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Although she was 81 years old, her mind (and her tongue) was still as sharp as ever. In fact, she had engagements booked throughout the rest of this year and into next year. According to the president of an arts center in Baltimore, who often hosted her, Mrs. Rivers was ready to go “non-stop.” Yet, her life came to a screeching halt when she went into cardiac arrest last week, and died Thursday, September 4th.
As a Christian evangelist, I sometimes feel guilty when someone like Joan Rivers dies. She was born in the same town I was born in — Brooklyn, NY, although many years before me. Although I never knew her personally, and even though I enjoyed her jokes from time to time, I never thought about witnessing to her. As funny as she was, and as much as we enjoyed her time on earth, I am afraid to say that, based on her religious beliefs, she is likely in Hell today.
However, the question that matters the most right now is not where she is, but where are you going? Because you can die suddenly too. In fact, you might be another Joan Rivers. You might be riding high in life, self-actualizing, and doing what you were made to do. However, your life can change in an instant, and your eyes will close on this world for the last time.
As much as we are influenced to believe that the human race is nearly invincible, the truth is we are really quite fragile. The Bible says, “What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” King David wrote in Psalm 39: “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” The death of Joan Rivers reminds us that we need to be ready for what comes after death — a meeting with God and the beginning of life in an eternal destination.
Today, you have the opportunity to make sure that you will spend eternity in Heaven with God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Please don’t put off this decision, for as we see from the life of Joan Rivers, we do not know what tomorrow holds.
Do you want the blessed assurance of knowing that you are going to Heaven no matter when you die or how you die? If so, allow me to share with you three simple steps that you need to take to give your life to Jesus Christ today and be assured of a home in Heaven for all of eternity.
First, recognize that your sins have separated you from God. Our sins are the bad or wrong things that we do. Everyone in the world has sinned. The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In honest repentance, agree with God about your sinfulness and admit your need for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Second, realize that God loves you, and believe that his sinless Son, Jesus Christ, died for your sins — taking the punishment that you deserve. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Romans 5:8 says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, we do not have to suffer eternal death and punishment in Hell.
Third, accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to Heaven by receiving Him by faith as your Savior from sin’s consequences. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you trust Jesus Christ for salvation, you will be saved from sin, spiritual death, and hell, and you will be guaranteed a place in Heaven. No matter when or where you die, your soul will be instantly transported to the presence of God. If this is your heart’s desire, you can pray a short prayer to let God know about your decision:
Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today and forever. Amen.
If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”.
Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in twenty-three foreign countries. He is the author of thirty-four books. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry which publishes a monthly magazine called The Torch Leader. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts, The Prayer Motivator Devotional and the Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report and the Second Coming Watch Update. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, and a Master’s degree in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica for twenty-five years. God has blessed their union with seven children. Find out more at www.danielwhyte3.com. Follow Daniel Whyte III on Twitter @prophetdaniel3 or on Facebook.
BCNN1 WP 