For the grace of"); document.writeln("God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say \'€œNo\'€"); document.writeln("to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and"); document.writeln("godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope\'€”the"); document.writeln("appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave"); document.writeln("himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a"); document.writeln("people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.1
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People have different"); document.writeln("opinions about who goes to heaven. Some believe that being good will guarantee"); document.writeln("them entry. Others, while acknowledging that they are not very good, hope that"); document.writeln("being generous or helping others will allow them to go to heaven.
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But the Bible says that"); document.writeln("our good deeds do not determine our future in eternity (Ephesians 2:8-9)."); document.writeln("Rather, it is our sinful nature that creates a barrier between us and God. As"); document.writeln("Romans 5:12 teaches, the sin of Adam and Eve caused all mankind to begin physical"); document.writeln("life dead in sin.
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Good works cannot change"); document.writeln("our ungodly nature, nor can bad choices worsen our nature.
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Without the help of God,"); document.writeln("we would have no hope: we would find the entrance to heaven closed and face"); document.writeln("eternal separation from the Lord. But our Heavenly Father sent His Son as our"); document.writeln("substitute. Christ took our sins and received the punishment we deserved. What"); document.writeln("we were unable to do, He accomplished for us. Through faith in Christ, we have"); document.writeln("the assurance that we will live in the presence of God forever.
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Knowing that we are"); document.writeln("destined for heaven gives hope and meaning to our lives. Let us share with"); document.writeln("others about Jesus Christ, the source of our hope.
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Suggested Prayer: Dear"); document.writeln("Heavenly Father, thank you that we have hope and it is a living hope whose name"); document.writeln("is Jesus. Thank you Father that we have Your help, we are not alone, You have"); document.writeln("never left us alone, nor will You. We have full security in You. In the name of"); document.writeln("Jesus, Amen.
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1. Titus 2:11-14 (NIV).
"); document.writeln("Today\'s Encounter"); document.writeln("was written by: Rosina N.
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This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.
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