                    **** Missing Heaven by 18 Inches ****


Does this title startle you?
     How can anyone get so close and yet in the end hear the Lord say, "I
never knew you: Depart from me"? (MATTHEW 7:23).

     However, this will be the terrible result of many in our churches today
who are professing Christians, often with responsible positions, but who have
had only a HEAD acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Tragically enough, even
teachers, preachers and religious workers are not exempt from the possibility
of this chilling indictment.

     The distance between the head and the heart is 18 inches. Unfortunately,
a head - intellectual - knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, fully knowing and
giving mental assent to the plan of salvation, without also a HEART acceptance
that brings the personal relationship that the Bible demands, avails nothing
to any man.

     Listen to Paul's heart cry concerning Israel as he spoke under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of
God, but not according to knowledge." (Romans 10:2)

     He was speaking about misdirected efforts, energies expended in the
strength of the flesh but not under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The lack
of power today in many of our churches as well as the lack of power today in
the lives of many professing Christians can be laid directly to this.

     It is only as we see ourselves in the mirror of God's Word as without
excuse and without hope, utterly lost and undone, that the truth of the
Scriptures convicts us, for the Bible clearly reveals that this is how God
sees man. (Romans 3:10-18,21-23).

     Then, when the glorious truth of the Gospel brings us to recognition of
our own sinfulness, and in true repentance we cry out to God asking
forgiveness and help, asking Him to come into our HEARTS, not our heads, we
experience the new birth.

     Jesus Christ said, "I am the way the truth and the life; no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).

     The Bible also tells us that "He that hath the Son hath [eternal] life;
and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12).

     Furthermore, the Bible promises "That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the HEART man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
(Romans 10:9-10).

     Christ wants your HEART, not just your head, because "The Lord seeth not
as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh
on the heart." (I Samuel 16:7).

     It is vitally important that you make sure it is not just head knowledge
and mental assent you have given to Jesus Christ. He needs the complete
surrender of your heart and life so that you may truly be born again.

     Eighteen inches can mean an eternity with Christ or an eternity
without Christ. Are you sure of your personal relationship to Him? Why not
settle the question in your heart once and for all right now?  - Paul W. Empet


     If you believe with your heart that you are a lost sinner, and believe
that Jesus paid the price for your sins in His death on the cross. If you
believe He was literally resurrected, and believe if you asked Him to save
right now that He would, I would suggest that you ask. We use a simple prayer
something like this:

     Heavenly Father, I know I am a SINNER and on my way to hell. I believe
Jesus died on the cross for my sins and was raised again from the dead. I ask
Jesus to come into my HEART, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of
eternal life. In Jesus name I ask, Amen.


     Romans 10:13 tells us "For whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord SHALL be saved."


     If you have received Christ as Saviour, please leave us a message, and
we can help you to grow as a Christian.

                           ****** END OF TEXT ******

 