January 16, 1977

8825 S. Merrimac Avenue
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453

Mr. Henry Kissinger
Secretary of State
White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Kissinger,

Thank you for the excellent job you have done as our secretary of state. Words cannot really convey the warm heartfelt joy I have experienced while watching your tremendous and successful efforts to affect peace in the world.

You have accomplished so much good that I feel confident in saying people all over the world, unknown to you or me -or each other- are truly thankful for your presence and work during this period of history.

While some cartoonists and columnists sought to put the sword to your side, you, above all others, were still willing to span oceans and continents to meet and talk, discuss and clarify and help other men of the world come to peaceful solutions.

Perhaps you find it strange that a private citizen, far removed from real decisions in world affairs is vitally concerned about the actions of our country's leaders. Yet I am, and so are many others, my family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

While I washed dishes and watched the seasons change outside my kitchen window, you boarded another plane, and I prayed, "Lord, guide this man." When you went to meet angry men I said, "Father, bless Mr. Kissinger's efforts, inspire him, inspire the other leaders to have enough confidence in themselves so that they may be able to be at peace with others."

Through it all, the miles of skies, the photos, the conference tables, the striped tents in far off sandy lands, the untold hours you willingly gave to the effort for peace, many people prayed for your success, "God, be in the midst of this situation with Mr. Kissinger." I think the prayers have been heard and answered.

Surely your efforts and example will bring long standing good and serve to enlighten and encourage all men who rule so they may confidently seek answers at a conference table instead of a battlefield, so that we may have continued peace here and finally for all people everywhere.

I would be very honored if you could send our family an autographed photograph of yourself and if you ever come to lecture in Chicago or nearby it would be a privilege to have you come for tea. (We also have Sanka, scotch and chicken soup if you prefer.)

Again, my thanks for a splendid job on behalf of world peace and understanding

Mrs. Mercedes C. O'Brien

Copy: President Gerald Ford
; file

[KC]

GIVE LAVISHLY!
LIVE ABUNDANTLY!

The more you give,
the more you get-
The more you laugh,
the less you fret-
The more you do
Unselfishly,
The more you live
Abundantly...
The more of everything
you share,
The more you'll always
have to spare-
The more you love,
the more you'll find
That life is good
and friends are kind...
For only What
We Give Away,
Enriches Us
from Day to Day.
Helen Steiner Rice

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First printed in 1955
Over 10,000,000 distributed

This booklet is **NOT TO BE SOLD** by anyone, for any reason, at any price. This booklet is to be distributed **FREE** by those who receive it from The Gospel Hour, Inc., a non-profit Christian corporation. Booklets like this are published by The Gospel Hour to win the lost and help believers grow spiritually. They are mailed to individuals who send a gift to help support our radio ministry. Neither individuals nor book stores have any right to sell them. Gifts received for these booklets are used 100% to finance this non-profit ministry.

When requesting additional copies of this booklet, ask for:

BOOKLET NO. 1

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN
TO BELIEVE
ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

The Bible teaches, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved" (Acts 16:31). But how does one believe on Jesus? How can we know when we have believed on Him? To many, "believing" was easy—but to countless thousands the words "believe" and "faith" are mysteries hard to understand.

They say, "I have always believed in Jesus. I have always believed the Bible; yet I do not know whether or not I am saved." That little word "faith" stops them—yet it is faith that makes salvation so simple and so easy that

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man has a hard time accepting it.

Paul said, "But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath **blinded the minds of them which believe not**, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (II Corinthians 4:3, 4).

The devil has blinded the spiritual eyes of mankind to the simplicity of salvation, and put it into the human heart that man must DO something in order to be saved. "Faith" is the stumbling stone. Some interpret faith to mean praying, working, feeling—and countless other things that have to do with man's efforts and emotions.

Perhaps it is because I, too, used to wonder if I really had "saving faith" that I have so much sympathy and patience with those who do not understand. I grant you it is a miserable position to be in.

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It is not God's will that we live in uncertainty. It is His will that we know and understand what "believing" means. Therefore I want to tell you, as simply as I know how, **what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.**

John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

You know that Jesus is the Saviour, and that according to Romans 3:23 "**all have sinned**, and come short of the glory of God." All are born in sin and are therefore on the road to hell. You know that Jesus took your place, He died for you—your substitute, your Saviour. You also know that before His death can help you, you must RECEIVE Him of your own free will.

Now, you have acknowledged yourself a sinner and know in your heart that you want to be saved. **You know**

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that by receiving Jesus you can be saved, but your problem is HOW to receive Jesus.

You have never seen Him. If you could reach out now and literally put your hand in His nail-scarred hand, that would be easy—and you would not hesitate to say, “Yes, Jesus, I will take you as my Saviour.” But you cannot do that, and some of you do not know how you will know when you *have received* Him. The most simple way I know to show you how to receive Christ by faith and **to know** when you are saved is just this:

Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” In other words, God says, “I have given you the record of how I love you, and I have sent Jesus into the world to die for you. I have told you that if you will receive My Son I will make you My child. You

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will not be an *adopted* child—but I will give you a *new birth*; you will be *born into My family* and become *My child* (John 1:12, 13). I have told you all of this in *My Word*. Now when you are ready to *receive My Son*, just call—and I will do the saving!"

## Born Again by the Word

I Peter 1:23 says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed (like our first birth), but of *incorruptible*, *by the Word of God*, which liveth and abideth for ever." That is what you want, is it not? You want to be *born again*. Jesus said, "*Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God*. . . . Marvel not that I said unto thee, *Ye must be born again*" (John 3:3, 7). God's Word says we are born again by *the Word of God*. Keep that in mind now as we turn to Ephesians 2:8. (We will use several Scripture passages; turn

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to them and mark them in your Bible.)

## Saved by Faith

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). We are saved entirely by grace—nothing added, nothing taken away. Salvation is all of God—God’s grace; but we receive it by faith. (We cannot see Jesus nor literally take hold of Him.) Faith is *believing*. Believing what? Peter says we are born again by the Word; so then—we **BELIEVE THE WORD**. Our faith is in the Word of God—not in our feelings, our prayers, our life, or anything we can do. Faith is *believing God*. (Notice, I did not say “believing IN God,” but *believing God*.)

God says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). *God wants you to BELIEVE Him*. When you call on Him

10

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and ask Him to save you, and deep
in your heart you sincerely tell Him
you will receive Jesus as your Saviour,
God wants you to KNOW you are saved
because *He said* He would save you.
That is believing God. He wants you
to trust Him to do exactly what He said
He would do—and He said He would
save you if you called on Him.

Does Salvation
Produce Feelings?

If you pray for God to save you and
then you say, "I know I am saved
because I feel better," you have faith
in the wrong thing. Some people have
faith in a dream, some in a vision,
some in feelings, and others in emo-
tions. But by the authority of God's
Word I declare that if you are basing
your salvation on any of those things
you do not have "saving faith." *Sav-
ing faith is BELIEVING GOD, instead*

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of believing your feelings.

We are born again by the Word of God. If faith is believing—then we must believe the Word. I am just as sure I am saved as I am sure the Bible is the Word of God. Now what does this add up to? You hear the record God gives of His Son—that Jesus died for you, and if you will receive Him as your Saviour, God will “born” you into the heavenly family and you will be His child. When you have heard God’s plan for your redemption, you call on God and ask Him to save you. You believe God and trust Him to save you because He said He would. Then—you know you are saved because God said He would save you.

Have you sincerely asked God to save you? Have you believed God? It does not matter how you FEEL about it—God wants you to believe Him and His Word. Peter says that the Word “liveth

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and abideth for ever.'' Your feelings
will never change nor alter the Word
of God. The Word never changes—
but your feelings do. Never put your
faith in your feelings—but in the Word
of God.

Now let us go back to John 1:12:
"As many as received Him . . . ." You
know in your own mind and heart that
you want to receive Jesus. You know
you told God you would receive Jesus,
and you know you meant it. Any sane
person knows whether or not he wants
to receive Jesus, and he knows whether
or not he really means it when he asks
God to save him. The devil does not
make you doubt that part; what he tries
to make you doubt and wonder about is
whether or not God kept His Word.

## God Cannot Lie

According to Hebrews 6:18, it is "im-
possible for God to lie." And Paul

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wrote to Titus concerning the “hope
of eternal life, which God, that cannot
lie, promised before the world began”
(Titus 1:2).

When you, the very best you know
how, receive Jesus as your Saviour,
that is as far as you can go; the rest
is up to God. Are you going to believe
God?

Faith is believing.

We are born again “by the Word of
God.”

So—I am born again by believing
God's Word!

He said if I would call, He would
save me. I have sincerely called—
and I know He saved me because He
said He would.

Those who have sincerely called and
still do not know whether or not they
are saved simply DO NOT BELIEVE GOD.
Yes, they believe there IS a God, they
believe Jesus died and rose again, they

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believe God WILL save them—but they are not willing to believe God DOES save them NOW, thus taking Him at His Word. They are not willing to believe He saved them because He said He would. They want Him to prove His truth by giving them some emotional experience. They are not willing to believe Him on His Word alone. They insult Him by asking for proof that He told the truth—but "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).

Nine out of ten people wait for a "feeling" before they are willing to believe God. They ask God to save them, then tarry for Him to give them a feeling—and then they will believe Him. Do you not see how wrong this would be? You would then believe because of

15

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“feelings”—not because of God’s Word. Those who are not willing to believe God’s Word are calling God a liar:

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that BELIEVETH NOT God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son” (I John 5:10).

The record God gave was that He would save whosoever called upon Him for salvation. Anyone who calls upon God and then says he does not know whether or not he is saved does not believe God and has made Him a liar.

Oh, how simple salvation is! God wants you to BELIEVE Him. We are saved by GRACE through FAITH. Faith is believing. What do we believe? Remember—we are “born again by the Word.” Believe it because God said it. Do not ask for proof; that is not believing God, and it proves that you

16

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do not take Him at His Word.

Some people treat God as though they cannot *trust* His Word. They want proof (in an unusual feeling, a vision, or dream) that He meant what He said, and that He did what He said He would do. *Feelings or no feelings, I know I am saved, praise God, because I know His Word is true, and He said He would save me if I called on Him. I know I am saved because God said He would save me! I have God's Word for my salvation—do you?*

May God help you to believe Him.

"For what saith the Scripture? *Abraham believed God*, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3).

Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: *THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM in the last day*" (John 12:48).

17

## Spiritual Growth Is Different

I believe many people have difficulty in "believing" because they have salvation and Christian growth confused. We have discussed salvation by faith, but Christian growth is an entirely different matter.

I Peter 2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may GROW thereby."

II Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

After we are born into God's family by the Word of God, we grow. In this, many people become confused. They expect to be and want to be mature Christians when they are just newborn babes. The older we grow in grace, the more we will read the Word. The longer we live for Jesus, the more joy we have. Truly—"Every day with Jesus

18

is sweeter than the day before."

Paul admonished the Ephesians to "be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine... but... grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:14, 15).

Take God at His Word; do not doubt Him any longer. Be saved NOW—and have the assurance of your salvation!

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (I John 5:11-13).

THAT SETTLES IT!

19

ONLY TRUST HIM

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.

For Jesus shed His precious blood,
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.

Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
That leads you into rest:
Believe in Him without delay,
And you are fully blest.

Come, then, and join this holy band,
And on to glory go,
To dwell in that celestial land,
Where joys immortal flow.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now.
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

—J. H. Stockton

20

ONLY TRUST HIM

Though your path be rough and stony,
And the way be all but bright;

There's an eye that's ever watching,
As you battle for the right.

When the tempter fierce assails you,
And your courage almost gone;

When the cares of life oppress you,
Nothing right, but all seems wrong.

When you feel there's no use trying,
All is hopeless, all is vain;

Others can, but you just cannot,
Seem by faith the victory claim.

Then you sit down in a corner,
And you ponder all life's cares;

But you feel there's no use trying,
When no one your burden shares.

But this great eye is yet beholding,
Just hold steady, just prove true;

In due time He'll send the sunshine,
Precious one, to shine on you.

With His eye, behold, He leads thee,
He never slumbers, never sleeps;

For the praise of His own glory,
Leads through fire and waters deep.

21

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But the fire shall never burn thee,
Nor o'er thee the waters flow;

So it's best for thee, dear Pilgrim,
That our Saviour lead thee so.

Now if you'll but learn this lesson—
Romans eight and twenty-eight;

O'er the tests to get the victory,
You won't have so long to wait.

—Albert E. Smith

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## THIS DAY
### Sell Me Thy Birthright

"And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright" (Genesis 25:31).

It is the birthright of every individual to be born again. Jesus died that this might be true. The devil will try to bargain for that birthright—just as he took Jesus up on a high mountain and showed Him the things of this world, which he promised to give if only Jesus would fall down and worship him. The devil is tempting thousands upon thousands in this Day of Grace with the material things of earth, tempting them to sell out to him.

Jesus asked the solemn question, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

23

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or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). But
the devil says, "Take what you can get,
NOW. Live for the present, not for a
far distant future!"

Dear reader, to whom will you listen
this day? Are "the pleasures of sin for
a season" worth an eternity in hell?
Think about it! Are you willing to sell
out your soul for a few years of pleas-
ure, and travel the broad road to hell?
I realize many are like Esau was when
he thought all was lost. He thought, "I
am at the point of death, so what good
will my birthright do when I am dead?"
But Esau's trouble was that he let his
natural desire interfere with his sound
reasoning. The Bible does not tell us
how long Esau had been without food,
but there can be no doubt that a man
who could come in from the field under
his own power was not starved to the
point of sudden death! It was the

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driving force of the physical hunger
that for the moment became such a
temptation to him that he offered his
birthright for sale in return for that
which satisfies the flesh only.

Christian, are you fighting a battle of
spiritual fatigue? If so, do not think
that all is lost. God is still on the throne.
He will not allow you to be tempted
above what you are able to bear (I Co-
rinthians 10:13). So stand firm, even
though your stand be weak, and God
Himself will lift you up and give you
strength for the battle!

Sinner, today is the day of salvation
(II Corinthians 6:2). If you hear God's
voice, harden not your heart. The sinful
pleasures and materialistic gain of this
world are not worth selling your spiritual
birthright for. If you believe the Bible,
you must believe this statement.

May God help you *this day* to turn a
deaf ear to the devil's bargaining power,

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This Day—
For a Memorial

"And this day shall be unto you for a MEMORIAL; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever" (Exodus 12:14).

Multitudes of people in our churches today are having a battle with doubt—doubting their salvation. Some joined the church when they were children, some joined later in life. But the battle that constantly goes on in their minds challenges their profession of faith in Christ. They are asking themselves, "Was I really saved when I was a child?" Or, "Was I saved when I went to the altar during revival, and confessed my faith in Christ?"

Many, many of these "doubters" have later tried to rededicate their lives to Christ. They have made an effort to

27

make their calling and election sure.
But the nagging question still flaunts
itself, and the doubting heart still asks,
"Am I really saved? When was I saved?"

If the devil can keep these dear people
busy trying to figure out which of their
past experiences was real, he can keep
them from making a definite decision.
He would like to keep them busy arguing
over the question of whether or not
they are really saved, and thus keep
them from enjoying the blessings of
today.

If you are one of those who have, for
years, had doubts about the reality of
your salvation, forget the past. Let
THIS DAY be a cornerstone marking
the day from which you date the assur-
ance of your salvation. Write it down—
and for the rest of your natural life
let THIS day be a MEMORIAL unto you!
You will be surprised how the doubts
will flee away, and the joy you will

28

experience from this very special day
to which you can look back.

If you are not sure you were ever
saved, forget the past. It is gone; it
will not return. The important thing
is to know, from this day forward, that
you ARE saved. Ask God to save you
now. Believe His Word and accept Him
on the basis of His Word. By so doing
you can rest assured that the last two
words in the verse can be yours. You
will know you are saved "for ever."

I pray that all doubters who read
these lines will make THIS DAY their
day.

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This Day—
Which the Lord Hath Made

"This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

Rejoice because God has given you this day. A multitude of people who saw the sun go down yesterday did not live to see the light of this day. They went out to meet God. Some were ready to meet Him, some were not ready.

To you God has given today. You may be beset with fears, doubts, and grief—but you are alive. You would do well to remember Psalm 118:6: "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?"

Trouble may encompass you, but the Psalmist testified, "The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation" (Psalm 118:14).

You may be sick in body, but for today

30

you can say, “I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord”
(Psalm 118:17).

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He
is good: because His mercy endureth
for ever” (Psalm 118:1).

Do not waste this day. Use this day
for God's glory. Remember that rich
men, famous men, would gladly give all
of their wealth and fame to be able
to say with you, “This day is the day
which the Lord has given me!”

Wealth cannot buy THIS DAY, fame
cannot acquire it. Therefore open your
eyes to what God has given you and say
from your heart:

“Thou art my God, and I will praise
thee. Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is
good: for His mercy endureth for ever”
(Psalm 118:28, 29).

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HARRY M. OSERS

180 CABRINI BLVD. NEW YORK, N. Y. 10033 (212) 923-6136

January 10. 1977.

To the Secretary of State
Dr. Henry Kissinger,
State Department of the United States,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir,

Please accept this little article as my humble
tribute to your unsurpassed greatness.
We all will miss you for you were the
most successful architect of U.S. Foreign
policy.

I have the privilege of personally knowing
your parents who live on Fort Washington Ave,
just around the corner from my house.

May the years to come bring you Mr. Secretary,
Mrs. Kissinger and your entire family, only
years of happiness, contentment and good
health.

encl.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON, D.C.

12/19

The Vice President thought that the
Secretary might like to see a copy of
the attached letter he received.

Kathy Huldrum

January 10, 1977

1030 W. Franklin St. #47
Richmond, Va. 23220

The Honorable Dr. Henry Kissinger
Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.

Dear Dr. Kissinger:

Just a few moments ago I listened to a program on WRFK where you were the guest-speaker at a luncheon in Washington held by the National Press Conference. Hearing the warmth, candor and humor with which you spoke has prompted me to write this note of appreciation for the job you have done while in office.

It sorrows me that President-Elect Carter has missed the chance to retain a statesman of your caliber and force in world affairs. However, I am certain that it will be difficult for you to avoid continuing to serve the nation as you have so ably done.

In an era where so many of our public officials have come to seem tainted and un-trustworthy, you appear to me as one of the few who have remained above it all.
With all the best wishes for your future, I am