While doing my Bible study this past Wednesday, I concentrated on Philippians 3:13 where the apostle Paul tells us:
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
I was inspired to write this weekend's post using that verse as my focus. However, I realized that way back in 2016, I had covered that verse extensively in a post that year. Following is that article:
Please, I urge you to read the article at the above link. Don't let past hurts and sorrows eat you up with morbid remorse and regrets. Look to the good Lord to give you light and hope and a reason for living. Don't forget our blessed hope as spoken of in Titus 2:13 which follows:
"Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
Hang in there, folks !
Our deliverance is near!
Jesus will return soon to take us out of this wicked and perverse world and bring us to be with Him forever in bliss in Paradise.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Jesus at Luke 21:28
Read Revelation 21:1-4 where it speaks of the New Jerusalem and how God will be with us. Following is Revelation 21:4 :
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
We have much to look forward to ! We have a hope and a future!
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend ..... and life !!
There must be a reason why I focus on the Rapture of the Church so often. For one thing, it is a blessed hope and assurance for true believers in the Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13). For another reason, the Rapture is imminent, which means it could happen at any time. We do not know the day or the hour, but Jesus gave us signs for us to know when we are in the "season" of His return. Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 for these signs. We are definitely in the season of the Lord's return right now because so many signs of it are converging all at once now in this last "hour" of the end times we find ourselves living in.
Why am I posting another video on the Rapture ? This video stands out because so many facts are presented in it -- in one video - that have been discussed by various scholars in a variety of sources. This video by prophecywatchers.com with host Gary Stearman interviewing Dr. David Reagan is jam packed with lots of nuggets to digest concerning the history of the Rapture view in centuries past and so much more. Lots of information in this 29 minute video will keep your interest.
In the description area of this video on You Tube, it says: "The Apostle Paul described the Rapture as a mystery. Today, almost 2,000 years later, it is still a mystery to many Christians."
One thing brought out in the above video is the thought that satan does not want us to have hope. To not believe in the Rapture is to have no hope.
They also discuss the fact that the word Rapture is in the Bible. In Greek it is Harpazo and in the Latin Vulgate Bible it is Rapio, or Rapturo, where we get the English "Rapture". This is brought out in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 where the English words "Caught up" occur.
I have written about how the word Rapture is in the Bible on other occasions. One article was written on October 10, 2017, which includes another video by prophecywatchers.com featuring Jeff Kinley. It discusses the future of America and is well worth your time to watch as it is only 29 minutes long.
You are if you are a born again true believer in the Savior Jesus Christ!
What if you are not saved? You have no blessed hope. You will face God's wrath.
What to do then?
Admit you are a sinner and in need of a Savior.
Believe in Jesus Christ and in the redemption He provided by His shed blood on the Cross. He was our substitute. He bore our sins so that if we but believe on Him, we may gain eternal life.
Call on the name of the Lord. Commit your life to Him. Confess your sins in true repentance.
Jesus will welcome you to the family of God with wide open arms of love and forgiveness !
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "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. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The good Lord has made it simple for us to be saved. A child can understand it. But man makes it complicated by not wanting to give up secret and "favorite" sins. Man can get quite comfortable and set in his ways and not want to give up whatever vices he may be guilty of.
Friends, just surrender to the good Lord with all of your heart and trust Him to help you to change through the power of the Holy Spirit. If your heart is right, He will mold you into a new Creation.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Time is short.
We are living in the last moments of the end times.
I had originally meant to do research on another subject, but for some reason I have been listening over and over to a certain hymn these last few days. Every morning at the beginning of my Bible study, I always listen to several hymns on You Tube before I read and study and journal on a Bible Scripture or two. Following is a beautiful rendition of that hymn: "I know who holds tomorrow"; please listen carefully to the lyrics - there is a powerful message there.
In this chaotic and upset world we are living in..... in the trials and hardships and worries and sorrows..... in the dread of what the future holds or might hold (like perhaps a nuclear world war) ; we need to look to the One Who holds tomorrow.... to the only One Who can help us and save us.
We need Jesus. Those of us who are saved and washed white as snow in the Lamb's shed blood at Calvary, the true Shepherd Who guides us and cherishes us, .... We have nothing to fear if we are born again believers. We have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13), and that is that soon Jesus will return to take us to Heaven to be with Him, before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth and on ungodly men during the 7 year Tribulation period.
I have written much about the Tribulation in previous articles. For more information, go to the "Search box" in the upper right hand side of this page and type in "Tribulation" and several articles will appear that you may chose from to read. There are also videos on those links. Also, do the same with the word "Rapture" for more information on that subject...... a sure return of the Lord Jesus Christ which is very imminent. It will happen soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is being fulfilled , or the precursors are here leading up to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
If the Rapture happened today, would you be ready?
The only way to be ready is to be a born again believer in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "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. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Not only are we living in the last moments of the end times, but none of us know the day we might die. Other than the promises and prophecies of the Bible, we do not know what tomorrow might bring so far as our living or dying is concerned. That is, we do not know the timing of our death; but if we are true believers in the saving power of Jesus Christ, we know we will go to be with the good Lord the moment we die.
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8
"Every day you are alive is a special occasion." - Charles Swindoll
Celebrate life!
Live life to the full!
Live to obey Yahweh !
Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with lost souls !
Following is a 38 minute sermon by Charles R. Swindoll titled: "You Do Not Know What Tomorrow Will Bring." It is a sobering sermon and makes us realize what truly matters in this life.
In the above sermon, Swindoll tells us to "Respect our Lord's will, as this will guard you from pride." Pride is a sin that God hates!
Charles Swindoll also mentions what James 4:13-14 has to say about making plans for tomorrow:
(13) "Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow: for what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
As one commentator says, "Our lives....are not substantial. .... they are like an early morning mist that soon clears away. (Hosea 13:3). For life is brief,, and in the midst of life we are in death. ...... It is in this light that [people] should determine what they (or rather, God) consider to be important. And if they truly recognize that their lives might disintegrate like a puff of smoke
at any moment, they will undoubtedly put more consideration into looking at the things that are unseen, and building up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). "
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
[Hong Kong Orchid Tree Blossoms]
Wake up! Jesus could return at any moment. Nothing needs to be fulfilled from the Bible for His return. We are living in the last days, friends.
The apostle Peter tells us at 2 Peter 3:11, concerning the end times, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness."
Do the following if you are not saved:
Turn to the good Lord now in faith and repentance and acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
Believe that Jesus is the Savior and the only way of salvation and surrender your life to Him.
Call on the Lord in faith and confess your sins and commit your life to Him.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3
"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." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend .... and life !!
"The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." - Daniel 11:32b
I often stress that we need to draw close to God, by prayer and by reading His Holy Word - spending much time in His presence. Many professing Christians never read their Bibles, except for the times they attend Church services. God wants to fellowship with us !! We are able to fellowship with Him by much prayer and much Bible reading and studying. When we read the Bible, we can see the characteristics of God, the attributes that verify that God is love and that He loves you beyond all that you can imagine. He even sent His beloved Son to bleed and die in your place, so that all who believe in Jesus may have eternal life. But back to having a relationship with God - a close, personal, intimate, love relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ - in order to draw close to God so that He will draw close to you, you need to be always in prayer and always in His Holy Word. It means life itself - and life eternal in Heaven. As Charles Spurgeon says, "to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge."
Following is a lengthy devotion by Charles Spurgeon, of which I will quote the majority of it.
"Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. ....... It is the Spirit's peculiar office to lead them [Christians] into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith.
Knowledge strengthens love....... Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Savior. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love Him; we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellencies of Jesus, what He has done for us, and what He is doing now, we cannot love Him much; but the more we know Him, the more we shall love Him."
Spurgeon goes on to tell us that "knowledge also strengthens hope......knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
"He who prays as he ought will endeavor to live as he prays." - Owens
"One is given strength to bear what happens to one, but not the one hundred and one different things that "might" happen." - C.S. Lewis
"The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer." - F.B. Meyer
"Jesus was God spelling Himself out in language humanity could understand." - S.D. Gordon
"IF you have a Bible that's falling apart, you'll have a life that's not." - Adrian Rogers
"Jesus gives us real eyes so we can realize where the real lies." - Michael McInerny
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." - Romans 15:13 , ESV
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, " - Ephesians 3:20, KJV
"And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9. KJV
I hope you enjoyed and were uplifted and inspired by the above Christian quotes and Scriptures. Especially the Scriptures, which should be our main source of inspiration. There is nothing more soothing and encouraging than to read the Bible daily. But that also applies to being on your knees in prayer to the good Lord.
Following is a 29 minute video on the Rapture of true believers by Prophecy Watchers with host Gary Stearman interviewing author and scholar Ken Johnson. Mr. Johnson goes deep into ancient sources for his books, and informs us in this recent video that the ancient prophets believed in the Rapture.
If the rapture happens today, will you be ready?
To be ready you need to be a born again believer in the Savior Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "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. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25-26
"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." - Jesus at John 3:16
Jesus loves you !
He will welcome you with open arms of love and forgiveness!
Believe on Him !
Surrender your life to Him!
Life is full of choices. Don't make the wrong choice by denying Jesus. He died a horrible, cruel death, and took on the sins of the world- and of you - so that He took your place on the cross so that you may have eternal life if you but believe in Him.
What love !
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend.... and life !
These people in my beach photograph above are enjoying the surf and the beauty of this beach and are no doubt oblivious to the dangerous world events that we face today. As I have previously stated, many people today (perhaps the majority of people) are so wrapped up in the pleasures of this world (and, of course, the everyday cares of life) that they pay no attention to the perilous signs of the end times; the last moments of the last days. I used to be the same way. Thank the good Lord that He opened my eyes and my heart to spiritual matters; to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and to a desire to follow in His footsteps and to endeavor to lead a life which is pleasing to Him.
I will not go into all the darkness of this evil world in this article. You are no doubt familiar with how crazy this world has become, and its decadence in so many areas of life. At least true believers in the Savior who try to live a godly life recognize the decay in society today.
Let us talk about Faith, Hope, and Love. Here is a link to a post I made in 2017 on that subject. At this link, there is also a short sermon by Charles Spurgeon on how Jesus loves us. Reading over it again today was encouraging for me, and for all battle weary Christians it will give you encouragement to endure all trials you may be facing today. There is tremendous power in Faith, Hope, and Love.
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation." - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Ephesians 6:11-13 tells us: (11) "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -
Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4: 6 -7 tells us (6) "Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Galatians 1:3-4 says: (3) "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, (4) Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:"
Isn't it amazing how Scriptures can soothe and inspire the soul !!
If you are a born again believer in the Savior Jesus Christ, you have the Holy Spirit living within you to help you to persevere and to endure and to guide you on life's paths and keep you from falling into the hands of the devil.
Following is a 37 minute Middle East Update by Israeli Messianic Jew Amir Tsarfati, who has a thriving ministry that takes him all over the world where he preaches the Gospel and Bible Prophecy. This is his latest video posted May 25, 2019. He not only discusses the Middle East but also about the UK and the EU.
Remember to be constantly in prayer and to read and study God's Word daily. You will thereby grow in faith and draw closer to the good Lord. You will develop a true and lasting relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. It will be a close, personal, and intimate love relationship that will see you through life's difficulties and will keep hope in your heart that soon we will be raptured to be with the Lord forever.
When I think of fishermen, I am reminded of the apostles; some of which had been fishermen. Jesus told them He would make them "Fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19).
All true born again believers should be on fire by sharing the Gospel with lost souls, especially since we are so far into the very last moments of the end times; we are soon expecting Jesus to rapture His Bride (the Church) to be with Him forever; to be caught up with Him away from this wicked and perverse world.
On a recent video I watched, a preacher said, to the effect, that he was no longer looking for "signs" of the end times...... he was instead listening for the trumpet to sound; the trump of God. He believes Jesus' return and the Rapture is that close and I agree with him.
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" - 1 Thessalonians 4:16
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. " - 1 Corinthians 15:52
As you know, the above verses are referring to the Rapture of the Church, true believers in Jesus Christ. I should include 1 Thessalonians 4:17 which says:
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
What a glorious hope and promise!!
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" - Titus 2:13
This "trump of God" is not referring to the 7 trumpets of Revelation. Both 1 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians were written long before John wrote the book of Revelation, so the readers of Paul's Epistles would have no idea about the 7 trumpets of Revelation. Paul's writings were in reference to the Church and the end of the Church age at the Rapture of true believers. Those trumpets in the book of Revelation were angelic trumpets, while the trumpet that sounds at the Rapture is definitely called "The trump of God."
Following is a short 12 minute video by Chad, Watchman on the wall 88. He is young but very thorough in his information on the end times and I believe he is definitely led by the Holy Spirit. Please watch
In Chad's video posted May 21, 2019, he talks about Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38 and 39, just like I did in my post a few days ago. (Scroll down one post right before this one.) He also talks about a recent Yahoo news article about a possible Middle East war that could go nuclear.
Don't panic and grow anxious about all this information and the current chaos in the world. You have nothing to fear if you are a true born again believer in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me." - Psalm 138:7
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." - Isaiah 26:3
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - Jesus at John 14:27
I am moved to share another video about the Rapture of the Church that was just posted May 22, 2019, by prophecywatchers.com
In this video host Gary Stearman discusses with Pastor Jack Langford the possibility of the Rapture occuring on Pentecost, which is June 9 of this year. They are quick to tell us that they are not saying it will happen for sure then, because the Bible tells us we do not know the day or the hour of Jesus' return for us. At any rate, there is a lot of interesting and pertinent information in this 29 minute video which follows:
Although I may not always agree with everything in some of these videos, (many of which I will never post here), many do have valuable information that deserves to be shared, for everyone's benefit. You can learn from them, like in this recent video above Pastor Langford discusses the various Jewish feasts and harvests that is quite interesting.
It is obvious that I have the Rapture on my mind a lot as of late. I feel compelled to share any and all information I can find on this subject, this blessed hope that we have (Titus 2:13). It is important that we be alert and watchful, and share the gospel with everyone, as the time is short.
"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." - James 5:8
Believers need to be in God's Holy Word daily, and to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is so true that to be able to truly know a person, you must communicate frequently with him. The same is true of Yahweh. You need to pray frequently and to pour your heart out to the good Lord. By reading the Bible daily you learn of God's attributes, the love of Him and of the Savior. And in return, by prayer and by spending much time in God's Word, you learn to love the Lord more and more, and you will draw ever closer to Him. All of which means that you have a close, intimate, personal love relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Such a close relationship will give you peace and endurance and a great faith.
Be about the Lord's work while you wait for His soon return.
If you are not a born again believer in Jesus as the Savior, you need to turn to Him in faith NOW before it is too late. You do not want to be left behind for the horrors of the 7 year Tribulation. It will be much more difficult to be saved during that time of God's wrath.
Romans 10: 9,10,13 tells us: (9) "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. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." "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." - John 3:16
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
Admit that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior.
Believe in Jesus and His redemptive power by His shed blood at Calvary..... that He can wash your sins away and that you will be white as snow.
Call on the Lord. Confess your sins. Commit your life to Him.
He will welcome you with arms wide open and full of love and forgiveness.
Jesus loves you!
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend ..... and life !!
Here is another update on Middle East events published May 17, 2019, by one of the most informed evangelists out there, Amir Tsarfati, who is a Jew who believes in Jesus and who has a thriving ministry that takes him all over the world where he preaches the Gospel as well as Bible prophecy. I find him a most reliable source with inside information that is right on the mark. The video is 54 minutes in length, and with Amir is Pastor Barry Stagner.
Please take the time to watch the entire video as it is so relevant today. He tells us about the recent strikes by Israel on targets near and around Damascus, Syria. Amir says, "Nothing that happens today should surprise any Bible believing Christian" and that all the instability we see now in the Middle East is to be expected according to Bible prophecy.
Pastor Barry Stagner, in this video, mentions that "there is a definite religious aspect to the strife in the Middle East" right now.
They also mention Europe, North Korea, and President Trump, and much more.
The fact that there are many targets being hit around Damascus recently quickly brings to mind the prophecy at Isaiah 17:1 which reads:
"The burden of Damascus, Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap."
It is highly possible that the above verse could come true very soon!! And if so, some pastors believe that the War of Gog and Magog will happen soon as well, as spoken of in Ezekiel 38 and 39.
As if the Isaiah 17 prophecy happening is the precursor to the War of Gog and Magog. All of the nations mentioned as coming against Israel are already in place now in Syria or nearby.
I have written here previously about Isaiah 17: go here.
A more detailed study of the Gog of Magog War is to be found here
So very many signs of the end times are literally shouting out loud, so to speak, that we need to take heed and make sure we are ready to meet Jesus when He soon returns for His Bride, the Church, true believers. His return is ever so imminent, with so many prophecies coming true now... or precursors to the prophecies happening now.
All one has to do is to believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Not a mere head knowledge, but a deep heart-felt love and sincere belief and faith in His power to redeem you and to wash you white as snow in His shed blood at the Cross.
Admit you are a sinner, and in need of a Savior.
Believe that Jesus is the only one who can save you and put you on the path to heaven. (John 14:6)
Call on His Name ; Commit your life to Him. Confess your sins.
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "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. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The moment you believe and have faith in Jesus, you are saved forever. In the past I have written about joining a church, getting baptized, and witnessing to others; and all that is well and good and we should do those things, but they don't save you. Works do not save you, but belief in the Savior will.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
However, if you are truly saved, truly born again, the Holy Spirit will work in you to witness to others about Jesus, to help others in trouble, to attend church and fellowship with other believers. It is a process over time, this sanctification. To sanctify means to make holy or to set apart as sacred; to cleanse and purify. All of this takes time and as you grow closer to the good Lord by prayer and constant Bible reading, you will begin to display the fruit of the Spirit. Everyone matures at a different pace. Just communicate with the Lord frequently and you will "grow". But you are saved the moment you believe in the resurrected Jesus! Even without having done any "works". Remember the thief on the cross: he believed in Jesus by faith and Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise. The thief did no good works before he died; he simply had saving faith in the Savior.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..... " - Galatians 5:22-23
"If you are not interested in the fruits of sin, stay out of the devil's orchard." - unknown
"Is it possible to be so active in the service of Christ as to forget to love Him? Many a man preaches Christ but gets in front of Him by the multiplicity of his own works......Christ can do without your works; what He wants is you. Yet if He really has you, he will have all your works." - P.T. Forsyth
"Man was made for the highest and most elevated enjoyment - the enjoyment of the presence of God and the admiration of His infinite perfections. And when he loses this power to appreciate, admire, and love his God, he sinks from his high calling - to a level with the brute." - Charles H. Spurgeon
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." - Jesus at John 14:21
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
Keep looking up !!
Keep watching !!
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend..... and life !
