"They
will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their
schemes." - Proverbs 1:31
As we intently respond to the
Word of God, we receive freedom to become children of God. God blesses the
faithful ones who act upon His Word, in addition to reading and studying it (Galatians
3:26; James 1:22-25). We do not forget
what we read or hear, but we go one step further and actually do what the Bible
instructs. In these last days prior to Christ’s return, the Word calls us to do
God’s work with urgency, while we still find people who want to hear the
Gospel.
One day very soon, the night
will come when people will no longer endure the Truth (2 Timothy
4:3). We will no longer be allowed to do
God’s work (John 9:4). There
will be a famine in the land of hearing the Word of God. Therefore, let our
hearts take delight in the ways of the Lord now, remove the idols from our life
and fully commit our heart to God all the days of our life (2
Chronicles 15:17; 2 Chronicles 17:6)
What is an idol in today’s
society? People, pets and activities in our life can become idols, if we prefer to
spend time with them instead of doing the work of the Lord and obeying His
precepts. If you worship even one idol in your life, and if you are not
allowing the Holy Spirit to produce God’s fruit in your life, then please
return to God now, walk in mercy and truth, and follow God’s Spirit as He
directs your steps (Proverbs 3:3-5; Hosea 12:6). Worship the Lord and serve Him only. Do not pursue
the gods of money, independence, success, power, relationships, addictions,
etc. (Matthew 4:10).
Hell is a place of
punishment for not believing that Jesus is God, and that He came in the flesh
in order to save sinners from this eternal damnation. God is light (1 John
1:5) and there is no darkness in Him.
Without God as its light, hell is a place of eternal darkness (Jude 13). There is no rest from the torment of hell for the
unbeliever (Revelation 14:11). Hell
is also a furnace of everlasting anguish in a pit of fire (Revelation
21:8; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:44-45). The smoke from the fires of torment ascends forever
and ever without end (Revelation 14:11). How can hell have both flames and darkness?
It is the same in Hell as it
is in a Black Hole in the universe. Black Holes are sections of space where
stars collided and attracted other stars by their gravitational pull. A Black
Hole is dark, even though it is an incredibly dense and blazing star. This
density increases the heat within the Black Hole. Hell is also a black hole
full of intense heat that will never end. We do not want our friends,
relatives, associates or neighbors to experience this eternal damnation. So,
make a point to share with them the hope in Christ that you have within your heart
(Hebrews 6:19).
There are no shortcuts to
Heaven or to spiritual maturity. It takes a lifetime for us to grow into spiritual adulthood,
and for our fruit to fully ripen. The development of Christ-like character
takes nurture and time through the sanctifying process. If we do not take up Jesus’ cross and follow after
Him, we are not worthy of Him. The person who fights to keep his life will
loose it, but the one who willing surrenders and dedicates his/her life to the
Lord, will find their life now and also in eternity. Whoever is wise
understands these things; whoever is discerning believes them. The ways of the
Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them now and always (Matthew
10:38-39).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for
Your Word. We delight in reading the Bible and learning more about You, Your
precepts and what You desire for us and from us. Thank You for paying the
penalty for our sins, for giving us an alternative to hell and for making the
way so easy for us. Rise up within our spirit and draw us ever closer to Your
heart. Help us to share the Gospel story with others so they too will escape
the fires of hell and enjoy Heaven with us for eternity.
Thought for the Day:
When it comes to getting
into Heaven, Jesus is the only way. Thank you, Sarah Patterson, for the use of your photo.
