Here is an excerpt from a great book on Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Jesus says near the end of the Bible...
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. Revelation 21:4-6 (NLT) But then Jesus adds these sobering words:
All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Revelation 21:7-8 (NLT)
For those who know Christ, their place is Heaven. For those who do not know Christ, their place is Hell. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NLT) There is no middle ground. Either you are a follower of Jesus or you are not. Christ said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Luke 11:23 (NLT)
C.S. Lewis on Heaven...
There have been times when I think we do not desire Heaven but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Hell? NO!
Does Hell Exist - How is an eternity in Hell fair?
If Hell does exist, how can it be fair? Why would a loving God punish a person for eternity, when their sins only took place for 70-80 years? The answer is that all sin is ultimately against God, who is infinite. David, when he had committed murder and adultery, said this - Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Psalms 51:4 (NKJV) So, since God is an eternal and infinite Being, all sin is worthy of an infinite punishment. Yes, God loves us, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV) and wants all people to be saved. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) However, God is also just and righteous - He will not allow sin to go unpunished.
That is why God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ's death was an infinite death, paying our infinite sin debt - so that we would not have to pay it in Hell for eternity. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) All we have to do is put our faith in Him and we are forgiven and promised an eternal home in heaven. God loved us so much to provide for our salvation. If we reject His gift of eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ, we will face the eternal consequences of that decision - an eternity in a fiery hell. If you were to die today do you know with 100% certainty that you are going to heaven? Know for sure today!
If Hell does exist, how can it be fair? Why would a loving God punish a person for eternity, when their sins only took place for 70-80 years? The answer is that all sin is ultimately against God, who is infinite. David, when he had committed murder and adultery, said this - Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Psalms 51:4 (NKJV) So, since God is an eternal and infinite Being, all sin is worthy of an infinite punishment. Yes, God loves us, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV) and wants all people to be saved. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) However, God is also just and righteous - He will not allow sin to go unpunished.
That is why God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ's death was an infinite death, paying our infinite sin debt - so that we would not have to pay it in Hell for eternity. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) All we have to do is put our faith in Him and we are forgiven and promised an eternal home in heaven. God loved us so much to provide for our salvation. If we reject His gift of eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ, we will face the eternal consequences of that decision - an eternity in a fiery hell. If you were to die today do you know with 100% certainty that you are going to heaven? Know for sure today!
Friday, March 28, 2008
One Minute After...
what happens one minute after i die?
part 2 - if i should die before i wake
Don't miss the opportunity to invite someone this weekend! This is a question everyone wants to know the answer to - what happens one minute after I die? And remember, 82% of the people surveyed said they would attend church if someone asked them to.
Have you told anyone about Jesus lately?
Remember, the easiest way to start a conversation is to ask a simple question such as, "Where do you go to church?" or "Do you have a plan to get to heaven?" Once you have shared the scriptures with them, and asked them if they would like to become a Christ follower, should you choose to give them your Bible, just bring us the name of the person you shared with in order to get another one at no charge. If you want to give the Bibles away to others that you don't share Jesus with, the cost of the Bible is $8.00.
part 2 - if i should die before i wake
Don't miss the opportunity to invite someone this weekend! This is a question everyone wants to know the answer to - what happens one minute after I die? And remember, 82% of the people surveyed said they would attend church if someone asked them to.
Have you told anyone about Jesus lately?
Remember, the easiest way to start a conversation is to ask a simple question such as, "Where do you go to church?" or "Do you have a plan to get to heaven?" Once you have shared the scriptures with them, and asked them if they would like to become a Christ follower, should you choose to give them your Bible, just bring us the name of the person you shared with in order to get another one at no charge. If you want to give the Bibles away to others that you don't share Jesus with, the cost of the Bible is $8.00.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Silent Saturday
Jesus is dead. On Friday he had been taken from the cross and buried in a borrowed tomb. All four of The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are eerily silent on this day. What were the disciples thinking? Some of them probably thought, "Boy, are we ever embarrassed - and we thought He was the one! How could we have been so blind?" Some may have reflected on how He had changed their lives over the past three years. Others I'm sure wondered, what was next?So today, let’s answer these questions:
1. Why are you a Christ-Follower? In the quite moments what do you really believe about Jesus?
2. How has following Christ changed your life?
3. What is God’s next step for you to take?
Prayer
Lord, I am humbled by your amazing love for me and how you willingly gave your life so I could have eternal life. Thank you for the forgiveness I have received. Father, I also want to thank you for the following blessings in my life:
1. ____________
2. ____________
3. ____________
4. ____________
5. ____________
Father, I thank you for everything. I pray in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ.
Monday, March 10, 2008
If You Invite Them They Will Come!
For the first time in 95 years, Easter will be celebrated on March 23, which is just two weeks away! This is the earliest Easter since 1913! (Easter is a different day each year because Passover is determined by the lunar & solar calendars).
In a recent national survey, most Americans said they’d accept an invitation to attend a church during Easter season if someone would simply invite them! They are waiting to be asked!
In another national survey, the Barna Institute identified five different groups of Americans:
The Unattached (23% of Americans) haven’t attended any church service in the past year. About one-third of this group have never attended a church in their lifetime.
The Intermittents (15% of Americans) have attended a church in the past year, but not in the past month. About two-thirds of this group have attended a church within the past six months.
The Conventionals (56% of Americans) have attended a church in the past month.
The Homebodies (3% of Americans) attend only a house church
The Blenders (3% of Americans) attend both a conventional church and a house church
How do the unattached think? The Barna National Survey discovered that they are:
- more likely to feel stressed out - less likely to believe they are making a positive difference in the world- less optimistic about the future
59% consider themselves to be Christians!
62% say they pray during a typical week.
The Survey concluded: “The best chance of getting the Unattached to a church is when someone they know and trust personally invites them, offers to accompany them, and they believe the service will address an issues or need they are struggling with at that moment."
Who will you invite to join you for Easter worship this year?
Don’t miss this opportunity to reach one more for Jesus!
In a recent national survey, most Americans said they’d accept an invitation to attend a church during Easter season if someone would simply invite them! They are waiting to be asked!
In another national survey, the Barna Institute identified five different groups of Americans:
The Unattached (23% of Americans) haven’t attended any church service in the past year. About one-third of this group have never attended a church in their lifetime.
The Intermittents (15% of Americans) have attended a church in the past year, but not in the past month. About two-thirds of this group have attended a church within the past six months.
The Conventionals (56% of Americans) have attended a church in the past month.
The Homebodies (3% of Americans) attend only a house church
The Blenders (3% of Americans) attend both a conventional church and a house church
How do the unattached think? The Barna National Survey discovered that they are:
- more likely to feel stressed out - less likely to believe they are making a positive difference in the world- less optimistic about the future
59% consider themselves to be Christians!
62% say they pray during a typical week.
The Survey concluded: “The best chance of getting the Unattached to a church is when someone they know and trust personally invites them, offers to accompany them, and they believe the service will address an issues or need they are struggling with at that moment."
Who will you invite to join you for Easter worship this year?
Don’t miss this opportunity to reach one more for Jesus!
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