Hell is the highest reward that the devil can offer you for being a servant of his. --Billy Sunday
The anguish of hell is anguish of knowing--eternally--that you could have chosen differently, but didn't. -- John White
The love of God, with arms extended on a cross, bars of the way to hell. But if that love is ignored, rejected, and finally refused, thee comes a time when love can only weep while man pushes past into the self-chosen alienation which Christ when to the cross to avert. - Michael Green
Today this headline caught my eye: Book Sparks Eternal Debate of Who's in HellMarch 23, 2011 - Fox News/ Pastor loses his job for backing new book criticizing belief that only select Christians will be in heaven for eternity.
I don't know about you but I always cringe whenever I read a story like this, because for every tiny minuscule degree of truth that the reader finds written about this book; the error that is also found here is always far more dangerous in proportion to the degree of truth by which it contains.
This pastor is a heretic looking to lay up treasure here on earth. For it seems that this man loves his version of the truth more than God's truth!
G. K. Chesterton writes that: "A heretic is not a man who loves the truth too much; no man can love truth too much. The heretic is a man who loves his truth more than truth itself. This man prefers the half-truth that he has found to the whole truth which humanity has found."
Beloved, if you are new to the faith please make sure that the thing that you are living for is worth dying for? Heaven and hell is not a trivial matter. Who gets into heaven is not a trivial matter and it's not worth losing your soul. The world is overflowing with sinners dressed up like rabbits looking to hop upon the Internet highway so that they can win your affection and steal your hard earn money.
The apostle writes in the book of John: For God so loved the world that he gave us his Son that whose so ever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. ( 3:16) And why did God send his son in the first place? Peter writes in the Book of Romans:
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." (Romans Chapter 8:3-9)
So just what does scripture teach us about hell?
Who gets into heaven and who doesn't?
What must you do to be saved?
Are there many roads to God?
For answers to these and other questions that you may have, I've pasted several well written articles by Dr. David Regan of Lamb & Lion Ministries.
Rosemary grows on friable loam soil with good drainage in an open sunny position, it will not withstand water logging and some varieties may be susceptible to frost. This herb grows best in neutral to alkaline conditions pH (pH 7–7.8) with average fertility.
Garden To Do List March We’ll soon know if March is going to come in like a lamb and go out like a lion or the reverse. Time will tell. What I do know is that even though the weather can still be wintry,
Looking for Christ in the Wrong Direction by Jim Hylton
Most of the focus on Christ is either the Christ of the past or the Christ of the future. Many, with a nostalgia that enhances Israel's tourist industry, go back to take the steps where He once walked. I too have enjoyed the tour and have led others on the tour. But we have the same need as those who went to the tomb early in the morning. They looked in the wrong place. Thinking he was where they last saw him, they went to the tomb. They looked in the wrong tense. He was the Christ of the past. Going back to the past for one more look will not let us see Him. We need to hear the angel for ourselves, " He is not here, He is risen" (Luke 24:6).
Or we look wistfully to the throne where He sits in reigning residency. We live with the anticipation that He is going to get up off the throne and began making His way back to earth. Many are checking His travel schedule constantly. Attempts are made to read the signs of His coming. Israel is usually the focus of His return. Many believe He will base His booking to return on what is happening with Israel and their neighbors.
The Last Days Are Here Again was a tongue-in-cheek title for a book written as people made all kinds of predictions based on Y2K. The "last days" have lasted much longer than anyone ever projected and are not likely to end anytime soon. It is time to get over the "last days" and to get up to speed with "these days." These days are days for His life from within to have expression. There is the hope of glory.
Neither the backward look nor the forward look will locate Him. The hope of glory is not the historic timeframe of Him walking on earth in a body like ours. It is the fact He is here now in us. He is the Christ in you giving you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Seeing Him has been called revival for decades. Revivalists have shared the stories of His appearing and claim that He wants to do it again. I have been one of them. Awakening is another term we have used to describe this newly-found clarity of vision.
Neither of those terms is wrong. There is a reviving of that which has lost vigor and vitality. Awakenings have occurred and with them new vision. Any sighting of Christ has untold benefits. Calling it revival or awakening does not alter His visitation with accompanying manifestations. But the problem is that the terms are inadequate to describe the big picture of what God wants to do. Is the Kingdom by any other name still the Kingdom? Is a rose by any other name still a rose? I think so. Yet, if I want a rose, yet ask for a daffodil, how can my order be filled?
Has "the Kingdom coming" been called revival or awakening? Why would I even bother to raise the issue? I raise it because I think we have labored with concepts and the anticipation of something that is not as great as God has in mind. Not only that, but I also believe we do not have a biblical foundation to support what we have called revival. Revival, as we know it or think of it, is designed to rescue the church at worst and salvage the sagging statistics of the church at best. I do not need to build a case for the needs of the church. From mega-churches to mini-churches, we face major issues. While mega-churches reach gigantic size, overall church attendance is on the decline. Communities and cities in the shadow of the largest churches may go untouched and unchanged.
Prayer editing is required because of our prayer handicap. We do not know what to pray for. From groanings that are unutterable or from oratorical declarations that could be printed in the anthology of beautiful prayers, the Holy Spirit must edit our praying. I think the Holy Spirit is saying to the Father, "They're asking for revival and awakening. What they really want is for the Kingdom to come." The Holy Spirit speaks up for us because we don't know how to ask or what to ask for. Even when we ask for the wrong thing, the Lord gives us what we need.
The cripple at the Beautiful Gate was asking for money in his cup. That was what he thought he needed. Peter and John didn't have what he wanted, but what he needed. He wanted alms. He needed legs. They said, "What we have we give to you" (Acts 3:6). What they had was the transferred authority of Jesus to supply legs. We ask for what we think we need, and the Lord graciously gives us what we really need.
I have come to the conclusion that receiving a Kingdom is far better than praying down revival. The glory of God is the light to see God's Kingdom. God’s glory and God’s Kingdom are interactive because both are manifestations of His presence. His presence in glory brings the light with which we see His Kingdom.
Without God coming personally to illuminate the operative Kingdom, we would miss it altogether. God has never stopped saying, "Let there be light." Without Him furnishing the light, we haven’t the clarity to see what exists. God is not creating the Kingdom. It is already created. It is a remarkable panorama to watch the Kingdom of God from eternity past enter into time as we know it, unfold in various types and shadows, and then appear again in Christ's activities. As the curtains of Revelation open and eternity future appears, we see an eternal Kingdom clearly operative. The interactive engagements of heaven and earth are interactions of both time and eternity.
His Kingdom is within us. His glory is within us. His Kingdom is resident because Christ is resident. His glory is resident because Christ is resident. Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Kingdom reality is an inside job. Consciousness of Christ's life and Kingdom enactment starts inside us. Whatever we call reality that occurs, the reality begins with the presence of Christ letting His light shine within us. That light makes us the light of the world as well.
Adapted from "The Supernatural Skyline" by Jim Hylton, copyright 2010, used by permission of Destiny Image Publishers, 167 Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 www.destinyimage.com .
Hear more about God’s Kingdom this week on LIFE TODAY and request Jim Hylton’s book when you support Rescue LIFE.
It's hard to believe it has already been a month since our precious girl was born! The baby haze kind of makes one day melt into the next, so I never really know what day it is. I was pleasantly surprised on Saturday morning when Sean didn't have to go to work {I didn't know it was Saturday- haha}.
hi jack!
love her little tongue
This little girl is already such a part of us. I love watching her sleep and listening to her breathe. I love how she studies Jack's face, and I love how he calls her "Baby Grull" and says things like, "Everytime, Baby Grull, everytime"- when she poops, right after I just changed her! He is so proud to tell people she is his sister, that she came out of mommy's tummy {and also that she has no teeth!} It is so precious and I feel blessed to have these two little wonders!
She is an incredibly precious little baby and such a wonderful addition to our little family! I'm so looking forward to watching her grow and learn and laugh and love.
My sweet friend Nichole brought these over for us the week after Claire was born {along with an entire Thanksgiving feast. no joke. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, sweet carrots- it was amazing!} Anyway- I promptly asked her for this recipe and made it a few days later. {I guess the whole I-should-be-watching-what-I'm-eating-because-I'm-no-longer-preggo- business hasn't set in yet} haha!
Ingredients: 1 package Fudge Brownie Mix (must be fudge) 1 package mini marshmallows 2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 C Peanut butter 1 Tbs butter 1 1/2 C Rice Krispies
Directions: Make brownies according to box directions (in a 9 x 13 pan but DON'T overcook ....gooey is better) Pour marshmallows on top and put them back into the oven for 3 min. In a sauce pan combine chocolate, PB, and butter- on low until smooth. Remove from heat Add Rice Krispies Spread over brownie/marshmallows.
Refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve & Enjoy {make sure you have some milk or other beverage ready to go to...these babies are rich!}
So much goodness in one dessert- it's ridiculous! Oh and...they were gone before I ever got a picture of them cut and served!
Today’s Truth “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Friend to Friend Fruit is one of my favorite foods. When I go grocery shopping, it always takes me longer to get through the fruit section than any other area of the store. I spend what some might consider a ridiculously long time picking out what I hope will be the juiciest apples, the plumpest grapes and sweetest bananas. Experience has taught me to quickly discard any piece of fruit that is bruised, mushy or discolored. I shake cantaloupe and thump watermelons. Ripe strawberries have a unique sweet scent and only the reddest cherries will do. Plums and tomatoes must be firm to the touch, bright in color and wrinkle-free while the more wrinkles the better when it comes to choosing passion fruit.
On a recent trip to the grocery store, I was carefully making my fruit selections when the thought occurred to me that I spend more time choosing fruit than I spend choosing my words.
Words are power tools that can build and encourage. Words can also destroy and cause confusion. We have all been hurt and even defeated by words spoken in anger or words rising out of a wounded and bitter heart. I have been guilty of speaking damaging words with the ulterior motive of flaunting power or demonstrating control. It is so easy for my mouth to be in motion before my mind is in gear and the result is rarely good or godly.
The words we speak can clarify or complicate a situation. I have watched my husband diffuse an emotional bomb and avoid a potentially explosive situation with a few carefully chosen and quietly spoken words of wisdom. I have also observed him in the art of confrontation – and with Dan, it really is an art. In fact, one person told me that he was halfway home before he realized that Dan had just confronted and corrected him.
Solomon offers great wisdom concerning the use of words, “Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3 GWT). If we do not learn to use and control our tongue, it will use and control us. While it is true that we need to choose our words carefully, it is just as true that the tongue is a spiritual thermometer that reflects the condition of the heart.
I am not a good patient and tend to think that most medical rules apply to everyone else in my life – but not to me. After all, I am a woman and I am a Southerland. According to my husband, it doesn’t get much tougher than that. Several years ago, I was slammed with a high fever and blinding headache that sent me to bed for days, something highly unusual for me. I called my doctor. When he heard my symptoms, he told me to come in immediately and even though his waiting room was full, he would make room for me in his already crowded schedule. His urgency was not encouraging.
The minute I walked in his office, the receptionist waved me back to the patient area where a nurse promptly escorted me to an examination room, hurriedly recorded my symptoms, took my temperature, glanced briefly at my throat and quickly left the room. Minutes later, the doctor and a nurse walked in and stood on the opposite side of the room, almost smiling at me. At this point, I realized that whatever I had was evidently highly contagious and probably fatal. I felt so awful that the latter was definitely appealing.
“Mary, I am almost certain you have viral meningitis,” the doctor said. Seeing the blank look on my face, he explained, “Your abnormally high fever of 104 and severe headache are classic symptoms of meningitis, but we need to run some tests to verify my suspicions. Oh, and by the way, how long have you had the solid white coating on your tongue?” I was stunned! What coating? Why is the color of my tongue even important in determining my illness? The doctor continued, “The health of the tongue is a very strong indicator of the health of the entire body."
The same is true when it comes to the words we speak. “The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart. Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35, NCV). If my words are boastful, my heart is insecure. If my words are filthy, my heart is impure and if my words are critical, my heart is filled with pride and anger. In other words, the problem is not really my mouth, it’s my heart. The words I speak reflect the true condition of my heart.
Careless words can cause such grief. Unless strained through discipline and holiness, words can convey false perspectives and untruths. However, the right word, spoken at the right time and in the right way can bring order in the midst of confusion and light on a very dark path. I believe God gives us spiritual “radar” so we can assess a situation and speak the right word for that circumstance. We just need to check the “radar screen” before we speak.
Let’s Pray Father, I can be so careless with the words I speak. Forgive me. Please help me learn how to control my tongue. Create in me a clean heart, God, so that I can speak words filled with grace and love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn Read Colossians 4:6. “Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.”
How would you describe words that are “gracious?”
How can our words be “effective” in the lives of others?
What do you think Paul means when he says that we can have the “right answer for everyone?”
More from the Girlfriends The subject of taming the tongue is a hard one. Since communication is a gift from God, He has a plan for the right way to use it. My problem is that I tend to think my plan is better. I know. I can be arrogant … and stubborn. Someone recently sent me this prayer: “Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth.” Amen!
Stressed out? Mary’s book, Escaping the Stress Trap is based on Psalm 23 and will help you learn how to control the stress in your life instead of allowing stress to control you. Check it out!
Not Ashamed Bayless Conley
I have a question to ask you today. Has there ever been a time when you were afraid to confess the name of Jesus? In John 9:20-23, we have the example of the parents whose son had been born blind but was healed by Jesus.
Look at their response when asked who healed their son,
His parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself." His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
How many Christians have held their tongue when they should have been giving praise to the name of Jesus? Praise for answered prayer, for the miracles He has done, but they were intimidated by unbelievers?
I was coming back from Africa when a Muslim man on the plane put a blanket on the floor, got down on his face and began to pray. This man was not ashamed at all about kneeling down on the plane in front of everyone.
I thought, "Oh, Jesus! How many times have Your people kept silent because they were afraid of what someone might think of them?"
Throw off the shackles of fear and timidity, and boldly take your stand for Christ!
Proverbs 28:1 says, The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
From: I Yun Hse Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:02 AM Subject: A letter from Sendai
Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend's home. We share supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep lined up in one room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly, and beautiful.
During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and buckets.
It's utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be in the old days when everyone helped one another."
Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often.
We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the entire group.
There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun. People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their dogs. All happening at the same time.
Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The mountains are Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see them silhouetted against the sky magnificently.
And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no.
They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is better off than others. Last night my friend's husband came in from the country, bringing food and water. Blessed again.
Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.
Thank you again for your care and Love of me,
With Love in return, to you all.
Prophecy in the News: SUPER MOON
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5
Upon This Rock I Shall Build My Church
I don't know about you but I'm always looking for God in the small stuff. For example you may or may not recall but on September 4, 2010 - A 7.1 magnitude shake struck Christchurch, causing an estimated NZ$4 billion in damage, making it the most destructive quake since 1931. There were no deaths and only two serious injuries.
Then on February 22, 2011 - A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, killing at least 65 people and caused widespread damage because it was shallow and close to the city centre.
And then sadly on 3/11/11 the capital city of the Moyagi Prefecture, Sendai, Japan suffered a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.
Yesterday after reading this letter from Sendai; I began thinking about what the Japanese name Sendai name means in English? According to Wikipedia: Sendai in Japanese means "a thousand generations."
In the Old Testament it is written:
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuternomy 7:9
"He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations. "Psalm 105:8
The city of Sendai also has the nickname"City of Trees" because they have about 60 zelkova trees planted on Jōzenji Street and Aoba Street.
Well, I don't know about you but I've never even heard of zelkova trees. But according to Wikipedia.com in the summer months the Sendai Tanabata Festival is held. In winter the Zelkova trees are decorated with thousands of lights for thePageant of Starlight lasting through most of December.
For anyone enjoys the study of botany and possibly bible prophecy the nameZelkova actually derives it name from the native name of Z. carpinifolia in one of the Kartvelian languages, as shown by the Georgian name meaning "rock." Zelkova trees are often used for making rock-hard and durable bars for building and furniture.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the word tells us that our Lord and Savior Jesus designates Peter as “the Rock” upon which he will build his Church:
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”-Matthew Chapter 7:24-25
But "what exactly does the word “rock” mean in a Jewish/Scriptural context? After careful Scriptural study, Protestants might want to think twice before ignoring the preeminent authority that Scripture confers upon Peter. For in Scripture, “the Rock” is identified with shelter/refuge, strength, security, the foundation of an altar to God, the place of sacrifice to God, a stumbling block to the stubborn and disobedient, life-giving water (foreshadowing baptism?), the source of life and existence, salvation, the divine, Yahweh Himself, and Christ Himself." *1.
In the New Testment it is written:
“He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”-Luke 6:48
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”- 1 Cor 10:4
“And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”-1 Pet 2:8
My brothers and sisters when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. (James 1:2-4)
Let us always remember that God allows tough situations in our lives in order to refine us and bring us closer to him. We should carefully approach these times (the end of the Church age) with a right attitude while continuallly seeking after wisdom from a holy God.
