The Best Trade Ever Made (Gospel Light Minute X #474)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · The Best Trade Ever Made (Gospel Light Minute X #474)

The Best Trade Ever Made (GLMX #474)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #474 titled, “The Best Trade Ever Made” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Professional sports teams constantly trade players in order to better their rosters—a third baseman for a pitcher; a running back for a tight end; a forward for a point guard, etc. The Internet provides websites listing the ten best/worst trades, 50 dumbest trades, and the most lopsided trades in sports history. Sometimes one team greatly benefits from the trade; occasionally both teams benefit; but on other occasions, neither team comes out ahead. Every trade involves some risk for both teams.

Have you noticed that life is full of trade-offs? We trade sunshine for much-needed rain; winter for summer; and day for night. We hand over money to have food, clothing, and shelter. We trade youth for life experiences. Marriage brings responsibilities that are on a different level than single life, where there was more freedom of time, finances, and flexibility. Substitute teachers make less money than full-time teachers, but they have the opportunity to say yes or no to teaching opportunities. In the financial market, generally when stocks go up, bonds go down. You may trade in your older car that is paid off for something newer and more comfortable; however, you now have car payments and higher insurance premiums.

Some trades are optional—such as spending money, marriage, and trading cars; others, like the weather, are not. Usually, these situations have both pros and cons.

The spiritual life provides the greatest trade ever offered, without any downside for us. Adam and Eve were created as sinless humans; however, they sinned in the Garden of Eden by choosing to eat fruit from the only tree that was forbidden by God—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He warned them they would die if they ate it. They traded life for eventual death. Because of their sin, all humans are born sinners.

God, being omniscient, knew they would do that, so He had a plan. Thousands of years later, His Son Jesus came to earth as a baby—born to a virgin, Mary. He humbled Himself to become a man—a sinless man who chose to trade places with sinners by taking all of our sins on Himself that we might have His
righteousness and eternal life. At age 33, Jesus was falsely accused, beaten, and crucified unjustly that we might have life. The Bible states in Isaiah 53:6 “The Lord hath laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity [sin] of us all”.

1 Peter 2:24-25 explains that Jesus “bore our sins in His own body on the tree [cross], that we … should live unto righteousness—by whose stripes ye were healed. For you were as sheep going astray… up”

The Bible says 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…”.

As sinners, we start out on Satan’s team. Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to be traded to God’s team—permanently. He paid the price. You are a free agent with the ability to choose whose team you will belong to for eternity. This trade is optional. It’s up to you. You have everything to lose by not accepting the trade and everything to gain by trading your sinfulness for God’s righteousness.

You’ll never receive a better offer. Accept it today. Simply admit to God that you are a sinner by birth and actions; ask for His forgiveness of sin; and accept His offer of salvation based completely on the fact that Jesus died on the cross in your place. Trade death for life; sinfulness for righteousness. He is waiting for you to join His team.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour in the free pardon of your sins. Allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for your souls salvation from the power of sin and from the punishment of sin in that awful place called Hell. Please pray with me what is called the sinner’s prayer: Holy Father God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I admit that I have sinned against You and that I have broken Your Ten Commandments. I have lied before. I have stolen things before. I have lusted after people and things before. I have dishonored and disobeyed my parents. I have taken Your holy Name in vain. For Jesus Christ’s sake, please have mercy and grace upon my soul and forgive me of all of my sins, my failures, and my faults. As I now believe in Your Holy Son the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that He suffered, bled, and died on the cross for my sins, was buried and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to repent of my sins past. Help me to turn from my old, evil life and follow You in the new life. For it is in Your Name I pray. Amen.

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Thank you for listening to this Gospel presentation. If you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour after listening to this podcast, please email us at gls@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. To find out more about what you need to do after trusting Christ as Savior, visit GospelLightSociety.com and read “What to Do After You Enter Through the Door”.

The tract this podcast is based on is published by Moments With The Book, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to spread God’s Word to the world through the printed page and other media. You can order copies of this tract online at MWTB.org.

What If It Ended Today? (Gospel Light Minute X #473)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · What If It Ended Today? (Gospel Light Minute X #473)

What If It Ended Today? (GLMX #473)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #473 titled, “What If It Ended Today?” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Friend, have you ever thought about eternity? Where will you go after life here on earth? This life with all the adventures we experience, friendships we enjoy, and memories we make, will one day be over. And no one knows when that will happen. In fact, it could happen today. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. My friend, there are three questions you need to ask yourself and honestly think about, because one day this life will be over.

WHO IS GOD?
If we are honest, everyone knows that God is real. This intricately-designed universe we live in was spoken into being by God Himself. The existence of logic, intelligence, and even freedom show that there is a God. God made us with an internal sense of morality because God is just. That is why we feel guilt. When God created us, He made us with an awareness of our sin. The Bible says in Romans 1:19, 2:15, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them…. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness”. This God that made everything in the universe knows all about you, and He cares about you—God loves you! Now there is a second question you must ask yourself.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO GOD?
God made us with a conscience that not only convinces us of His existence, but also condemns us of our sin. In fact, the Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. You may say, “I’m not perfect, but I have never committed horrible sins like murdering someone or cheating on my spouse.” Christ said in the New Testament that hatred for someone is like murdering them in your heart. He also said “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”. You see, we are all corrupt to the core, and that is where sin begins. Every one of us is guilty.

Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear”. This separation from God is called death. The Bible is clear that “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This means that after we die, we have no hope of going to live with God in heaven. Instead, we must spend forever in hell because we are not worthy to be in God’s presence.

Imagine that you were to die right now, in this moment. If you stood before the God of heaven, and He asked you—“Why should I let you into heaven?”—what would you say to God?

You see, we must admit we cannot get to heaven on our own, and that is why Jesus came. Jesus Christ was completely God and completely man who came to make a way for us to know God. Jesus was the only person to ever live who was completely obedient to every part of God’s law. And as an innocent man, He suffered a cruel death on the cross to endure separation from God so that we do not have to. The Bible explains in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”. We could never be righteous before God on our own. But Jesus Christ died in our place, paid our sin debt, and rose from the dead to offer us his righteousness. So how do we become righteous before God? The Bible says in Romans 10:10,13, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation….For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. First you must believe that you cannot get to heaven on your own because of your sin, but that Christ died in your place. Then you must confess with your mouth through prayer and ask God to save you from your sin through Christ’s death on the cross. God says that if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth, He saves us from our sin.

You can call upon God right now! If you have already trusted in Christ to save you from your sin, then this next question is for you.

WHO ARE YOU TELLING ABOUT GOD?
The Good News of Christ buying us back from sin is called the Gospel, and it the greatest thing you could ever tell someone. It is honestly why I am delivering this message today, because I want you to hear about how you can come to know God. And if you already know Him, it is why you are here on earth—to tell people the Gospel. If you are saved, there is coming a day when you and I will stand before God’s judgment seat, and Christ will ask us what we did with the Gospel. All over this world there are people who do not know God or are just hurting, and Jesus is the answer!

Jesus gave His disciples this final command before ascended back to heaven: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). We have the responsibility to tell people about the only way to God, which is through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross.

But Christ’s command does not stop with leading a person to the Lord. We must teach people from all nations to follow God’s commands, including God’s command to teach all nations. While we have this gift of life, we ought to be intentionally following Christ and causing others to follow Christ as well. Find someone to invest in, even over a cup of coffee, for the sake of encouraging them to follow God better. And in all you do, make much of Jesus! The Bible states in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease”.

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Dead Yet Living (Gospel Light Minute X #472)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · Dead Yet Living (Gospel Light Minute X #472)

Dead Yet Living (GLMX #472)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #472 titled, “Dead Yet Living” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

When a person is declared dead, his lifeless body is wheeled into the mortuary and prepared for burial. His loved ones mourn and cry over this loss, some holding to memories of great times, some go into deep depression and never recover.

But have you ever stopped to question, “is everyone walking and talking truly alive?” I mean, are they alive in Jesus? The Bible talks about the fact that man is alive because of God’s breath. We have a connection with Him, but we also have a choice to give Him space so He can make us truly alive through His Spirit.

It is sad how people live a dead life, paying so much attention to trivial things at the detriment of their soul, feeding and thriving in the body while the soul is dead in sin. A man, woman, community—even a nation—can be dead without knowing it unless they give space to the One who can make alive.

Are you alive in your thoughts? What are you thinking about presently? Could it be pornography, could it be adultery and fornication, could it even be abortion?

Jesus Christ is calling unto your heart today. He has done all for you to the extent of laying down His life on the cross. Maybe this is not the first time, maybe not the tenth time you have heard about Jesus. He offers life and eternal bliss. When a man dies here on earth, it is okay if he has made His ways right with God. However, if a man dies eternally … what a pity! What a pain.

Jesus is calling you, saying: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Would you yield to this call so you can live on this earth in Him and also be part of an eternal bliss and peace where there is no gnashing of teeth or pain? The choice has always been yours. Please choose wisely and be on the Lord’s team.

Are you ready to choose Christ and put your trust in Him today? This life-transforming decision will be the beginning of a new life in Him.

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Where Are Your Affections Focused? (Gospel Light Minute X #471)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · Where Are Your Affections Focused? (Gospel Light Minute X #471)

Where Are Your Affections Focused? (GLMX #471)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #471 titled, “Where Are Your Affections Focused?” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

As God’s creation, we were made to love God. It is only by giving our lives to Jesus that we can have ultimate satisfaction.

But so many of us will never be satisfied because we practice idolatry—we may not bow our knees to an image of a “god,” but we bow our hearts and lives to things which draw us away from the true God. Martin Luther wrote that the first three of the ten commandments make it clear that we are not to be participating in idolatry.

A seventeenth-century English minister named David Clarkson expressed that the human heart is a factory that mass produces idols. God may let you have your idol, and this is a terrible thing. Our heart fashions desires into idols. Every human being lives for something. Something must take hold of our imagination, and the most fundamental allegiance and hope of our hearts. Without the Holy Spirit, that object will never be God Himself.

Idolatry is not just a failure to obey God; it is the heart deciding upon something besides God. This cannot be remedied by only realizing that you have an idol, or using willpower to live better. Turning from your idols is only done in the power of a new God-given life, and involves setting the mind and heart on things above where your life is hidden with Christ in God.

An investment banker said that he has come to see work in a different light. He learned that we are created in the image of God, and we were made to find joy and fulfillment in our work, as God does in His great works. But, through the Fall of man, caused by disordered loves and the idols we have created in the place of God, work has been corrupted. The Good News is that God has done what is necessary to redeem us through the work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus not only wants to save our souls, He wants to change and reconstruct our lives. God knows that the idols we look to do not truly satisfy. In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15), the younger son learns that the whole world cannot give us what God can give us. Once we have Jesus in our life, He will give us the “spiritual glasses” to see our spiritual bankruptcy and how Jesus alone can satisfy our deepest longings.

This is a plea for you to know Jesus. God says that you are more flawed than you think, but the gift of Jesus Christ, who died for your sins and mine, is proof that God loves you to the skies. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He opened the way for us to come to God. What we must do is turn to God and trust Jesus as our Savior.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus Christ states, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” The Bible states in ‎Psalm 16:11 that in His presence there is fullness of joy.

Jesus Christ has to be more beautiful than your idol. Have you seen the beauty of the Son of God? Have you turned to Him?

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If You Feel Unworthy, You Are the Perfect One to be Saved from Hell and Saved to Heaven (Gospel Light Minute X #470)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · If You Feel Unworthy, You Are the Perfect One to be Saved from Hell and Saved to Heaven (GLMX #470)

If You Feel Unworthy, You Are the Perfect Candidate to be Saved from Hell and Saved to Heaven (GLMX #470)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #470 titled, “If You Feel Unworthy, You Are the Perfect Candidate to be Saved from Hell and Saved to Heaven” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Do you question Jesus Christ and His word? Do you desire a relationship with Him but feel unworthy? Does living a lifestyle that is pleasing in His sight seem impossible? Do you have yet to discover or feel incapable of living the purpose He destined for you? Do you suffer from shameful memories of the past? Do you feel hurt, broken or misunderstood? Do you bear the guilt of your mistakes? Do you struggle with sins or any form of addiction? Do you feel that you’ve reached your goals but there’s still something missing?

Do you know that you are the perfect candidate for God’s unfailing love, grace and mercy? Do you know that He still loves you and has a special place within the body of Christ that is just for you?

Jesus Christ said in Luke 5:32, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Did you know that God knows everything you’ve done or have been through? He knows exactly how you feel, where it hurts and all the hidden things in your heart and He still wishes to have a relationship with you.

The Bible says in Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Did you know that we cannot overcome the forces of the enemy, sin, our flesh, the things of this world and the everyday stresses of life on our own? Did you know that God doesn’t expect us to?

The Bible says in Zechariah 4:6, “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Don’t try to make yourself acceptable to God through your own effort, for it is impossible. Call upon the Lord; only He can make you clean.

The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Sin and failure are in human nature. Eternal death is the consequence, but Jesus Christ, being in the flesh, sacrificed Himself for our sins so that we would have an opportunity to live eternal life by reaching out to Him in faith and being born again.

The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Bible says in John 3:5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Do not wait. Jesus paid it all on the cross. Forgiveness and redemption is available to you right now, today.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

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If You Died Today Where Would You Go: Heaven or Hell? (Gospel Light Minute X #469)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · If You Died Today Where Would You Go: Heaven or Hell? (Gospel Light Minute X #469)

If You Died Today Where Would You Go: Heaven or Hell? (GLMX #469)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #469 titled, “If You Died Today Where Would You Go: Heaven or Hell?” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

It could happen, you know. Every day, all over the world, death surprises multitudes of unsuspecting people. The sun rises, they get up and get about the day’s business, never imagining that this will be their last day in this world. Death is a tragic reality that faces each of us. While death ends all earthly hopes and dreams, the more important question is, what really happens to the person who dies? Surely you will agree that a question with so much at stake deserves serious thought. It is our firm conviction that the answer can be found and is clearly revealed in God’s book, the Bible. We have printed this little tract with the sincere hope that you will consider what God’s Word teaches on this subject. Please think for a few moments about this matter. If you died today, what then?

DEATH’S REASON
Why do we have to die anyway? If we were created by a good and wise God, why is dying a part of the process? Why would a good God bring us into the world only to have us exit it eventually by death? I certainly agree that the question “why do I have to die” is a good one. But God has given a true and reasonable answer in the Bible.

Please understand that ultimately death is not God’s work—it’s man’s work. It was never a part of God’s original design for His perfect creation. The Bible is clear that sin entered the world by the first man that God created. This man, Adam, deliberately chose to disobey God’s plain command and as a result, plunged all of his descendants, whom he represented before God, into a state of sin and condemnation. While it is true that Adam’s original sin brought death to the human race, we cannot excuse ourselves by this fact. We are not only guilty in Adam, but we have all personally and willfully sinned against God.

God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. Being the just judge of His creation, He must punish all sin. The Bible defines sin as any “transgression of the law” of God. The great summary of God’s law for mankind is found in the Ten Commandments. The punishment for breaking God’s law is death. So there is your answer—we die because we have sinned. It is that simple. Had there been no sin, there would have been no death to mar God’s beautiful world. Since we have sinned, death must reasonably follow.

But the Bible reveals more. It clearly teaches that, after death, man must face this offended God in judgment. All men who die in their sin are sent by God to a place of punishment which the Bible calls hell. This is not a myth. This is the faithful and true Word of the one true God.

Can you not see how, according to biblical teaching, the question that begins this tract is of utmost importance? Since these things are true, we are all in serious trouble with God and the fault is all ours. He has every right to justly judge us for our willful disobedience to His law.

But there is good news. There is, in fact, great news. God, who is not only just, but also gracious and merciful, has of His own will provided a perfect remedy for our sin and the death and judgment that it brings.

GOD’S REMEDY
The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 is not just something that many of us learned as children. It tells us the wonderful truth about a loving God Who, though He had every right to leave us to the punishment we rightly deserve, chose to save sinners from an eternity in hell and give them eternal life. God has done what only He could do. He took the necessary action so that sinners “should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

He did this by sending His own Son into the world on the greatest of all rescue missions. God could not merely overlook our sins, or forgive them without payment. He could not remove our guilt by a stroke of divine magic. Every sin must be punished, or God cannot remain the just judge of His universe. Real work had to be done to remove our sin and guilt. That work is what God sent His Son into the world to accomplish.

Jesus lived the sinless, God-pleasing life that we could never live. Then He took the sins of His people upon Himself and died under the divine judgment that they deserved. Jesus wasn’t just the helpless victim of human wickedness when He died on the cross. He was there suffering the curse of an offended God in the place of sinners, so that they may be forgiven. This atoning death of Christ completely paid for sin and satisfied the justice of God. Then God raised Jesus from the dead, proving beyond all doubt that the rescue mission was complete and had been accepted as sufficient payment for sin. So now Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God as king over the universe.

This is the wonderful message of the Gospel. It is not a myth, but is absolutely true. The New Testament tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus’ disciples went everywhere spreading this good news, proclaiming that any sinner could be forgiven through the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Two thousand years later, there are millions of people all over the earth who have made this wonderful message their only hope in life and death.

Friend, think about this message. Isn’t this exactly what dying sinners need?

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Yes, you do have responsibility in this matter. Though you could never have saved yourself, you are responsible to receive by faith the salvation which God offers you today through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 doesn’t teach that God’s love, expressed through His Son, will automatically keep you from perishing and give you eternal life. Instead, it teaches that this salvation is for “whoever believes” in Christ.

The Bible is very clear that all that is required of any person for salvation is to repent of his or her sins and then believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To repent, one must come to hate his or her sins before a holy God, with determination to forsake them, humbly acknowledging one’s guilt before this holy God. To believe is to entrust one’s self wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work. Faith alone in Christ alone is God’s only way of bringing sinners out of darkness into the marvelous light. You cannot add anything of merit to the perfect saving work of Jesus. If you try to, God will not accept you. A life of devotion to God and acceptable good works will follow as the result of your salvation, but these things could never be the cause of being made right with God. To be saved you must simply receive by faith the Lord Jesus and His salvation.

If you do this, eternal life is yours. Then if you die today, you will not perish in the hell that you deserve. Instead you will enter into the everlasting life that He gives you. With Jesus’ Blood cleansing you and His righteousness covering you, you never have to fear death or God’s judgment again.

This is your responsibility. You have received His message and offer of salvation. What are you going to do with it?

Please think about and honestly answer this question—If you died today … then what?

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Walking With Mr. Time Into the New Year (Gospel Light Minute X #468)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · Walking With Mr. Time Into the New Year (Gospel Light Minute X #468)

Walking With Mr. Time Into the New Year (Gospel Light Minute X #468)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #468 titled, “Walking With Mr. Time Into the New Year ” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

A TRAVELER NAMED TIME
A traveler was walking along the road. He had a scythe upon his shoulder and an hourglass in his hand. He walked with measured, exact footsteps. His eyes looked straight in front—they never moved either to the right or left, but gazed on what was beyond.

I said to him, “What’s your name?”

“My name is Time.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to eternity.”

“What’s the number of your years?”

He showed me an open book, and written on the page was the date of the year just begun.

I followed where he went, but I couldn’t tell how long I should follow. I saw one person after another stop in the road, and lie down to rise no more. They were left behind, for Time paused not—his course was unstopped.

YOU ARE WALKING WITH TIME
Yes, you are walking with Time on the road of life in a new year begun. But you may not go far. You may pass the buds of spring, but never see the flowers of summer. Or, you may watch the leaves fall from the autumn trees, and lie beneath them in the winter. But whether your days on earth are to be few or many, are you ready for eternity? Whether you are old or young, God would have you number your days, and apply your heart to wisdom.

To begin the year with God is more important than anything else in this world. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:6-7: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon”.

The dawning of a new year serves to remind us that we are all marching through time, heading for eternity. Awaiting each traveler is either a glad and glorious heaven in the presence of God, or a sad and sorrowful hell, banished from God.

The eternal Son of God entered into time as the Man Christ Jesus to make a way for sinful man to approach God and enter into life eternal. His death, burial and resurrection have fully accomplished this objective so that Jesus now proclaims, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me”.

NOW IS THE TIME
To personally “seek the Lord” is to realize that Christ died for your sins, and to trust His shed blood as the full and powerful payment needed to wash your sins away. The Bible states in 1 John 1:7, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin”. On the basis of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, God abundantly pardons the repentant sinner and makes him a child of God forever. The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:18, “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God”.

But you must seek Him now, “while He may be found”, while there is still time, before you pass into eternity. In view of the uncertainty of life, how important it is to “prepare to meet thy God”, through faith in Christ as your personal Savior! This alone will enable you to experience a truly “Happy New Year”—and look forward to a glorious eternity with absolute certainty.

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No Vacancy (Gospel Light Minute X #467)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · No Vacancy (Gospel Light Minute X #467)

No Vacancy (GLMX #467)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #467 titled, “No Vacancy” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Luke 2:7 says, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

What a joyous, but sad day! After finally arriving in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were met with bad news—the inn was already full of guests, and there was no room for them. Turned away, they found shelter among the animals, and it was there that Jesus was born.

Think about that—there was no room for the long-expected Savior, the Son of God who is destined to rule the world in righteousness. You might say, “If I had been there in Bethlehem that night, I would have opened my home to Jesus.” But let me ask you a personal question: Have you opened your heart’s door to let the Savior in? Or is your heart so full of other things that you have no room for Jesus Christ?

Part of the problem is that the world today is so occupied with entertainment, business, sports, politics and religion that Jesus is simply crowded out. We’re busy and distracted with a million different things.

But it’s also true that the human heart is, by nature, sinful. When Jesus begins to shine the light of holiness into our lives, our faults are revealed and we become uncomfortable. During His life on earth, as long as He was healing the sick and doing miracles, large crowds followed Him. But when Jesus started to challenge empty religion and show that He alone is the way to Heaven, He was “despised and rejected of men”. On the day of His death the people cried, “Away with Him, crucify Him”.

Jesus, who declared “I am the light of the world,” explains why we resist Him in John 3:19-20: “Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved”.

How is it with you? Do you get uncomfortable when you think about standing before God some day? Have you tried to distance yourself from thinking about your sin? Have you crowded Jesus out of your thoughts and life?

Here’s the good news! Jesus came into the world as God’s gift, to save us from our sins. He didn’t just stand at a distance and tell us about our problem: He embraced us and did something about it! On the cross, He absorbed the punishment that our sin deserved, died in our place, and rose again so that we can live forever with Him.

It’s time to stop hiding from God. It’s time to recognize that the things you’ve been filling your life with only leave you empty and unfulfilled. It’s time to make room for Jesus!

Turn to Him, put your trust in Him, and you will receive not only forgiveness of sins, but also a new life of peace and joy in living with God—both now and forever. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior today!

The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Bible says in John 1:11-12, “He [Jesus] came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

——-

The Ultimate Wishlist (Gospel Light Minute X #466)

Gospel Light Society Podcasts · The Ultimate Wishlist (Gospel Light Minute X #466)

The Ultimate Wishlist (GLMX #466)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #466 titled, “The Ultimate Wishlist” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

A wish list is a list of someone’s desires with regards to an occasion in life. Many times during a special occasion like a birthday, a wedding, an anniversary and during special holidays, people come up with a list of items they expect to receive from friends and family that are willing to go the extra mile in fulfilling the desires in their wish list.

Another way to look at this is when people design a registry for a wedding or baby shower—that’s a wish list—a list of items they wish friends and family will give to help. When your supervisor at work asks you for your wish list for your department, you go all out to produce a list that clearly states the needs of your department or the organization.

There are a number of fascinating things about a wish list, some of which we have highlighted:

• It doesn’t cost the demanding party anything—the cost is passed to friends and family that will provide those items on the wish list.

• It is never intended for strangers; it is usually shared with someone who is a close relative or a good friend. The list is shared with people that have a relationship with the person making the list.

• It creates a clear picture of what the person making the list actually needs, be it a material need, an assignment that needs to be carried out or anything to make life better one way or the other.

• The person making the list bears in mind the financial capability of the friends and families that will potentially provide the items on the list.

And to be honest, everyone in life at some point will have to make a wish list, so it can be assumed that this is part of our life. Permit me to show you the ultimate wish list—a list that comprises, I believe, what everyone alive innately wants in life.

You will find the items in the Holy Bible in Revelation 5:12: “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive POWER, and RICHES, and WISDOM, and STRENGTH, and HONOUR, and GLORY, and BLESSING”.

On this wish list are, no doubt, the seven most-wanted items in life: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. And guess what? EVERYTHING on this list can be all yours without an exception.

How much will this cost you? The answer is NOTHING! All you need to do is to accept The One who, according to that verse, is worthy to receive (and to give out) these seven items. His name is Jesus. When you accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, you accept all these ultimate goodwill items for all eternity!

The Bible says in Romans 8:32, “[God] that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

The Bible states in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.

Did you see that? It’s a gift! And when you accept the Gift of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, you are not only accepting forgiveness of sins and new life, you are also accepting power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing—for if God gave you His Son, He will surely give you ALL things!

Now that you have accepted Jesus, you are no longer a stranger! Jesus knows you and you know Him as well. Listen to His very own words: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine”.

This ultimate wish list is yours to enjoy—both now and forever—it’s a complete package! Jesus intends to give you abundant life. He said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”.

Jesus has received all of these from His Father and He’s making everything available to you at no cost. Now that you have chosen to develop a relationship with Him, you are welcome to the family of God.

——-

PODCAST: New Life For Old Chairs (Gospel Light Minute X #465 with Daniel Whyte III)

New Life For Old Chairs (GLMX #465)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #465 titled, “New Life For Old Chairs” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

One never knows what “treasures” they may find at a garage sale, estate sale, or auction. I like to pick up chairs that need some tender loving care. I visualize the possibility of revitalizing them and giving them new life. Refinishing the wood and replacing the seat is a hobby I enjoy. It’s interesting to see the before and after pictures of chairs that otherwise may have been discarded–even burned–if I had not rescued them.

These chairs remind me of our lives. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Our natural lives are like the old chairs which are ready to be discarded. But God in His mercy sent His only son, Jesus, to die for our sins. He became our rescuer. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

By believing what God did and trusting Him alone for our salvation, we become like a chair that receives new life and becomes useful again. Romans 10:9-10 simply tells us, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

If we do not accept the fact that Jesus died for our sins, and do not trust in Him for eternal life, we are destined for the discard pile—like the old chairs if they had not been rescued.

The next time you see a dilapidated chair, be reminded of your life without Christ. You can be rescued and saved from the burn pile by trusting in Jesus. He will give you a new life of usefulness for Him!

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