•  - Two questions we often here are, "​If I die today will I go to Heaven?" and "What do I need to do to go to heaven?".

In this day and age, each of us seems to have our own belief system.  Things we may have learned at home or things we may have learned as we grew older and started asking questions and did some reading.  Most religions of the world have some form of belief system of what happens when we die:

• Islam- Muslims believe that after our physical death on Earth, our soul lives on and goes to the Angel of Death to wait for Judgment Day. The Qur’an teaches that on the day of judgment, the righteous will go to J (Paradise) and the sinners will go to Jahannam (Hell).
• Judaism - Judaism is ambiguous about what happens when we die. While Jews tend to focus more on their life on Earth, most Jewish people believe in an afterlife, and it can come in many forms. Some Jews believe in reincarnation, while others believe in the World to Come, which is similar to Heaven. They also believe that their lives are put on a scale and the “good” should out weigh the bad things.

Similar to Muslims and Christians, Jews also recite a special confession prayer for someone who is                dying. They also wash and cleanse the body to prepare for burial. After the burial, close relatives may            observe Shiva, a period of seven days of mourning, in the deceased’s home.

• Buddhism - Buddhists believe that when they die, they are reincarnated into another body. After death and before rebirth, each person passes through the state called Bardo, which can be a time of great insight and liberation. For Buddhists, the ultimate goal is to break out of the cycle of reincarnation by attaining Nirvana, which is an end to suffering. In order to reach such a state of enlightenment, Buddhists believe they must meditate and purify their minds. 

Since Buddhists believe that death is the beginning of a new reincarnated life, end-of-life rituals can be an important way to send off the person to the next realm. The patient may refuse pain medication in order to remain mindful of the death process, and family and friends may chant to calm the patient’s mind.

• Hinduism - Hindus share similar beliefs with Buddhists when it comes to death and the afterlife. They also believe in reincarnation, and believe that they can be reborn not only into humans, but also into animals, plants, or even insects. 

A Hindu may wish to die at home surrounded by family and friends as they sing their hymns, pray, read  verses or chant. These rituals are meant to keep the patient’s focus on Brahman, or the “Supreme Spirit.” After death, a Hindu’s body will be cremated, and the ashes may be scattered in the sea to transport them to the next life. 

• Atheism - Those who do not have a belief system or do not believe in the afterlife may have a number of different views about death and dying.  Unfortunately, an atheist believes that they have no religious belief but atheism is a religion in the true sense of the definition of religion.  Atheism is a religious worldview.  Their assurance is rooted in faith rather than in proven facts.  Atheists claim to know something fundamental about reality that has not been or cannot be proven.  People like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens are leaders in this belief system.
• Christianity - Most Christians believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the existence of an afterlife. Most believe that the decision to be what is referred to as that  “Born-Again” experience in which we accept Jesus as the Savior of the World, the Messiah, who was God and Man and who died for man’s sin at the Cross at Calvary, that is what determines whether we go to Heaven or Hell. 

 
So where are you, and what do you believe?
 
Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives, concerning eternal life?  WE SOMETIMES FORGET THAT WE ARE ALL TERMINAL.   What is all this that I hear from my Christian friends about salvation.? Getting saved from going to hell when we die, what is this gift from God, this eternal life in heaven?  What does this mean to be born-again

A B C’S OF GETTING SAVED AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN

This is what you do to get saved from hell and have eternal life in heaven

The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (Oh Jesus is telling him that Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit). You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again” (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. This New Birth makes us new creations. Being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?"  The problem goes all the way back to Genesis 3 when man sinned in the Garden of Eden and from then on we were born with a sin nature.  Yes, even the best of us, we are all separated from God from sin.
 
The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1:   "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (NKJV).
To the Romans he wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Sinners are spiritually “dead”; and when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth. Only those who are born again, have their sins forgiven and can have a relationship with God.
 
So what do I have to do? It's really as simple as "A, B, C":

ADMIT THAT YOU’RE A SINNER. Most people do not want to believe that they are sinners.  We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others.  We think we are good but this is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against the righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and rejuvenates us from the inside out.
 
BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS ON THE CROSS, WAS BURIED, AND THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who He said he was-the Son of God.
 
CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who He said He was. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

I am including a simple prayer but this is only a thought or an example.  You do not have to pray this exact prayer to be saved - you only need to Admit, Believe and Call upon the name of the Lord.
Simple prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
 
  
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8-9 states,   "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
 
When one is saved, he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth and a new creation. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the Cross, is the means to be "born again." "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Getting saved requires only faith in the Cross and what Jesus did for each one of us on that cross.  He took our sins and all we need to do is have faith, to trust in God, to believe that Jesus died for all our sins.
 
We forget that God loves us and has a plan for each of our lives. But we have been separated from God because of our sin.  God sent His Son to die for our sins.  In today’s English we would say He took the bullet for us. Yes, I know there are many who think we aren’t so bad but the Bible says that people are sinful and they have been separated from a Holy, Pure God.  So in love God sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins and in this way we could have a relationship with God and when we die we will be with Him forever and ever.
 
Well, are there any other ways to God? No!   The Bible tells us that accepting Jesus in faith is the only way to God.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6)

We can’t earn salvation; we can’t buy salvation, but we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness.

Once you have done this, then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the honest attitude of your heart.

If you have ever asked yourself "where will I spend eternity", take that step of faith today and determine your eternal destination.   Don't put off your eternal reservation even one day longer.   Remember ETERNITY IS A REALLY LONG TIME, so be sure you know where you are spending it!

Did you know that God has made A BAG FOR OUR SINS?
Job 14:17 says. “My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover my iniquity.”  In ancient times, when men died at sea, their bodies were placed in a weighted bag which was sewn together and sealed.  Then they were cast into the depths of the sea.  If we ask God to forgive us of our sins that is what God will do with our sins.  They are cast into the depths of the sea. When Christ died, by His one sacrifice for our sins,  He put away all our sins. They are buried in the sea of God's infinite forgiveness, never to be
brought up again.  Our sins can be erased, only by Faith in the shed blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13-28)
 
Did you know that God has written A BOOK FOR OUR NAMES? 
If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, the Bible tells us that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of life!   You will find that throughout scripture.  (See: Psalm 139:16, Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 13:8 and 17:8)  The fact that our names are written in that Book means that our salvation is a matter of absolute certainty.  When God says "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven,"   He is telling us that we have nothing to fear.  All is well for those whose names are written in heaven.  This tells us that the only way one’s name can be placed in the Book of Life is by the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior, and what He did for us at the Cross.  This is referred to as a Foundational Doctrine and it means that every Doctrine from the Bible must be built on the foundation of the Cross of Jesus Christ otherwise it is false, fake, counterfeit and a hoax.  Are you getting the message?
 
Did you know that God also keeps A BOTTLE FOR OUR TEARS? 
Psalm 56:8-9 states: "You tell all my wanderings: Put You my tears into Your bottle: are they not in Your book?...when I cry  unto You, then shall my enemies turn back: This I know; for God is for me.” It was customary at ancient Egyptian funerals for mourners to have a small cloth or sponge to wipe away their tears.   Then, they were squeezed into a small vial, a tear bottle, and placed in the tomb with the dead,
symbolizing the care the mourners had for one who had died.  Even so, our God, our heavenly Father, our Almighty Savior, our Holy Comforter tenderly cares for us.  In all our afflictions He is afflicted.  We are the very apple of his eye.  In these verses we are being told that despite David’s wanderings and his attempts to escape from King Saul, God knew at all times exactly where he was.  When the Believer sets out to do the will of God for his life, Satan will do all he can to oppose those efforts.  Remember the Lord allows Satan a certain latitude so that we may learn to have Faith and to place our trust exclusively in the Word of God.  We have to be reminded that Satan is a liar, a loser but he is limited by God.
 
There is a saying:
               Oppressors stand above us, adversaries stand against us but comforters stand beside us.  
No matter how old we are, we all want to be comforted.   In the Bible,  God is our ultimate comforter, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  God takes great care to comfort His people in their trials and sorrows in this world.  Could anything be more comforting in this world of sin, sorrow and death?  Our God has put our sins in a bag and buried them.  Our names are written in the Book of Life so we can rejoice in that.  And our tears He has put into a bottle to show His tender care for us.  For those of us who have been Believers for many years and have read the Word of God; we know that God is absolutely true to His Word.  If He says it is going to happen….it will happen. 
 
Do you know for sure that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? 
Maybe you are asking, "Who is the Lamb"?        
Jesus is the Lamb!  
So I ask, is your name in His Book or not? 
Remember you won’t get to spend eternity in Heaven unless it is recorded there. 
Sometimes, we forget that we are ALL terminal and one day, when death comes knocking at your door you need to know where you will spend eternity.  Will you spend eternity in heaven or hell?  
What is your eternal destiny? 
Remember life comes from Jesus not from what the world has to offer.  This world offers no eternal rewards only heartaches, pain and sorrows. 
Only Jesus offers eternal rewards. 
 
It is your move. 
It is always your choice. 
Choose wisely!

​The author of the Book of Hebrews is unknown.  Hebrews has been attributed to Paul even though many question his authorship.   However, there is an abundance of evidence in his favor.  This Book describes Christ’s ministry in heaven at God’s right hand.  The word “better” appears many times in the Book of Hebrews.  That should be our goal as Christians to know Him better for it appears 13 times in the King James Version of Hebrews.
 
When we get to chapter 13 it is an exhortation. That word exhortation means to incite, and it often implies the  urging or admonishing of an orator or preacher.  Well, some would say that we should use a better word such as to encourage but there is a difference between those two verbs.  To exhort is to urge or to advise earnestly while encourage is to mentally support, to motivate, to give courage, hope or spirit.
 
The main object of the letter to the Hebrews is to put the excellence of Jesus in prominence.  He is telling them that Jesus is superior to everything and everyone.  The author focuses in on this precious, scriptural diamond that many have memorized over the years.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.   Does that mean that we have no choices?  No!  We always have choices and decisions that must be made in this life.  However, Jesus as our foundation is our refuge and strength in a world that is changing rapidly.  He is our anchor when we face many changes that can affect us deeply.  Things in this life do not remain the same.  Changes occur in our homes, in our jobs, in relationships, in nature, in our finances, in our health, in our culture, in our laws, in our government, etc. and changes can happen suddenly and traumatically.  We need to remember that at those times when everything seems to go upside down we must rely on the unchanging GOD, who is our sure foundation.  HE is as the Scriptures say, our Faithful Friend and HE will be there for us when things change and even when things are uncertain.  He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  We may ask "why did this happen or that happen if HE has promised to never leave us?".  When Jesus was on the cross everyone ,except for a few, forsook Him.  He knew that would happen but He had the blessed assurance that His Heavenly Father would be with Him even in that time of loneliness.  Remember even when everyone else has forsaken us we can trust the Lord to be with us.
 
The question we have to ask ourselves is what are the supreme marks of the Christian’s conduct?  As you read through chapter 13 take a look at each of the verses.  The author speaks of brotherly love, hospitality, helping the prisoners and the mistreated, purity in marriage, contentment, remembering your leaders and remembering your Source of life and our power - which is Jesus Christ.  Since we are just looking at verse 8 it looks as if the author wants to give a greater emphasis to all that he has said so far.  It appears to be a focus as a lasting remembrance for his entire life.  The author reminds us that many leaders come and go and eventually they all die.  However, the Source of our lives and power of this life will never leave and never passes away.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is forever present with us; and He never changes.  For example, notice that His definition of sin is the same as it has been since Genesis 3 - it remains the same.  We see the result of sin ever since Genesis 3 is that there would be sorrow and sadness and death and thousands of years later, we see that every day in this life.
 
The author is also showing us that Jesus Christ is superior to time.  You see the strength and depth of His doctrine do not go out of style.  We have people who base their careers on trends but Jesus Christ is not a trend or a fad.  The important people of one age are forgotten by the next generation.  Talk to some of the younger generation and when you mention someone you thought was a great person they look at you like who are they and what are you talking about????
 
Yes, Jesus Christ is consistent over the ages.  If you had lived in Bible times, in the Middle ages or if you live in this modern era of the 21st century Jesus is the same.  He is not a puppet master that forces you to be and do what He wants.  Every generation finds interest in Him.  He is the same today and points out to us ways not yet discovered.  We sometimes forget that Jesus is always a friend and the longer we know Him time renders Him more intimate and admired.
 
Jesus Christ is the same with every generation. To Christ sin is sin and that is what the Bible speaks of when it speaks of the “sin nature”. 

In contrast, this verse reminds us that man is not always the same.  People do not treat everyone from the same point of view and with the same equality and love; but Jesus Christ does. We are moved by sympathy because we do not see the wickedness of some and then we exaggerate a small defect in another.  It is different with Jesus; we all enjoy equal rights before Him.
 
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday-in times past- Jesus Christ sacrificed everything for us, even to the point of dying for us.  He even suffered and took our sins upon Him.  All the heinous things that we see and classify as sins: murder, adultery, pornography, bestiality, sexual sins, drug addictions, alcoholism, you name the most despicable things that you can think of rape, molestation, sex trafficking terror, etc.  He took it all upon Him.  That is why the Father could not look at Him on the Cross.
 
Jesus Christ is the same forever, eternally. He lives eternally throughout all the ages of eternity.  He lives eternally to meet our need forever and ever.  He met all the needs yesterday,   He meets all the needs today and He shall meet all the needs eternally.  Yes, He met the needs of all believers who lived yesterday, in whatever culture they were in.   He meets the needs of all believers today.  He shall meet the needs of all believers forever, and ever and ever
 
What a blessed assurance we have.  As Believers we often lose courage.  We are often tempted to turn back from our Christian walk.  But we have the reassuring and sure voice of the Master reminding us that Jesus Christ passed through similar pains and tiredness and discouragement.  This verse should encourage us to continue our pilgrim walk with Jesus; walking hand in hand with the Master who walked this life . 

Lord, help us to have courage and be strengthened by this verse today!  It does not matter where you live, what is the color your skin, the generation which you are in.  It does not even matter where or what part of the world you live in -  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and He will take care of you.   HE has ALWAYS been and ALWAYS will be!