Evil - Are we born evil or do we learn evil? Is evil inherent or learned behavior? Bible message on sin, evil. Are we born evil? Bible scriptures verses on evil..

Pastor Max Solbrekken preaching in Brazil Conference Crusade

Satan evil sin temptation redemption
Bible scriptures on sin, evil, temptation, satan

What is SIN? How to be forgiven of your sins
God's Word on 'The Spirit of Fear' Bible scriptures on fear (kjv)
How to Receive Total Healing through Blood of Jesus Christ
The Place called HELL
Bible scriptures verses kjv on fear
Historical Evidence - Proof of LIFE & DEATH of Jesus Christ

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ARE WE BORN EVIL
OR
DO WE LEARN EVIL?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

"For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living water an have hewn themselves out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jeremiah 2:8-13)

IS EVIL INHERENT OR LEARNED BEHAVIOUR?

Several years ago, on Canada Day, I was a guest of RADIO CJCA'S Ron Collister Show. For many years I had joined the popular host and his listeners in lively debates, on interesting and relevant topics.

Our July 1 program featured the very important subject, 'Is Evil inherent or it evil a product of environment or learned behaviour?' Is a person born with the propensity to do evil or is evil a learned behaviour?

IS GOOD OR EVIL WINNING IN OUR WORLD TODAY?

Ron Collister asked each caller the same question he asked me: "Which of these - GOOD or EVIL - is winning in our world today"?

Most of the callers seemed to think that the scourge of evil was dominating our society and winning big. The callers felt that evil was ruling this world.

INCREASE OF EVIL IS SIGN OF LAST DAYS

My answer mirrored the words of Jesus when he referred to the increase of evil as a sign of the last days: "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24:12) "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son on man...Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot...even thus shall it be when the Son of man is revealed." (Luke 17:26-30)

HOW EVIL WERE CONDITIONS ON EARTH, BEFORE GOD SENT THE FLOOD AND WIPED OUT SODOM & GOMORRAH WITH FIRE & BRIMSTONE?

The conditions on earth were very evil, very corrupt, perverted and violent in the days of Sodom & Gomorrah - much like the world is today. Here is the Bible record of the EVIL that existed during those 2 time periods.

"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of his heart was only EVIL continually." "And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man...." (Genesis 6:5-7)

Again, Moses reports: "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with VIOLENCE." (Genesis 6:11)

DID GOD DESTROY THE EARTH WITH THE FLOOD DUE TO MUCH EVIL ON THE EARTH? What about Sodom & Gomorrah? Were the people evil?

The people of Sodom & Gomorrah was so IMMORAL, EVIL & VIOLENT that when two angels visited Lot - to evacuate him and his family before the destruction began - they demanded that Lot bring out the two strangers so they might sodomize them.

"But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter.

And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came into thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know (have sex) them." (Genesis 19:4-5)

When Lot refused, the large crowd of homosexuals tried to break down his door, TO COMMIT GANG RAPE! They told Lot to get out of the way, warning him: "Now we will deal worse with thee than with them." (Genesis 19:4:9)

THE HOMOSEXUALS IN SODOM WERE VIOLENT, EVIL & BRUTAL

Please NOTE:....the homosexuals in Sodom were violent, evil and brutal. They threatened Lot with violence and punishment if he refused to turn over these two young strangers to satisfy their abnormal, EVIL and perverted lust

The angels forcibly rescued Lot and smote the attackers with blindness, in order to prevent them from tearing down the door.

OUR WORLD IS NOW AS EVIL AS THE DAYS OF THE FLOOD AND SODOM & GOMORRAH

Wow! That is strong, and hits very close to home. The violence and evil is all over this earth, this world, and we are in days as EVIL as the time of Sodom & Gomorrah.

St. Paul warns that Evil will escalate as we near the last days, the end of this age: "This know also, that in the last days PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,"

"Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

EVIL WILL INCREASE GREATLY AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE LAST DAYS

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:1-4, 13)

Again, he admonished: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and DOCTRINES OF DEVILS;"

"Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

When you consider the recent evil, brutal and horror filled deaths of eight foreigners in Uganda's National Park by Rwandan rebels, it is not hard to believe that they were very unconscionable.

A study of the horrible raping and killing of dozens of young women by pornography sadist Ted Bundy, and the serial killings of dozens of young homosexual men - whom he first sodomized - by pervert killer John Wayne Gacy proves that consciences can become seared.

The killing of little children by their mothers like Jones of Alabama, and recently the three small children killed by their mother, as well as the killing of parents by children like the Menendez case when the 2 Menendez brothers brutally murdered their mom and dad for their wealth is ample evidence of the evil that reigns in the heart of lost and depraved humanity.

No wonder the prophet declared: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: Who can know it?"

IN THE END, RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL TRIUMPH BECAUSE JESUS SHALL RETURN AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

I answered Ron Collister: "Yes, it appears that evil is gaining ground and at present, may have the ascendancy but in the end, RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL TRIUMPH. One day, Jesus Christ will return and put away EVIL for good."

I interjected that there is however, some good news, a great revival of righteousness is presently occurring in our world.

Since the break up of the Soviet Union, a revival of Christianity is sweeping Eastern Europe. Recent estimates put the figure at 6,000 conversions to Jesus Christ every day.

Although gangsters, evil and crime is rampant in those countries, yet a mighty statement of righteousness and goodness is being made through the successful endeavors of God's people.

I might add, that in our recent crusade (1992) in Truskavets, Ukraine - a health resort city which boasts many sanitariums and draws people from across Eastern Europe - Mikhael Gorbachev's sister - Galina Sergiovana - answered a salvation altar call to confess Jesus Christ as her Saviour.

Evangelical Christianity is so strong in South Korea, the Church is growing faster than the population in that former Buddhist stronghold! And in 1986, Newsweek carried a story titled, 'LATIN AMERICA: TRADITIONALLY ROMAN CATHOLIC RED IS TURNING PROTESTANT BLACK'.

The large feature article reported that the gospel of Christ as preached by Evangelical Christians were gaining converts at 400 per hour. That's 9,600 every 24 hours! The 'red' spoke of the scarlet colors used by Roman Catholic prelates and the 'black' referred to the Bible carried to church by Protestants.

CHRISTIANS TORTURED DYING FOR THEIR FAITH

Believers in Jesus Christ are being tortured in a number of Muslim dominated countries, and forced to convert to paganism under threat of death and starvation! A classic case is Sudan, where fanatical Muslims have since 1989 murdered more than a million black Christians in an unparalleled "religious cleansing".

They are being given the ultimatum, "Convert to Islam, or die". From numerous authenticated reports, we understand that this present genocide is much greater than that of the demonized Muslim strongman, Idi Amin, who terrorized Uganda in the not too distant past.

And who is presently being granted protection by Saudi Arabia. Several years ago, 'Newsweek' carried a report by one of their journalists who had proof that the Muslims of the north were selling black animist & Christian women as slaves for $15 US. Recently, Rev. Cal Bombay, long time TV broadcaster with 100 Huntley Street together with a TV camera crew traveled to Sudan, met the Muslims and documented the purchase of 319 black Christian & animist women and girls, into freedom.

After his initial success, Bombay undertook a second dangerous and costly journey to purchase the freedom of hundreds more slaves from their Muslim captors! The 'Canadian Press' quotes Bombay: "I want the world to know what a rotten thing is happening in the south of Sudan, by a rogue government that is fundamentally violent and trying to force people to become Islamic".

INHUMANE EVIL TREATMENT OF CHRISTIANS IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES HAS INCREASED

The inhumane, EVIL treatment of Christians in Muslim dominated lands today, has to go down in history as comparable to Adolf Hitler's holocaust of 6 million Jews, Joseph Stalin's murder of 7 million Ukrainians by starvation in 1933 and Mao tse Tung's genocide of between 40 to 80 million Chinese.

According to Dr. David Barrett, an Anglican minister & statistician - who has been tracking this phenomenon for more than a decade - an estimated 330,000 Christians are martyred every year, somewhere in the world - for their faith in Jesus Christ! That is what I call real EVIL.

Oral Roberts said a number of years ago: "I don't know how we're doing it, but somehow we are winning." And Billy Graham stated, "I have read the last chapter in the book and it says: 'We win'!"

EVIL - EXACTLY WHAT IS EVIL?

The Webster Dictionary meaning of evil: Daniel Webster defines 'evil' as "morally wrong, immoral, sinful, wicked, causing injury, mischief, trouble, pain, bad, harmful, repulsive".

The Webster Dictionary meaning of inherent: And his definition of 'inherent' is: "forming an essential or intrinsic element of; existing inseparably within an object or person".

Is the human race cursed with two strikes against it at birth? Could there be a genetic defect in those who rise to infamy such as Attila the Hun, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Saddam Hussein, Jeffry Dahmer or John Gacy?

Or has this evil come to us because of the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, as the Bible states?

WHAT ABOUT ENVIRONMENT: home, church, school, friendships, fraternities? What part does upbringing, training, nurturing, learning and companionship play in a person's character?

I BELIEVE THAT EVIL IS BOTH INHERENT & LEARNED

In more than 40 years of very active Christian Ministry, I have formulated a definite opinion that - without doubt - EVIL is both inherent and learned.

The Bible states, "The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies". (Ps alms 58:3) And, "The scripture hath concluded all under sin". (Galatians 3:22)

You don't need to teach infants how to lie. We've all seen them do that even before they can talk. Holding a cookie behind his back, little Billy will shake his head saying, "No, I didn't raid the cookie jar".

St. Paul blames Adam for our fallen condition: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned". (Romans 5:12)

THE REMEDY or ANTIDOTE AGAINST EVIL

Then, he gives us the antidote or remedy against EVIL. "For as by one man's (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous". (Romans 5:19)Again, the Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (Romans 3:23-24)

Here, we find the dilemma of the human race. We were born with a nature that is at enmity with God. We are sinners by birth, by nature and unfortunately, sinners also by choice.

But God, sending His Son to die for our sins - as our substitute - paid the ransom price to purchase our salvation. Through His grace, we receive a new nature and are born again from above.

Here is the good news, then: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". (Romans 6:23) In the letter to the Romans, St. Paul agonizes over the fact that.

"For I know that in me (that is in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not, for the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not that I do."

"O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" THEN HE GIVES US THE KEY: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death". (Romans 7:18, 19, 24; 8:2)

EVIL IS ALSO A LEARNED BEHAVIOR

The Bible verifies this as well: "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners". (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Here are a couple of true sayings: "Birds of a feather flock together", and "Show me who your friends are and I'll show you who you are".

It's a known fact that most child abusers were themselves abused as children. And the majority of perverts were themselves corrupted by older relatives, friends or authority figures.

Sad to say, the fourth case involving molestation of young boys in the Edmonton area - within the last number of years - was reported among the Uncles-at-Large membership.

Homosexual perverts know how to infiltrate places of respectability, influence and position of authority among the most vulnerable to their advances, namely teenage boys.

Proof of this has been documented and reported far too often in the past few years, about young Canadian hockey players sexually manipulated, intimidated and perverted by coaches and others working around hockey arenas.

EVIL HOMOSEXUAL SEX CRIMES IN THE NHL

Our hats go off to NHL hockey player Sheldon Kennedy - who fingered well-known hockey coach, the homosexual predator, who is now serving time in prison for his EVIL sexual crimes.

It is no wonder the sodomist community around the world rejoiced in jubilation when OUR GUTLESS CANADIAN GOVERNMENT, against all decency - lowered the legal age of homosexual activity to 14, something which the perverts who have been lusting after young boys have desired for years.

RONALD REAGAN CALLED FORMER SOVIET UNION an "evil empire"

COMMUNISM - EVIL OF EVILS! US President Ronald Reagan called the former Soviet Empire an "evil empire" and he was right! Now we know the enormity of the crimes of that wicked system, with Eastern Europe bankrupt economically and the ecology so terribly polluted that it will take billions of dollars and decades of hard work to bring things back to normal there.

The Bible says that God will destroy those who destroy the earth! (Revelation 11:18) The callous attitude of Soviet Communists toward human life and the ecology has brought God's judgment upon them.

GOD WARNS US ABOUT PEOPLE "WHO CALL EVIL GOOD AND GOOD EVIL"

God's Word warns us about those who, "call evil good and good evil". (Isaiah 5:20) Prophet Amos exhorted, "Seek good and hate evil". (Isaiah 5:14-15) And Moses warned: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do EVIL". (Exodus 23:2)

THE LORD'S PRAYER: Deliver us from Evil

Jesus knew that we would be targeted by the "enemies of righteousness", who seek our destruction. Being in "all points tempted" like ourselves. He knew that we would be tempted, tried and buffeted by the flesh, the world and the devil.

He gave us 'His Model Prayer'; so that we would know how to pray and what to pray about, in order to receive strength from Almighty God! Our Lord declared: "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:17-20)

Again Jesus stated: "For out of the heart proceed EVIL thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:" (Matthew 15:19)

10 YEAR OLD BOYS COMMITTING MURDER - NOW THAT IS EVIL

The tragic killing of two-year-old James Bulger in Liverpool, England a number of years ago by two ten-year old boys certainly tells us something about EVIL.

How the two boys could have conceived in their hearts to trick a little toddler -- who had walked away from his mother in a shopping mall - into accompanying them to his death is inconceivable! - Except for one thing ..

THERE IS A REAL DEVIL and he came only to "STEAL, KILL & DESTROY", and the devil is to blame! But so are parents who refuse to serve God themselves, and have no regard for their children's spiritual upbringing.

And now, the golden text of the Bible: "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)

Jesus said: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL". (John 3:19)

He invites us all: "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest". (Matthew 11:28)

WE CAN NEVER BECOME GOOD ENOUGH, IN OUR OWN STRENGTH, TO PLEASE GOD OR BECOME RIGHTEOUS:

ONLY THROUGH THE ALL-ATONING DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS FOR US, CAN WE ATTAIN RIGHTEOUSNESS OR GOODNESS.

The Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin"! (1 John 1:7)

And St. Paul states: "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new". (2 Corinthians 5:17)

FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given...of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end....with justice from henceforth even for ever." (Isaiah 9:6)

God is eternal and infinite. He does not think with a finite mind as we do! His thoughts and actions reflect His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence and eternalness.

God's plans and purposes for this universe and all of us, were formulated in His mind before He created the foundations of the world.

He cannot make a mistake, lie or be wrong in His intentions of deeds, for He is totally righteous, all knowing and all wise.

EVERYTHING GOD DOES IS FOR ETERNITY

He knows the future and sees the pitfalls and snares that await our stumbling feet. And He helps us, protects us from the devil, the world and ourselves! In these the last days, the last days before Christ returns in the blessed Rapture, God is protecting his children from evil.

WHY ARE WE SO IMPORTANT TO GOD?

Firstly, we were made in His image. Secondly, Jesus personally died for our sins and finally, through the new birth, we are a part of Him - his body.

The words, "there shall be no end" and "for ever", show the eternal purposes of God in the birth of Christ. THE INCARNATION WAS SERIOUS STUFF.

The moment, of God the Son - wrapping Himself in human flesh - coming down to save us, was deliberately and perfectly timed and executed.

"But when the fullness of time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)

This wasn't an after thought or a fill in. The decision to send King Messiah to this earth, was communicated to Satan - the adversary - immediately after Adam and Eve's tragic fall.

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:15)

Here, God promises a "virgin born" savior (her seed), Who would conquer Satan through His substitutionary death. In the process, the Savior would suffer a minor wound (bruise His heel), and Satan would be totally defeated (bruise his head).

Although Jesus suffered more than any man, was wounded and marred for our total salvation, it was minor because He laid down His life of His own free will. (John 10:15-18)

Satan could not take it from Him! And He arose again on the third day, destroying Satan and his power over us!

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" (Hebrews 2:14)

FROM THE INCARNATION TO THE RESURRECTION, AND THROUGHOUT THE 'GOSPEL AGE', GOD HAS CONTINUED THE EXECUTION OF HIS ETERNAL WILL, THROUGH HIS CHURCH, THE CALLED-OUT-ONES.

This is why it is so important that we live with "eternity in mind". All our plans and goals should reflect this mind set, in our relationships to God, the Church - His body - and the world! We need to prepare, in these last days, for eternity, for Christ's return and to spend eternity in heaven with God.

Let us study the Word, pray, witness and give joyfully, to help build His eternal Kingdom.

Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:3,7)

The Bible makes it clear that, "He who hath the Son hath everlasting life: and he who believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)

That means that all those who do not personally know Jesus Christ, must receive Him as Savior and Lord in order to be saved.

IS THERE A REAL HEAVEN & A REAL HELL

St. John emphasized: "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe in the name of the Son of God." (I John 5:9-13)

HERE IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH - All who reject Jesus Christ and refuse to receive Him as Lord & Savior are calling Almighty God a LIAR, "because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son." (I John 5:9-10)

Do you think for one moment that anyone will escape the judgment of God when they reject Jesus Christ - His gift to the world - and call Him a liar?

That is serious stuff, since He is the judge of the entire world! How do you think an earthly judge would react if someone in his courtroom called him "a liar"? He would immediately be guilty of 'contempt of court' of worse.

St. Paul puts it all in perspective when he says, "For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." (Hebrews 2:2-3)

In the Apocalypse, St. John warns: "And the DEVIL that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the BEAST and the FALSE PROPHET are, and SHALL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOR EVER AND EVER. And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:10-15)

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS

Jesus invites, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

"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)

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all, both now and forevermore.

GOD'S GUARANTEE TO
ANSWER PRAYERS
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him"? (Luke 11:13)

DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYERS?

We can come to God in prayer anytime, anywhere, and we can expect to receive an answer from God.

God's Word says, "Call unto Me, and i will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3)

IF WE WANT ANSWERS FROM GOD, WE MUST CALL UPON HIS NAME

When we pray we anticipate God will answer us, but if we want God to answer us, we must call upon His Name!

Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him"? (Luke 11:13)

"Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

"And him that cometh unto Me, I shall in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)

"Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth, he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

"Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him and will sup with him and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3)

"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

GOD'S GUARANTEE TO ANSWER PRAYERS

The Bible is the authoritative, divinely inspired and perfect WORD OF GOD! God's signature is on the original autographs, written by holy men as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

St. Peter emphasized, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:20-21)

MARTIN LUTHER DID NOT SEE A BIBLE UNTIL HE WAS OVER 20 YEARS OF AGE

Martin Luther had not seen a Bible until he was more than 20 years old and his colleague Dr. Carlstadt had received his doctorate in theology from a prestigious Roman Catholic Seminary without ever reading the Bible!

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH REFUSED CHRISTIAN LAYMAN TO STUDY AND READ THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR 100's OF YEARS

For hundreds of years the Roman Catholic Church refused Christian laymen the right to read and study the Holy Scriptures. They claimed that it was too deep. "Only an educated priest or theologian could understand God's Word", they pontificated! This of course, was a trick of the devil!

THIS WAS A TRICK OF THE DEVIL - SATAN KNOWS THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD

Satan knows how powerful God's Word is and so was using this deceptive tactic to keep people in bondage. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

No wonder Martin Luther stated, "The papacy is a general chase (hunting expedition) in which the Bishop of Rome is seeking to capture and bring to hell as many unsuspecting people as he can."

Sadly, Roman Catholic Theologians put their own private interpretation on God's Word, as do The Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and other religious cults today.

When St. Peter said, "No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation...." What did he mean?

St. Paul was simply saying:: God interprets the Scripture, Himself.

The message God wants you to receive is not what a certain sect or denomination reads into the scripture, but what He (God) is communicating!

HOW DOES GOD INTERPRET THE SCRIPTURES ?

God interpret the scriptures by using other scriptures which the Holy Spirit has anointed! Scripture interprets scripture and God does not contradict His Word. When taken in context, you will find that there are NO contradictions in The Holy Bible!

The Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree totally, for the Holy Spirit anointed holy men to write the scripture, and God has no mental block or speech impediment!

GOD SAID WHAT HE MEANT AND MEANT WHAT HE SAID - God honours His Word today with all power and authority.

Jesus Christ Himself is the Living Word of God while the Holy canon of scripture, the Bible, is the written Word of God. Therefore, if you will believe the Word of God and appropriate it for yourself, Jesus Christ will come out of the pages of this holy book and come into your heart. This offer from Christ is open to every person in the entire world, regardless of age, race or color. This offer is worldwide and has no strings attached.

St. Paul said, "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..." (Romans 3:3-4)

There are more than 33,000 promises of blessings in the Bible and they all have to do with God's dealings with mankind! His promises are not for angelic beings, but for lost, sinful, sick and fallen man. His promises are for you and me!

1) CHRIST'S INVITATION IS GENUINE

Jesus invited, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

The most beautiful word in any language is 'Come'. This is a word of invitation and when Jesus calls, we must always be ready to answer His call!

CHRIST SAID "COME UNTO ME" - HE IS INVITING YOU TO COME TO HIM IN PRAYER

He said, "Come unto Me". He is the only one with solutions to our problems and answers to our questions! How do we come unto God? The only way we can respond to His invitation of "Come Unto Me", in through Prayer. Prayer is our direct communication with God.

PRAYER IS OUR DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE ALMIGHTY GOD

While on a visit to the USA some years ago, the then Soviet Union's communist president Mikhail Gorbachev stated, "Only Jesus Christ had the solutions to every problem. I don't possess that skill."

When asked by US reporters, the reason for glasnost, perestroika and the new freedom of religion which was happening in his country, Gorbachev replied: "JESUS CHRIST"!

As startled reporters asked him to repeat his answer, he stated without hesitation: "JESUS CHRIST". Then, as if realizing what he had just said, Gorbachev quickly changed the subject.

GORBACHEV STATED: "ONLY JESUS CHRIST HAS THE SOLUTION TO EVERY PROBLEM"

Christ's invitation is to "all who labour and are heavy laden", and that takes us all in. Gorbachev was right: Only Jesus Christ has the solution to every problem!

In The Bible, which is the Word of God, our LORD promises rest and peace to all the world, to anyone who responds to His Invitation. We all need a new meeting with Jesus. No one in this world is exempt from the cares, burdens, frustrations, temptations, pressures, sicknesses and other pitfalls of Satan. These are all of the world and of the flesh. But God promises that prayer can change all this.

WE ALL FACE TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS

We are all constantly facing testing, temptations and trials in various forms and fashions. The ability to pay our debts - due to unemployment, unreasonable taxation or sickness - are some of the biggest stress producers in this generation.

OUR FAITH IS SORELY TRIED AS WE DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE

The problems of life can test our faith as we deal with things like family break-up among children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. But Christ Jesus has promised us total victory, a release from tension and an abiding peace as we look to Him alone and keep our trust in His Word.

Hear His Word again: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

If you will notice, Christ didn't say Come to a certain religious body or embrace a certain philosophy, ideology or theology...but He said, "Come unto Me", and every person in this world is included in this offer.

Jesus didn't mention His mother Mary or His inner circle disciples Peter, James or John or His half-brother James who became the first authority as Pastor of the world's first Pentecostal Church (the church was born on the day of Pentecost and exhibited supernatural signs and wonders) in Jerusalem!

CHRIST DIDN'T TELL US TO GO TO A HIGH PRIEST, RABBI OR PASTOR - HE SAID, "COME UNTO ME"

JESUS CHRIST didn't say come to the prophet, the apostle, the high priest or the rabbi, pastor, or evangelist. He said, "Come unto Me"!

You will not find a single account in the Bible, of Jesus Christ ever turning anyone away. Jesus met the needs of every person who asked Him for help.

What a reassuring feeling it is to know that Jesus Christ honours His Word. When you are in need or a miracle healing or are in danger and must have an answer to your prayers, you can depend on the LORD Jesus Christ. He has given us the Invitation, "Come Unto Me", it is up to us to respond to His invitation, through prayer.

MY OWN TESTIMONY OF GOD ANSWERING PRAYER

I can verify that God is a "God at hand and not a God afar off". (Jeremiah 23:23) I can confirm that God answers prayer, through my own personal testimony.

In 1984, my team and I were conducting a crusade in Northern India, when a staggering miracle occurred. I had planned to have a very large crusade in the South, where nearly all visiting evangelists go.

Previously I had been in the South and Central parts of India, but had not ventured into the North where the zealous, devout and often fanatical Brahmin Hindus have almost total power. In fact, for the previous twenty years, the number of Christians had declined there each year!

Thousands of pastors were ready to embrace our ministry in the South, and we were expecting 100,000 persons on the opening night, with prospects of larger crowds as the crusade progressed. And I was excited about going!

GOD CHANGED MY PLANS TO GO TO NORTH INDIA

Then God changed my plans and I was challenged to go to North India, to a very intellectual city of Brahmin Hindus and Moslems.

The Hindus had just completed a ten day revival, in preparation for our coming..iin order to rejuvenate the people in their beliefs. This was also done to warn the people of the gospel!

On the first night of our crusade, 1/4 million Moslems were in the streets in a gigantic parade, to start 21 days of fasting in a celebration called Ramadan!

We started with 3,000 people on the opening night, backed by two Methodist churches and about 120 zealous young people, from across Asia, working with a group called "Christ is the Answer".

MY MESSAGE WAS TITLED, "JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER"

My message was entitled, "Jesus Christ the same Yesterday, Today and Forever"! I declared the gospel of Christ according to St. Peter: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

I PRESENTED THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST, "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE"

Without fear of contradiction I presented the claims of Christ where He stated: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me". (John 14:6) "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 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." (John 10:9-10)

I quoted St. Paul: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

I declared that Jesus Christ was the only begotten Son of God - that He was born of a virgin, His sinless less, His miracle ministry, His victorious death and His glorious resurrection.

LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE CAME FORWARD TO ACCEPT SALVATION

Less than 100 came forward for salvation in the first service, but God performed several miracles of healing in answer to my prayer!

THE NEXT EVENING I CHOSE TO PREACH THE MESSAGE "THE UNKNOWN GOD"

The next evening there were 6,000 in attendance. Again I shared the Word of God. I chose for my text Acts 17:18-32 where St. Paul preached his famous Mars Hill message, "The Unknown God".

I SAID, "I SAW YOUR IMAGES, IDOLS & GODS MADE OF WOOD & STONE - THEY ARE DEAD AND LIFELESS"

I said, "I entered your city last evening and beheld your temples and places of worship - I saw your images, idols and gods! Idols that are made of wood, stone, plaster of paris and plastic; gods that have eyes that see not, ears that hear not, mouths that cannot speak, hands that have never helped anyone and feet that are stationary"!

I continued, "They are dead and lifeless, and so ignorant that if I were to slap their faces, they wouldn't have enough sense to move out of the way or say ouch."

I THEN PRESENTED JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY TRUE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD

Then I presented Jesus Christ, the only true Saviour of the world and the Son of the Living God.

At precisely 9:00 PM as I was making the altar call, suddenly loud speakers began blaring out an opposing message - in the Hindi language - in the very same venue which we were using!

THE HINDU RELIGIOUS LEADERS WANTED TO STOP THE WORD OF GOD BEING TOLD AND KILL ME, IF NECESSARY

Hindu religious leaders had called a meeting and decided to conduct another 10 day revival of their own, in the same park we had permission to use.

They had already alerted the police that there would be a riot on the crusade grounds and 50 fanatics with stones & sticks were on their way to start an uproar, stop the crusade and kill me, if necessary!

On those same grounds, two years previously, the Moslems had started a riot in a Christian crusade, in order to stop the meetings. Moslem fanatics had overturned a bus with 17 men, women and children, poured gasoline on it, setting it ablaze and killing them all! Of course, everyone fled and the crusade was history!

More than thirty years earlier, a well known American evangelist was conducting a successful crusade in North India. Fanatics began a riot and he had to leave.

The Indian government then declared him non-grata-persona, effectively barring him from the country since his crusades were dangerous and prone to violence and riots. In this manner the bigots had stopped one of the world's greatest soul winners from preaching in that nation for more than 3 decades!

THE FANATICS WANTED ME STOPPED FROM PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, BUT GOD INTERVENED

Just as the fanatics were entering the grounds, I was making the altar call. More than 500 people were so gripped by the message and by the Holy Spirit, that they rushed forward to accept Christ.

I PRAYED A POWERFUL PRAYER, REBUKING THE DEVIL AND CALLING UPON GOD

Then as I prayed a powerful prayer, rebuking the devil and calling upon God - in Jesus' Name - for miracles among the people, a 6 year old boy who was lame in one leg from birth was instantly healed!

His parents who were Brahmin Hindus rushed forward to testify, along with their healed son. Upon hearing the commotion and the testimony, the fanatics asked, "Who is that man? Is he a prophet?" Those around them in the crowd said, "Yes, he is a prophet from Canada".

THEY THEN DROPPED THEIR STONES AND STICKS SAYING, "WE'LL GIVE HIM ANOTHER DAY", AND PULLED DOWN THEIR LOUD SPEAKERS.

THE NEXT EVENING I PREACHED ON "GOD'S LOVE AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS"

The next evening the crowd grew to 10,000 and I preached on "God's Love and the Blood of Jesus"! The fanatics who had previously wanted to hurt me, now wanted to kiss my feet... And the revival continued with the crowd growing to approximately 40,000 persons.

And according to the last reports we have had, the Christian community was not only strengthened but also is growing! Thousands enrolled in the New Converts Class, by mail. And hundreds took special courses for Christian Ministry! To God be the glory!

At the time of this writing (December, 1992), we have just heard the sad news that another well known American evangelist has very recently been banned from India for the same reason. Hindu fanatics took over his crusade declaring that he was fabricating lying testimonies of people who claimed to be healed!

WE CAN COME TO GOD ANYTIME, ANYWHERE AND EXPECT TO RECEIVE AN ANSWER

God's Word says, "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3)

GOD'S WORD SAYS, "CALL UNTO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER THEE...AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS"

All of us have times of difficulty and trouble, and God is more willing to give than we are to ask. In fact, Jesus said, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:24)

GOD'S INVITATION IS "COME UNTO ME" AND "CALL UPON HIS NAME"

We are invited to call upon Him in the day of trouble and He will deliver us and show us His mighty arm outstretched, in signs, wonders and miracles!

All we must do is call, and He will answer! It is humbling for us to acknowledge our weakness and need for help. It is humbling for us to request assistance from an outside force in this proud, efficient and materialistic world, in which we live.

IF WE WANT ANSWERS TO PRAYER, WE MUST CALL UPON GOD

Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him"? (Luke 11:13)

Again our Lord stated, "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." (Isaiah 1:18)

Jesus invited, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

WE MUST SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AND LEARN TO PRAY - WE MUST ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS

The simplest thing in the world for anyone to do is to ask for something. And yet, it can be the most difficult! We must spend time in prayer, learn to pray.

To ask God for forgiveness, we must acknowledge our failings and our sins.
To ask God for guidance or for strength, we must acknowledge our weakness.
To ask God for divine healing, we must admit that we are sick and that we need help!

But Jesus made it so easy! He said, we must become like little children and ask with child-like faith and expectation. And His promise is sure and guaranteed to work. He will keep His Word!

Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7)

Again He stated, "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:"

"That whatsoever ye ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you." (John 15:16)

WITHOUT CHRIST, WE ARE HOPELESS LOST AND WE ARE POWERLESS AGAINST SATAN

We must remember Who our Source is. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to function by His grace. And the Word of God is Supreme, that God may be all in all!

Jesus promised, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto Me..." (Acts 1:8) Again our Master stated, "Without Me, ye can do nothing"! (John 15:5)

And our Lord said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. I will be with you until the end of the world." (Hebrews 13:5)

2) PRAYER REQUESTS SHOULD BE SPECIFIC AND WELL NEEDED - WE MUST ASK IN FAITH

When we approach God's Throne of Grace, we must ask specifically for what we need or desire! We must be specific so that we can prioritize our request and focus on our needs, or the needs of others all over the world. Prayer requests should be specific and well needed.

It is important to lay out our needs in a definite request, believing that He hears us and will keep His promise!

FAITH IS EXPECTING AN ANSWER WHEN YOU PRAY - FAITH IS TRUSTING GOD

Faith is expecting an answer when you pray. Faith is trusting God so implicitly, that when you have met the conditions He has set forth in His GREAT DOCUMENT, the Bible, He will respond favorably!

The Bible says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Here is Moffat's translation of this verse:

FAITH MEANS WE ARE CONFIDENT OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR

"Faith means we are confident of what we hope for; convinced of what we do not see."

Faith is like the title deed to a property you own but have never seen. You know it is yours because it has been bequeathed to you in a will or it has been given to you as a gift - possibly in another part of the world, and you still haven't received it or seen it.

That is how faith works. You have God's promises regarding prayer and His desire to answer, but the things you prayed for haven't happened yet!

YOU MUST KEEP TRUSTING, BELIEVING AND EXPECTING THE ANSWER WILL COME

Keep on trusting, expecting and believing and the answer will come. Loved ones will come to Christ, sicknesses will he healed by God's power and your many prayer requests will be answered when you pray in the Name of Jesus!

The Bible says, "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:5) Jesus showed us how faith works in Mark 11:22-24:

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

In my opinion, Hebrews 11:1 is a theologian's definition of faith. The layman's definition of faith is found in verse 6.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 1:6)

WHAT IS FAITH? FAITH IS 3 VITAL THINGS:

Faith is coming to God with your needs and making your requests known to Him.

By asking God for help you are exhibiting faith! This proves that you believe He is greater than yourself and your need!

You are in fact saying: "Lord you are bigger than I am and more powerful and that is why I am approaching you for help"!

You wouldn't come to God for help if you didn't believe He could help you!

FAITH IS BELIEVING THAT GOD EXISTS

Faith is believing that God is real, that He is eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! And that He is omnipotent, omnipresent and eternal!

FAITH IS BELIEVING THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

Faith is believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for our sins and arose from the dead for our justification.

FAITH IS BELIEVING IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE

The Bible says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is a reality!

Faith is a fact and also action, because "faith without works is dead, being alone." (James 2:26) Faith is now! And faith is a present day reality and faith gets the job done - Faith Works Miracles!

FAITH IS BELIEVING AND EXPECTING

Faith is expecting a miracle when we pray! Here is our Lord's invitation to you: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

HOW CAN I BE SAVED?
God is able, ready & willing to deliver you!
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Jesus said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Yes, my dear friend, God is still in the business of setting men and women free from their sins, sorrows, heartbreaks, fears and troubles.

In this age of frustrations, nervous tensions and mental collapses, Jesus Christ is still granting peace to the troubled, joy to the discouraged, strength to the weary and healing to the sick.

HOW CAN I BE SAVED?

1. ACKNOWLEDGE your sinful state (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6)
2. BELIEVE the Gospel (Acts 16:30-31; John 3:26)
3. REPENT of your sins (Luke 13:3; Isaiah 55:7)
4. RECEIVED Christ as your Saviour (John 3:16; Revelation 3:20; 1 John 5:12)
5. CONFESS Him as your Lord (Romans 10:9-10; Mark 8:34-38)

JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD ON A HOLY MISSION !

"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)

Jesus declared, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me". (John 14:6)

Salvation is totally a WORK OF GRACE, but we must be sincere in our prayers and believe in Jesus Christ's willingness to keep His Word; which He always does. Jesus Christ offers salvation and gift of salvation is free to all who accept it. If you wish to be saved you must:

No. 1 - Acknowledge your lost state!

The Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)

No. 2 - Believe the Gospel

"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already." (John 3:15,18) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

No. 3 - REPENT of your sins

The Bible says, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) "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". (Isaiah 55:7)

No. 4 - Receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour

The Bible says: "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)

"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." (Revelation 3:20) "He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:12)

No. 5 - Confess Jesus Christ as your LORD

The Bible says: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation". (Romans 10:9-10)

"Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8,9)

Dear friend, be assured that God will keep His Word, for He said:

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink." (John 7:37)

"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." (Isaiah 1:18)

After you have prayed to God asking Him to forgive you - then you must believe He has heard your prayer and forgiven your sins. That is faith. You say that is hard to do. No - it isn't.

If you believe that God told the truth and the Bible is God's word - God will do what He said He would do. If you have prayed the sinner's prayer asking God to forgive you, (then he has forgiven you; His word tells you that and His word is the truth) and if you are forgiven, then you are saved.

You must then continue to live in God's way - you must live for God. Believe that you are saved, begin to praise and worship God and thank him for saving your soul.

But you have doubts and say, "I don't feel any different." You say you still feel the way you did before, you don't feel like you are saved.

Always remember, you are NOT SAVED by your feelings, you are saved by FAITH IN GOD'S WORD. If God said it - it is the truth, whether you feel like it or not. However, when you stand of God's word and by faith accept the Salvation that God offers, you WILL FEEL DIFFERENT.

Please write to me and let us know of your decision to serve the Lord! And what He has done for you. Always remember, Jesus loves you and wants too forgive, heal, bless and prosper you.

ARE YOU READY
TO MEET GOD?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION? ARE YOU READY TO MEET GOD?

The most important question I could ask you and the most important decision of your entire lifetime revolves around the spiritual welfare of your soul and its eternal destiny.

There are preachers today who have soft-soaped the Gospel and watered down God's word to please their listeners in order to keep their parishioners coming to church.

They are afraid that if they preach the truth, as it is written, people will not like it and their offering plates will not bring in too much money.

The Bible warns that this would be the case in the end time, of which we are now living. "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

The Apostle Paul calls such preachers 'food preachers' or 'belly preachers'. These men only preach to earn a living and not to win men and women to Jesus Christ.

"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." ( Romans 16:18 ) "Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." ( Philippians 3:19 )

I'm going to be absolutely honest with you and tell you the complete truth as found in God's Word concerning your soul, death, judgment, heaven, hell and eternity and the gift of salvation. Then I will also show you how you can be saved and forgiven by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

1 - YOUR SOUL WILL NEVER DIE

Your soul is eternal and will live on even after your body dies. (Genesis 2:7)

2 - ONE APPOINTMENT YOU CAN'T CANCEL OR POSTPONE

"It is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

3 - YOU CAN'T FOOL GOD

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) "Be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)

4 - YOU'LL PAY FOR YOUR SINS IF YOU DON'T REPENT OF THEM

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psalms 9:17)

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divided his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46)

5 - ALL HAVE SINNED

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) "And we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) "There is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10)

6 - JESUS DIED TO SAVE SINNERS

Jesus said, "For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance", (Matthew 9:13) and "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11)

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

"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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

7 - YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) "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." (Isaiah 55:7) "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

8 - YOU MUST BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

9 - ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR BY FAITH

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) "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." (Isaiah 1:18) "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)

10 - HE WILL GIVE YOU THE POWER YOU NEED

"He 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." (John 1:11-12) "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

HOW CAN I BE SAVED?

Many are asking this question today. They are wanting to know how to "make things right with Almighty God." They realize somewhere along the way, they have lost sight of God - they have lost contact with the Eternal One - the Great Creator, God, who loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for lost humanity.

Multitudes today are groping in darkness - looking for a ray of light to point them to the Heavenly way - but alas, they search in vain, they stumble and fall in the shadows of sin, worry, fear, anxiety, loneliness, heartbreak, sickness and confusion.

Many people have tried to live a better life, turn over a new leaf, rehabilitate themselves, only to find that their strength in the time of testing and temptation has failed and they are back where they started. So now, not only are they defeated, but they are also bewildered, perplexed and tormented, not knowing which way to turn.

Dear Reader, perhaps you are one of these poor unfortunate souls. THEN LISTEN CAREFULLY, for I have good news for you. There is still balm in Gilead for your sin sick soul. There is still deliverance for the bound, victory for the defeated and peace for the troubled. There is still healing for the sick and salvation for the lost.

THERE IS STILL HOPE - LOOK TO JESUS

THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR YOU. There is life for you. There is still forgiveness and happiness for you. LOOK TO JESUS, the author and finisher of your faith, (Hebrews 12:3).

LOOK TO JESUS, the mighty conqueror (Revelation 1:17-18).

LOOK TO JESUS, the Saviour of the World (Luke 2:11).

Don't look at your sinful condition, LOOK TO JESUS; don't look at your hopelessness, frustration and bewilderment, LOOK TO JESUS.

Don't look at your sickness, grief and loneliness, LOOK TO JESUS.

Don't look at your friends of other Christians who have failed, but LOOK TO JESUS who never fails.

The Bible says in Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is NONE else."

There is only one way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Jesus said in (John 14:6), "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Jesus said in (John 10:9), "I am the Door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be SAVED, and shall go in and out and find pasture."

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GO - that way is JESUS. There is only one door to God, and that door is Jesus. There is no other.

Mohammed, Buddha and the Roman Pope, a church organization - none of these will open the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven, but Jesus Christ, the one who came from heaven, who died on the Cross, rose again from the dead - He is able to forgive you, save you and bring you into the Kingdom of God. GLORY TO HIS NAME FOREVER.

The Apostle Peter said in (Acts 4:12) concerning Jesus Christ, "Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven, given among men whereby we must be SAVED."

There you have it. the only name that can bring salvation, blessing and deliverance is the Mighty Name of Jesus. The Angel said unto Joseph (Matthew 1:21), "Ye shall call His Name Jesus, for He shall SAVE His people from their sins." In (Romans 10:13) we read, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED."

The Philippian jailer asked the same question many today are asking and he got an answer he was converted, his life was changed. He met the master, Jesus. You can do the same. There in the prison house he cried out (Acts 16:30), "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be Saved." He believed on Jesus Christ and was Saved. you can do the same.

But you ask - how can I believe? What must I do to believe in Jesus Christ? Where do I start? I am glad you asked these questions, because I have the answer for you from God's word - Here is what you must do to be saved.

1 - REPENT OF YOUR SINS - To be saved you must repent of your sins and see yourself as you really are - You must realize you are lost and undone, without hope. You must see God's Holiness and realize that you have sinned against the Almighty. You must be sorry for your sins, you must hate your sins and be willing to forsake them (Matthew 4:17) your sins have condemned you (John 3:18) your sins have separated you from God (Isaiah 59:2). The Bible says (Romans 3:23), "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." Also in (Isaiah 53:6) the word of God says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

GOD HATES YOUR SINS - but God loves you. God wants to rescue you out of your sins. You must be willing to give yourself completely over to God and turn your back on all unrighteousness.

2 - YOU MUST CONFESS YOU SINS TO GOD - (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins (to God), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." You must tell God you are a sinner and that you cannot save yourself. You must confess to God that no one else can save you except Jesus Christ. You must ask God to have mercy on you (Luke 18:13) and to forgive you. Then you must confess to God that you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for your sins, that He rose again from the dead and that He is able to save you (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) (Hebrews 7:25).

3 - YOU MUST ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR - Tell God that you accept His pardon and that you now, through faith in God's word accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life. (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Salvation is absolutely free - you cannot work for it - you cannot pay for it - It is free - you just receive it from God.

After you have prayed to God asking Him to forgive you - then you must believe He has heard your prayer and forgiven your sins. That is faith. You say that is hard to do. No - it isn't. If you believe that God told the truth and the Bible is God's word - God will do what He said He would do. If you have prayed the sinner's prayer asking God to forgive you, (then he has forgiven you; His word tells you that and His word is the truth) and if you are forgiven, then you are saved. You must then continue to live in God's way - you must live for God. Believe that you are saved, begin to praise and worship God and thank him for saving your soul.

But you have doubts and say, "I don't feel any different." You say you still feel the way you did before, you don't feel like you are saved. Always remember, you are NOT SAVED by your feelings, you are saved by FAITH IN GOD'S WORD. If God said it - it is the truth, whether you feel like it or not. However, when you stand of God's word and by faith accept the Salvation that God offers, you WILL FEEL DIFFERENT.

You will believe before you feel - you will feel the cleansing, you will feel the forgiveness of God, you will feel the assurance when you believe God's word and have confessed Jesus Christ as your Saviour. (Romans 10:9-10).

You will begin to feel peace, the peace that comes from knowing you are saved, that your sins have been forgiven and you will feel hope and optimism.

The Word of God states (John 6:37), Jesus said, "Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." You have come to Jesus by faith; He has not cast you out - Jesus has taken you in - you are SAVED. Praise God.

Raise your hands to God (in complete obedience and surrender). Say "thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul." Praise Him and Worship Him for what He has done for you.

You are now saved, you have passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Your name has now been written in the "Lamb's Book of Life." (Revelation 20:15) The Angels are rejoicing in Heaven over this great victory over the devil. God has snatched your soul from Satan's grasp and the angels are rejoicing over this. (Luke 15:7)

RISE from you knees full of peace (John 14:27). Now go and tell someone about Jesus Christ and his love. Tell people what God has done for you. (Romans 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation."

Seek the Lord (James 4:8) and ask Him to fill you with the holy Ghost and Fire.

Ask God to give you power for service (Luke 3:16) (Acts 1:4) (Acts 1:8) (Acts 2:4) (Acts 2:38-39). Read your Bible every day and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As you go about your life, witness to people about Jesus Christ. Find a good church where the pastor and the congregation believe the whole Bible, where they believe in holiness of life and separation from the world.

Find a church where they believe in prayer for the sick and where the pastor and congregation have a burden to see the lost saved and brought to Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless you and give you peace. Write me a letter if you have accepted the lord Jesus Christ as a result of reading this message.

If you prayed and ask Jesus Christ into your heart - YOU HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE GIFT OF SALVATION - YOU HAVE BECOME A CHILD OF GOD. God Bless You.

Taking Serious Chances
ARE YOU WALKING TOO
CLOSE
TO THE EDGE?
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

It was a beautiful Spring Day in April, 2017. Six young hikers were enjoying their walk on top of Mount Harvey north of Vancouver, British Columbia. One hiker fell behind. When he arrived at the summit, his friends were not there. The five had stepped onto a large ledge (cornice) and it broke loose plunging them 500 meters down to the ground and their death.

It was such a tragedy! Those hikers didn't realize the serious situation they were walking onto, until it was too late. The young men were unsuspecting, thinking that they were on solid ground. Gradually, they had moved from safety to uncertainty. Then, suddenly, the end came!

Unfortunately, there are many people today who in a spiritual sense, are 'walking too close to the edge' and are unknowingly in great danger in their personal lives and even their soul's salvation! They feel they are quite alright but have left God out of their lives and have in their own minds constructed a new theology, a feel good religion of being kind to their neighbour or protecting the environment.

What a shock for them when they finally stand before the Living God for judgment, without the covering of Jesus' blood and the assurance of Eternal Life! A ticket of 'Good Works' is worthless without the Salvation of God that is given us through Jesus Christ alone!

There are a lot of young people who fall into a similar trap. In their quest for action and fulfillment, they will try anything different, trust a new acquaintance or get hooked on dangerous drugs! Many become obsessed with lustful habits, involved in illicit sex, drunken parties, gambling or crime~

Others are seduced by the spirit of the Occult and become deceived by demons of witchcraft, spiritism, mind reading, clairvoyance, yoga and spirit travel. Suicide demons prey on the minds of the simple until 'a Lying Spirit' convinces them to do it, luring them to a devil's Hell forever.

Multitudes have lost their way in the fog of political correctness and in a spiritual sense, have fallen off a cliff because the ground where they were walking was unsafe, shaky and treacherous. The tragedy is that many are ignorant of the pitfalls and the fact that they are throwing away their lives, by listening to the Tempter.

Eve thought she was listening to a very intelligent and honest being when she heard Lucifer talking to her through the voice of the serpent. She was deceived and got Adam to partake of the forbidden fruit, thereby plunging the entire human race into rebellion, chaos and wickedness. Listening to that evil, lying voice was the greatest tragedy ever to befall mortal man!

Many more are being deceived today in exactly the same way. They think they are hearing very knowledgeable voices telling them that they will get rich if they spend more time at the casino. One more poker game and they will reclaim everything they lost. One more throw of the dice or one more night of revelry and everything will change for them. It was the voice of Satan, the Liar!

Then he asked pointedly: "There is a very winding road up in the mountain pass. Looking over the edge, it's hard to see the bottom. Have you ever driven on such a road." The driver nodded that he had. The interviewer said: "I've asked the other drivers, how near could they come to edge of the road at a full gallop and still be safe. One said that he could drive within two feet of the edge and the other said that he could come within 12 inches."

"The young driver stood to his feet, put the hat on his head and said, "Excuse me sir, I am not your man. I would stay as far away from the edge of that road as I could." As he was walking toward the door, the Stage Coach Representative jumped up, saying, "Stop. You are man we want. You have the job."

TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE!

In 1924, Charles E. Moody wrote the beautiful Gospel song : You're drifting too far from the shore? It has been popularized by many singers such as Hank Snow, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton and others. Here are some of Charles Moody's wonderful lyrics:

Out on the perilous deep
Where danger silently creeps
And storms so violently sweeping
You're drifting too far from shore

Drifting too far from shore
You're drifting too far from shore
Come to Jesus today

Let Him show you the way
You're drifting too far from shore

Today, The Tempest rose high
And clouds overshadowed the sky
Sure death is hovering nigh
You're drifting too far from shore.

What an amazingly true statement! Far too many have loosed from their moorings and are drifting toward open seas with no compass and no map. Jesus is our Way Maker, His Word our compass and guide.

To the multitudes who have thrown caution to the wind and have thumbed your noses at moral norms and are now in big trouble, there is still hope for you.

If you call out to Jesus Christ for deliverance, He will answer you. He will rescue you from the angry waves. He will liberate you from the powers of sin, fear, sickness and evil spirits. You will become a new creature in Christ Jesus. He will wash you in His blood, forgive your sins, remove the fear and fill you with His blessed Holy Spirit! JESUS will give you His peace!

If you do not, you will continue drifting farther from the shore and the waves of fear, bondage, despair, despondency and confusion will overtake you and you may never come back.

Dear friend, if I have described your situation, remember Jesus waits for your call this very moment. He invites: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matt.11:28). Again He said: "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh unto Me, I will in wise cast out." (John 6:37).

There is only ONE Who has the mercy and grace to reach out to you and the power to liberate you! He said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14: 6). Amen.