My Story of Conversion

I'd like to share with you about how I came to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
Using John 8:21-30
Man's greatest fear - Rejection. My greatest fear: being rejected by God. And dying in my sin.
John 8:21 To the religious people Jesus uses tragic words of rejection, "I go away and you shall seek me and shall die in your sin. Where I'm going, you cannot come." Then again in verse 24, "I said therefore to you that you shall die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, (the promised one), you shall die in your sins." Three times Jesus makes that tragic condemnation ...
You shall die in your sin. You shall die in your sins. x2

How does that happen? How does a person die in their sin unforgiven, unjustified, unprepared to meet God.

Four things I discovered would lead me to die in my sin.
1. Being Self-Righteous
2. Being Worldly
3. Being Unbelieving
4. Being Willfully Ignorant

1. Being Self-Righteous:
I thought I had no serious problem of sin.
Jesus says I would seek God. saying to myself, I had no serious problem of sin. God would reject me too Jesus was going away and told me where he was going I could not come.
I was counting on my religion of human achievement, counting on crediting my good works and my good deeds but still, without believing I would choose to die in my sins. I am already a citizen of the kingdom of darkness.

2. Being Worldly: What is the world system about?
Firstly, John reminds us that friendship with the world is hostility towards God or as James says it another way, I make myself an enemy of God.
Three things make up the worldly system or the kingdom of darkness.
a) Lust of the flesh, - Sex -uncontrolled passion for sex
b) Lust of the eyes, - Money - being greedy for what others have.
c) Boastful pride of life, - Power - being arrogant, aggressive and bitter.
Oh man, I was caught up in the whole three. Only ever thinking of myself, woe is me, I want this I want that, get out of my way. I was happy on the outside but very sad on the inside. My heart ached for truth for forgiveness.

3. Being Unbelieving: unless you believe in me you will die in your sins. I knew in my head the story of Easter: Jesus dying on the cross and rising again. Of course I'd heard claims that Jesus was the Son of God but didn't believe it to be true. I had no serious problem with sin anyway. What did it mean to me, I thought.

4. Being Willfully Ignorant: Jesus, Who do you think you are? v25 I don't want to listen to you. Who are you?I didn't want to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. I was in charge. I didn't want to hear, trust or obey Jesus.
I wanted to be ignorant of the words of Jesus in v26 that He will be my Judge. The Bible says, 'It has been appointed for man once to die, then the judgment.' Heb 9:27. I didn't want to hear it. I would be Sitting in church with my Fingers in my ears.
Willful rejection of Jesus results in facing his Judgment. And dying in my sins.
They even knew when he was lifted up. Jesus says "when you lift up the son of man, then you'll know" v28
He rose from the dead even and they chose to make up lies to cover it up. I knew this too. Jesus died but is risen.

'He has nobody to blame but himself'.
There is a saying in the natural world when a fool does something silly and should have known better.
Maybe you have said it? 'He has nobody to blame but himself'.
This is true in the supernatural or spiritual dimension as well.
In refusing to acknowledge God as my creator, and what creation reveals about God and by neglecting my conscience and what God says is good and what is evil.
I had nobody to blame but myself if I rejected the light of Christ because of my rebellion I would die in my sins. People choose to reject the light of Jesus Christ and rather choose darkness because they loved their sin.

John 3 tells us that Man loves darkness rather than light because his deeds are evil. Yes, I sought after God,
But I could only find the one true God through trusting in Jesus. I would have nobody to blame but myself if I rejected the light of Christ because of my self righteousness, worldliness, unbelief and willful ignorance of the claims of Jesus Christ on my life.
I was seeking a Saviour on my terms. But I would die in my sin.

So to become a follower of Jesus I acknowledged four things.
I had to trust in Christ' righteousness alone, not my own. I realized a had a very serious problem with sin in my life. Nothing I could possibly do would be enough to make me right before God on judgment day. I needed a Saviour.

I had to repent from my worldly ways and live life to please God in all things.
I could not control my passions or stop wanting more and more possessions, and my pride would not allow me to admit failure and or that I was really sad. I thought those things would fulfill my life, but they didn't.

I realized I needed to throw away my unbelief and change my thinking. So I simply asked Jesus to be Lord of my life and forgive me of my sins. I was sitting on the table at home after going out the front at a church meeting and telling mum and dad I had accepted Jesus that night when the invitation was given. I knew from that moment, deep down in my heart, I would no longer die in my sins. Jesus had rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and brought me into his kingdom of light.

I choose not to be willfully ignorant about Jesus and of what the Bible says but chose to daily read God’s words and seek after good things living to please God in all things. No longer ignorant about his commands but joyfully and devotedly prayer hear trust and obey him.

I recommend you choose to live without fear of God’s rejection today. Acknowledge your sin, Believe in Jesus and Confess your sin and live to please God. If you rather not follow Jesus tonight you sadly will choose to remain, Self-Righteous, Worldly, Unbelieving and Willfully Ignorant and you will have no one else to blame but yourself when you die in your sins.

To finish I want to leave you with my favourite reading from Titus 2:11-15.
Thanks for listening to my story. Brad Clarke

Brad’s Clarke Blog - Eternity Matters Now
contactjly.blogspot.com




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RAPTURE ALERT RAPTURE ALERT RAPTURE ALERT

 The Rapture Alert 

Are you Rapture Ready? I am.

Now Is The Time to be Looking, Watching, Ready for our Blessed Hope, Jesus Christ...

The Rapture is an Incredible, Miraculous Experience, and the Rapture will change everything in the Twinkling of an Eye...

When the Lord Jesus Christ, and His host of heavenly Angels usher forth the Rapture in our atmosphere to receive the raptured Saints, New Creatures (Born Again)

 Get Excited,

 Because the Spectacular SuperNatural, Multi-dimensional (Spiritual) Rapture of the Sealed New Creatures (Born Again) Will Soon be Caught up(Rapture) In a Twinkling of an Eye!

Many of this world, find it hard to Comprehend the Rapture, and Mock or laugh at the idea of the Miraculous Rapture...

Those Left Behind will remember what people like us Warned them about. If your to busy Partying to even see this Rapture Warning, Please keep a few Copies of the Holy Bible in safe places, because they are worth more than Gold...

Also it's possible the internet will be filtered, and all the news on tv, and on flat screens installed all over in public places for months will be filled with confusion, and half truths! After the Rapture.

Ask most people if they are watching for the Rapture, and they will either ask what you are talking about or respond with, I am not interested in a rapture. There is tremendous resistance to this truth because the people have been misled by the apostasy of our age. Anyone that is not overwhelmingly in love with the Lord Jesus Christ, and watching for Him, is missing something.

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Incredibly Moving Performance by Wynonna Judd - I Can Only Imagine

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Powerful Carrie Underwood Performance - Temporary Home

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The Carbon Tax is so bad, people are asking if this is treason?

The Carbon Tax is so bad, people are asking if this is treason

Emails are flying, submissions are flooding in. It’s a nation in uproar. The implications of what Henry Ergas wrote are setting off a wave of fear and anger. People are using words like “sickening”, “shocking” and describing Gillard’s actions as “vindictive” and a “treacherous spoiler”, and using the word treason. There’s a plea: “God help us!”
Here’s a few samples of what has been CC’d to me.

UPDATE: I should have added that I put the first email up to show just how deep the sense of betrayal runs.  I don’t think Gillards actions represent a grand well thought out plot. This is scrabbling desperation to notch up a “success” (the country be damned). Even she advised Rudd to give up the ETS. A weak government is the most dangerous kind.

——————————————————————————————-

Dear John,

Please drop everything and listen to this:

Professor Henry Ergas reveals the hidden deadly dangers in the Carbon Tax legislation to Alan Jones.

The vindictive implications for Australia are worse than horrendous.

Listen here and be shocked to the core.

The shameful and treacherous group (loosely described as the “government” of this country) should be thoroughly exposed as SPOILERS [snip cliche].

PLEASE BRING THIS TO EVERYONE’S ATTENTION!

SECOND:

The second response registers the telling impact this dynamite interview is having on ordinary Australians as they come to grips with the explosive revelations made in this interview. The reaction of people hearing this for the first time is bad enough, however once its insidious message filters through, it becomes overpowering in the utter sense of hopelessness it engenders. The Australian people are just now beginning to feel like the proverbial rabbit caught in the full headlight glare of what is being proposed in the parliament of our beloved country right now, and it is sickening: -

———————————————————

Date: 20 September 2011 6:55:18 AM AEST

To: Ben

Subject: God help us all

Ben,

This morning I listened again to the exchange between Professor Ergas and Alan Jones.

There can be no mistaking that what is being planned by Julia Gillard is both vengeful and completely treasonous.

Never before has a government legislated the deliberate and permanent destruction of its country’s economic future viability. There is NO other word than “treason” in the English to appropriately describe the intent of the Carbon Dioxide Tax legislation.

This woman, unable to accept that she is now the subject of ridicule and scorn from the majority of Australians appears to have become completely unhinged. So determined is she to punish this country and its people for daring to doubt and mock her, she is planning to the equivalent of a massive “Suicide Bomber” strike.

The Japanese used the word “Kamikaze” to describe its suicide bomber pilots during World War II.

Today, that word applies equally to Australia’s Prime Minister .. although her motives are infinitely more warped and seemingly of a revengeful, personal nature.

The legislative weapon of mass destruction that this red-haired mad woman intends to detonate in the heart of Australia’s parliament has been maliciously designed to destroy immediately, yet it has been constructed to deliver fallout with a deliberate and deadly radio-active half-life of forever!

God help us all as this evil and godless creature of communism seeks the worst for us all.

H/t Jeff Greenwood

——————————————-

Is this legislation unconstitutional?

The blogger BarnabyisRight is calling the legislation “unconstitutional” and canvassing legal routes to seek a High Court injunction. It’s an interesting theme, with great potential to stop the whole Circus dead in it’s tracks.

UPDATE: Barnabyisright has popped in at #4 (and #5):

“Please consider adding your name (and relevant details) to the JSC submission at my blog. Given the debacle and resultant political embarrassment the Government has endured arising from having their Malaysia “Solution” smacked down in the High Court, I believe it is worth our giving them food for thought as to the possibility of having the Constitutionality of their so-called “Clean Energy” legislation likewise challenged in the High Court.

Explanation here, submission here.”

People are trying every angle under the sun

There is also a Petition to The Queen. We can only hope. (No I don’t like the chances but it’s a fair thing to ask).
——————————————

Other examples of submissions

From Anton Lang about the “clean energy” details
The Joint Select Committee for The Clean Energy Bills,
Stuart Robert MHR,
Sirs,
With the ensuing passage of these Bills through the House and then The Senate, I was wondering if members in favour of these Bills might perhaps be able to bring Australians along with them by explaining how these Bills might facilitate the move to the current Clean Energy options of choice, Wind Power and the two versions of Solar Power, Solar Photovoltaic, and Concentrating Solar.
Perhaps they might be able to point out just one plant in existence on the whole of Planet Earth, or even a plant that is in planning that can produce the same electrical power for consumption that is currently being generated by one large scale coal fired power plant, of which there are many in existence here in Australia.

1. Perhaps they might mention how much power will actually be generated for consumption by this one example of any Renewable Plant.
2. Perhaps they might mention on what time frame a renewable plant of this nature might be delivering its power.
3. Perhaps they might mention the cost of this equivalent Plant.
4. Perhaps they might mention how long it will take to construct this plant from the planning stage to the power delivery stage.
5. Perhaps they might mention how long a plant of this nature might last.
6. Perhaps they might mention how much Government (taxpayers) money will be given to (a) the construction of this plant, and (b) the subsidising of the generated electricity to the grid in an effort to make it somehow competitive with current power generation from coal fired power.
7. Perhaps they might mention how much the cost of retail electricity to all consumers will increase with the introduction of a renewable plant of this nature.

There’s really no point in addressing any of the 7 responses mentioned here, because there is no equivalent plant of this nature in existence anywhere in the World, and there is none planned or even contemplated in the near future.
Yours Sincerely.
Anton Lang.
———————————-
The bills are against our wishes, and don’t make economic or scientific sense

To the persons responsible for the carbon tax bills, after a cursory reading of said bills please receive my submission as follows.
As an Australian citizen by birth, I, [insert your name and address] am deeply concerned that the proposed laws are unsound, unjustified, incomprehensible, or just plain wrong, particularly as:

1. An overwhelming majority of Australian voters believed that there would be NO carbon tax (or anything similar) from either major political party at the last federal election.
2. They are NOT based on real scientific evidence about climate changes, particularly any that maybe caused by human beings. See Note (*) below.
3. The carbon-tax/ETS will have NO discernable impact on the climate, or the world’s temperature. See Note (#) below.
4. There is NO economic benefit to Australians in increasing their cost of energy, particularly as we have an abundant, and relatively cheap, source of coal.
5. There is NO definition of just what is ‘carbon pollution’, let alone what are the deleterious effects of it on anybody, or anything.
6. Carbon dioxide is NOT a pollutant but an essential ingredient for all plant life, upon which all animal life rely for survival, omnivorously.
7. The need for so-called ‘carbon polluters’ to buy emission-permits will see a massive transfer of Australia’s inherent wealth to other countries with NO benefit for Australians, nor the environment, nor humanity.
8. There are NO details on how emission permits will be vouched, guaranteed, or otherwise proved, to be what they really are.
9. NO future government will be able to change these laws easily to suit the prevailing conditions without a substantial expense to the Australian taxpayer. See Note (+) below.
10. If there is really a need to reduce the use of carbon-based fuels then the proposed laws are NOT rational, NOT logical, and do NOT cover all aspects and users of all of those fuels.

In summary, I submit that the propose laws covered by the carbon tax bills are against the express wishes of a majority of Australian citizens and they do not make any economic sense in any regard whatsoever, especially in today’s global financial uncertainty, and that they should be abandoned, immediately.
Yours sincerely
[your name and address]
h/t Allan Cox and Peggy






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Listen here for Professor Henry Ergas on the Carbon Tax.

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How Smart Did That Look?

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RECALL NOTICE

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been identified as "Subsequential Internal Non-morality," more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include :
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R .

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus , into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (BEST Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

For free emergency service, call on Jesus .

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention! - GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!

Because HE Lives! 

THANKS TO MARK AND CATHLEEN

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Survey Questions to Ask your Neighbours

How about asking your neighbours these Survey Questions.
 
I'm conducting a survey for the Forest Lake Baptist Church that meets at the Forest Lake State School Performance Arts Centre each Friday Night Youth and Sunday Worship and Bible teaching.

I'd like your opinion on four multiple choice questions if you have a couple of minutes please?

It seems Jesus Christ is used as the, name above all other names, people around the world choose to swear by: What's your opinion on these few questions about Who is Jesus - Really? (Circle choice)

What do Australians think Jesus Christ is best known for?
a) Jesus was a good man who lived and cared for poor people and was a trustworthy person.
b) Jesus Christ was a good actor but a bit of a lunatic and I don't trust him.

What do people in your street think of the claims of Jesus Christ?
a) People in my street accept Jesus has a place in our lives because he forgives sins and has authority.
b) People in my street reject Jesus because they consider him a liar who deceives his followers.

Who do you personally consider Jesus Christ to be?
a) Jesus was a liar and I cannot accept his teachings that he can forgive my sins.

b) Jesus was a lunatic, because his claims were proven false and his followers are wicked people.
c) Jesus' claim to be Lord - God are true because he rose from the dead and is alive in heaven today seeking people to follow him and to demonstrate love toward each other as he loves us. 

Would you like to learn more about, Who Is Jesus - Really?

a) No

b) Yes - To learn more about Who Is Jesus - Really go to this website.
http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/english/claims.htm
Hand each volunteer participant a Coffee Shop Voucher and a Jesus Loves You card saying:

To discuss these questions further you are most welcome to attend the Forest Lake Baptist Church each Sunday at 9.30am or contact one our Pastors on..... or visit our website 

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Has people's opinions changed about Christianity since 1998?

It’s boring. That’s the top-ranked answer (42 per cent) among reasons given by infrequent attenders and non-attenders for not going to church (see “Top 10 reasons people don’t go to church”).

That’s the results coming from the Australian Community Survey (ACS), with responses from some 8500 people across into eight community types (with more than 1000 responses from each). The research was conducted by Perth’s Edith Cowan University and National Church Life Survey Research (NCLS).

However, it isn’t quite as simple as that, says Dr John Bellamy, who was involved in designing the survey and led the preparation of the book Why People Don’t Go to Church,* which derived from the research. Bellamy is a senior researcher with NCLS and is based at Anglicare (NSW).

“The reasons boil down to a number of things,” he says. “One that stood out in the research was the importance of relationships. We noticed in the data that whether or not the spouse was attending church was an important factor and whether you yourself attended.

“Also, we noted the role of friends. And even going back further in a person’s religious upbringing, we noted the role of parents. So those factors together were important in explaining why people do or do not go to church.”

On their own, each factor probably doesn’t account for whether a person attends church or not. Other factors impact as well, such as the kind of things that people believe.

“You’d expect a very strong correlation between whether people hold Christian beliefs and whether they’re involved in church. But we noted a range of other things too, such as the sort of attitudes that people have towards church and churchgoing.”

Other reasons given include lack of motivation—which is not a rejection of churches—but many don’t seriously consider church involvement or are more attracted to other activities. There’s a lack of time for some who show no hostility to church, but have other priorities. And some have a lack of access to a church or one of their chosen denomination.

Top 10 reasons people don’t go to church

(Among infrequent attenders and non-attenders)

Boring or unfulfilling church services 42%
Beliefs of the church 35%
Church’s moral views 35%
No need to 34%
Prefer to do other things 31%
“My beliefs are too weak” 27%
The way churches are organised 24%
Other commitments 21%
Bad experience among church people 16%
Not enough time because of work 15%out him.

Source: Why People Don’t Go to Church, 1998 Australian Community Survey

Comment below about what you think has changed since 1998? Positive or Negative.

In 2011:
What do people in your street think about Jesus?
Do our churches attract new people and what do new comers think about going to church?
Would non-attenders like to know more about Jesus?
Would they like opportunity to learn more outside of a church building setting?
Do you provide those opportunities? How do you know?

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