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John 3:16
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The other day I just happened to glance across my desk in my office and spotted a new devotional book I received in the mail. It was titled "John 3:16" and was written by the popular author, Max Lucado.

My mind went directly to this verse which is probably the most well known verse of all scripture. This verse answers most, if not all questions related to salvation.

It first answers the question of the root or source of our salvation, for the originator is God Himself. It starts out with "FOR GOD."

It also gives us the reason why God wanted to save and forgive His creation; His motivation was love.

The scripture says, "For God SO LOVED..."

It also tells us who He loved and who salvation is offered to or who the recipients are, which is the world. This means you and me and your neighbor and your enemy and yes, the meanest man in town.

It reads, "For God so loved THE WORLD..."

He tells us what road we must take in order to receive this offer, which is the way of Christ Jesus. Jesus Himself said that He was the way, the truth and the life and that no one could come to God the Father except through Him.

It reads, "For God so loved the world that HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON..."

He tells us what the requirement is to receive this salvation which is faith in Christ; believing in who He said he was and believing in what He can do for you.

It reads, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM...."

Last but not least, this scripture reveals to us what the reward is for accepting this salvation that has been so graciously offered.

It tells us that we can miss out on going to that horrible place of torment called hell and that we can live forever in that place called heaven for it reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE."

We at New Beginnings would like to invite you to our Superbowl party on Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. and our second annual Valentine’s banquet on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. with Elvis impersonator Donny Brannon. For more information, call 308-7635.

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