This letterbox is in the West Lake Nature Preserve, and is inspired by God’s Bridge to Eternal Life, a copy of which is available in the letterbox. If there are no copies left, and you’d like one, please message me. For now, there is a stamp pad and pen in the box. As colder weather approaches, I will remove the stamp pad. The stamp is my first attempt at carving, please ink it up well so everything shows up. There is a small playground near the parking lot for little ones to enjoy. The paths are woodchip and smooth for the most part, no stumps or rocks. Very stroller friendly (except retrieving the actual box) and dog friendly. This Preserve is also accessible from South Westnedge Park ball fields (you will see the Preserve entrance across the street on the far right side; “follow Jud” would be your first clue). Click here for park map
Clues:
GOD’S PURPOSE: HONOR AND SERVE HIM
GOD CREATED MAN TO HONOR, SERVE AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM. THE BIBLE SAYS…
"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." REVELATION 4:11
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. PSALM 16:11
-->-->-->From the parking lot, find the place where you can fellowship, eat or drink. Take the path closest to this place of fellowship. Steer clear of the street and follow Jud. Don’t forget to enjoy all the wonderful things God created.
IF GOD’S PURPOSE IS FOR MANKIND TO HONOR, SERVE, AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, THEN WHAT HAPPENED THAT DESTROYED THIS PERFECT RELATIONSHIP?
MANKIND’S PROBLEM: SIN
MAN CHOSE TO SIN AGAINST GOD RATHER THAN SERVE HIM. THE BIBLE SAYS…
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ROMANS 3:23
-->-->-->On your left you will come to WLNP Overlook Deck #1. Follow the dock out to the observation deck if you wish. You may get wet feet! Return to dry land to find your new path. If you are following the WANDER THE WETLANDS map, this is where the map falls short! The path you must take is not on the map. Directly across from Overlook Deck #1 is the path you seek. Don’t fall short of your goal when given the choice...turn your back on temptation! Soon another temptation will appear on your right; stay on the straight and narrow.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SIN AGAINST GOD?
Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 1 JOHN 3:4
WE SIN BY DOING WHAT GOD HAS COMMANDED US NOT TO DO OR BY NOT DOING WHAT GOD HAS TOLD US TO DO.
SIN’S PENALTY: DEATH
THE BIBLE SAYS…
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ROMANS 6:23
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, HEBREWS 9:27
And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. REVELATION 20:15
-->-->-->Another choice will present itself. Make the right choice. To your left, watch for deer. We saw about 15 of them when we were there, and got some great pictures. As we were walking and watching the deer through the green trees, an object came across our vision: a tall, topless, dead tree close to the path. To see death amongst all the life in front of us was a good reminder of Romans 6:23.
HOW THEN CAN WE EVER HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?
THROUGHOUT HISTORY INDIVIDUALS HAVE TRIED MANY WAYS TO GAIN OR EARN ETERNAL LIFE, BUT EVERY ATTEMPT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE BIBLE SAYS…
There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. PROVERBS 14:12
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, TITUS 3:5A
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; EPHESIANS 2:8,9
Not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. EPHESIANS 2:8,9
-->-->-->More choices. Recall Proverbs 14:12. By all means, don’t go that way! My son would have gone straight and begged to use someone’s pole for the day. Maybe another day.
CHRIST’S PAYMENT: OUR SINLESS SUBSTITUTE
JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S SINLESS SON, WAS SENT BY THE FATHER TO PAY THE PENALTY FOR OUR SINS BY DYING ON THE CROSS IN OUR PLACE. THE BIBLE SAYS…
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ROMANS 5:8
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 1 PETER 3:18A
-->-->-->Are you still on the right path? Seek out Romans 5:8.
THEN HOW DO WE CROSS THE BRIDGE TO ETERNAL LIFE?
OUR PARDON: TURN AND TRUST
HOW DO WE CROSS THE BRIDGE TO ETERNAL LIFE? WE MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. JESUS HIMSELF SAID,
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. JOHN 14:6
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR, YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND PUT YOUR TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE AS THE ONLY HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE. THE BIBLE SAYS…
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; ACTS 3:19A
And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace." ACTS 16:31A
“For whoever will call on the name of the LORD will be saved.” ROMANS 10:13
-->-->-->Choose the right path and cross the bridge. Put your trust in the bridge, it’s wobbly but it will hold you up. The bridge will not fail you, neither will Jesus. Return to solid ground and take a rest on the bench.
GOD’S PROMISE: ETERNAL LIFE
JESUS CHRIST SAID:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. JOHN 5:24
THIS VERSE HAS ONE PROMISE WITH THREE PARTS. THE PERSON BELIEVES:
1. HAS ETERNAL LIFE
2. DOES NOT COME INTO JUDGEMENT
3. HAS PASSED OUT OF DEATH INTO LIFE
WILL YOU RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR TODAY?
TO DO SO YOU MUST:
1. ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD AND ASK HIM FOR FORGIVENESS.
2. BELIEVE THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD WHO DIED FOR YOU UPON THE CROSS, ROSE FROM THE DEAD, AND IS LORD.
3. CALL UPON JESUS CHRIST TO BE YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
-->-->-->When you’re done resting on the bench, stand up and look straight in front of you off into the woods. You will see a multi-trunked tree about 30 steps from where you stand. Just as Jesus will cradle you in the palm of His hand, these branches cradle the GOD”S BRIDGE letterbox.
-->-->-->To get back to the parking lot, you may either retrace your steps, or continue on the path. Both ways are about equal distance. There are signs along the way to direct you. If you continue on the path, keep in mind that the right-most path goes next to the bog and tends to be a little muddy. When the path splits you may want to go left instead of right, especially if you have a stroller.
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