Sure Hope Gazette

It always helps to encourage one another with God's Word. As each day passes, we are closer to eternity. We can know why we are here and have assurance of salvation. Just wanted to share the following passages to remind myself and those who want to hear. [2Co 4:3-11 NLT] 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5 You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light...

One of the most awesome things that happened to me when I first became a believer in Christ was learning that I no longer needed to afraid of dying. Since middle childhood (7 or 8) I was so scared. So many questions about the after life and all the between part. I discovered that we can not earn salvation by any good works or anything we do. My heart wanted to know the absolute Truth about life and the meaning of it. It took a long time, but one day the blinds opened and the light bulb went on. At first I didn't have assurance about Heaven because every time I sinned, I felt so yucky and guilty that every opportunity on television or a meeting, I would invite Jesus into my heart repeatedly. That was until God blessed me by sending a godly Christian woman. She boldly came up to me in church (as if she knew) and asked "If you died today or tonight, do you know if you would go to Heaven?" My answer was an instant, "No!" She then told me she was having a new beli...

We have been listening to a documentary, recommended by the Pastor we were listening to today Charles Lawson, of Dr. Rawlings. Pastor Lawson recently experienced a cardiac event  and he officially died for about 8 seconds. He recommended watching documentary about Dr. Rawling. Rawling,  was an atheist but then after experiencing the literal death of patients on the table, he became a Christian! This is a powerful testimony about the very real existence of Hell and Heaven. If you are an atheist, we challenge you to watch. If you are searching, take a look and if you are a Christian, be encouraged.

I f you are a Christian, you know that Heaven is real, it is where God dwells and where we will spend eternity with Him. Over the years I have heard a testimony or two, about people who "died"' on the operating table or some such thing, and then experienced what some call heaven. You know the lingo, "I saw a tunnel of light or a great light..." When I first became a Christian I really struggled with these testimonies, wondering if they were true or not. As I always did way back then, I asked my big sister/mentor in Christ Sue, for the answer. She pointed out that we should look at what the fruit of their experience was. Did the experience draw them to, and honour Christ or did it do the opposite, leading people away from Jesus Christ? That helped a lot. Since then I have also learned more about the spiritual battle that rages on 24/7 not just against believers, but how Satan and his cohorts are always trying to draw people's attention to anything...

You're going to die and so are we. Of course, unless Jesus returns and believers are translated (raptured) before we leave this earth physically, physical death will happen. Some Christian teachers apparently don't believe that the rapture will happen, but based on what the Bible says, it seems pretty clear that dead or alive, Christians have this to look forward to. However it plays out, we can trust God's Word and either way, it's all good. 1Cr 15:52 KJV - In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1Th 4:16 KJV - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one...

Continuing to share this well researched, informative video series that explores the New World Order from a Christian perspective. The segments are about 8-10 minutes. There are about 77 parts in total. They can be watched one by one or in huge chunks like we did. It is important to know who our enemy is. Not that Christians have anything to fear but, we are to be wise. Never heard of The New World Order? Check the links for more information and of course watch Mark Fairley's intense series below. 1Pe 5:8,9 NKJV -   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. Eph 6:11, 12 NKJV  -  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, aga...

Just want to share a very poignant video presentation from a seminar called  "Hell Yes, Hell No?  A Conversation about Love Wins,  Rob Bell, and Why You Should Give a Rip"   by Pastor Bobby Conway click HERE to watch Tweet

We would like to present this full hour  video interview/debate  with Bell and Adrian Warnock (Christian Author and Blogger) for your consideration.  Click  here  for the full interview. 1 Timothy 6:3-6 NLT - Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 1John 4:1-2 NLT  - Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit ...

Mat 10:26-31 NLT - But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear! "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. Mat 10:32-39 NLT - "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.  "Don't imagine that I came to bri...

We highly recommend this hard hitting message by one of our favourite Bible teachers and Pastors, Mark Driscoll. In light of the "half" truths that are being declared lately (throughout history actually) - we feel it important to defend the faith as we are told... Jude 1:3 NLT - Dearly loved friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the truth of the Good News. God gave this unchanging truth once for all time to his holy people. Tweet

In light of the recent topic of Heaven and Hell being discussed among Christians as you can see in the post below, we want to post a well written article from Pastor Mark Driscoll, here.   Contrary, to what some are implying, there are clear answers on Heaven and Hell as they pertain to the Christian Bible. If we want answers, we just need to read God's Inspired Word and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us. Yes, there may still be some unanswered questions, after all God is God - and we aren't. Whatever God wants us to know, is in His Word and is taught by His Holy Spirit! We can have rest, peace, assurance and security!