9 out of 10 people..

9 Out of 10 People Say What?
Did you check out the AOL survey last week? If not, you missed a pretty interesting set of statistics:

What is the key to getting into heaven?
•Living a good life. 65.5%
•Having connections to someone at the top. 26.7%
•Helping old ladies cross the street. 2.7%
•Slipping St. Peter $20.00. 1.9%
•Having a strong letter of reference. 0.5%
•Making a deal with the devil. 1.2%
•Telling a really good lie. 0.5%
Total votes 121,836

Are you going to heaven?
•Yes. 89.8%
•No. 10.2%
Total votes 143,309

(Source: www.aol.com)

Most of the answers didn't surprise me, but did you notice how many more people responded to the second question (are you going to heaven?) as opposed to the first? 21,473 more folks opted to answer that simple question as opposed to taking time to think about the first one.

Apparently, nearly 9 out of 10 people believe they are going to heaven, but many of them don't know and/or don't care why.

I believe Satan's goal is to take as many people as possible into hell with him. To do so, he doesn't need to get anyone to convert to Satanism; he only needs to slightly distort the truth. This survey is a case in point: in one fell swoop he has 90% of Americans feeling good about themselves while at the same time are destined for eternal separation from God.

If these figures aren't a wake-up call to our responsibility to share the good news of Jesus, I don't know what would be. The devil has this country convinced that the 'do good gospel' gets them into heaven, and we are the only ones who can help them remove the blinders and see the Light of the world.

My suggestion would be to do a little survey in your corner of the world. Perhaps use this one, or make up new questions. The point is: get people talking about their perspective on heaven/hell. My guess is that most people you talk to will end up responding similar to the survey: i.e. good works get me into heaven. Here are a few verses you can use as discussion points:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them. (Acts 4:12)

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Evidently, God's survey would come out very different: one out of every one goes to hell without Christ!

Questions:
1.Why do so many people believe they are going to heaven?
2.How do these verses help you in your Christian life?
3.Would you be willing to do a survey in your school/neighborhood? Why or why not?
FROM DARE@SHARE.ORG

wait till you see me when i am done.

Philippians 1:6
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God Finishes the Job

God chose you, called you, declared you not guilty, and is now glorifying you. Sometimes we think that God can’t possibly make us to be like Jesus. But, He can because he is God. He can and he will—It’s a promise.

It’s very interesting to watch a master potter work, especially if you can track the whole process of making a single bowl. First, he prepares the clay, which involves wetting it, beating it, cutting it, and kneading it over and over again. It often takes a total of several hours over two or three days to make the clay just right.


When the clay is ready the potter places it on a wheel that spins it while he presses on it to make the shape emerge. He pushes and pulls and cuts and carves until the shape he has in mind emerges. Then, he sets it on a shelf for a few days to dry before firing it.

The firing process is usually done in two stages. The first stage hardens the clay so it isn’t so fragile while the artist applies the glaze. After the first firing, the potter applies glaze to the bowl. The glaze is very thin clay with chemicals that will change into beautiful colors as they melt. At this point, the piece still looks like some carefully shaped and hardened dirt. The final firing heats the bowl to over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes the bowl very hard and durable. It also reveals the colors and designs the potter applied to the surface. Only after the clay has been beaten, shaped, stretched, and fired can we see the beauty that was in the mind of the potter from the very beginning.

Remember that God is the master potter of your life. He planned, prepared, and organized every part of who you are and what you will experience so that he can reveal the beauty he has in mind. He will keep on working, forgiving, and training you throughout your whole life. He will keep the heat on when it’s needed. But, he’ll also give you times of rest and peace.


The most important facts in all of life are these: God loves you and there is nothing that can keep him from making you perfect and complete. When you stand before him in heaven one day, all the beauty he built into your character will be clearly seen. Don’t be surprised when you realize that you look very much like Jesus, the glorious Son of God.

Today’s Prayer:

Lord God, I praise you that you do have a plan to make me perfect and complete, just like Jesus. I also praise you for being so loving and powerful because that makes me confident that you will complete the job you’re doing on me. Please help me.

Written by Martha E Menne, Flagstaff AZ

Is Christ on the schedule.

Luke 2:9-12
"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

This time of year we are all rushing around with parties and festivities. Some of you have finals and projects keeping you up. All things that have to be done before the Christmas break.
I know that for me I often find it easy to get lost in the busy calender of events, and forget what its all about. I know that if asked about the holiday season I would be sure to tell people about how blessed I am and that my family and I celebrate this time as the coming of Christ as a baby.
Problem is do I think about that if I am not asked? Sometimes I have to admit, No. I am checking emails, and looking at calendars and making sure the cookies are made for this party the candy for that one. Gifts are bought for everyone that I know. I have to be sure to attend all the usual events, and any others I am invited to. Before I know it I have scheduled Christ right out of Christmas.
Its a sad thing to admit. I have tried this year to make myself aware of this a little more. I have said no to some events. I have limited my gift buying and tried to spread it out over the year so its not one last frenzied shopping time. I am spending more time with my kids. We are watching the Christmas specials on TV and enjoying popcorn, cookies and hot coco. We don't have to go to every little event.
Remember that this season we celebrate the birth of Christ and that's real love.