While Todays Title May Be Confusing To Some, Here Is What It Means Plain And Simple.

While today’s title may be confusing to some, here is what it means — plain and simple.

We are all born physically into this world into our Mortal Bodies, but at some point the PHYSICAL body will die. This is the 'First Death'.

However, we are also SPIRITUAL beings and that are an Eternal Spirit (body) that can also die unless — as Jesus said in today’s scripture — that your SPIRIT must be Born Again. If not, your spirit will face the 'Second Death,' and thus the explanation of today’s message title.

We all are SPIRIT, that has a SOUL that lives (for now) inside of a BODY. We have no choice to avoid the 'First Death' but all can avoid the SECOND DEATH.

All you need to do is to decide to check the second box. How do you do that? Just go to: SECOND BIRTH

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

The memory and topic of 911 is a continuing hurt in the heart of Americans, so speaking anything controversial about this poignant moment in history is sure to cause surprise or anger. We at NOTES ON LIFE are not political, so please read this with an open mind, heart, and soul.

An extremely important, timely and relevant spiritual lesson is directly tied to today’s scripture which was ignorantly quoted out-of-context in Congress on Capitol Hill on 9/12/2001 by Senator Tom Daschle, then four years later in commemoration by Senator John Edwards. Likewise President Bush, like the rest of the nation, echoed this theme in defiance to the attack that “We Will Rebuild.”

In carefully re-reading this verse, it speaks of the condition of the hearts of those whose bricks had been toppled, that being one of PRIDE AND ARROGANCE. The backstory here was that the Israelites had been attacked and beaten down by an enemy that worshipped a false god, yet in previous times, Israel always stood strong and was protected and victorious because they were faithful to God’s Word, and upheld righteousness. The exact same could be said for the United States of America.

In ancient times as at 911, the reason why they were attacked and ’the bricks (towers) fell down’ was that our nation had likewise fallen away from righteousness. You may strongly disagree with the following, but here are the facts about where the U.S. is both socially and spiritually in regards to its Lack of Righteousness.

Likewise our Pride and Arrogance has permitted a nation that has no bounds on sexual behavior or responsibility, pornography is consumed by the majority, speaking openly about God and the Bible is Forbidden, ridiculed or outlawed, there is a Disregard for Law and people in authority and Elders are Disrespected, Injustice is Rampant, people are Unapologetic about bad behavior, government and businesses are Fiscally Irresponsible, the most innocent are routinely Murdered and legalization and intoxication with Drugs are Openly Celebrated. Now the question we have to ask ourselves as a nation is Are these behaviors RIGHTEOUS?

The Bible speaks clearly about what happens when we operate outside of righteousness saying:

“Judge us Lord according to our RIGHTEOUSNESS, and do not let those that triumph over us rejoice when we do not.” Psalm 35:24 (paraphrased)

America - this is exactly what happened on 911. We were judged according to our (lack of) righteousness by a godless hateful, lost peoples and then – just exactly as in ancient times - we defiantly rebuilded, and those that attacked us celebrated and rejoiced. HISTORY DOES INDEED REPEAT ITSELF.

Now the GOOD NEWS: It does not have to continue on this way. America can recover and be free of this 20 YEAR CURSE if and when we bring HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS back to our shores - if not as a nation, we can do so as individuals. We need to REPENT Not REBUILD and not rebuild security, towers, or walls, but REBUILD HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Then and only then will another 911 not happen for we will have true protection and again become One Nation “Under God.”

May we always reverently Remember and Honor those that died this day, but not Repeat It.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Pastor-Teacher Wayne Estrada

What Are Those Stupid "Jesus Saves" Signs?

Perhaps you’ve seen signs like this, usually in old run-down neighborhoods hanging from buildings that had seen better days. So this begs the question, 'If this 'Jesus Guy' is so good at SAVING, then why is the neighborhood that this sign is hanging in looks like IT hasn’t been “saved” yet?'?'

All that nonsense (of course) is coming from those naive Christians telling people that their 'imaginary friend' will (somehow?) 'save you' from HELL? Well if you feel that way, it certainly appears to be a really FOOLISH message, and if that is the case the Bible says this is exactly how many people will receive it.

The Bible, a book that has been around over 3,000 years that has been printed and read by more people in history, written about, investigated, and vetted by archaeologists, scientists, and used as a basis of law, government and morality for centuries by politicians and nations, and it has also been found by historians consistently to be TRUE. This is the BOOK that teaches “Jesus Saves” but after all that, somehow that phrase hanging on a funky red neon sign is stupid.

Well the Bible describes people that snicker at these signs when God says in HIS BOOK to the world:

“Professing themselves to be WISE, they became FOOLS.” Romans 1:22

Friend, if you feel this way, we have it on good authority that if anyone is foolish here, it is not the Bible or those that believe in it, but those that do NOT believe in it. If this offends you or rubs you the wrong way - perhaps drastically - that is 100% OK!! You see, we all have the right to feel, think or believe anything we want, so if you disagree, so be it. Don’t shoot the messenger (me) here...just reporting what this book says.

The question after reading this is will you change your mind? An interesting deep definition of the word 'repent' means exactly that! To CHANGE YOUR MIND about God!? Would you at least consider doing that today? Because this is more than just a sign - it means the SAVING of your very LIFE.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You (...and He SAVES too...)

NotesOnLife.org

Jesus Christ is the most well known person in history! Not only that, but the world even measures time by the number of years since his birth, each December his birth date is at least acknowledged and often celebrated on every continent, and more books have been written, bought, and read about him than anyone that has ever lived. Yet despite this he is perceived by people in a host of very different — and even highly conflicting ways.

When asked “Who Is Jesus?” there a variety of views.

Some say he was a 'great teacher,' 'religious leader,' 'revolutionary,' 'philosopher,' or a 'community organizer.' Others however say he was a Charlatan, Faker, Magician, Deceiver, False Prophet, Liar, Lunatic, Con Man, and if so - Christ is a CLOWN.

But as Jesus himself asks directly in today’s scripture reference, is a question all must come to answer. WHY this is imperative is an essential question, and here is the answer.

If Jesus was - as some believe - a charlatan that managed to create a religion to deceive the world that there really is a 'god' and 'heaven and hell,' then he gets the prize for pulling off of the biggest cons in history...and many are in that camp. On the other hand if he was simply a great prophet/teacher/inspirational speaker as the majority of people would casually surmise (maybe even you?) then how do you dismiss not only his claims of being 'God Made Man' and also the report and testimony of him rising from the dead? And if that is true, then He is then as the Bible says the KING of glory.

You see friend, it is not just one or the other of the above. Either He really is KING CHRIST, or just a talented man that spoke well and influenced people. If it is the latter than go on your way, live as you see fit and delete or scroll past this message, but if He is the former, what are you going to do in your life about it?

Given either KING or CLOWN, which one do YOU choose?

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

If a fish could sprout wings it could fly, and if a bird could grow gills it could live under the sea, likewise as impossible as this is to happen, so is it equally impossible for us in our own strength or determination to change our mortal bodies into the immortal bodies needed to live in eternity.

As today’s scripture verse tells us, our mortal bodies WILL DIE and cannot either enter into or survive in eternity because they have to be changed from one form to another, but how is that possible? Well the answer is in the example that Christ set for us in His victory over death when he rose from the grave and was transformed from His mortal body into an immortal body. Likewise:

“Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” 1 Corinthians 15:53

The question is 'How is this possible?' and the answer is that it starts with the “The RENEWING of your MIND” (Romans 12:2) and that the first step of that renewal begins by -Changing Your Mind About Who God Is & Your Relationship To HIM-

You see, that is the exact definition of the word REPENT. When we repent before God, we see ourselves for who we really are – in a sinful, fallen mortal state that as Jesus said “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6) We must start our transformation now by being “Born Again” (John 3:3) and in changing our mind and agreeing with God that we need transformation, then that transformation starts in us and:

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you are reading this and it does not make sense, that is understandable. In the above verse when Jesus was talking to the top Rabbi of the day about being “Born Again” even He did not understand Jesus’ words! Hopefully this is the day that YOU understand it, and if so your transformation from mortality to immortality will happen!

The Bible says, “Today is the favorable time; behold, TODAY is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Will you be transformed today?

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

The Power of Perseverance is Practice

by Dr. Jeanne Sheffield Estrada

Character is not inherited or simply obtained by being around outstanding people.  Instead, it is created by persevering through difficult problems - and overcoming them.

The Bible tells the story of people that despite circumstances, opposition, or persecution, persevered through situations that were seemingly impossible. Great characters of faith like Joseph, Moses, David - and most significantly Jesus - worked through difficulties beyond what most of us could not imagine. However, all of them eventually not only overcame but persevered to victory. Despite the challenges and suffering set before them, they persevered in the face of their severe trials and tribulations by putting into practical practice faith with persistence.

Because we live in a fallen world, problems will arise, and the unpredictably in this year of 2020 is a sobering example. The good news is that Isaiah 9:6 says that we have a great “Counselor” on our side to help us work through every obstacle and His Name is Jesus.

Perseverance takes practice performed with persistence. While we are all inundated by problems in this life, as you persist in overcoming problems that you have resolved, the better you will become at resolving them going forward, and by doing so, by default you will inherit CHARACTER.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You