Thought for Wednesday, June 20th

June 20, 2012

Hot, Hot, Hot

The first day of summer is here and now we will all brace ourselves for the months ahead and those hot and humid days that, especially for those of us who live in the deep south, can be sweltering and occasionally oppressive.

Yet even the worst day of extreme high temperatures and total humidity can not compare to the oppressive and torturous environment that those who die without Christ will experience in the fires of Hell.

There may be those who don’t take the reality of Hell very seriously but for the Rich man who cried out for Father Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip finger in water to moisten and cool his tongue just so that he could feel a touch of relief:  it is more than real.

That is why it is essential and critical for those of us who have the guarantee of a home in Heaven to share the gospel, to tell the world and to make sure that everyone within an earshot of us has the chance to hear that Jesus saves and His salvation spares them from an eternity of perpetual torment and anguish.

“That’s the greatest torture souls feel in hell: In hell, that they must live and cannot die.”

John Webster

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:42-48

It is not God’s will that anyone should perish and face the eternal fires of Hell, but sadly many choose that path by denying God and rejecting His gift of Salvation. 

As Christians we need to share our hope, our life and all that we are so that most if not all whom we encounter will be compelled to give their lives to God and allow His son to wash away their sins; and they need to welcome in and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit and open their lives to the possibilities that are within them for God’s glory.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you’re the giver of life and life more abundantly.  And the life that you give is eternal and glorious for it will be with you in your presence: yet the fate for those who do not know you is far more dire and I know you need us to go and tell the world that Jesus saves.  Make me bolder, and more determined to share your love and message of salvation with a lost and dying world.

“My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You, it’s in You

I’ll praise You with all of my life
I’ll praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All my hope is in You “

-  Lyrics from ‘My Life Is In You Lord’ by Daniel Gardner