Heaven or Hell?

Someone said to me recently that they believed that Hell was here on earth and that everyone goes to Heaven.  Even those who had committed horrific crimes would go to Heaven because they had been tormented their whole life here on earth.

I was completely and totally dumbfounded. What?!  Huh?! The only words I could utter was “Then why did Jesus have to be crucified?”

Their statement has not left my mind, it’s been bouncing round and round.

There must be a Hell because without Hell there would no God.  There would be no reason for God.

There must be a Hell because without Hell there would be no Satan.  There would be no reason for Satan.

There must be a Hell because without Hell we would not exist.  God created each of us for His pleasure. Colossians 1:16 states, “All things were created by Him and for Him.” It gives God great pleasure to create, just read Genesis 1!  Why would God create you if He really didn’t care what you did?

There must be a Hell because without Hell we would not need a Heaven. Why would God create you, give you free will and then still accept you with open arms when you choose not to come to Him and to do things against His ways? Do you give a reward to a child who is disobedient?  Do you get a “reward” just for being created and living your life?

There must be a Hell because without Hell we would not need to have a personal relationship with God. It gives Him great pleasure to have a personal relationship with you.  The way to have a personal relationship with Him is to come to Him…in love, in fear, in awe! If you don’t have a personal relationship with God why would you care if you spent eternity with Him or not?

There must be a Hell because without a Hell there would be no punishment. How do you feel when others do things wrong and get away with it?  We see it everyday and our response is we want justice!  We want things made right!  So why wouldn’t God want justice?

There must be a Hell because without a Hell there would be no “place” for the evil of this world.  There would be no “place” for those who followed Satan to go.

There must be a Hell because without a Hell there would no “place” for the ones who did good, in this world, those who have a personal relationship with God and followed His ways.

You cannot have good without evil
You cannot have Heaven without Hell.

This is for eternity, people!

Eternity – 1. infinite or unending time.  2. a state to which time has no application; timelessness; endless life after death.

Suppose you were standing before God right this second and He asked you, “Why should I let you into Heaven?”

What would you say? Remember, this question is for eternity!

God tells us in His instruction manual to us exactly how we get to spend eternity with Him!  Yep, He’s that amazing! Yep, He loves us that much to give us the answer to the question!

You must understand what’s keeping you from Heaven, from God.  It’s YOU!  It’s your sinful nature that keeps you from having a personal relationship with God.  We were born sinners and remain sinners by OUR choices.  God tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.  Notice the “all”?  All of us fall short.  Everyday…

We can’t save ourselves… not by good deeds, doing the right thing, or being a good person. “For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves – it is the gift of God.  Not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

God is holy, God is just, and because of this He must punish us for our sin. So if we all sin, if we all fall short of the glory of God then we all deserve death and Hell. God tells us, “For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.

God loves us and has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6.  See the emphasis on “no one comes to the Father except through me”?  I have heard so many people who proclaim that they “have God” and they don’t need Jesus.  Yet, Jesus is clearly telling us… Only through Him may we have a personal relationship with God, our Father.

God sent Jesus to take our sin, all our sin ~ past, present and future when He died on the cross.  “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God”  1 Peter 3:18.  How many people would go through what Jesus went through for you?  The pain, the humiliation.

Romans 4:25 says: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

Believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ!

“To all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  Acts 16:31

Eternal life is a free gift!  “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Once you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior your life will be filled with fullness and meaning beyond what you will ever comprehend!  Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

You can spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven, for He promised: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am,” John 14:3.

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and receive forgiveness from God, here is a prayer you can pray.  Saying this prayer will not save you.  Only by trusting Jesus can give you forgiveness of your sins can.  Praying this prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him.  Thanking Him for providing for your forgiveness through His Son, Jesus.

“God, I know I am a sinner.  I have sinned against you and I deserve punishment.  Thank you for sending Jesus to take the punishment that I so rightly deserve so that through faith in Him I can be forgiven.  I place my trust in You for salvation.  Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness!  Amen!”

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.” John 17:20-22

Time is Almost Up

My heart and soul say something big is about to happen, do you feel it too?

Today as I was checking the news, God directed me to this article by Donna Wasson.

 It summed up all I was feeling and wanted to share it with you.

TIME IS ALMOST UP 

“I honestly wonder how many more of these articles I’ll have a chance to write before life as we know it changes forever. Christians everywhere are sensing that the time of God’s judgment on this earth is upon us. Even unbelievers instinctively ‘know’ in their gut something BIG is about to happen.

The Lord is going to shake this earth with Holy fury. The wickedness of mankind is a stench in His nostrils and He’s had enough. Mankind has ignored the warnings of impending judgment that He has broadcast the last several years. They include an undeniable increase in the number and severity of earthquakes, animal deaths, record setting storms, devastating tsunamis, destructive tornadoes, bizarre sinkholes, not to mention volcanoes all over the world that have lain dormant for centuries, are erupting. And to top it off, don’t forget the sharp degradation of morality in every society.

Only those of us who are diligently watching for His coming recognize the significance of all this. Most of the world including the majority of professing Christians, is oblivious to the signs of His return. Scientists have tried to account for these things and people are more than happy to accept their lame explanations, so as to not disrupt their lives.

No one wants to face the apocalypse. Those whose hearts don’t belong to Jesus have no desire to face the fact that they will one day stand before Him and give an account of their earthly lives. Besides, they think the Bible is just some old book filled with fables and myths, concocted by men who wanted to exert power and control over others.

There are many in mainstream churches today who don’t believe the Word of God was inspired by the Holy Spirit, or that every word can be counted on to be true! Why these Christians-in-name-only bother getting up on Sunday mornings to drag their family to church, is beyond me. I’d rather stay in bed. They don’t believe what the pastor is saying anyway, unless he’s reassuring them of what wonderful people they are.

I guess they figure if they put in some time attending services, God will be happy with them because they’re trying to be a good person. They don’t realize God isn’t the least bit impressed with what they’re doing. Our Creator looks on our hearts to determine who our god is.

It makes me very, very sad that there are billions of lost souls walking this earth, wandering around in darkness, thinking only of the cares of this temporary existence. Some are deceived by false gods who demand good works, offerings of food or even the blood of their enemies to earn his favor.

Others don’t believe there is a god at all. They view themselves as a mere biological species that lives only to provide food and shelter for their offspring. They figure when they eventually die, their body will return to the earth, and their consciousness will cease to exist. *Poof*—they’re gone.

Well, they’re wrong. There IS a God. Only one, in the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose only begotten Son, Jesus, was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, was crucified on a Roman cross for OUR sins, resurrected back to life on the third day and returned to the Father.

Angels stood with His disciples when He ascended back to heaven, telling them in Acts 1:11 “…Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Since that time, mankind and civilization has toddled along, exploding in population and technology. Human beings are spirits who possess a soul, and live in a physical body. We are not physical bodies who are capable of having a spiritual experience. We are spirits who are having a physical experience.

What most people don’t understand is that we will ALL live forever. Although these bodies will wear out with time and die, the essence of who we are lives on. God designed us in His image, as a spirit with a soul, which is our mind, will and emotions. Because God is eternal, we are eternal as well.

Since God gave us free will, our final destination is the most important question all of us must decide. We have the choice between door number one and door number two; Heaven, with the One who created us, or Hell, forever separated from His presence.

Believe it or not, there are actually people who are stupid enough to believe Hell will be a fun place featuring nonstop partying with their friends. Duh! Uh no, it will be an existence of utter darkness, unrelenting heat, loneliness, terror, hunger, thirst and endless agonizing pain, with absolutely NO hope of leaving or having even one moment’s comfort or rest. No kind words. No break. No one with whom to commiserate. No 72 virgins. No love or light at all. Forever. Yeah. Sounds like a real gas.

On the other hand, God’s kingdom, Heaven, will be a place of unspeakable beauty, sumptuous luxury, endless joy, laughter, fine foods, music, activities, exploration, satisfying, exciting work and the company of family and friends who accepted the pardon Jesus purchased for them on the cross. Forever.

All this, and much more; so much more that the Bible tells us in Isaiah 64:4 “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.”

Your ticket to Heaven has already been paid for. Jesus bought it with His blood and waits every moment of every day for you to simply accept it from His hand. It’s so easy. All you’re required to do is admit that you are a sinner, incapable of earning your way into God’s good graces. Tell God that you believe Jesus is His Son, that His blood is what’s required to cover your sins and that you understand that Jesus died for you, and rose from the dead to bring you eternal life. Repent, turn away from your sinful lifestyle, and ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your personal Lord and Savior.

It’s just that simple. Once you do this, you can face any circumstance in life because the Holy Spirit will live inside of you, and will never leave or forsake you. You can even face death without fear, because you know where you’ll be the moment you die; in the presence of God.

I highly advise you to do this soon, as you’re running out of time. God doesn’t guarantee that any of us will live to see tomorrow. When you die, that’s it. Game over. No second chances. No reboot. You will spend eternity with the master you serve, either Jesus or satan.

The Bible makes it very clear that we are living in the last days of human civilization as we’ve always known it. Very soon, the Lord will call those of us who belong to Him, up to Heaven. This will leave the unsaved here to face the Tribulation; the worst time mankind has ever experienced.  

This will be when God pours out His wrath on the wickedness of man. It will be so horrible that the Bible says men and women will seek to die, but God will suspend their ability to kill themselves. They’ll be forced to live through the torment and judgments unleashed on this earth. Jesus said that unless He cut those days short, no human being would survive.

That time is about to start, people. The signs are screaming louder every day and unless you belong to Christ, you will be left behind to suffer beyond your wildest nightmares. It will happen sooner than most people expect, so I beg you…please, PLEASE accept the Lord right this minute, before it’s too late. I wouldn’t wish what is coming on my worst enemy.

I am not kidding. This is not a joke. God is about to shake this earth! His warning alarms are sounding and His patience is gone. Please don’t put off surrendering your heart to the Lord. You’re running out of time!”

It’s hard to explain these feelings I have deep within my heart.

The word sadden doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about those who don’t believe Jesus is the Lord and Savior of all.  Though I continue to witness, all my Lord has done for me and will continue to do for me. Though I continue to proclaim the Bible as they only true word… my heart grieves for those who turn their hearts away.  My heart grieves for what is to come for them.  My heart grieves for those who don’t believe Jesus is Lord and Savior. My heart grieves for those who have been given the truth and turned away. Yet, in the midst of this sadness is excitement.

Excitement that I will soon bow down to my Lord, my Savior, Jesus!

Keep speaking truth.

Keep speaking life.

Keep speaking love.

Keep speaking JESUS!

Practical Steps – Are You Ready?

As I’ve studied through the Fruits of the Spirit, I’ve come to learn more about myself and God’s beautiful plan for me.  The study has brought me out of my comfort zone which is so often the case when we obey God.

Becoming a Christian requires much from us.  To say we believe is not enough.  We must obey.  We must remove the old habits and develop new ones.  This, as we know, is more easier said than done.  The Fruits have taught me how to continue to grow in this journey.  I hope that they have you as well, by opening your eyes to all that God wants you to be.

Yet, I, like most of us, have difficulty changing habits I have.  The longer I’ve had the habit the more ingrained it is in me and the harder it is to change, to remove from my life. Yet, I want and need to walk this journey with God.  I know His ways are higher, better than my own could ever be.

Is being a Christian easy?  Some say it should be!  But nothing good is ever easy.  Do you want your old life back?  You can’t… once you take the leap of faith and proclaim Jesus as your Lord and Savior all bets are off!  You now know the truth, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 ESV

We are “to put off our old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV

Are you ready?  

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

Dig deep here, are ready to give up everything that you hold dear, the old way of doing things?

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 ESV

Are you ready to rid yourself of the things that hold you back from Him?  

The bad language, controlled temper, gambling, drugs, smoking, gossiping, ect. ~ things that can hold you back from Him?

 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:1-2 ESV

Are you ready to build solid foundations in Christ?  

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV

Are you ready?  

Knowing what changes to make, isn’t enough we need to know how to make them changes that last.  “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

If you are, I hope that you will walk this journey with me, step-by-step growing each day….