Tag: heaven

Risk and Reward

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian

Recently our Pastor was speaking about Abraham and his obedience to God’s call to leave everything and follow where God would lead him. He left all that was familiar to him; he left his “comfort zone”; he didn’t even know where he was going. God didn’t give him the route, God simply told him to leave and he would be shown the way. Abraham obeyed (Genesis 12:1-8). If that doesn’t sound risky, I don’t know what does. Of course, when God asks, it’s not so scary because we know He has our best interests in mind but still…

One thing mentioned during our Pastor’s message was “risk”. I immediately thought of “Risk and Reward”. Sometimes risk has a great reward, especially when God is inviting us to take that risk. I started thinking about some of those recorded in the Bible who have taken a risk for God. risk reward

Let’s look at a few examples: 

Noah: Risk – God said He was going to send rain and flood the earth (no rain had ever fallen on the earth at this point). He was asked to build an ark (no idea what that was). God told him to enter the ark with his family. He was also told to gather animals (male and female) and load them into the ark. I’m sure it all sounded very crazy to Noah. But, he obeyed. Even though he couldn’t imagine what was about to happen. (Genesis 6-8) † Reward – Noah, his family, and male and female animals were spared. God saved them and provided a beautiful rainbow as a sign of His covenant/promise that never again would He flood the earth and destroy mankind and animals.

David: Risk – Wow. David’s life was full of risks.  While a shepherd, he had the risk of defending the sheep against predators. His complete faith and trust in God led him to go against Goliath (from a human perspective we would say it was against all odds). Even though God, through Samuel, anointed David as the king to replace Saul, it was a very long journey before that took place. His life was in danger, he had to run and hide. He was lonely. But, through it all, he trusted God. He failed in his walk, like we all do, but he believed, trusted, and followed God. † Reward – David did become king. God said he was a man after His on heart. (Acts 13:22) There is no better recommendation than that! The Messiah (Jesus Christ), came from the line of David.

Rahab: Risk – The Lord had a job for Joshua that involved Rahab. Now Joshua is also a story of risk and reward, but I want to focus on Rahab right now. You see, she wasn’t what we would consider godly. She was a prostitute. However, God’s perspective is different from ours. Joshua sent some spies into Jericho. They ended up staying in the house of Rahab. When the king of Jerica heard about this, he sent a message to Rahab to turn over the men to him. Rahab, however, protected and hid the men. She told the men that the news of them had come and they knew that the God of the Israelites was indeed God in heaven above and the earth below. She asked them to show kindness to she and her family when they came to take the land (Joshua 6). † Reward – Rahab and her family were spared, and her name and story have been told throughout the generations.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: Risk – King Nebuchadnezzar had an idol constructed and ordered everyone to bow down and worship it when the music was sounded. Now these three guys were Jews and they followed God. They refused to follow the king’s decree and instead trusted THE KING. They told Nebuchadnezzar that even if he had them thrown into the fiery furnace, their God could save them. However, even if God didn’t, they would still not bow down to the idol. (Daniel 3) That is faith but even more than that, it shows them to be true believers who trusted and followed God. † Reward – They were thrown into the furnace sure enough, but…not a hair on their heads was singed. They even were kept free from the smell of smoke. God performed a miracle and He was glorified – through their faith and trust in Him.

no risk rewardThese are just a couple of examples, but we find them throughout the Bible. What about us today? The Bible tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Are we hearing God’s call to us? If not, are we too busy or simply not being still before God so that we can hear Him? Are we in His Word, in prayer? God still has a plan for each of our lives and it’s not just for our lives, His plans always involve others. Are we following or missing our opportunities?

Of course, we must always weigh the risk and determine if we are willing to take it. Sometimes it’s simply just a risk and doesn’t involve God’s call at all. But, sometimes it just might be God speaking to us about something He wants to do that involves our participation. Maybe it is a physical risk, financial risk, social risk. Sometimes the risk is simply that we might be embarrassed. If we believe it is from God, we must choose. Is the risk worth the possible reward?

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18)

Of all potential risks we can encounter, the greatest risk is whether we choose to follow Christ. If we don’t choose Him, we will not receive the final, forever, and best reward – eternal life. If we don’t choose Christ, by default we choose Satan. Following him ends in eternal agony, despair and death. Choose Life, not death.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

“The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:35-36)

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for one but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys hi word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:2-6

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”  (Revelation 1:17-18)

heaven vs hellA glimpse of heaven:

“Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  (John 14:1-3)

“However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

 “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also, before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night, they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and ay: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all thing, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:1-11)

A glimpse of hell:

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace” For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will replay, and again “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  (Hebrews 10:26-31)

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:10-15)

heaven hell signMuch in this life is out of our control. However, we do have control of our attitudes and our choices. We can choose eternal life or eternal damnation. What do you choose today? We never know when our days will be cut short. Procrastination on this life and death decision is not a good thing. Believe me when I say that living your life following God is not boring! He gives freely. He gives freedom – freedom from any sin that entangles us. He gives life and life abundantly. He brings joy no matter our circumstances. It’s something that you experience but can’t really explain but…it is real! HE IS REAL! He is the beginning, the end, the Creator – the I AM.

 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

 “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…” (Deuteronomy 3:19-20)

Progressive Dinners {1.27.18}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian5 Comments

As I lay in bed last night before sleep, I began praising and thanking God. One praise was for the blessing of new relationships with other believers. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to meet with fellow Christians and discuss God’s Word and how He is working in our lives. I began thinking about the Bible study class I am in with a wonderful group of ladies. We meet for one hour each week during Sunday School. We have been meeting together for a few years now. As I was going back through our studies of the past year or so, I had to thank God for the journey He has taken us on. It seems like one study grew us right into another on a closer and more active walk with God. While I was praising God for that and His immense love, patience and grace, He put a thought into my head of progressive dinners. progressive dinner

Have you ever experienced a progressive dinner? You start out at someone’s home with maybe an appetizer. You eat, drink and get to know each other a little better. Then you move onto another home. Maybe this one is a salad or soup. You sit down with everyone and again, eat, drink and share life. Then after a bit, you move on again – to the main course this time. Same thing, you enjoy dinner, conversing with one another. Finally you end up the meeting at another home where dessert is served – the pièce de résistance– a sweet ending for the night. More conversation ensues and by the end of the night, you know much more about each other than when you started. You are fully satisfied from an evening well spent.

God showed me that just like my Bible study group’s journey, our Christian walk is kind of like a progressive dinner. We begin when we admit we are sinners in need of a savior. We believe in God, that His Word is truth, and accept the gift of salvation offered to all who put their trust in Jesus Christ. But, salvation is not the end of the journey, it is only the beginning. It’s like the appetizer. Then as we head on our journey down that narrow path, it’s kind of like when you are driving to the next home for your entrée or main course. Through the reading and teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, encouragement and accountability of other believers, we grow and become fully satisfied as if we had a delicious meal. All the time remembering that we are not on this journey alone. Others are walking with us toward our destination.  We reach heaven – the sweet ending to our journey, the dessert course so to speak. home in heavenHowever, this is not the end at all – it’s just the beginning of eternity. How sweet it is to be loved by Jesus!

Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

At first I thought this “progressive dinner” term was kind of strange but then as I thought of all the references of bread, milk, etc. in scriptures, it’s not strange at all. Walking out our faith (salvation) is like life itself. As babies we begin on milk and then as we grow and mature, we eat more substantial food.

 Matthew 4:4 “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

 1 Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

 Hebrews 5:12-14 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

 I will never view progressive dinners the same way again.  God has placed a feast in front of us. I want to enjoy the entire meal, the company I am journeying with and get to the sweet, sweet ending!

Going for the Gold {8.15.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian

Are you caught up in the Olympics? I am! What a blessing to have the ability to record events even when I’m not at home to watch. Some things about new technology are pretty fantastic (as long as you still have young people around to help when you have questions – thanks kids). Anyway, back to the topic at hand. OLYMPICS!!!! gold medalI am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination. The closest I ever got was twirling a baton (which I loved). But, every athlete needs someone at home cheering them on and encouraging them. That’s where I come in. I so much appreciate not only the gifts and talents of these incredible athletes but the strict training and commitments involved in making their dreams come true. [Just a side note of cheering for my son Kyle who has become quite an athlete himself in triathlons and iron man competitions – way to go! You deserve a gold medal in my book.]

1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” olympic training schedule

While Olympics and any kind of competition is fun, we are all in another kind of race. It’s not a competition between each other but together, we can all win the ultimate price. How about that? We don’t even have to be athletes in the Olympic sense! We can still win!!!!

Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Check this out:

  • Our entrance fee has been paid and there is no need for a sponsor. JESUS PAID IT ALL ON THE CROSS
  • We have a coach that NEVER leaves us and always guides us into truth. THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVING IN US
  • And after our race is finished and we go home, THE FATHER IS WAITING FOR US WITH LOVING ARMS

And…we have a new home. You can read all the details in Revelation 21. Here is our “gold” at the end of our race:street of gold

Revelation 21:21 “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”

If you have not yet selected a team for the race of live, I urge you to do it now. We never know how many more events we have before the race for us ends.

Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.”

Hallelujah!  Our “GOLD” is waiting for us. Let’s run the race with perseverance and stay on track, not looking to the left or right. The road is narrow but it is straight and we can’t get lost if we keep our eye on the prize.

Go Team USA! GO TEAM GOD!!!!

Terror from the Tempter {7.13.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian2 Comments

I don’t know about where you live but when I turn on the news each morning, there seems to always be sad and tragic news in abundance. I really don’t remember the last time I watched the news and there was no killing reported. It’s so sad. It rouses many emotions in us but I wonder how often it prompts us to do the things we can do – pray and love.

Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

The terror we are seeing is from the tempter, Satan. He wants to steal, kill and destroy. He appears to be doing quite a fine job of it, with help from us. God never tempts us to evil but He does allow us free will to choose good over evil.

James 1:13-15: “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

1 Timothy 5:15: “Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.”

Remember, when we are tempted to sin/evil, God will ALWAYS provide a way of escape for us. We need to look for that escape route and take it.

Loving our enemies is hard to do, hard to even think about doing in our own strength. That’s why we need GOD. It’s only possible through His love and His Strength working in and through us.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-24: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

Sometimes we let these awful things we hear go in one ear and then out again if it doesn’t happen to our family or friends. But, we know that it affects us all. This is a war we are in the middle of and the battle is fierce. It’s a war against good and evil. It’s a war against our nation, our families, and even our sanity. The great news is that God has provided us all we need to fight this battle. Check it out below.

Ephesians 6:10-18: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the saints”

So, I guess the purpose of this post is to remind myself and others who may read it to keep on praying, keep on trusting God and keep on fighting the fight, on our knees and with love. Loving God first and foremost and then with His help, loving others – all others. After all, Christ died and rose again for EVERYONE.

If you have not yet joined the family of God, you can do that right now. Admit your sins, accept the gift of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ as your savior and then love, trust and follow God. It’s that simple. God will help guide and direct you and give you understanding through His Holy Spirit.

Mighty things can happen when we all join together in love and prayer. Are we with God? Or, are we with Satan? Those are our only two choices. If we don’t actively choose God, we choose Satan by default. His team may win battles but they lose the war and end up in terror and torment for eternity. Choosing Satan is a choice leading to death. With God, we will spend eternity in heaven. Easy choice – choose God and live!

The Magic of Music {3.7.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian, Uncategorized2 Comments

I know, music really isn’t magic but it does seem to have the power to transport us, doesn’t it? Sometimes it’s to another place and time, sometimes it’s an attitude or emotional change. At least in my life, music speaks to my heart and it speaks loudly.

When my children were toddlers, I took them to the Disney Magic Kingdom. We all had a great time but the one thing I remember (aside from how cute they were in their Mickey Mouse hats) is going on a boat ride through a tunnel while the song “It’s a Small World” played. I can’t hear that song even today without smiling. Something about it lifts my spirits no matter what. Can you ever hear the “hokey pokey” song without thinking of a roller rink? And for me, when I hear a John Philip Sousa marching song, I quickly get in step and think of picking up a baton and marching down the street in a parade (loved those days). When I want to spend quiet time with God, I often sing “In the Garden” to myself (I sound better that way – silently). I’m sure we all have memories tied to songs. It can bring to mind wonderful times, sad times and let’s be honest – sometimes we just like the beat. music notes

The other day I caught a bit of a TV show where Loretta Lynn was performing live. She sang one of the songs on an album recently released. I’m not sure of the title of the song but the chorus was: “Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die”. In the song she talks about Hezekiah and Jesus but mostly I remember that chorus. There is so much truth in that verse.

Just yesterday we traveled to two funeral homes for services. One was for an elderly relative who had lived a fairly long life and suffered greatly toward the end. It was a comfort to her immediate family that her suffering had ended. The other was for a young 10 year old boy. That is always much harder to understand. While he lived three years longer than expected, to us it still seems like his life was cut short. “Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die” However, he had godly, loving parents who introduced him to God and he accepted the gift of salvation and was baptized. He was truly going home. Even though his life was filled with physical problems, doctors, hospitals, etc. he was a very happy child. What a precious smiling face he had and the smile went all the way up to his brown eyes.

While I thought of Loretta’s song in the physical sense, it has much more meaning in the spiritual sense, doesn’t it? We all want to go to heaven but do we really want to die? We are called to do just that – die to self and live for Christ. That’s not easy to do – in and of ourselves. But oh the freedom when we allow the power of God to transform us into His likeness. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, we have the privilege of coming into a personal relationship with God. That should make us sing for joy!

“Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and glory are in His sanctuary.”  Psalm 96:1-6

So, what song are you singing today? Is it a song of praise and joy for a God who loves you? Does it bring a smile to your face and joy into your heart? If not, ask Jesus into your heart. You will be singing a beautiful new song from here into eternity.

Let’s Sing!

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire {2.29.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian, Uncategorized2 Comments

liar pants on fireLiar, Liar, Pants on Fire. Just a silly rhyme of children? Maybe not. We all probably said that as children (and I have to admit I still say it occasionally when joking with others). But, until this week I never did make the connection between being a liar and fire. It finally hit me that this saying must have come from scripture. We know who the “father of lies” is – Satan.

John 8:42-44 “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

So, we know where lies originate. They are from Satan himself. We all fall into that trap and have said a lie before, haven’t we? A “little white lie” maybe? But, lies are serious to God, like all sin. Our sin may start small but can grow and spread like crazy. Before we know it we find that our sin identifies us. We don’t want that! Look what John saw and wrote for us in Revelation. Liars are among sinners specifically mentioned.

Revelation 21:1-8 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new”! Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

There is good news in the above scriptures but the last sentence is hard when you think about the cost of choosing unwisely. God had a perfect plan for mankind to live with Him in the Garden of Eden but through the lies of the devil/deceiver, sin entered in. God cannot co-exist with sin. He is light and sin is darkness. Thankfully, He made another way for us to live with Him now and forever – Jesus Christ, our redeemer. God does not send anyone to hell. People end up there from their own choices. Satan didn’t start out there but he and some angels turned against God. Hell was created for them and thus, all of their followers will have an eternal dwelling place there as well.

Jude 1:6 “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home – these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgmhellent on the great day.”

Luke 10:18 “He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left. “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Matthew 13:40-43 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

We had an experience recently where we tried to help someone. Even though options had run out for this person and bridges had been burned with family and friends, the lies continued. One lie piled on top of another and another and another and it kept up for several days. The lies were brought out into the open and proved but even then, the lies did not stop. This person continues to lie and we don’t understand it. No matter what the truth is, a lie is worse. One lie leads to another and another and before you know it I think you can start believing your own lies. Besides all that, it seems like way too much trouble to try to remember all the lies! Lies hold us in bondage for sure. I can’t even imagine the stress. But, THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE.

John 8:31-32 “To the Jews, who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is the truth. There is such freedom in being true and truthful, isn’t there? Oh, the freedom we can have in Christ – awesome freedom, freedom from sin’s control. To live for Christ is freedom. To live for sin is death. We must choose. Will we choose Jesus and Heaven or Satan and Hell?

angels in heavenIn Revelation, John tried to describe the vision he saw but when I try to imagine it, I realize I can’t. Even those of us with the best imagination can’t fully grasp the reality of heaven. We know it will be wonderful. We know it will be beautiful. We know there will be no more tears or pain. We know we will all want to worship God. But, we really can’t imagine how wonderful. At the same time, we really can’t imagine the horror of hell. We know it will be never ending torment and fire. We know there will be gnashing of teeth. We know there will be horrible pain and no relief. But beyond that, we really can’t grasp just how horrible it will be in hell. These realities should cause all of us to pause and reflect or adjust our priorities. We must share the good news and hope we have in Jesus – before it’s too late.

So the moral of this story is…

If you don’t want your pants on fire – never, never be a liar.