Q: Who is Jesus Christ?
A: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for our sins on the cross, rose from the dead, and offers forgiveness of sins, and eternal life to those who believe in Him.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.
1 John 4:9-10
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:14-16
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
2 Peter 1:16-18
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
Q: What is Christianity?
A: Christianity is the life and salvation God has given in and through Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
I am the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 17:3
This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
1 John 5:11-12
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God
does not have life.
A:Look at what God did for us
One of the best ways to stop being angry with others is to realize what bad, evil sinners we are in the sight of God, and how we deserve His anger, and His punishment, and that He should throw us into hell. The bible tells us, “Whoever is angry with his brother or even calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.”(Matthew 5:22)
God could keep His anger on us, but He doesn’t. When we realize this, we realize that we have no right to hold anger against someone else. When we confess our sins to Jesus He gives us forgiveness instead of anger. He gives us a peace that helps us to say, “I don’t need to be angry anymore. I can let go of it.”
You can have the peace of God
Do you enjoy being angry? Do you enjoy that your stomach and your head hurt when you are angry? Do you feel good when can’t even sit in your own house and have peace because you are angry? That’s what being angry with others gives us. Now, God doesn’t want that for you. God wants you to have His peace. Jesus said, “My own peace I give you. I don’t give you as the world gives.” Isn’t that wonderful. Not only can you have peace of mind, you can have the peace of God. You don’t have to be angry and have headaches or stomach aches. Now you can forgive other people and let go of your anger.
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A: Pastor Larry’s answer to the question: Can my prayers for someone else actually help them find God sooner, if in fact it is God’s will at all for them to find Him?
God’s greatest desire
I am absolutely sure that God wants every person in the world to find Him. This is His greatest desire. In the bible, a man named Paul wrote, “God wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) That really means every person, including you.
How could Paul say this? Decide for yourself if he was right. This was the evidence Paul used to decide this. “Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed Himself for all people to free them from their sins.” (1 Timothy 2:6)
Our prayers for others please God
God wants us to pray that people will find Him and be saved. In the bible Paul tells us that to pray this way for others, “is good and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:3)
For over twenty years now, I have been praying that Gypsy people would find God and be saved. It has taken a long time because we Gypsies are pretty stubborn people. We have been slow to realize that it is God’s greatest desire for us to be saved and to come to know the truth.
But I am thankful that now some Gypsies have accepted Jesus, the Son of God, as their Savior. These Gypsies have real peace in their lives because they know their sins are forgiven. And I will keep on praying for Gypsies, because I want many more to find Him.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?
Will you join me in praying for Gypsies, and other people, to know that it is God’s greatest desire for them to be saved?
If I can answer any questions or help you in any way, please get in touch with me.
I’m praying for you,
Pastor Larry
A: Pastor Larry’s answer to the question: “I thought we were all supposed to be equal in God's eyes? But how can I believe that when I've heard that we will all be at different levels in heaven, and some of us will get rubies, and others will get diamonds?”
The Real Question
This is an interesting question, but I suspect that the Gypsy man who asked it was really wondering, “How will Jesus accept me?” I used to wonder about this myself. But now I know from the bible that Jesus considers us more precious than diamonds or rubies. Psalm 149:4 tells us, “The Lord is delighted with the people who follow Him. He gives crowns of salvation to those who turn to Him.”
The Real Way In
Jesus isn’t waiting to slam the gates of heaven in our face. Actually, He is busy getting a special place in heaven ready for each of us. He even told us how to get in when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to heaven except through me.” (John 14:6) You see, Jesus is the way in! By ourselves, we can’t get in. But He was so eager to have us in heaven with Him that He made the way in for us-- by dying on the cross. And ever since He rose from the dead and returned to heaven He’s been getting things ready for us to join Him there.
Heaven’s Real Treasure
Things will be totally different in heaven than they are here. When we get to heaven we won’t worry about money or riches, and gold will be so worthless that it will be pavement for the streets. Revelations 21:3-4 tells us that there will be something even better there. “In heaven Jesus will make his home with his people and he will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and there won’t be any more death or grief, or crying, or pain.” That’s the real treasure of heaven-- we will get to be constantly with Jesus, who considers us much more precious than diamonds or rubies.
Now, the next time you wonder “Will Jesus accept me?” what will your answer be?
Have a wonderful week,
Pastor Larry