Leap of Faith
Christian Chaplaincy Ministry

Trusting God is a spiritual pilgrimage.
Don’t make the journey to eternity alone.

     

 FIRST: You need to be saved. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3b SECOND: You cannot save yourself. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us ..." Titus 3:5 THIRD: Jesus has provided for your salvation. "Who (Jesus) his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24 FOURTH: You must accept Jesus for salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." Acts 16:31 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12 "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. "Romans 10:9 FIFTH: Now is the time to accept Jesus as your Savior. "Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 "As the Holy Ghost says, today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts... Hebrews 3:7-8 Reference: Baptist Bread 

     

 So, you claim to be a Christian. Well, millions throughout history have. There are those who know that they are Christian Believers. And Jesus knows them. Then there are those who call themselves Christians, but Jesus doesn’t know them. Which one are you? Here’s what Jesus had to say on the subject. Matthew Chapter 7, Verses 13 - 23 of the New Testament (NASB) This is where Jesus answers those who profess Him as Lord. The Narrow and Wide Gates 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. A Tree and Its Fruit 15 “Beware of the false prophets, (1) who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (1) - ‘Prophets’ also includes proselytizing priests, ministers, chaplains, ministries, missionaries, 'prosperity evangelizers', 'Christian cultists' etc. “Christians must be careful. Spiritual appearance is not a guarantee of spiritual integrity. We must test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (Walking with God -David Jeremiah) So, beware of ‘Counterfeit Christianity’ and Religious Mysticism! “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 NASB) Matthew Chapter 25, Verses 31 - 46 of the New Testament (NASB) This is where Christ literally separates the ‘wheat’ (true believers-Sheep) from the ‘chaff’ (false believers-Goats) in judgement. The Final Judgement 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (2) 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’ 46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (2) 1 Corinthians 2:9 says "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him". (KJV) Do you think that manmade church services, ceremonial rituals, organizational doctrine and traditions will allow you to inherit the Kingdom of God? Or is Salvation based on Scriptural Repentance? “For by grace, you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9 NASB) Mankind's version of Repentance, when defined as works is what we do to show we are sorry, BUT it is not part of God’s Plan of Salvation. Salvation is not something we do, but something God does within us. According to the unanimous testimony of Scripture, Repentance is absolutely necessary in order to be saved. Only those who turn from their sin, trust in Christ, and live righteous lives will be saved. Saving repentance is fueled by contrition over sin before God and recognition of Christ's sacrifice. So, where do you fit in? 

 “The preferred future vision becomes the star that you steer by, not a simple map to be followed.” (American futurist Glen Hiemstra) The 'North Star' of the Leap of Faith online ministry is to disseminate the Knowledge of God, His Goodness, His Redemption for mankind and how to live a godly life in preparation for an eternal destiny of infinite love with Him the Eternal Father. The phrase ‘from the womb to the tomb’ signifies the terminal, linear nature of mankind from an earthly perspective. Out of all the fears and anxieties that humans experience, the fear of death and what if anything happens afterwards has no equal. There is, however, a time-tested remedy for the fear of dying. It is the hope of living an eternity in young, incorruptible, glorified bodies in harmony with God and fellow man as written in His Word (Bible). In this respect mankind's existence is not linear but is part of a ‘Wheel of Life’ which starts at birth and revolves around God for eternal life. The Leap of Faith online ministry provides Scripture based spiritual guidance with Topics which can be likened to wheel spokes on a Christian's life's journey. Examining Christianity through regular Bible Study typically follows this progression of belief: Exploring Christ - “I believe in God, but I am not sure about Christ. My faith is not a significant part of my life” (1) which will lead to: Growing in Christ - “I believe in Jesus and am working on what it means to get to know him” (1) which will lead to: Close to Christ – “I feel really close to Christ and depend on him daily for guidance” (1) which will ultimately lead to: Christ-Centeredness – Discipleship in that “My relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship in my life. It guides everything I do.” (1) (1) Christian Leaders Institute MIN 320 Leadership Course, Bruce Ballast, (https://christianleaders.org/course/view.php?id=844) 

     

 Hymns What a Day that will be (When My Jesus I Shall See) Jim Hill There is coming a day, When no heart aches shall come, No more clouds in the sky, No more tears to dim the eye, All is peace forever more, On that happy golden shore, What a day, glorious day that will be. What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be. There’ll be no sorrow there, No more burdens to bear, No more sickness, no pain, No more parting over there And forever I will be, With the One who died for me, What a day, glorious day that will be. What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be. Near the Cross Frances J. Crosby 1. Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain— Free to all, a healing stream— Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain. o Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. 2. Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and Mercy found me; There the bright and morning star Sheds its beams around me. 3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me. 4. Near the cross I’ll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river. Because He Lives Bill & Gloria Gaither God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus He came to love, heal and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives! How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he brings; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives! And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives! Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) Written in 1910 by John Wilbur Chapman Sung by Casting Crowns One day, when Heaven was filled with his praises One day, when sin was as black as could be Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin Dwelt among men, my example is he The Word became flesh And the light shined among us His glory revealed Living, he loved me Dying, he saved me And buried, he carried My sins far away Rising, he justified Freely forever One day, he's coming Oh, glorious day Oh, glorious day One day, they led him up Calvary's mountain One day, they nailed him to die on a tree Suffering anguish, despised and rejected Bearing our sins, my redeemer is he The hands that healed nations Stretched out on a tree And took the nails for me 'Cause living, he loved me Dying, he saved me And buried, he carried My sins far away Rising, he justified Freely forever One day, he's coming Oh, glorious day Oh, glorious day One day, the grave could conceal him no longer One day, the stone rolled away from the door Then he arose, over death he had conquered Now he's ascended, my Lord evermore Death could not hold him The grave could not keep him From rising again (rising again) Living, he loved me Dying, he saved me And buried, he carried My sins far away Rising, he justified Freely forever One day, he's coming Oh, glorious day Oh, glorious day Glorious day One day, the trumpet will sound for his coming (we long for your coming) One day, the skies with his glories will shine (glories will shine) Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing (My Saviour) my Saviour Jesus is mine Living, he loved me Dying, he saved me Buried, he carried My sins far away Rising, he justified Freely forever One day, he's coming Oh, glorious day Oh, glorious day Glorious day Oh, glorious day