November 1.  A Christian Catholic Minister named Prince Sorie Conteh wrote, "It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed loved ones wandered the earth till the All Saints Day."  This belief was held and taught in the whole land by  the Roman Catholic Church , the predominating belief and followers in the world.  And this belief of praying for the souls of the dead who are in "purgatory" or temporary place of punishment of the sinners can be transferred to heaven, is still and hold on continuously by the majority believers of the Catholic Church today.

In 19th century, some citizens from Ireland and Scotland migrated to the United States and brought also this belief and became acceptable practice and celebration not only in America but in most parts of the world.  One of the activities in the celebration of the Celtics is the  lighting of the dark places when they were visiting different houses using the lamp made of a turnip and this was changed to the much bigger pumpkins which are produced or harvested locally.  This celebration became much glamorous and seemingly festivity to the point of becoming a big source of income for the businessmen.  This becomes the next event to Christmas Season that is well celebrated in US today.  From $2 billion sales in the past years, it reached already the $8 billion sales in the country today (www.origin of halloween).

The Biblical Understanding of death.

     Normally, the belief of a person becomes his guide in his daily life.  If a person holds a wrong belief, it becomes a norm or tradition that he will apply for the rest of his life.  Our God, our Creator  wanted men of all countries in the world to know the truth that will set them free from deceiving  teachings which they received  and believed  that resulted then to wrong patterns in life.  There is no answer to all the questions of men except the Bible, the words of God.  In II Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the men of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  Below are some of the biblical proofs that teach us about the destination of man's spirit when he died:

     First, let us see what the book of Job 7:9-10 says, "As a cloud is vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return.  He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more."  Job is a man that overcame all the difficult trials in life like losing of all his wealth, death of their ten children at the same time, suffered from painful sores from head to toes, misunderstood and judged by his wife and of his wise and religious friends but he overcame these all and even Satan who caused this tragedy to Job didn't appear again before the throne of God because of shame and defeat through the faithfulness of Job to God.  God was so pleased to Job because of his being blameless, upright, God-fearing and he shuns evil that led him to victory over hardships in life and God has doubled all his earthly blessings in life.  But Job saw the reality of life in these verses when he was in the midst of anguish that the spirit of man will depart from his physical body forever when he died.  Man's spirit or soul has its' right  place after death.  Man's spirit or soul will never roaming around on earth or coming again to his house to disturb his loved ones, relatives and other people.

     Second, in Luke 23:42-43, one of the robbers said, "Jesus remember me when you come to your kingdom." And Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  The robber that was hanged also near Jesus knew that his death is so near and he realized too for his need of a Savior when he died.  His statement meant that he is a sinner and needs Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.  He learned to accept his being a sinner and is worthy to die.  When Jesus heard that true repentance and the need for a Savior,  He said, "today you will be with me in paradise."  Jesus knew that man needs assurance and when the robber heard that words of Jesus, he was assured and learned to accept death and knew also that when his hour comes, his soul will go directly in heaven.  It means that when a person died, his body will be left on earth and his soul will go instantly to heaven, the kingdom of God, but the other robber who didn't repent but still mocked Jesus, his soul went to hell instantly when he died.

     Third, is in Acts 7:59-60,  Stephen the first Christian martyr and while the Jewish leaders and their followers were stoning him he prayed and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  Then he fell on his knees and cried out..."  Here Stephen has entrusted his soul to God.  He faced and endured the pain of dying through stones because he knew that what is waiting for him is the glorious experience of all who follow Jesus that even painful death can not hinder him.  He knew that life here on earth is temporal and he had the assurance that his soul will go directly to the kingdom of God when he died.

     Fourth, is the words of Jesus in Luke 23:46 that said, "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." and when he said this, he breathed his last.  Death is the end of earthly activities of man here on earth and the start of life in heaven, the promised placed for all who believed and followed Jesus.

     Fifth, is in Luke 16:19-31.  Here the poor Lazarus died and was brought immediately by the angels to the bosom of Abraham or heaven not because he was poor but because he lived what Jesus taught him and he obeyed these.  And the rich man died and he went to hell, the place of agony and pain that he was experiencing that caused him to request Abraham to send Lazarus to him to dip his finger to his tongue that his thirst will be lessened and to go to the house of his father to remind his five brothers to repent that they will not suffer with him in hell. But Abraham has rejected his requests and he said that Moses and the prophets are there to do the tasks that were assigned to the living people. When the two men died, their souls  left their bodies on the grave and went directly to the place they chose to live for eternity.  The bible didn't tell men that their souls were roaming around and to remind the people to repent and that heaven is a blissful place.

     Lastly, is in Hebrews 9:27 and the author says, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."  Death is the culmination or terminal of man's presence here on earth and his soul's next appearance is the judgment seat of God where all his deeds on earth will be exposed and punishment in hell will surely his lot in life caused he rejected Jesus Christ as his Savior but to those who believed in Jesus, heaven in the presence of God is his life time reward.

Conclusion:

      The truth in the bible is very clear that the tradition and practices of men should always be clarified according to the teaching of the Scriptures whether these are acceptable and need to observe in the community or society.  Since the celebration of Halloween is not supported clearly by the words of God, the believers of Christ Jesus should stand for the truth and tell the people who are deceived by the wrong teachings that the truth in the bible should be observed and obeyed before practicing any celebrations or follow any systems in the community.  This acts are not easy to do knowing that the people involved are many and much influential .  But for the sake of Christ the only way to heaven and the only one that can set the people free from the bondage of ignorance and for the sake of the salvation of men, we have to stand for the truth and if our lives need to sacrifice like what Stephen did, let the truth prevailed even it costs our lives and resources.  Be creative and wise how we can advance the gospel in the midst of this belief and commercialism in the society.  Do not be afraid for this is our Father's world!

     The believers in Christ should not be afraid of the prevailing beliefs in the society that the souls of men who died are free to roaming around and create fears knowing that these souls are intact to places where they chose to stay for eternity. Our mighty God controls even the souls of men and nobody can harm us for we are protected by the Holy Spirit of God and the angels of God are the ministering Spirits of all who believed in Jesus Christ in Hebrews 1:14.  Even Satan has power too and can imitate the appearance of our beloved loved ones who died, but he still unable to touch us as God's children for our God is God and much bigger and powerful compared to Satan and his angels.  We are in the hands of the loving and powerful God.

For your comments and suggestions, email us at agn623@gmail.com, msbecky112@gmail.com.  Visit also our website at http://www.savelifewithjoy.com for more biblical messages about life, death, hope, self-confidence, source of wisdom and inner strength, and others.
    

      

The Truth About Growth and Being fruitful In Life.

Leadership by example.

     In the book of Mark chapter 1 verses 35 to 39, the  author has given us the guiding principles that all Christian leaders and parents should know how to  become more effective leader in any organizations, churches, or family.  The authors of the bible including the Apostle Paul knew that Jesus is God like God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.  All of them are co-equal in nature as God though all of them have different role in the creation account, salvation, the present time and the future event that will surely come.  In Philippians 2:5-11, Jesus though in the very nature of God has obeyed the Father to be with man and to be like the real man.  He left temporarily his being God and the nature of  being God and considered himself lowly, humble and emptied himself of all the grandeur and power as God in obedience to the will of the Father to save man from the power of Satan and punishment of sin.

But how come that Jesus made to preach the gospel with power and authority?  How come that He healed various sicknesses of  men, He made to cast out demons, the strong winds and waves obeyed Him, the dead man Lazarus and other people were raised from the dead and did a lot of miracles before the eyes of many people including the leaders of the religious sects and political leaders during His  time?  How come that He made to live a holy life?  

First is the Prayer life of Jesus.  In verse Mark 1:35 says, that early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus woke up and went off to a solitary place to pray.  Many studies made by the students and respected theologians that Jesus wakes up regularly  around three to four in the morning to pray to His Father to have guidance in daily decision making, inner strength to face challenges and great demands in the ministry, power to perform miracles like healing, casting out demons, and others.  Jesus knew that He is in the form of a true man who is weak, fragile, prone to temptations of the devil, expose to sickness, thirst, hunger and dangers.  He knew that all of His physical needs and power to do miracles are at the disposal of His God and Father.  For Jesus, to talk with the Father regularly was the very important discipline that he needs to win the battle in life and the fear and the painful humiliating death that awaits for Him at the cross.  Before His public ministry, Jesus went to the dessert to fast and pray for forty days and forty nights to be prepared in his ministry.  Satan has tempted Him with all temptations that will surely defeat man, but Jesus has won all those schemes of Satan through prayer and fasting.  And the day before His arrest, He prayed hard and because of His intense dealings with His Father, his sweat drops  like a blood.  His agony was turned to a brave statement that "if possible, don't let me drink this cup but let your will be done".

Second is the results of being prayerful of Jesus.  In Mark 1:37-39, the disciples looked and came to Jesus and said, "the people are looking for you".  But Jesus told them to go to the other places to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God and heal many sicknesses and perform miracles that others may come to repentance and be saved too.  Here, Jesus taught His disciples that there is wisdom as a result of intense prayer.  Jesus knew that He is not yet finished in his ministry in Capernaum but they need to go to Galilee because people there are in need of salvation too.  In every place where Jesus ministered, there were who believed and became His faithful followers and they were the one that need to share to others what they've learned from Him.  

Third is,  prayer creates a burning desire to share continuously the gospel and this is vouched by many miracles like healing, casting out demons and others.  Jesus knew the purpose why God the Father has sent Him on earth, and that is to share the good news of forgiveness and salvation to all.  That's why He learned to obey voluntarily the will of His Father even to die on the cross just to save you and me from the power of Satan and punishment of sins in hell (John 3:16).  He sacrificed everything, lived like a poor and died like a true criminal that all might have life (John 10:10). And before he ascended  to heaven, He left his command to his disciples "to go into all the world and preach the gospel..." (Matthew 28:18-20).  This is the prime task that Jesus left also to us until His second coming.  

Lastly,  pray that you will not fall into temptations, pray for your daily needs, pray without ceasing, pray to become prepared for the second coming of Christ, pray for the lost souls and love ones, and pray that all of us will become steadfast and endure hardships until He comes.  

For more messages about life, victory over temptations and hardships, death, Halloween, and others, visit our savelifewithjoy.com, or email us at agn623@gmail.com for more information.  Pray also for our ministry to share the salvation of Jesus Christ through this blog.  Kindly give send your suggestions and comments to our contact information.  May the Lord richly bless you all.

How Can I Know That I Am Saved When I Die?

How Can I Know That I Am Saved When I Die?

The Teachings Of Jesus.

After Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan, He started his public ministry in the whole land of Galilee.  He preached and taught the people about the imminent coming of his kingdom.  He healed many diseases, released men and women from the power of Satan, gave hope and meaning of life to many people until his name was heard in many parts of Israel up to Syria.  His main concerned was restore the broken relationship of men from God because of sin that resulted to all kinds of issues and problems of men like sickness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, economic uncertainties, marital misunderstanding that ended to separation, and many other hardships and difficulties in life.  In John 10:10 it says, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." 

It is not joining to any religion or doing good deeds that will lead men to salvation of soul.  For all good deeds of men are just nothing and can't give eternal life to them "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" as it says in the book of Romans 3:23 and " For the wages of sin is death - both physical and spiritual but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ" Romans 6:23.  Jesus said in John 14:6, JESUS answered Thomas the doubter, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes the Father except through me."  If Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, what then men should do to be saved?  "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16.  You need to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  You need to ask for Him to forgive your sins and to voluntary surrender your life with all evil deeds to him.  Turn away from all of kinds of sin which was the reason why God sent Jesus, His only Son to die for the forgiveness of your sins and my sins.  That's why when one of the robbers who was hanged also on the cross beside Jesus said a very humbled statement asking for forgiveness,  "Jesus remember me when you are in paradise."  And when Jesus heard that true repentant words He replied, "Today you will be with me in Paradise".  And the thief though in the midst of agony became at peace knowing what Jesus said is true and trustworthy.

If you truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, there should be a complete surrender of life and complete turned around of the pattern of your life.  That's why He warned also all people who heard the gospel and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior to prove also in their everyday living the decision they made.  There is a danger now that even in the circle of the believers of Christ, some made an emotional decision just to escape from the punishment of hell and to have success in life materially but do not want to follow Jesus' teaching to love his brother, sister, and neighbor, to live a simple life, to live by faith and not to forget meetings of the believers in prayer and studying the words of God, to witness for Christ and to help the needy.  If you truly a child of God, you know and can do to forgive others and even your own brother or sister.  You will not stock and deposited your anger in your heart until you die.  Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,' have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in Your name?  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" Matthew 7:21-23.  God sees our mind and heart!

Friends, Jesus loves you so much and that's why God has sent Him on earth to die for the forgiveness of our sins.  "But as many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name".  Jesus is the only way going to heaven and we have to accept Him truly in our life.  Do not be deceived by Satan that once you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can now go back to the old kinds of life away from Him.  Renounce and declare to the world that you were saved through faith on the saving grace of the Lord Jesus.  Even the apostle Paul says in II Corinthians 5:17, " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new."  Satan will do everything to snatch us out of this new life in Christ but rest assured that nobody even Satan, our strong enemy can  get us out of the loving and mighty hands of our God.  If God is with us, who can stand against us. and no one can separate us from the love of God, even hardships and tribulations, materialism, sicknesses, and sins.  God has solved all of these through the blood of Jesus, His only begotten Son.

Please continue to pray for our ministry of sharing the good news of salvation and to strengthen the faith of the believers through our blog and website.  For your comments, suggestions email me at agn623@gmail.com or msbecky112@gmail.com.  Or visit our blogs Hopeandlifeforyou,com, Eugene 'EJ' Juarez, and website: savelifewithjoy,com.  God bless you all.

What Motivates Me To Work?

The Biblical Understanding Of Work.

     In the Book II Thessalonians 3:6-15, Apostle Paul has commanded the leaders of the church in Thessalonians to motivate the believers to work by their hands and not to become idle or just busy bodies accomplishing nothing.  Apostle Paul knew that after the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus were filled by the Holy Spirit, their preaching, teaching, healing and other ministries have resulted to continuous growth in numbers of new followers of Christ as written in the book of Acts 2 and following.  The believers were added daily and they chose leaders from within to handle the feeding and helping of these people.  The preaching and regular teaching of the disciples about repentance for the Kingdom of God is at hand was misunderstood by many.  Many of them wanted to stay in the fellowship and had forgot the reality that they have their families that need their financial support.  This issue was first experienced in the church of Jerusalem and dealt with love through teaching of the word of God that they need to work to support their families and not just to depend to the church for their daily sustenance.  The disciples knew that the church should continue their feeding and helping ministries for the widow, the orphans and the less privilege people and those who are able should work hard.  The same issue was faced by Apostle Paul in different churches that he started and dealt with during his missionary works in different parts of Asia Minor and other parts of the world.

How Paul Corrected This Issue?

     First,  Paul has commanded the believers in the Thessalonian church to work in the name of Jesus.  Why he used the name of Jesus?  Paul knew that Jesus himself learned how to work with his father Joseph as an assistant carpenter and when he learned the work from his father, he worked with less supervision from him before he reached his 30th years old and left this to enter his public ministries of preaching, teaching and healing in Jerusalem and different parts of Judea, Samaria, and of Israel.

     Second, Apostle Paul shared to them that he worked too and let himself and other followers of Christ  as example of this teaching about the importance of work.  Though they have the right for the financial support from the churches they started and taking care of, they didn't use this right but rather they worked hard day and night for the sake of the gospel and that they will not become an additional burden for the church Thessalonians 3:7-9.

     Third,  Paul has taught the believers the importance and integrity of work.  "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."  To work is legal, acceptable, and have to do it for it is an honorable act.  If this is not so, Jesus was just used his power to turn the stone into bread and commanded the birds and say to the fish in the sea and animals in the forest and mountains to come to their house.  But rather, he exerted his physical body to work hard in order to eat.  Even Paul in his letters to the churches and particularly to the church of Thessalonians the importance and integrity of  work.  For him, if you want to eat, you have to work.  He became a tent maker  and did different kinds of hard works  just to support his preaching and teaching ministries.  He never mentioned here that the kinds of work that are acceptable and honorable are the works inside the palace and temple but all kinds of works in the sea, farm and others which are legal,moral and honorable as the only sure source of food for the family and others.

     Lastly,  we should not waste our privilege to work for we were given already the clear instructions from the lives of Jesus, Paul and the leaders of the early churches that to work is an honorable act and an act of serving others as to the Lord.  It doesn't mean that the works inside the church or church related acts are the only acceptable to God.  All kinds of works that are legal, moral and honorable are acceptable to God and therefore we have to do these with all our might.  God gave us the mind and complete parts of our body to function effectively and to use it to produce food, medicines, improve our technology and services for our family, others and the world for the glory of God  Colossians  3:17 . 

For more biblical messages about salvation, love, forgiveness, encouragement, motivation, leadership, self-esteem and others, visit our website at www.savelifewithjoy.com or email us at agn623@gmail.com