I’m Not Afraid to Die By Byron Foxx
ecently I preached the funeral for a dear Christian lady. She lived a full life of 91 years. When she was 84 she asked me if I would preach her funeral. That day she told me Bible passages she wanted me use and songs that she wanted to be sung in her funeral service. She also told me that day “I’m not afraid to die.” The Christian does not need to fear death! Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:23). Paul said “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” (Philippians 1:23). Death for the Christian is to “go home.” The moment Christians die they go immediately to Heaven, into the presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). The Bible says that Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10). Paul said, “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:17). The gospel song sums it up well for the Christian:
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Heaven’s my home, and I’m going there, To lay down these burdens that I’ve had to bare. I’m going higher, His glory to share, For Heaven’s my home, and I’m going there! Heaven is joyful! Christ is there! No one who goes to Heaven will feel lonely or afraid. There is no sin or temptation in Heaven! GLORY TO GOD! Heaven is beautiful! The Scriptures tells about gates of pearl, a street of gold, and the river of life. It is a place so beautiful that when the Apostle John caught a glimpse of it, he said that the holy city was like “a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2). If you are a Christian, when you die you will get to meet everyone who received Christ as Savior. Christian families and friends will be reunited in Heaven! Death for the unbeliever is tragic. Those who die in their sins, unconverted, will go to Hell for eternity. No one in their right mind would ever want to go to Hell. There is eternal torment and everlasting
agony in Hell. The Bible says “the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) If you are not a Christian, if you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, please turn to Jesus right now. You should repent of your sin, and “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) God can save you! There is no sin the Lord cannot forgive and there is no soul He cannot save. “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)
BYRON FOXX is an evangelist, music publisher, songwriter, and the founder and president of Bible Truth Music.
April 2017 | Vol. 3 | No. 1 Editor: Byron Foxx Managing Editor: Tim Cruse Production Assistant: Caleb Cruse
We would love to hear from you! Please write to Editor@GodBlessAmericaCrusade.com
GBA Magazine Digital Expanded Issue features more articles! Go to: GBAmag.com
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INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING FOR A
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Witnessing in Public Places A CHRISTIAN’S RIGHT TO WITNESS By David Gibbs, Jr.
ean and several friends were peaceably distributing Gospel tracts in front of a bank when a city police officer approached and told them to leave because they were engaging in illegal activity on the bank’s private property. Sean and his friends knew they were standing on a public sidewalk and the bank was not even open; but the officer said if they did not leave, they would be arrested. Sean and his friends knew they had a free speech right to distribute tracts on public sidewalks, but they refrained from getting into an altercation with the police, left the area, and contacted CLA for help. Here are five tips to help you share your faith.
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Dedication of the new Gospel Tent Friday, May 5
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Witness on public sidewalks and parks because it is protected free speech.
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Have a video tape recording while you witness in public places.If you are required to defend yourself, more than likely the charges will be dropped if a video tape is presented.
DR. DAVID GIBBS, JR. is an author and founder of the Christian Law Association.
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Keep a right attitude toward police authority even if harassed or arrested.This will make defending the charges easier.
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Do not interfere with the flow of pedestrian traffic or the ingress or egress to buildings.
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Work in teams as much as possible to ensure safety and vouch for each other if confronted by police.
e d a s u r C t
n e T n o t g n i l Mon.-Fri. at 7:30 p.m. r Bu
May 1-12, 2017 Community Choir practice at 7:00 p.m.
Youth Night-Friday, May
Evangelist C.T. Townsend preaching nightly.
Just off of I-40 at Exit 140 3860 Danbrook Road | Burlington, NC 27215
www.cttownsend.com GBAMAG.COM
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The Work of Evangelism By Scott Pauley
ur world desperately needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lost souls perish for lack of gospelconsumed, Spirit-controlled, eternityconscious witnesses. We need more evangelists! I am not speaking simply of preachers who conduct evangelistic meetings or carry on itinerant ministry. Most evangelism will never be done within the confines of a church building or in the structure of evangelistic crusades. The gospel is most effective one on one - in the same way Christ deals with every sinner…as an individual. Evangelism is one recipient of the good news sharing that good news with another. The very word is rooted in the word “evangel,” literally, good news! The evangelist is not the message; he simply carries it. The evangelist is not to receive the praise; only the Evangel, Jesus Christ, is worthy of glory. Every believer is to carry the message that lifts up Jesus. Every believer is to evangelize. Pastors are to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). Obviously, this work of evangelism is not only for those called to the office of an evangelist. It is the work of Christ! It is the work of every true follower of Christ. It is the heart of God, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Have you discovered your part in God’s plan? In Ephesians 5:11-14 another evangelist, the Apostle Paul, wrote of God’s intent,
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And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
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Evangelists, pastors and teachers are given to perfect or mature the saints. The saints are then equipped to do the work of the ministry. Only in this way is the body built up. This is God’s spiritual chain reaction. Paul continues, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). Every member must do its part for the body to increase. It is a wonderful joy to see sinners respond in meetings to profess faith in Christ. Yet the long-term effectiveness of a meeting is not in how many new converts we leave behind, but in how many new evangelists we leave behind. Who will evangelize when the evangelist is gone? When I go to a church to conduct an evangelistic meeting my prayer is twofold: “Lord, accomplish everything you desire to accomplish in this meeting, and set in motion much more that will continue when this meeting is over.” My mission as an evangelist is not just to reach the lost, but also to recruit others to do the same! Christ gave one prayer request: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). Some are called to be full time evangelists, some are to be pastors, some are to be missionaries, but all of us are to be witnesses. Pray for those who are giving their lives to the work of evangelism. And, as you pray, find
SCOTT PAULEY is an evangelist from Beckley, West Virginia. Find out more about Scott’s ministry at scottpauley.org.
Prayer: Motivated by Love By Tom Alvis
esus Christ summarized and prioritized the entirety of God’s commandments in two phrases— Love God Wholeheartedly and Love People Fervently (Mt 22:37-40, Mk 12:29-31, Lk 10:25-27). If we desire to love God with every fiber of our being, we must make the necessary sacrifices to know Him by seeking Him in His Word. We will find that such saturation in the Word will result in a growing trust of and obedience to the God of the Word! Loving people with a pure heart fervently (1 Pet 1:22) demands selfless sacrifice to meet the needs of others. How does this relate to our prayer life? Biblical love inspires regular communion with God and encourages passionate intercession for others. Biblical prayer that is motivated by love involves Godfocused adoration and thanksgiving; it includes humble confession; and it will stir us to earnestly beseech God on behalf of others. Nehemiah 1, Daniel 9:1-19, and Matthew 6:9-15 are instructive passages about prayer. Dr. Harold Vaughan reminds us that effectual fervent
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prayer must begin with a focus on the nature and character of God. Worship, praise, and confession will lead to Godhonoring supplication which, when motivated by fervent love for others, will be intercessory in nature. We will begin to focus more on the true needs of others rather than simply on our own selfish desires; we will give ourselves to the priority of Biblical prayer. Allow me, please, to direct your attention to Paul’s prayers for other believers (Eph 1:15-23, 3:14-21, Phil 1:9-11, and Col 1:9-11). Too many of God’s people have never experienced a vibrant prayer life; therefore, many have never known the true spirit of revival. Dr. Vaughan wrote, “Revival comes FROM God TO His people. Bible study, praise, prayer, soulsearching confession of sin, repentance, emptying of self—these make ready for the filling of the Holy Spirit.” Paul teaches us in Romans 8 that it is the Spirit Who helps us in prayer. In the same pamphlet on prayer, Vaughan offers the following questions for prayerful consideration: Do I really believe in the power of God to cleanse any sinner, change any life, take
care of any situation, and guide me in my decisions? (see www.ChristLifeMin.org for more prayer resources) Wholehearted love for God and fervent love for people should stimulate within us a revival of prayer! Once again this year, we invite you to join with other believers in The Hour That Makes the Difference. This commitment to pray daily for at least 15 minutes at the 12 o’clock hour (midday or midnight) has tremendously impacted many lives as we have prepared for previous God Bless America Rallies. You can download a Prayer Calendar with Scripture and specific prayer requests at www.GodBlessAmerica.com. May God help us to be more like Epaphras, who was described by Paul in Colossians 4:12 as “one of you, a servant of Christ, ... always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
TOM ALVIS is the senior pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Powhatan, Virginia.
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Home Improvement Tips 15 TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR HOME By T. Kevan Bartlett
Here are 15 tips drawn from biblical principles to improve your home that I have found helpful and trust will be a blessing to you.
4. Work to keep communication flowing.
12. When in trouble get godly counsel.
5. Have a date time (husbands your wife needs this even if you don’t).
LEADING YOUR FAMILY TO SERVE THE LORD Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. —Joshua 24:14–15
6. Never yell—unless the house is on fire.
THE KIDS Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. —Proverbs 22:6
1. Attend church together.
9. Save so that you can afford the things you are tempted to borrow for (like taking family vacations).
2. Read the Bible and pray together. 3. Find time to serve the Lord together. THE HUSBAND AND WIFE RELATIONSHIP Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; —Ephesians 5:24
FINANCES AND THE FAMILY Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. —Proverbs 6:6–8 7. Be faithful stewards of God’s blessings. 8. Get on a budget that includes a saving account.
THE POTHOLES IN LIFE’S ROAD And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. —Ephesians 4:32
13. Do not let the kids play one parent against the other. 14. Consider having each child take at least two years of music lessons. 15. Let kids participate in sports and other activities as the Lord leads, and as long as they do not have to miss church to do so. Don’t tell the pastor you won’t be at church because of a ballgame, tell the coach you won’t be at the ballgame because of church. Remember that at your house, the Lord is first.
T. KEVAN BARTLETT is the senior pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Charleston, West Virginia.
10. Resolve differences quickly and respect each other’s opinions. 11. Forget what has been forgiven.
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Sowing & Reaping in the Lord’s Harvest Fields WE MUST SOW IF WE INTEND TO REAP By Tim Rabon
s a young man, I was touched by the truths of Psalm 126:5–6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” These verses moved me to be active in the harvest fields of the Lord. I have sung, for most of my life, the song, “Bringing in the Sheaves.” I want to be a part of the harvest of the Lord. Everyone wants to be a part of the bringing in, but there are some necessities before the harvest. There is a price to be paid in the preparation of prayer, weeping, and sowing the seed. We must shed some
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tears over lost souls, lost sons, lost neighbors, lost daughters, lost friends, and lost family. Our Lord Jesus shed His blood. Surely we can shed some tears. We may see so little of the harvest because there is so little watering of our tears. There must also be the sowing of the seed. The seed is God’s Word. There is life and power in the seed. We must sow and spread it. We must share the gospel wherever we go in our daily lives. We must broadcast the truth. As we go, weep, and sow, we will reap. Not everyone will be saved, but some will be saved. Not everyone will listen, but some will listen. Not everyone will believe, but some will believe.
WE MAY SEE SO LITTLE OF THE HARVEST BECAUSE THERE IS SO LITTLE WATERING OF OUR TEARS. I want to encourage you to participate weekly, in the soulwinning efforts of your church and take the opportunities you encounter throughout the daily routine of your life. Let’s do our part in God’s harvest!
TIM RABON is the senior pastor of Beacon Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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ARE YOU PREPARED TO DIE? Life is eventful. Some events are required; some are optional. Some events are important; others, not so much. In Ecclesiastes, God tells us about one event in which everyone will participate. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. —Ecclesiastes 9:2 Regardless of your substance, status, or skin color, we all have a ticket to an event called death. Hebrews 9:27 declares, “it is appointed unto men once to die…” All events require preparation. Are you prepared for your event? Are you prepared to die? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) The only way to be adequately prepared for death is through faith in Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins and trust Him to save you. Will do that today?
If you just now asked Jesus to save you, we would love to hear from you. Please write to Editor@GodBlessAmericaCrusade.com
Please consider committing to The Hour That Makes The Difference | Bible Reading and Prayer, at least 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, during the 12 o’clock hour (midday or midnight). “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
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GOD BLESS AMERICA
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CALIFORNIA June 11–14
TEXAS September 11–12
MICHIGAN October 16–17
NORTH CAROLINA November 6–7
Lancaster Baptist Church Paul Chappell
Greater Waco Baptist Church Gerald McKelroy
First Baptist Church of Bridgeport R.B. Ouellette
Fellowship Baptist Church Rick Finley
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STCONFERENCES.COM Join Dr. Paul Chappell and other men of God across America at one of this year’s Striving Together Conferences. Visit us online or call 800.201.7748 to register at a church near you!