About Jack Hartman

 

 Born July 7, 1931, Jack Hartman founded Northeast Planning Associates in New Hampshire in December, 1959. He worked with NPA for 52 years until he retired in March of 2012.

In 1974 he committed his life to Jesus Christ. For more than 40 years, Jack has faithfully carried out the assignment that God has given to him – to teach the Bible and help as many people as possible.

This assignment began in 1975 when he began teaching a Bible study group in the conference room of his office in New Hampshire. The Bible class rapidly grew from eight people in the conference room to more than 300 people attending every Tuesday night.

He taught more than 600 of these classes until he moved to Florida in 1987 where he continued teaching the Bible at various churches for approximately 12 more years. Even today, many years later, he still receives comments from people who were in the original Bible study classes back in New Hampshire.

Jack also has given approximately ten seminars throughout the United States and in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

In 1983 he formed Lamplight Ministries, Inc. Since then he has written and published 33 Christian books (18 coauthored with his wife Judy).

At age 86 Jack is no longer able to travel, give seminars or teach in churches. However, he is still committed to continuing to do what God has called him to do throughout the remainder of his life.

One of Jack’s greatest sources of fulfillment is the comments that he and Judy receive from people who have been helped by their publications. If Jack’s Bible teachings in his blog site have helped you, please leave your comments and recommend his site to other people you feel could be helped as well.

God bless you…

Jack Hartman

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New Bible teachings by Jack Hartman will be posted from time-to-time so be sure to bookmark this site and come back.

You can download a FREE PDF copy of each one of Jack’s Bible teachings by clicking on the link at the bottom of each teaching.

Jack and Judy Hartman’s web site:

Lamplight Ministries, Inc.

Jack would love to hear from you. If these Bible teachings have helped or inspired you. leave a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

 

 

 

 

 

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A close relationship with God

DO YOU HAVE A CLOSE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? LEARN EXACTLY WHAT THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.

God gives you specific instructions in the Bible telling you what to do if you truly desire a close and intimate relationship with Him. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

Think of the enormity of God. God Who created you and every other person in the world promises that He will come close to you. “Come close to God and He will come close to you…” (James 4:8)

Your Father promises that He will come close to you. All of us were separated from God when we were born. Every person is born into this world as a descendant of Adam. If you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, immediately you start a new life as a child of God.

Our Father wants to have a close and intimate relationship with each of His children. “…in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.” “Ephesians 2:13)

Even though you once were far away from God, if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you no longer are far away. Do not be like many religious people and Christians who live a religious lifestyle, but do not have a personal relationship with God. “…God is great, and we know Him not…” (Job 36:26)

Your Father does not want you to have a distant relationship with Him. He once said, “…My people have forgotten Me, days without number.” (Jeremiah 2:32)

Make the commitment that you will not have a distant relationship with God and with Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “…These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me.” (Mark 7:6)

Please note the words “their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me” in this verse. When Jesus Christ spoke these words, He was referring to Pharisees who were religious people who did not know God personally.

God and Jesus Christ are omnipresent. They live in heaven, but they also live in the hearts of every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. If you are absolutely certain that God lives in your heart, focus every aspect of your life on your certainty of His indwelling presence. “…He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:27-28)

The words “live and move and have our being” in this verse refer to a Christian who is constantly aware of the indwelling presence of God and consistently lives his or her life based upon their absolute certainty that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit live in their hearts.

Instead of focusing on people, places and things in the world, God instructs you to focus on knowing Him personally. He said, “…let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:24)

Do you know God personally? Do you know Him so intimately that you receive His character? Do you know what the Bible says is the secret to having a close and intimate relationship with Him? “The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.” (Psalm 25:14)

If you fear the Lord, you revere Him. You hold Him in constant awe. You worship Him consistently. Your life revolves around your absolute certainty of His indwelling presence and your desire to know Him more intimately.

You decide how close you want to be to God. As you read at the beginning of this teaching, God will come close to you if you consistently do what His word instructs you to do to come close to Him. I pray that this teaching will help you to have a close and intimate relationship with God.

If you would like to download a copy of this Bible teaching, click on the link below:

A close relationship with God

Living a long life

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE A LONG, MEANINGFUL AND FULFILLING LIFE? LEARN GODS INSTRUCTIONS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.

Not every person who lives a long life obeys the instructions from God that we will study. However, it is impossible to live a long life that also is totally meaningful and fulfilling without obeying the following specific instructions. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

The words that King Solomon spoke to his son many years ago also are God’s instructions to you today if you learn and obey God’s instructions that we will study here. Solomon said, “…Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life shall be many.” (Proverbs 4:10)

The following instructions that King Solomon gave to his son also are God’s instructions to you. “My Son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1-2)

Your Father does not want you to forget His instructions. Please note the words “years of a life [worth living]” in verse 2. Your Father does not want you to just live a long life. He also wants your life to be meaningful and worthwhile. You will receive “tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age ‘til death]” if you obey God’s specific instructions.

When you fear God, you revere Him. You hold Him in constant awe. Christians who truly fear and revere God are much more likely to live a long and meaningful life than unbelievers or Christians who only have a surface relationship with God. “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one’s days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.” (Proverbs 10:27)

The following passage of Scripture explains the relationship between fearing God, receiving wisdom from God and living a long life. “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding. For by me [Wisdom from God] your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.” (Proverbs 9:10-11)

The same God who created you knows exactly how He wants you to live your life. The more that you turn away from the wisdom of the world to receive wisdom from God, the more likely you will be to live a long and fulfilling life.

The Bible teaches you about the definite relationship that exists between fearing God, the words that consistently flow out of your mouth and living a long life. The psalmist David said, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to revere and worshipfully fear the Lord. What man is he who desires life and longs for many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” (Psalm 34:11-13)

The words “may see good” in verse 12 refer to your life not only being long, but also being meaningful and fulfilling. As I write this teaching I will be 87 years old in two months. Judy will be 79 years old in one month. We are at an age where most people are completely retired.

We both are still very active doing what God has called us to do with Lamplight Ministries. Over the years Judy and I have done what these verses of Scripture instruct us to do. As a result, we each are living a relatively long life and we look forward to continuing to serve the Lord. We are not in any way bragging. We give all of the glory to God because we still are able to serve Him at our ages. I pray that the contents of this teaching will help you to live a long, healthy, meaningful and fulfilling life serving the Lord.

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If you want to download a copy of this Bible teaching, click on the link below:

LIving a long life

Please let us know if this Bible teaching helped or inspired you by leaving a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

 

God lives in your heart

IF JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR SAVIOR, GOD, JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTUALLY LIVE IN YOUR HEART. THEY COULD NOT BE CLOSER TO YOU.

In the last teaching I explained Scripture references pertaining to God being with you at all times. In this teaching we will study Scripture that clearly shows you that, if Jesus Christ is your Savior, God is not only with you, but He makes His home in your heart. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

God is not limited to being in one place. He is omnipresent. He lives in heaven and, at the same time, He lives in the heart of every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. “Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.” (I John 4:15)

The word “anyone” at the beginning of this verse includes every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you can be certain that the Creator of the universe lives in your heart.

This verse explains that God is “above all.” He lives in heaven over every one of His children. The amplification says that God is “sovereign over all.” The word “sovereign” in this context means that God rules over everyone and everything in the entire universe.

We are told that God “pervades” everything. The word “pervade” means to be spread out. God is above all in heaven. He is spread out throughout the entire universe. This verse concludes by telling you that God lives in the heart of His children who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, He makes His home in your heart. Jesus also is omnipresent. He is in heaven with God. He also lives in the heart of every Christian in the world. “May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts…” (Ephesians 3:17)

Please note the words “through your faith” in this verse. Do you have absolute faith that Jesus Christ lives in your heart? Your faith in the reliability of the Word of God is the determining factor pertaining to the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ.

The more that you study and meditate on the Scripture references in this teaching, the more certain you will be that Jesus Christ really does live in your heart. “…Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you…” (II Corinthians 13:5)

The apostle Paul was certain that Jesus Christ lived in his heart. Paul had been beaten, tortured, stoned and shipwrecked, but he persevered throughout all adversity because of his absolute faith that Jesus Christ lived in his heart. Just as God is omnipresent and Jesus Christ is omnipresent, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. “…God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?” (I Corinthians 3:16)

The Holy Spirit lives “collectively” in the hearts of all Christians everywhere. He also lives individually in your heart. God placed the Holy Spirit in your heart to guide you and direct you throughout your life.

Your Father does not want you to attempt to control your own life. Your human abilities are inadequate. “O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23).

You are living the way that God wants you to live to the degree that you yield control of your life to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to control your life. “…you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]…” (Romans 8:9)

Give up your God-given ability to control your life. Surrender control of your life to the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to direct and control your life. He can do a much better job in this area than you can.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you can be certain that Father God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit live in your heart. “…you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–and reach full spiritual stature]…” (Colossians 2:10)

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are “filled with the Godhead [Father, Son and Holy Spirit.]” You will reach full spiritual stature if you are absolutely certain that Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit live in your heart. Place all of your trust and confidence in Father, Son and Holy Spirit to live in you and through you and to solve difficult problems that you cannot solve with the limitations of your human abilities.

In this teaching you have seen several Scripture references assuring you that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit live in your heart if Jesus Christ is your Savior. Make the quality decision that you will live every day of your life with absolute certainly that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit live in your heart.

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If you would like to download a copy of this Bible teaching in PDF format, click on the link below:

God lives in your heart

Please let us know if this Bible teaching helped or inspired you by leaving a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

 

 

 

God is with you at all times

FATHER GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. THROUGHOUT EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE, HE PROMISES THAT HE WILL WATCH OVER YOU.

You are never alone. The same God Who created you assures you that He is with you at all times. He promises that He will not leave you or forsake you. He is watching over you. If you ever need assurance that God is with you meditate consistently on the Scripture references in this teaching. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

When Jesus Christ left His exalted place in heaven to come to earth, He was absolutely certain that His Father was with Him at all times. Jesus is our example in every area of our lives. You can be just as certain that Father God is always with you just as Jesus was during His earthly ministry. Jesus said, “…He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone…” (John 8:29)

Jesus went through some extremely difficult times during His earthly ministry. He went forty days and nights without food. The words that you just read clearly indicate that Jesus knew that God was with Him throughout every ordeal.

Some religious people think that God is far away. The Bible assures you that God is not far away from you. “Am I a God at hand, says the Lord, and not a God afaroff?” (Jeremiah 23:23)

God always emphasizes through repetition. Your loving Father repeatedly tells you that you should not be afraid because He is with you.

You can be certain that God will strengthen you, and help you in direct proportion to your faith in Him. God said, “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed…” (Isaiah 41:10)

When Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites, Joshua was a young man. Moses knew that the time had come for him to step aside. He reassured Joshua by saying, “Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Moses knew that Joshua would be tempted to be afraid because he was young and relatively inexperienced. Moses assured Joshua that God was with him and that He would not fail him or forsake him. Moses urged Joshua not to be afraid. The same words that Moses spoke to Joshua apply to you today.

When you face severe adversity, God assures you that He is with you no matter how difficult the problems you face may be. He said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel…” (Isaiah 43:2-3)

If you face difficult, meditate often on these wonderful promises from God. Your Father is with you in the midst of every problem you have ever faced. He will be with you in the midst of every problem you face in the future.

In this teaching we have studied several Scripture references assuring you that God is with you at all times. Most of these Scripture references are from the Old Testament. In the teaching titled God Lives in Your Heart we study several Scripture references (many from the New Testament) that assure you, that not only is God with you at all times, but He actually lives inside of you.

To download this Bible teaching in PDF format, click on the link below:

God is with you at all times

Please let us know if this Bible teaching helped or inspired you by leaving a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

God’s Love For You

THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IS BEYOND THE LIMITS OF YOUR HUMAN COMPREHENSION.
RECEIVE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES IN THIS TEACHING

    There is no greater security than to be consistently conscious of the love of God and to live your life centered around God’s love. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

     The Bible clearly teaches that love is not just something that God has for you. Love is what God is. God and love are interchangeable. “God is love…” (I John 4:8)

     God’s incredible love for you is described by the Greek word “agape.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary says that the word “agape” means “the deep and constant love and intent of a perfect being toward entirely unworthy objects.”

     God is a perfect being. The words “entirely unworthy objects” describe every person on earth. The same God Who created heaven and earth, the sun, the moon and all of the stars and galaxies in the universe and all of the billions of people on earth loves you with His perfect love.

     God loves every person on earth so much that He sent His beloved Son to earth with the full knowledge that He would be tortured and killed by a mob of people who failed to recognize Jesus Christ as a the One Who came to save them from their sins. “While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

     Please note the words “while we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves]” in this passage of Scripture. You have no ability to pay the price for your sins. Jesus Christ paid the price not only for well-intentioned people who try to live decent lives, but for all sinners. He died a gruesome death for every person who has ever lived.

     The following words that the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians are God’s words to you. “May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; that you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” (Ephesians 3:17-19)

     Paul instructed the Ephesians to be “rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.” The Word of God instructs you to “know through experience” the love of Christ which is much greater than you can begin to comprehend with the limitations of your human understanding.

     Abraham Lincoln was known for his strong Christian beliefs when he was president of the United States. President Lincoln once said, “Christ’s love is so profound that its depth will never be sounded and so vast that its extent will never be encompassed by the human mind.”

     Jesus Christ showed you exactly how much He loves you when He died for you on the cross at Calvary. Jesus said, “I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].” (John 15:9)

     Try to comprehend how much God loves His son Jesus. Jesus Christ loves you just as much as His Father loves Him. Jesus instructs you to “abide” in His love. The amplification instructs you to “continue in His love.” Center every aspect of your life around the love that you know that Jesus Christ has for you.

     Many people in the world love conditionally. They do not love people if they disapprove of their actions. God knows everything about every person on earth. He knows all of our faults and shortcomings. He still loves each of us totally, completely and unconditionally. We cannot earn God’s love. God’s unconditional love for us is a gift.

     Your Father does not condemn you for your imperfections and shortcomings. “…[there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)

     I pray that the Scripture references in this teaching will help you to understand the incomparable love that God and Jesus Christ have for you. I pray that you will meditate often on these Scripture references and that you will live a life that is centered around your absolute certainty of God’s love for you.

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Click on the link below to download a PDF copy of this teaching:

God’s Love For You

Please let us know if this Bible teaching helped or inspired you by leaving a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

 

What decides whether you will live throughout eternity in heaven or hell?

CAREFULLY STUDY THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES IN THIS TEACHING TO LEARN EXACTLY WHAT THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO TO LIVE ETERNALLY IN HEAVEN.

God has made it possible for you to live throughout eternity in the glory of heaven. He sent His only beloved Son to earth to pay the full price for all of your sins so that you will be able to live eternally in the glory of heaven. “…God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ( unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.” (John 3:16)  All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

This verse explains that you must believe that Jesus Christ has paid the full price for every sin you have ever committed so that  you can live throughout eternity in heaven. The words “believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) in Him” explain exactly what must be done so that you can live throughout eternity in the glory of heaven.

The Bible is very specific in explaining exactly what is required for any person to live throughout eternity in the glory of heaven. “…if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

You must believe in your heart that Jesus Christ paid the full price for your sins when He died on the cross for you. The Bible says that you must open your mouth and confess this heartfelt belief.

Many people on earth who think that they will live eternally in heaven do not fulfill the specific instructions in Romans 10:9. Living a good life by itself will not enable you to live eternally in heaven. Being a religious person who attends church regularly will not by itself enable you to live in heaven. God requires each person who will live eternally in heaven to believe in his or her heart and to open his or her mouth to confess that Jesus Christ has enabled them to live eternally in heaven.

We think with our minds. We believe with our hearts. Do you actually believe in your heart that Jesus Christ Who is one with God and equal to God came to earth as a human being to die a horrible death on the cross and then was gloriously raised from the dead? Have you actually opened your mouth and spoken this heartfelt truth.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that living a religious life here on earth will enable you to live eternally in heaven. Know that God requires you to believe this glorious truth in your heart and to open your mouth and confess this heartfelt belief. Jesus Christ said, “…unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally.” (Luke 13:5)

These words spoken more than 2,000 years ago apply to you today. If you are not absolutely certain that you will live throughout eternity in the glory of heaven, open your mouth and say, “God, I admit that I am a sinner. Please forgive me for the sins I have committed in my life. I trust completely in the great truth that Jesus Christ has paid the full price so that I can live throughout eternity in heaven. I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior. I place all of my faith in the undeniable truth that You paid the full price for all of my sins, Jesus. Because You paid this price I know in my heart that I will join You to live throughout eternity in heaven. Thank You, thank You, thank You, thank You dear Jesus.”

I pray that you will give the two teachings in my blog posts #8 and #9 to every person you know who is not saved. These teachings also will be very helpful to anyone who has lost a loved one who was saved to know that their loved one is living eternally in the glory of heaven.

If you know someone who is terminally ill and will die soon, give these teachings to this person. You very well could be the instrument that God uses to enable this person to make the final decision before it is too late to receive Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and live throughout eternity in the glory of heaven.

If these teachings have helped you, please tell others about them. I am now 86 years old and I want to devote the rest of my life to serving God and helping as many people as I can.

Download a FREE PDF copy of this teaching by clicking on the link below:

What decides if you live in heaven or hell

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Please let us know if this Bible teaching helped or inspired you by leaving a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

A scriptural description of heaven and hell

EVERY PERSON WHO HAS EVER LIVED WILL LIVE THROUGHOUT ETERNITY AFTER HE OR SHE DIES IN EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL (THE LAKE OF FIRE.)

This teaching is the first of two teachings on heaven and hell. In this teaching we will look into the Word of God to see exactly what it says about eternal life in heaven and eternal life in hell. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

I have studied and meditated often on the Scripture references in this teaching. I believe that every person must understand exactly what the Bible says about eternal life in heaven and/or hell (the lake of fire.)

We will begin by studying Scripture that explains what life will be like in heaven. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

None of the problems that concern people on earth will exist in heaven. There are no sad people in heaven. Every person in heaven is filled with joy. God promises to wipe away tear that you might have had because of any problem you faced during your life on earth. If you live eternally in heaven, you will live a magnificent problem-free and pain-free life throughout eternity.

There is nothing in heaven that is negative in any way. “…nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood…” (Revelation 21:27)

Everything in heaven is indescribably pure, clean and wonderful. Every person who lives throughout eternity in heaven will live a glorious life. People who die and who not live eternally in heaven will live in an atmosphere in hell (the lake of fire) that is indescribably horrible.

Why would God allow any human being to suffer throughout eternity in hell? “…God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but cast them into hell, delivering them to be kept there in pits of gloom till the judgment and their doom.” (II Peter 2:4)

The Bible teaches that Satan once was an archangel named Lucifer who lived in heaven. Lucifer and one-third of the angels in heaven turned against God. They were cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-16 and Revelation 12:9.)

Lucifer and his fallen angels were sent to earth where they have been known ever since then as Satan and his demons. If God will send fallen angels to hell, we can logically conclude that people who do not do what the Bible clearly instructs us to do will join these fallen angels in eternal torment in hell.

The following verse of Scripture explains the horrible existence that the inhabitants of hell experience. “…the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no respite (no pause, no intermission, no rest, no peace) day or night…” (Revelation 14:11)

The inhabitants of hell will live a life of torment “forever and ever.” These poor people will have absolutely no rest and no peace throughout eternity.

Now that we have briefly studied what the Bible says about the quality of life in heaven and in hell, we are ready to carefully study exactly what the Bible teaches that you should do to make certain that you live throughout eternity in the glory of heaven and not in the horror of hell.

If these teachings have helped you, please tell others about them. I am now 86 years old and I want to devote the rest of my life to serving God and to helping as many people as I can.

If you would like to download a PDF copy of this Bible teaching, click on the link below:

A scriptural description of heaven and hell

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Please let us know if this Bible teaching helped or inspired you by leaving a comment in the Leave a Reply Section below. Thanks and God bless you.

 

 

One day at a time

THE WORD OF GOD CLEARLY INSTRUCTS YOU NOT TO ALLOW ANYTHING IN THE PAST TO DISCOURAGE YOU OR TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING IN THE FUTURE. GOD INSTRUCTS YOU TO LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Your Father wants you to learn from the past, but He does not want you to dwell on any past misfortunes in your life, no matter how difficult they were. “Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.” (Isaiah 43:18) All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

Many people who have had something very difficult happen to them in the past focus often on this misfortune. The amplification in this verse uses the word “earnestly.” When you do something earnestly, you are very intense about whatever you are doing. God does not want you to allow anything that has happened to you in the past to affect the way you live today.

The Bible also clearly instructs you not to worry about anything that could happen in the future, no matter how difficult this potential situation could be. “Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!]…” (Revelation 2:10)

Your Father instructs you to fear nothing that could happen to you. The amplification instructs you to “dismiss all dread and fear” about anything that could happen in the future. Trust God completely to bring you through every problem that you might experience in the future.

Jesus Christ emphasized that you should live your life one day at a time. He said, “…do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

Jesus instructs you not to “worry or be anxious tomorrow.” If you are tempted to worry about the future, dismiss these thoughts. Meditate consistently on God’s instructions and promises (see Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-3).

Your Father will give you everything that you need, one day at a time. “…as your day, so shall your strength, your rest and security, be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25)

God does not promise that He will strengthen you next week, next month or next year. He promises to give you His strength one day at a time. Rest in Him. Refuse to trust any worldly source of security more than you trust your loving Father.

I often say the following words when I face severe adversity. I say, “Fifteen minutes at a time, one hour at a time.” I focus on getting through the next hour and living the remainder of that day one hour at a time.

Saying these words has become second nature to me. I have learned to turn completely away from all problems. I trust my loving Father to bring me safely through my life, one hour at a time, one day at a time.

In this teaching we have seen clear instructions from God that instruct you not to allow anything in the past to influence your life today, to not allow anything that might happen in the future to influence your life today and to live your life in consistent obedience to His specific instructions to live your life one day at a time.

I pray that the Scripture references in this teaching will help you to live your life one day at a time just as they have helped me many times in the past. If these teachings have helped you, please tell others about them. I am now 86 years old and I am committed to devoting the remainder of my life to serving God and to helping as many people as I can.

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One day at a time

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No problem is too difficult for God

ARE YOU FACED WITH A DIFFICULT PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO HAVE NO SOLUTION? GOD CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

This teaching contains an explanation of promises from God assuring you that He can solve every problem that you ever face no matter how difficult this problem might seem to you. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

The Scripture references that we will study here have helped me many times when I faced seemingly insurmountable problems. Jesus Christ said, “…With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.” (Matthew 19:26)

Meditate consistently on this wonderful promise from the Lord Jesus Christ whenever you face a problem that seems to be impossible to solve. Abraham, the founder of the Hebrew nation, said, “Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord?…” (Genesis 18:14)

Abraham spoke these words when he was 100 years old and his wife Sara was 90 years old. It seemed impossible for them to have a child, but Sara gave birth to their son Isaac at this advanced age.

Refuse to be dismayed whenever you face a problem that seems to be impossible to solve. God knows exactly what to do. “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials,…” (II Peter 2:9)

If you face a problem that seems to be overwhelming, refuse to focus on the seeming severity of this problem. Instead, meditate consistently on these magnificent promises from God. God always does what His Word says He will do. “…no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” (Luke 1:37)

If God promises something in His Word, you can be absolutely certain that He always does what He promises to do. “God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on)…” (I Corinthians 1:9)

God is omnipresent. He sits on His throne in heaven. At the same time, God lives in the heart of every one of His children (Ephesians 4:6). “God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Your Father assures you that He is with you whenever you are in trouble. He will help you (see my blog post #5 titled God will help you). Consistently meditate on the Scripture references in this teaching.

There is no question that God will help you to solve difficult problems. He will strengthen you according to your faith in Him. Go to God when you face problems that seem to be impossible to solve. He promised that He will answer your prayers when you come to Him when you face severe adversity. God said, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:15)

I pray that the teachings in this blog post have helped you. I am 86 years old. I am committed to devoting the remainder of my life to serving God and to help as many people as possible.

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No problem is too difficult for God

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God will help you

THE SAME GOD WHO CREATED YOU HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL HELP YOU WHEN YOU NEED HELP. ARE YOU RECEIVING HELP FROM YOUR LOVING FATHER?

This teaching contains an explanation of promises from God that will give you specific help with many problems that you may face. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

The Scripture references that we will study here have encouraged me many times when I faced difficult problems. “…we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]…” (Hebrews 13:6)

Your Father does not want you to be overcome by problems that seem to be insurmountable to your limited human abilities and understanding. These problems are not difficult for Him to solve. “…Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.” (Matthew 19:26)

These words that Jesus spoke to His disciples many years ago also are His instructions to you today. Open your mouth and boldly say, “The Lord is my Helper. I will not be afraid.” Repeat these words often. If you meditate consistently on the magnificent instructions and promises from God in this teaching, you will become more and more certain that your Father will help you.

Little children stay close to their parents when they face difficult problems. Your loving Father has instructed you to stay close to Him. “…we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” (Hebrews 4:16)

You will not be afraid if you have a close and intimate relationship with God. You will trust your Father completely because you will know how gracious, merciful and loving He is. If you have failed in any area, confess your failures to God. He will be merciful to you (Hebrews 4:16).Your Father will help you with every need. His timing is perfect. The amplification in this verse says that He will help you “just when you need it.”

The Bible tells you exactly what God requires for Him to help you and to protect you. “You who [reverently] fear the Lord, trust in and lean on the Lord! He is their Help and their Shield.” (Psalm 115:11)

Do you “reverently fear the Lord?” Do you hold Him in absolute awe? Is He the center of your life? Does everything in your life revolve around Him? “…in Him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28)

Your Father will help you to the exact degree that you have deep and unwavering faith that He will do exactly what he promises to do. “God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:9)

You can be certain the same God who created heaven and earth and every person in heaven and on earth will help you. This great spiritual truth is mind-boggling. With hundreds of millions of people in the world, God is willing to help you when you face adversity.

Receiving help from God is not automatic. If receiving God’s help was automatic, every Christian who faces adversity automatically would receive help from God. Trust your Father completely. Have absolute faith that He always does what He promises to do.

The following verse of Scripture refers to Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. “…because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” (Hebrews 2:18)

Please note the words “in His humanity” in this verse. Jesus did not live His life on earth as the Son of God. Jesus Christ came to earth as a human being. He lived as the Son of man (Luke 9:55). Jesus chose to live His life on earth with the same limitations that you have. He often was “tempted, tested and tried” just as you often will be.

Jesus completely understands what you are going through. He wants to help you. He will help you to the degree that you meditate consistently on these promises about God and Jesus helping you and to the degree that you believe wholeheartedly that God and Jesus will help you.

If these teachings have helped you, please tell others about them. I want to serve God by helping as many people as I can.

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God will help you

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Enter into God’s Rest

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO TO ENTER GOD’S REST? ARE YOU RESTING IN GOD WHENEVER YOU FACE ADVERSITY?

This teaching contains an explanation of promises from God that He will help you to rest in Him whenever you face a difficult problem. I hope that the Scripture references we will study here will help you as they have helped me for many years. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

Jesus Christ wants you to rest in Him instead of struggling and straining attempting to carry burdens that are too heavy for you to carry. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” (Matthew 11:28)

The word “all” at the beginning of this verse is very important. This promise applies to every Christian who is attempting to carry heavy burdens with his or her limited human abilities. Jesus Christ has provided supernatural rest for every Christian. Will you enter into the rest that He has provided or will you struggle and strain attempting to solve difficult problems with your human abilities?

The following verse of Scripture has helped me many times when I faced difficult problems. “…he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors…” (Hebrews 4:10)

I cannot tell you how many times the words “the weariness and pain of human labors” in the amplification at the end of this verse have helped me. Many times I have told myself to stop struggling and straining. I have rested in God.

Do not make the same mistake that the Israelites made when they went through the wilderness into the Promised Land. “To these [complaining Jews the Lord] had said, This is the true rest [the way to true comfort and happiness] that you shall give to the weary, and, This is the [true] refreshing–yet they would not listen [to His teaching].” (Isaiah 28:12)

One of the best ways to understand the principle of entering into God’s rest is to visualize a group of people who are being taught how to swim. Some of these people fight the water. They thrash and splash. They sink quickly because they do not trust the water to hold them up. Your Father wants you to trust Him just as experienced swimmers trust the water to hold them up.

Your faith in God determines whether you will enter into the supernatural rest that He has provided for you. “…we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter…” (Hebrews 4:3)

Christians who do not enter into God’s rest do not have deep, strong and unwavering faith that God will carry their heavy burdens. The first amplification in this verse uses the words “adhered to and trusted in and relied on God.” You will enter into God’s rest to the degree that you know and believe the scriptural promises and instructions in this teaching.

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Enter into God’s Rest

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Cast your cares on the Lord

GIVE YOUR BURDENS TO GOD. HE DOES NOT WANT YOU
TO ATTEMPT TO CARRY THESE BURDENS YOURSELF.

I have been a Christian for approximately 50% of my life. I am 86 years old as I write this. I was 43 years old when Jesus Christ became my Savior. The scriptural truths that I am sharing here are truths that I have meditated on many times since I have been a Christian. I believe that these promises and instructions from God will help you just as they have helped me many times over the years. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

The Bible teaches us that God never intended for us to solve extremely difficult problems with the human abilities that He gave us. “Cease to trust in [weak, frail, and dying] man, whose breath is in his nostrils [for so short a time]…” (Isaiah 2:22)

Do not make the mistake of thinking that you have to carry heavy burdens with your limited human abilities. When Jesus Christ was on earth, He was limited to the limitations of a human being. Jesus once said, “…the Son is able to do nothing of Himself…” (John 5:19)

If Jesus Christ was not able to solve many problems during His earthly ministry then we obviously face the same predicament. “…if is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)

Jeremiah 10:23 tells us that God never intended for us to solve extremely difficult problems, no matter how much human ability He has given to us. We do not have the abilities that are required to accomplish this goal.

Give your heavy burdens to God. “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (I Peter 5:7)

God has told you how many of your problems He wants you to give to Him. Please note that the word “all” is used three times in this amplification in this verse and the words “once and for all” are used in the same amplification.

There is no question that God wants you to give Him every problem that you cannot solve with your limited human abilities. Your loving Father cares about you. He is watching over you. Trust Him to do in you, through you and for you what you cannot do yourself.

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Cast your cares upon the Lord

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The supernatural strength of Jesus Christ

JESUS CHRIST WILL GIVE YOU SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH
TO OVERCOME EVERY PROBLEM YOU WILL EVER FACE

This teaching contains an explanation of promises from God that will give you specific help with many problems that you may face. I believe that our Father is calling me to write this journal throughout the remainder of my life until He calls me home to live with Him throughout eternity in the glory of heaven. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

We will look today at the following promise from God that has helped me on many different occasions during the past 40 years. The apostle Paul, writing under the anointing of the Holy Spirit said, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” (Philippians 4:13)

The man who led me to Christ introduced me to this great promise from God when Jesus Christ became my Savior in 1974. At that time the business I had started in 1959 was on the verge of bankruptcy. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I have meditated on Philippians 4:13 often during the past 40 years. This business today has over 100 employees and sales representatives. The business that was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1959 is doing very well.

This promise can help you just as it has helped me so many times. All Scripture is inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16) God Himself is speaking to you in Philippians 4:13.

Your Father is telling you that you can do all things through the strength of Jesus Christ. No matter what problem you face, Jesus Christ will bring you safely through this problem if you trust Him completely (Proverbs 3:5-6) and if you persevere for as long as he requires you to persevere (Hebrews 6:12).

Jesus Christ will give you the supernatural strength to overcome any problem that you face. The amplification of this verse tells you that you will be ready for “anything and equal to anything” through the strength that Jesus Christ will give to you.

Jesus Christ is omnipresent. He sits on the right hand of God in heaven. At the same time He lives in the heart of every person who has received Him as his or her personal Savior (Ephesians 3:17).

Refuse to give up. Personalize this magnificent promise from God. Open your mouth and speak this promise from God again and again. Your Father will increase your faith in Him as your ears consistently hear your mouth speaking this promise from Him (Romans 10:17).

Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse of Scripture. I have meditated on this wonderful promise from God hundreds of times in my life. I pray that you too will be helped as you consistently meditate on this glorious promise from God.

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The supernatural strength of Jesus Christ

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God will meet all of your needs

DO YOU HAVE A PRESSING NEED? REFUSE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS SITUATION. TRUST GOD COMPLETELY TO FULFILL HIS PROMISE TO MEET ALL OF YOUR NEEDS

This teaching post contains an explanation of promises from God that will give you specific help with many problems that you may face. I believe that our Father is calling me to write these blog posts throughout the remainder of my life until He calls me home to live with Him throughout eternity in the glory of heaven. All Scripture references in this teaching are from The Amplified Bible.

God has provided for your greatest need. “He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?” (Romans 8:32)

God willingly sent His beloved Son to earth as a human being to provide for the greatest need that any person will ever have. God has made full provision for every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior to live throughout eternity with Him in the glory of heaven.

God assures you that He will meet every other need. “…God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

God did not promise to meet just some of your needs or most of your needs. He has promised to “liberally supply your every need.” If you have a need in any area of your life, meditate consistently on this magnificent promise from God. The amplification says that God will “fill to the full” your every need. How could God be more emphatic?

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, He is your Shepherd. You will not lack for anything. The palmist said, “The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.” (Psalm 23:1) Jesus referred to this psalm when He said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

Your Good Shepherd laid down His life for you. In the world, sheep trust completely in their shepherd. You can trust completely in your Good Shepherd to meet every need. You “shall not lack.”

Do you fear God and revere Him? “O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.” (Psalm 34:9)

If you fear and revere God and worship Him continually, every area of your life is centered around Him. Your loving Father assures you that there will be “no want” in your life. God promises you that He will meet every need you have.

Your Father instructs you to seek His provision based upon specific promises from His Word. “…they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall “lack any beneficial thing.” (Psalm 34:10)

If you have a need and you seek the Lord based on “the authority of His Word,” you will not “lack any beneficial thing.” Your Father assures you that He will meet every need that you have. You will receive manifestation of this promise and all other promises from Him in your life in direct proportion to your faith in Him and His promises and your patience and perseverance while you wait for God’s perfect timing. (Luke 8:15 and Hebrews 6:12)

The Scripture references in this teaching have helped me many times over the years. I pray that they will help you to trust God to meet every need you have.

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God will meet all of your needs

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