by Phil Sanders

1. Makes us disciples (Matthew 28:19)
2. Causes us to be born again (John 3:5)
3. Remits our sins (Acts 2:38)
4. Gives us Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
5. Adds us to the church (Acts 2:41,47; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
6. Washes us from sin (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26)
7. Makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:5)
8. Buries us with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colosians 2:12)
9. Raises us up with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colosians 2:12)
10. Unites us with Christ (Romans 6:5)
11. Gives us newness of life (Romans 6:4)
12. Old self crucified with him (Romans 6:6)
13. Our body of sin is done away with (Romans 6:6)
14. Frees from sin (Romans 6:7, 17-18)
15. Makes us His child (Galatians 3:26-27)
16. By His mercy He regenerates by washing (Titus 3:5; John 3:5)
17. Justifies us by his grace (Titus 3:5-7)
18. Gives us the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7)
19. Saves us (1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16)
20. Answers the appeal for a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21)

by Phil Sanders

Some people lament that the days of miracles ceased and that all we have today is just the Bible. Unfortunately, some think the power of God is limited to miracles. They don't realize how truly powerful God's word is. Here are some things God's Word does in our lives today:

1. It gives understanding (Psalm 119:130). "The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple."

2. It gives life (John 6:63). "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."

3. It cleanses us (John 15:3). "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you."

4. It sanctifies us (John 17:17). "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth."

5. It purifies the obedient and causes them to be born again (1 Peter 1:22,23). "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God."

6. It has the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

We need to have great love for the Word of God, to read it, to study it, to meditate on it, and to share it. The Word is most powerful when it is heard and obeyed.

by Phil Sanders

Every person you meet or know needs the Lord for many reasons. Those who know the Lord cannot imagine life without Him. Jesus said, "apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Here are some reasons why everyone needs the Lord.

You and your friends need a Savior (Matthew 1:21).

Sin is the universal problem of all men (Romans 3:10,23; 1 John 1:8,10). Not only do we need our personal sins washed away, we also need a new and better life. Jesus came to deliver us out of this present evil age (Galatians 1:4) and to give us new and better lives. In Christ we become "new creatures" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

God's plan in Christ is that "you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Without Jesus we have no hope of life beyond this life. He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus said, "everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die."

Without Jesus we would stumble around in intellectual darkness, not having the Way, the Truth, or the Life (John 14:6). Jesus gave us an example, so that we can follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Without Jesus we would never fully know what it means to love (1 John 4:7-11). Because of him, we know that we are loved and how to love others. Thank God for Jesus.

by Phil Sanders

An elderly man lay in a hospital with his wife of 55 years sitting at his bedside. "Is that you, Ethel, at my side again?" he whispered.

"Yes, dear," she answered.

He softly said to her, "Remember years ago when I was in the Veteran's Hospital? You were with me then. You were with me when we lost everything in a fire. And Ethel, when we were poor – you stuck with me then too."

The man sighed and said, "I tell you, Ethel, you are bad luck."

Wouldn't you like to be married to him?

It seems there is no pleasing some people; they look on the negative side of life and develop the habit of criticizing others about everything.

Many years ago one mother so criticized her daughter that later in life the daughter, finding no opportunity for satisfying her mother, took her own life.

Paul said, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person" (Col. 4:6).

Solomon knew that "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances" (Prov. 25:11).

Frequently people are looking for a loving thought, a kind heart, a sincere compliment, an encouraging word, or a message of hope. As Christians we can make such a difference in people's lives by lifting up spirits rather than by tearing down.

The next word you speak could make someone's day! Season it with salt!

by Phil Sanders

No doubt many of you have seen or heard about Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ. This film graphically tells the story of the suffering Jesus endured during his last twelve hours of life. When Jesus died on the cross, He accomplished many things:

1. He died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:3-5; 1 Pet. 2:24).

2. He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The church is identified in Rev. 5:9,10 with the "kingdom".

3. He brought both Jews and Gentiles near to himself by his blood (Eph. 2:11-16).

4. He broke down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might reconcile both of them in one body to God (Eph. 2:15,16).

5. He became the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1,2).

6. He fulfilled the will of His Father and set an example of suffering with patience (1 Pet. 2:18-25).

7. He demonstrated the depths of the love of God (Rom. 5:6-8).

8. He redeemed us from the futile life of our forefathers (1 Pet. 1:18,19).

I am so thankful He was willing to die for me.