This Week on Ambassadors' Alliance Radio

Join Tony and Bart, along with their guests, Matt Johnson (Ambassadors' Academy team leader) and Pastor Harka Khadka (Jesus Ministries International-Nepal). Matt Johnson will discuss the important of evangelism as part of the discipleship of children. Pastor Khadka will give us an update of the state of the Church in Nepal, and the present level of persecution in that country.

Day: Sunday

Time: 8-9:30 PM (PST)

40th Anniversary of Apollo 8

Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, marks the 40th Anniversary of the historic Apollo 8 broadcast. Watch and listen.



Three brave explorers, hurtling through space in a very small vehicle, saw what no other human being had ever before seen--the Earth rising over the Moon's horizon.

Struck by the historic nature and grandeur of the moment, these three very intelligent men, scientists in their own right, could have said anything to the world they now looked at from more than 250,000 miles away.

They said the right thing.

Common sense and humility, and the reality of their personal insignificance and frailty in the cosmos compelled them to give credit where credit was due. They did not credit nature. They did not credit the evolutionary process. They did not credit the lunacy of random chance. No, they credited the Creator. They credited the One who made each of them, the Moon, the stars, and the Earth that was, at that moment, so very small and so very far away.

They read the account of the One who Created all things, seen and unseen. They read from the Word of God--the Creator.

"In the beginning, God..."

This same God, the One who created you and, by His sovereign grace, allowed mankind to develop the technology to explore the heavens; is the God before whom you will one-day stand. You will stand before the Creator of the Universe, who is also the Judge of the same. Will He see you as good, as He saw His creation in the beginning? Or will He see you as something else?

When you die and stand before God (whether you believe it or not), He will judge you and your perceived goodness against the perfect, holy standard of His Law (the Ten Commandments). How will you do on that day?

Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Have you ever murdered in your heart by hating another person or by being angry without cause? Then, according to God’s perfect and holy standard, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. You have sinned against Almighty God. The Bible says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31)—the God who spoke the Universe into existence.

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, He will not see you as good. He will see you as a lawbreaker. And because He is good, He must punish you. The punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8).

But there is good news!God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment sinners rightly deserve for their sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later He forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. To receive the free gift of eternal life, Jesus said that sinners must be born again (John 3:3, 7). If God causes you to be born again, you will recognize that you cannot save yourself. You will repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life, which only God the Creator can give.

The God who created you; the God who created the Earth and the Moon, the heavens and all they contain, is the only One who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Take a moment and look to the sky. Look at the Moon. Think about three brave, intelligent, scientifically-minded, intrepid explorers flying around that bright, gray sphere in the sky. And remember what they chose to say, what they chose to read, and who they chose to credit during the greatest moment of their lives.

You will see Him one-day. How will He see you?

Tonight on Ambassadors Alliance Radio

Join Tony and Bart for tonight's program. Guests on tonight's program are Trish Ramos and Josh Williamson.

Tony and Trish serve as "street fishermen" on Wretched Radio. Recently, Trish had the opportunity to hang-out and share the gospel around the set of Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Josh Williamson, leads Operation 513 in Australia. Josh will talk about the state of the Church and evangelism in the Land Down Under. He will also bring us up to speed regarding the court case of two of his team members who were arrested for open-air preaching.

Of course, we will take your calls; and the chat room is sure to be a lively place.

Join us for 90 minutes of fast-paced conversation, all with an eye on biblical evangelism.

Tonight on Ambassadors Alliance Radio

Tonight on Ambassadors Alliance Radio

Join co-hosts Tony Miano and Bart McCurdy. On tonight's program.....

Mark Spence (Dean of the School of Biblical Evangelism) talks about relativism

Tony and Bart talk about evangelism at their local Christmas parades

A "Taylor"-made witnessing encounter at a restaurant

Evangelism from the cosmos; and your calls.

8:00 - 9:30 PM (PST)

Ambassadors' Alliance Radio!

Bart McCurdy and I will begin a new adventure tomorrow night. It's called Ambassadors' Alliance Radio. Every Thursday night, at 8 PM (PST), Bart and I will host a fast-paced and fun online radio program on BlogTalk Radio.

This program is dedicated to teaching biblical principles regarding evangelism; to encouraging Christians to share their faith and to live (and die) for the Lord Jesus Christ; and to proclaim the Law of God and His Gospel to lost people who are perishing in their sin.

Join us for a fast-paced hour of evangelism tips, news, and whatever else may be on their minds. Topics for this week will include: Created 4 His Glory--apologetics through God's handiwork; An interview with evangelist Paul Kaiser; how the Law of God shut the mouth of a "No on Prop 8" protester; and more.

I hope you will make Ambassadors' Alliance Radio a regular part of your Thursday evenings.

My Perspective Has Changed

The following was written by Bart McCurdy.

This is how I use to look at creation.


And this how I see creation, today.


This use to be how I saw the stars.


But this is how I see them, now.


My perspective has changed--not only in how I view the world around me, but also how I view people. You see--this is how I use to see people.


But when I look at the people around me I see many of them this way.


The question I had to ask myself is this. "Why did I use to view all these things so differently? What happened?"

Here's the answer.

Nearly 4 years ago, I heard a message, Hell's Best Kept Secret, by a man named Ray Comfort. Comfort explains how God sees us in light of His standard, The Ten Commandments. Once the Law was held in front of me like a mirror, I finally saw myself as God sees me. I had broken every single one of those commandments in either thought, word, or deed--and many of them thousands of times.

I came to realize, by the grace of God, that I was a dirty, rotten, wretched violator of His law and that He would be justified in sending me to hell for all of eternity. I finally saw that all my “good works” were as filthy rags in His sight, I deserved hell.

The Good News was that 2,000 years ago God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to come down to this puny earth and take the punishment that I deserved. You see--Jesus Christ never once sinned, He never looked at a girl with lust (which is adultery of the heart) like I did. He never once lied or stole anything, like I did. He never once murdered in his heart by hating anyone, like I did. He never used His Holy name in vain or worshiped another god, like I did. He never once wanted something that belonged to someone else, like I did so many times. It’s absolutely amazing that He died for me, a sinner, I don’t deserve it.

When God opened my eyes with His law, I could do nothing but repent, I told God how sorry I was about sinning against Him, I knew I needed to turn from my sins and put my trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of my sins. I understood that He received the full weight of the wrath of God, that He died, and that He rose again on the third day! He paid the price for my sins in His life’s blood. And now, my sins are forgiven--past, present and future--and when I die, I will spend eternity with the God of the universe. This same God is the One who created everything we see (and the things we cannot see), from the dirt fields, to the stars in the sky--and yes, the people on this planet.

Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:34-39).

Because of my gratitude to Jesus Christ for what He did for me on the cross, I do my best to obey this command. I cannot live up to God's standard, and doing so doesn't make me right with God. I want to obey Him because I love Him and I am grateful for saving me from the just penalty for my sins against Him.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Now, I look at creation completely different. I see flowers as incredibly beautiful, wonderful plants created by an Amazing God! I see the stars and think, “Wow! God must be incredibly powerful!” And now, I see people as souls--souls that could someday die and spend eternity in hell, apart from the Holy, Infinite, Amazingly Kind, Loving, Merciful God. I couldn’t imagine that--not anymore.

And if I love my neighbor as myself, then I will warn them of the wrath to come and share with them the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pluto: Proof of Man's Pride

The above image is not of a group of distant stars. The heavenly bodies in the picture are Pluto and it's nearest neighbors--Charon, Nix, and Hydra.

Pluto was discovered in 1930. Charon, Pluto's closes neighbor was discovered in 1978. Nix and Hydra, each 5,000 times fainter than Pluto, were discovered more recently.

Up until 2006, Pluto was considered the 9th and most distant planet in our solar system. But on August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially defined the term "planet" for the first time. As a result, Pluto lost its planetary status and was relegated to the status of a "dwarf planet." What was once the smallest planet in our solar system is now the second largest dwarf planet, in an area of the solar system known as the Kuiper Belt.

For 76 years, Pluto was accepted as a planet, by people around the world. For 48 of those 76 years, Pluto was believed to be a moonless planet. And now, as of just two short years ago, not only is Pluto no longer a planet, but the heavenly bodies nearby are no longer moons.

The story of Pluto serves as but one example of the hypocritical pride of man. Here's how.

Let me ask you a question. Why did you believe Pluto was a planet and now you don't? Have you ever been to Pluto? Have you ever examined it for yourself? Have you talked to someone who has been to Pluto? Your answer, if you are honest, must be this. "I believed that Pluto was a planet and now I don't believe Pluto is a planet because that's what I've been told. That's what I've read in the science books, news articles, and astronomy magazines."

The same people who would answer the above questions in this way are the same people who insist that the Bible is unreliable because it was written by men. Their smoking gun argument is that no one is alive today who was present when the Bible was written. Or they may argue that the Bible is unreliable, scientifically.

Really?

When scientists insisted that the world was flat, the Bible declared it was round (Isaiah 40:21-22).

When scientists and religious scholars believed that the earth sat atop an animal, the Bible declared it floated suspended in space (Job 26:7).

When scientists believed that the number of stars in the heavens was a relatively small amount, the Bible declared otherwise (Genesis 22:17; Jeremiah 33:22).

Long before scientists understood the circulation of earth's atmosphere, the Bible described it well (Ecclesiastes 1:6).

These are but a few examples of the scientific reliability of the Bible.

In the end, if you hold the position that the science books you read or have read in school are reliable--even though scientific points of view change as often as the wind (as with the case of Pluto), but you do not trust the reliability of the Bible; it's not that you can't believe the Bible is true. It's that you won't believe it. Why?

The reason is simple. If you believe the Bible is true then you would be obligated to submit to the authority it contains and the God who created you. If you are an unbeliever, the thought of doing that is repulsive to you because you love your sin. What causes people to believe the fallible texts of science while denying the infallible Word of God is sinful pride. And it is that same pride that causes a person to declare their own goodness.

When you die and stand before God (whether you believe it or not), He will judge you and your perceived goodness against the perfect, holy standard of His Law (the Ten Commandments). How will you do on that day?

Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Have you ever murdered in your heart by hating another person or by being angry without cause? Then, according to God’s perfect and holy standard, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. You have sinned against Almighty God. The Bible says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31)—the God who spoke the Universe into existence.

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8). But there is good news!God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment sinners rightly deserve for their sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later He forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. To receive the free gift of eternal life, Jesus said that sinners must be born again (John 3:3, 7). If God causes you to be born again, you will recognize that you cannot save yourself. You will repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created Pluto is the only One who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.

The Whirlpool Galaxy...A "Grand Design"

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) is one of the most beautiful objects in the heavens. It is located in the constellation Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs), about 31-million light years from Earth. The bright, yellow center of the galaxy is estimated to be 38-thousand light years across. The Whirlpool Galaxy is classified by astronomers as a "Grand Design" galaxy because of its well-defined spiral structure.

Unfortunately, many people look at a beautifully designed object like the Whirlpool Galaxy and deny the existence of the Designer. Would you look at a building and deny the existence of a builder? Would you look at a painting and deny the existence of a painter? Of course not. Neither should you look at something as amazing as a the Whirlpool Galaxy and deny the existence of the Designer--the Creator--God. "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; He cast the wicked to the ground" (Psalm 147:4-6).

One day you will die and stand before the Grand Designer, God Almighty, and give an account of your life. How will you do on that day? Measure yourself by the standard of God’s Law. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Have you ever murdered in your heart by hating another person or by being angry without cause? Then, according to God’s perfect and holy standard, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. The Bible says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31)—the God who spoke the Universe into existence.

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8). But there is good news!

God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later He forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. To receive the free gift of eternal life, Jesus said you must be born again (John 3:3, 7). If God causes you to be born again, you will recognize that you cannot save yourself. You will repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created the Whirlpool Galaxy is the only One who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.

Taking Back Astronomy

Yesterday, I finished reading a book titled Taking Back Astronomy--The Heavens Declare Creation and Science Confirms It. The book, written by Dr. Jason Lisle, is a good introduction to a biblical view of the universe. Filled with gorgeous images from the heavens, the book is very helpful in understanding some of the presuppositions and assumptions made by the secular science community regarding the creation and order of the universe. More importantly, the book provides the layman with scientific and biblical facts that are helpful in refuting the naturalists' worldview, theories, and models regarding the universe.

While I wish the gospel presentation at the end of the book was as theologically precise as the rest of the book was scientifically precise, I can recommend this book for its usefulness in honing one's apologetic, as it pertains to applying a biblical world view to astronomy.

Big Dog and Little People

It doesn't look like much, does it? Compared to the other images we have shared on this site, the above photo is rather, well, dull. When you saw it, you probably shrugged your shoulders, rolled your eyes, yawned, and thought, "Big deal. A fuzzy cloud of gas. Is that little dot in the center a star? Show me something good. Show me something impressive."

Well, that little dot in the center of that gaseous, hazy cloud is Canis Majoris--the Big Dog Star.

Canis Majoris, a red hypergiant star in the Canis Major constellation, is located about 5,000 light years from Earth.

So, how big is the Big Dog?

Canis Majoris is approximately 2,600 times the size of our sun. This might help put things into perspective. A person walking at 3 miles per hour (an average pace), for 8 hours per day (a lot of walking), would take 2 years and 11 months to circle Earth. Not a bad accomplishment. The same person, walking at the same speed and the same number of hours each day, would take 310 years and 7 months to circle the Sun. Of course, this is a physical impossibility since, at the most, a person will live for 120 years.

So, how long would it take for a person to circle Canis Majoris? 650,000 years!

Not a visual learner? Need another picture or two in order to grasp the enormity of the largest star known to man? How about this. Canis Majoris is the size of Saturn's orbit around the Sun.

Light (traveling at 186,000 miles per second) takes approximately 8 minutes to travel from the Sun to Earth. Canis Majoris is so large that light takes 8 hours to travel around the star's circumference.

Canis Majoris is so large that it can fit 7 quadrillion Earths inside it. A quadrillion is 1,000 trillion. Think of it this way. If the Earth was a golf ball, Canis Majoris would be the size of Mount Everest.

If you haven't said "Whoa!" yet, take a minute to watch this video.



Do you feel small, yet? You should. Why? Because you are small. You are but a speck on the Earth. The Earth is but a speck compared to the Sun. And the Sun is an insignificant little speck compared to Canis Majoris.

While the world would encourage you to be filled with self-esteem, to look in the mirror and declare your own goodness; a man named Paul--a man who was once filled to overflowing with self-esteem--penned these words. "For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think: but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).

Many people apply the term "big dog" to people of influence and power, or to people that possess some kind of physical, artistic, or intellectual talent. Some would go as far as to apply the term to themselves. A cottage industry of casual apparel has been successfully marketed to the masses by feeding man's innate desire to be the "big dog."

But think again of the astronomical size of Canis Majoris. And then consider this. God created Canis Majoris with a word. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

Here's an even more humbling thought. You will one day stand before the God who created Canis Majoris and you will give an account of the life you lived on this tiny, little speck of real estate.

On that day, God will judge you according to the perfect, moral standard of His Law. See how you will do.

Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Have you ever murdered in your heart by hating another person or by being angry without cause? Then, according to God’s perfect and holy standard, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. You're not a big dog. You're a big sinner.

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for your sins against God is eternity in hell. Although this is tragic, there is good news!

God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later he forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. So, what must you do to be saved from God’s wrath and judgment? Recognize that you cannot save yourself. Repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created Canis Majoris is the only God who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.

The Eagle Nebula (M16)

Thanks to advancements in astronomy, we are now able to see incredible images of God's handiwork. Images like this: the Eagle Nebula.

Also known as Messier Object 16 (M16), the Eagle Nebula is located in the constellation Serpens, near Sagittarius. The nebula has an approximate size of 70x55 light years. The brightest star within the nebula, which is 7,000 light years from earth, is visible with a good pair of binoculars.


If you look closely at the Eagle Nebula, you will see tall columns of gas stretching toward the center of the nebula. Astronomers call these columns "pillars of creation." The below picture is of the top of one of those columns.

Now, look closely at the column. Do you see what appears to be finger-like plumes at the top of the column of gas? Astronomers call those "egg" (Evaporating Gaseous Globules) factories. The gaseous clouds serve as star incubators.

As you look at those finger-like, gaseous protrusions in the below "pillar of creation," consider this. Each of those fingers, according to astronomers, is about the size of our solar system.


The God who made the Eagle Nebula and what secular scientists have dubbed the "pillars of creation," is the same God who led millions of people on an exodus through the desert almost 3,500 years ago. And he led them by pillars as miraculous as the ones found in the Eagle Nebula.

"The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people" (Exodus 13:21-22).

The word "pillar" is mentioned several times in the Bible--most notably when Lot's wife disobeyed God when she turned and looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah. "But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26).

The same God who created the pillars found in the Eagle Nebula; the same God who lead Israel by pillars of smoke and fire; the same God who exacted instantaneous judgment against Lot's wife for her disobedience, is the same God before whom you will stand one day. How will you fair on that day?

On that day the God who created fingers of gas the size of our solar system will point a holy finger at you and judge you according the perfect standard of His moral Law. "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

Will He find you innocent or guilty? If your not sure, answer the following questions.

How many times have you pointed a finger at someone and expressed anger, ridicule, or hatred toward them? If you have done this, then according to God's Law you are a murderer-at-heart. "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him" (1 John 3:15).

How many times have you pointed a finger at someone and accused them falsely, or pointed a finger at someone and lied to them in order to pridefully defend or exalt yourself? If you have done this, then according to God's Law you are a liar. "And all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8b).

How many times have you been angry at God and pointed your finger to the heavens and blamed Him for your circumstances, or taken His holy name in vain? If you have done this, then according to God's Law you are a blasphemer. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

How many times have you pointed toward a man or a woman and said to yourself, or to others, that you wanted that person in a sexual way. If you have done this, then according to God's Law you are an adulterer. "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

If the above is true about you, then the Creator of the Universe sees you as a murdering, lying, blasphemer, and an adulterer-at-heart. Because God is good and holy, he must punish sin. And the punishment for sin (and all sin is against God) is eternity in hell.

Remember, God's standard is moral perfection. "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it" (James 2:10). No matter how much you may try to minimize or justify your sin, even the slightest violation of His Law--slight in your mind--makes you guilty before the infinitely Holy God and worthy of His judgment and wrath.

Although this is tragic, there is good news!

God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross.

On that great and terrible day, God the Father pointed His finger at God the Son and crushed Him under the weight of His just and holy wrath--the wrath you deserve for breaking God's Law.

Three days later Jesus Christ forever defeated death when He rose from the grave--a miracle seen by no less than 500 eyewitnesses.

So, what must you do to be saved from God’s wrath and judgment? Recognize that you cannot save yourself. Repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created the heavens and the earth is the only God who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.

Oh. One more thing. The next time you see a picture of the Eagle Nebula, or if you happen to see it someday through a telescope, consider this.

"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" (Isaiah 40:31).

NGC 290

Can you count them? Can you count all the stars in the above photo?

NGC 290 is a star cluster within the Small Magellanic Cloud. SMC is one of the Milky Way's closest neighbors at 200,000 light years away.

The picture above is of a mere cluster of stars located in the photo below.


How about now? Can you count them?

Even if you could count the stars in the cluster; and even if you could count the stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud; you could never count all of the stars in the heavens. There are billions of galaxies containing billions of stars. It is amazing to consider the vastness of the Universe.

More amazing is that God, the Creator of the Universe, holds it all in His hand. "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance" (Isa. 40:12)?

And the God who created the Universe also created you. "For You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13). The same God who gave the stars their names is the same God who numbered the hairs on your head.

Like the sands on the seashore and the stars in the heavens, there is something else that is too numerous to count--your sins against God. "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" (Ecc. 7:20).

How many times have you lied? Can you count them?

How many times have you looked with lust and thus committed adultery in your heart? Can you count them?

How many times have you taken God's name in vain--used His holy name to express disgust or excitement? Can you count them?

How many times have you dishonored your parents by committing any of the before mentioned sins, or disrespected them in any way? Can you count them?

As you try to total the sum in your mind, you should know that God not only considers your words and actions, but your thoughts as well. So, how are you doing? Can you count them? Can you count your sins against God?

Like the stars of the heavens, your sins against the One who created the stars are innumerable. You will one-day die and stand before Him--the Creator of the Universe, God Almighty. And when that time comes, He will judge you according to the perfect moral standard of His Law--His Commandments. "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell. "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).

Remember, God's standard is moral perfection. "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it" (James 2:10). No matter how much you may try to minimize or justify your sin, even the slightest violation of His Law--slight in your mind--makes you guilty before the infinitely Holy God and worthy of His judgment and wrath.

Although this is tragic, there is good news!

God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later he forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. So, what must you do to be saved from God’s wrath and judgment? Recognize that you cannot save yourself. Repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created the heavens and the earth is the only God who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.

The Sombrero Galaxy

The next time you look at the sun, our closest star, imagine this. Imagine a cluster of stars made up of 100,000 to 1, 000, 000 suns. Imagine if you can more than 2,000 of these massive clusters grouped together. That’s ten times the number of star clusters found in the Milky Way. And that’s the Sombrero Galaxy. Traveling at the speed of light (186,000 mile per second), it would only take you 28 million years to reach the Sombrero Galaxy. Once there, it would only take you 50 thousand years, traveling at that speed, to get from one end of the galaxy to the other.

These astronomical figures are hard to imagine, aren’t they? Now, take a moment to consider this. “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:4-5). The God who made the heavens and the earth and all they contain also made you; and one-day you will stand before Him. To measure massive distances, we use the speed of light. How will you measure up when you stand before the God who created light? There’s one way to find out.

Measure yourself by the standard of God’s Law. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Have you ever murdered in your heart by hating another person or by being angry without cause? Then, according to God’s perfect and holy standard, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. The Bible says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31)—the God who holds the heavens in the palm of His hand.

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell. Although this is tragic, there is good news!

God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later he forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. So, what must you do to be saved from God’s wrath and judgment? Recognize that you cannot save yourself. Repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created the heavens and the earth is the only God who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.