Dealing With The Elephant In The Room. Part 2

One misconception is that God sends people to hell. On the contrary, people choose to go there by rejecting the free gift of salvation made available through Jesus Christ. Since it is a choice and there is no second chance, it is extremely important to determine your destiny now. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, or even the next hour. It would be tragic to put off securing your future until it is too late. It is simple to decide your eternal destiny. You might say Doug, why does hell exist? The answer to that is simple. Hell exists because evil and sin exist. In Genesis 6:5-6 we can understand what the primary focus of humanity was and how it totally went against God’s perfect design for man. Because God is holy and just Psalm 15:1-2 tells us the kind of person who can dwell with God. What are some of that individual’s characteristics? Contrast the description of humanity in Genesis 6:5-6 with the requirements to dwell with God in Psalm 15:1-2 and it will make sense to you. To further understand how God will judge the world read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Despite our best intentions, we all fall prey to our sinful nature, putting us squarely in the position of being imperfect. Heaven is a perfect place, because God is perfect. To bridge the gap between imperfect humanity and perfect God, there is Jesus. God also promised that all people would be judged in fairness and righteousness, therefore there will be a place for the just and the unjust, which is heaven and hell. How can you and I show our appreciation to God for the knowledge that no matter what happens in this life, He will balance the scales in eternity? Have a great day!!!

Dealing With The Elephant In The Room

1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

What happens after we die? At some point everyone wonders what happens after our life on Earth is finished. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 that nothing we see will last forever. The only things that will last forever are things that are not seen.  Listed below are five realities of life with related Bible verses.  It is important to understand these truths to know what happens after we die. Take some time to reflect on these today and for the next few days I will be studying through these simple truths. Share these with someone you know.

          THE REALITIES OF LIFE

1. God made you to love you & wants your love back. (Jeremiah 31:3)
2. You were made to last forever. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
3. God has prepared two eternal places. (John 14:2-3, Matthew 25:34, Matthew 25:41)
4. You choose where you’ll spend eternity. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Deuteronomy 30:15-19)
5. There is no second chance after you die. (Matthew 25:46)

These 5 realities are the reason me and my family have surrendered to “Know Christ and make Him Known.” Don’t forget to stay focused on the main reason God has saved you. We are not redeemed to just clock in and clock out of work but to view work as a mission field. Have an awesome day.

I Can’t I Can’t

Luke 1:37 ^“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” I am so glad that the words “I can’t” are not in God’s vocabulary. Is there something that is overwhelming you? Are you faced with a huge job task? Is there some habit or struggle that you just cannot seem to shake? You cannot do this on your own strength. Ask God today to be your strength and then stand back and watch God work. Have a great day!!!

God is Approachable

Colossians 3:16 ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The Bible is very clear that there is only one way whereby a person may be saved from their sin and the wrath to come. Romans 5:8-9 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Acts 4:12 12 “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby ye must be saved.” After we are saved, we have the joy of approaching God in worship. Today we can worship by:

1.         Presenting ourselves – Romans 12

2.         Prayer

3.         Praise

4.         Offering 

All of these are what Peter calls spiritual offerings. The beginning place of all worship is the Word of God—the Bible. Are you willing to approach your heavenly father today?

 

Three Key Ingredients for Walking With God

As I conclude this week’s series of bible studies I have discovered three key ingredients I need every day to receive the joy, peace, affirmation, guidance and strength that God has for me. The three key ingredients are: 1. A Heart That Seeks. Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” 2. A Will That Yields. Psalm 15:1-2 “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” 3. A Mind That Rests. Psalm 127:2  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth his beloved sleep. I have to work on all three of these and I pray you will join me. Enjoy your Saturday guys. God bless.

 

The 5th benefit of spending time with God.

Joy, Peace, Affirmation and Guidance are some of the benefits of spending time with God that I have been studying this week in my quiet time. I would like to draw your attention to a 5^th benefit which is Strength. I believe this benefit cannot come on a better day right? T.G.I.F.  Exodus 15:2  The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Psalm 18:1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. By Friday I always find myself exhausted and ready for some R&R. So today I will not try to operate on my strength but on the strength of the Lord. May God strengthen each of us as together we seek to love and serve Him. Have an awesome Friday Guys.

The 4th benefit of spending time with God

 Once you have experienced the Joy of Lord and enjoyed the Peace & Affirmation He gives you as His child then you receive this fourth benefit which is Guidance. God will not force His will on you. You must decide to receive His guidance in humility.

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

I have 3 children and many times I have had to make them look directly into my eyes to make sure they are paying attention when I am giving them specific instructions. The last part of this verse I just shared says “I will guide thee with mine eye.” I get so busy sometimes that I forget that I need to give my full attention to listening to God. I need to look into His eyes and focus my full attention on what He is telling me. Let’s not be ADHD Christians today. Stop and let God guide you. Even though you may not like the road He is leading you down He is sovereign. He knows what is best. Have a great day!

The 3rd benefit of spending time with God

Sometimes in life it’s good to hear the words “I’ve got your back”. The 3^rd benefit of spending time in God’s presence is you are AFFIRMED by God.

 I read in Isaiah 41:9 “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.”

The Bible also says in Ephesians 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”.  

Maybe as a spouse, parent, employee, or even church lay-worker it never seems your hard work is appreciated or that those around you have your best interest in mind. I have GREAT NEWS!! God is crazy about you and loves you more than anyone ever could. So as I start my day I am so grateful to God that as His child he affirms me with his love. That’s all I need.

Today don’t seek the approval of people; just know that God is proud of you as His child and He is the one that defends you and me.  Have a great day.

The 5 Benefits Of Spending Time With God

When I spend time with God among the many benefits I receive are 5 specific ones that I am focusing on this week. Yesterday I looked at JOY and today I am looking at PEACE.  Lasting peace can only come through knowing Christ and spending time daily in His presence. If I do not meet regularly with God I find myself being very fearful of life and its hardships.  Jesus Christ said in John 14:27 “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” In Isaiah 43:1 God reminds that He has specifically chosen us when He says   “O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Then goes on to say in verse 5 “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west.”  By nature I am a fearful person. Today I am asking God to teach me to trust in Him and not fear what man can do to me. How about you?  Right now ask God to calm your fears and enjoy the peace that only He can offer you even in the midst of the storm. Have a great day guys!

The Prescence Of God Produces 5 Things in My Life

 

In My Quiet Time Today
Setting the Stage For The Exodus 33:14-18

I am looking at five things the presence of God produces in my life today is JOY.

Two important questions to ask myself are: 

1. Am i expiriencing the joy of the Lord as I should? 2. What things am I counting on to bring me joy instead of God?

Psalm 16:11
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore....

John 15:11
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.