Dear Christian Believers,
God bless you and you family in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

  We just finished a tremendous "Young Adult Advance." What a super group of young men and women. They came with great expectation, and I know they were not disappointed. The teachings (doctrinal and practical) hit the mark, because everyone came prepared to work, and that allowed GOD to work in the hearts and lives of all of us.

  I did the opening teaching Thursday night on why it's important for all of us to study, and to learn the Word of GOD for ourselves. People say, why do I need to study or spend time learning something that is so complicated as the bible? What does the average church goer really know about GOD ...HIS only begotten Son ... HIS Word the Bible? Why do I need to know that about GOD, after all I go to church; my preacher can tell me all I need to know? I grew up in a small town of about 2500 people. My family belonged to St. Paul's Church, a membership of 1000, (almost ½ of the town) Dr. Eugene Bassler was our minister. A tall handsome man with black wavy hair and a mustache. He had a radio voice, very distinct and clear. He was a great communicator and all in the church seemed very pleased to have him as our minister. His son Tom and I graduated from high school together. On day, when I was 10-12 yrs old, Dr. Bassler was in our kitchen discussing the Bible when I came into the kitchen. I saw the amazed look on my mother's face, and heard her say to him, "if you don't believe this (referring to the Bible in her hand), HOW can you believe that CHrist is coming back? Dr. Bassler answered with, "Well after all, I never seen him leave in first place."
  
  That was the last time we ever attended a church service at St. Paul's. Dr. Bassler held a Doctor of Theology degree, he was a minister who is supposed to know and believe the scriptures, and yet he didn't believe that Christ was coming back again, while the scripture give great detail of how Christ's return is going to happen. Let me ask you a logical and reasonable question; am I now supposed to trust my eternal life to Dr. Bassler who doesn't even the scriptures from which he reads on Sunday mornings in church? NO THANKS! Do you see WHY, It's important for us to study and learn what is in the Word of GOD for ourselves? GOD is the creator of all life. He knows HOW it is to be lived, HOW to get the most out of life, HOW to maintain it, and HOW fix a life when it's having trouble. GOD created life and HE had a manual written, that has all the information any person will ever need to live a profitable, happy, blessed life. When Mary Lou brought her new car, an owners manual came with it. Who is responsible to read it and study it? Mary Lou and husband John are! So it is with us, and the life we now have. To get the most out of our lives we MUST read that creator's manual, and learn our responsibility. GOD has done HIS part, now we must do ours. GOD will reward us if we will seek HIM and get to know HIM. Here are some key instructional scriptures in HIS manual:

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith [believing]it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  Here it tells us that we must have faith, and must believe that HE is. Then cometh to HIM and become a seeker of HIM. The end result is HE will reward us.

Luke 11:9-10
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
¹⁰ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  So folks, it's up to you, and I believe that GOD is, then seek and love HIM with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. GOD wants us to know HIM, and love HIM. He wants us to seek HIM, so that HE might direct our paths into a life of blessings. Not only for ourselves, but that our lives will be a blessing unto HIM and others. Without HIM we will only wander and our lives will be swallowed up by the world, and eventually just perish.

Jeremiah 10:23
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  I exhort you to read, and study the Creator's manual. Let's enjoy the full life GOD had given to us, OK?

John