Have We Been Spanked?

Have We Been Spanked?

      The bible tells us how the prophets of Israel warned God's people, the nation of Israel, that because of their turning away from him to their worship of idols, and committing all kinds of whoredoms, adultery, fornication, even offering their children to be burned as sacrifices in the fires of false gods, and turning their backs on him who had loved them and delivered them out of bondage from Egypt, that unless they turned back to him in repentance and obedience, he would have to bring judgment and destruction upon them which history has shown did actually happen. Just as one example was the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

      I wonder if perhaps, through some of our natural disasters, which has brought so much misery to so many people, and has left so many dead and homeless, that God may be warning us as individuals and as a nation that unless we turn back to him in repentance and ask forgiveness for our sins and idolatry; unless we turn from our killing of our children through abortions; unless we stop our whoredoms and fornications; and stop worshipping the idols of sex, money, and power, and return to a revival of the Christian principles upon which this nation was founded; and instead of glorifying 'mother nature' which is a non-entity, and recognize that it is God the Father who is sovereign over the elements and the entire universe, that there may be worse things to come.

      We may have just received a mild spanking from a loving Father to warn us of worse things to come in the way of judgment. May we as individuals, and as a nation not wander so far away from God that he has to rebuke us or draw us back to himself through his anger, wrath, and hot displeasure.

“O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath:neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.” Psalm 38: 1

Hell Is No Joke

Hell Is No Joke!

      Has anyone ever told you to “go to Hell”? Have you ever told anyone to “go to Hell”? Have you heard any “jokes” about Hell? Have you told any “jokes” about Hell? My friend, allow me to tell you and warn you, by the authority of the Word of God, the holy bible, that Hell is no joke and is not to be trifled with and taken lightly.

      Hell is a real place, even as earth is a real place, and Heaven is a real place. Hell is a place of continual fire, kindled by the anger of God: “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest Hell and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” Deuteronomy 32: 22.

      Hell is a place prepared by God for the devil and all the rebellious angels who followed him, and the eternal abode of all who willfully reject the love of God. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41. No one will automatically go to Heaven; but everyone WILL automatically go to Hell unless they are SAVED. There is no middle ground where we receive a second chance. Someone has rightly said: “Going to Hell requires no decision, and no reservation is necessary.”

Unless we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: that he is God manifested in the flesh, Emanuel, God with us, and that he came to offer himself a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins, and unless we confess that we are all sinners and need a Savior and recognize Jesus Christ as our redeemer and rescuer, and call upon him to have mercy upon us and save us, our destiny will be to spend eternity in that horrible, eternal place called Hell. Being in Hell forever is the natural state of mankind without God, just as cold is the natural state without heat, and darkness the natural state without light.

To be condemned by God and separated from him forever means Hell, indeed! The bible says: “He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God, and this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3: 18, 19

      My friend, if you would rather “hide out” as it were, in the darkness of sin, and rebellion rather than to enter into God's light of love; if you are a lover of this world rather than a lover of God, then on the authority of God's word, Hell is your inheritance forever. When our blessed Lord Jesus Christ walked on the earth, he taught and warned of the dangers of Hell fire more than the glories of Heaven.

      Hell is a place of continual, everlasting sorrow, grief, anguish, pain and suffering; it is a place of perpetual darkness where there is “weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth”, and as the scripture says: “the worm dieth not” - that is – the fire is never extinguished, the thirst is never quenched, the pain is never eased, the loneliness and despair of being forever separated from a loving God and godly loved ones is never abated. - See Matthew 8: 12 and Mark 9: 43-48. “The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” “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. 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.” The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed the fact that Hell is a real place of fire and eternal punishment, and gave us warning that it is to be avoided at all cost.

      There is a great gulf fixed between Heaven and Hell, between the good and the evil. That gulf cannot be crossed. No one is able to go from one to the other. God is kind, and merciful and long suffering, but he has warned us that “his spirit shall not always strive with man.” Gen 6: 3. One day God will close the doors of Heaven and all who have refused to hear his call will be shut out, and then all there is left is Hell forever. Today, the door of Heaven is wide open, God is calling. If you hear his voice, answer his call and be saved: “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6: 2. Tomorrow may be too late. The door might be shut.

In Luke's gospel chapter 16, verses 19-31, Jesus told of one who was rich in this world's goods and thought he had no need for God; but when he died he went to Hell: “And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torments, and seeing Abraham afar off and Lazarus ( a poor beggar, who in his lifetime knew and trusted God), in his bosom, he cried and said, father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame” Now it was too late for him to repent. The door had been closed. He was there in Hell forever, forever to be tormented.

      Don't fool yourself, my friend. Don't play Russian roulette with your eternal destiny. Any moment could be your last on earth, and then where will you find yourself in Heaven or in Hell? “It is appointed unto man once to die (young or old, rich or poor), and after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. Where will you stand at the judgment? If you were to die today do you have the assurance of Heaven or is the mouth of Hell gaping wide open , waiting to receive you into everlasting habitations and torment? Death is not the end of your existence, my friend, but commencement, as it were, when you are either promoted to Heaven, or consigned to Hell forever. When God created you and me, he gave us a life that would go on forever. You and I will spend eternity some place, either in Heaven or in Hell. The bible says. “ It is appointed unto men once to die” (that is – our spirit is to be separated from our physical body), “ and after that the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. How will you be judged when you find yourself before the judgment throne of God? Jesus said: “At the end of the world, the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13: 49-50. , How will you b e judged when Hebrews 9: 27. How will you be judged whedn you find yourself before the judgment throne of God? Jesus said: “At the end of the world, the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Mathew 13: 49-50. How will you be judged, as among the wicked or among the righteous? In the book of Revelation John tells us: “And I saw the dead, small and great stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, every man according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works, and death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the secomd death, and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20: 12-15. “The fearful and unbelieving and the abominable, and murderers and whore mongers, and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death.,” Revelation 21: 8.

      My friend, is your name written in the lamb's book of life? Have your sins been forgiven? Have you believed since you heard the Word of God? Have you asked God to show you his loving kindness and tender mercies and apply the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to your account so that you might be declared righteous in his sight? As you read these words and hear his voice, the opportunity is still available to you, but consider the awesome alternative that lies before you if you refuse.

My friend, don't expect to party with your drinking “buddies” in Hell. Hell fire always burns, but never consumes. A split second after you leave this physical body, if you find yourself in Hell, it will be a terrible unnecessary situation because God in his love and mercy has provided a way of escape from the horrors of Hell to enjoy the pardon of God forever. “I amAlpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. “Revelation 21: 6-7.

      The good news is that God himself so loved you and me that he took upon himself human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and came to earth to rescue from Hell, and to save all who will believe and trust in him. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved and thy house.” Acts 16: 31. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Romans 3: 10. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. “The wages of sin is death (separation from God in Hell forever), but the gift of God is everlasting life (with God forever in Heaven) Through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6: 23. “What must I do to be saved?”, the Philippian jailer asked. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” Acts 16: 31 was the answer.

      My friend, while there is still time for you to avoid the horrors of Hell forever, won't you heed the warning? Hell is no joke: it is a horrible certainty for you unless you believe God, ask for his mercy , and trust in his promises. If you have read thus far in this message, if you have in your possession a copy of the Word of God, the Holy Bible, and if you have ever heard the preching of the Word of God, perhaps the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart, even perhaps causing you to be quite uncomfortable and miserable, convicting you of the truth of what you have heard and read, and if that is so, then this is good evidence that God is drawing you to himself to be saved. The bible says that no one can come to Christ except the Father draws him. No one can earn salvation by any amount of good works or good intentions or good deeds, for salvation is a gift from God. “For by grace are ye saved, through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2: 8 ,9.

      My friend, God sends no one to Hell willingly. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. If you go to Hell it will be because you have trampled on the love of God and the prayers of Christian loved ones and friends, the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and the working of the Holy Spirit. Don't be a fool. “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Psalm 53: 1.

      Believe the gospel that - “Christ Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15: 3, 4. “Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7: 25. He is able to save all who will come to him by faith, and admit their sins and ask for his forgiveness.

      Will you dear reader consider doing this if you have not already done so, before the door is eternally closed and it is everlastingly too late, and you learn for sure that Hell is no joke because you find yourself there? When you have received Christ into your heart, and have become a born again child of God, confess him with your mouth. The bible says that “With the heart man believeth and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10.; Tell your friends, your wife, your

husband, your children, your parents and co-workers. You ought to seek the fellowship of other believers in a bible believing fundamental church where the bible, and the bible alone is the sole authority for faith and practice. You ought also, after you are saved, follow the Lord in believer's baptism as a testimony of your new life in Christ. May the Lord lead you and bless you and save you from the horrors of Hell which otherwise you will find is no joke.

Written by Robert A. Searles – all rightrs reserved

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com

Why?

Why?

      Why do we write these things? Why do we preach these things? Why do we plead with people to take heed to the warning of the word of God? Why are we so concerned with those who do not really want to hear what we have to say and what God has to say, and may even resent us and hate us for it?

It is because we, who have by the grace of God experienced the love of God, and have been pardoned from our sins, and come to know the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and have been taught by God through the Lord Jesus Christ, have been commissioned by him to “speak the truth in love” and warn the wicked. Who are the wicked? All of us, whether we are now saved, or have not yet come to the truth, could at one time or other, fall into this category.

      What is truth? There is one absolute truth in all the universe, that is, almighty God and God's word. Who is God? “I am, that I am” The Almighty God said to Moses. There is no other God. “Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22. Emmanuel, God with us in human flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who is Christ, the Messiah.

      God has revealed himself to us in nature, by the things he has made. “the heavens declare the glory of God.” He has revealed himself in the holy scriptures, The Holy Bible, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” God has revealed himself to us through his living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is confirmed to be who he said he is and accepted by God the Father by his resurrection, which is an established fact of history, having shown himself alive by many infallible proofs, and being seen by over five hundred people at one time after his resurrection

      Wicked people are all those who will not acknowledge these absolute truths, and humble themselves before a loving heavenly father and accept his gift of love in the sacrifice of Christ for their sins. The fool says in his heart: “no God for me” Psalm 53. That kind of fool is a wicked person, and God's absolute word tells us in no uncertain terms: “The wicked shall be cast into Hell and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9: 17

      Those of us who claim to be Christians, have been commissioned by our Lord to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature and warn the wicked. If we have little or no concern for the state of the wicked and those who are lost without Christ, then our Christianity is weak indeed. We who know the truth have a responsibility to our friends and neighbors for their safety, whether it be physical or spiritual, then it is our responsibility and duty when we see our neighbor's house ablaze to call for help, and to break down every barrier to get to him and snatch him from the fire. Likewise when we see our friends and neighbors in danger of hell fire because of their willful neglect of God';s call to them, then it is our duty to do every thing we can to snatch them from the fires of eternal hell, even if they become angry at us for doing so. Besides, we must give an account to

God if we neglect to do this.

      “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small, if thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain – if thou sayest, behold, we knew it not, doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his works? Proverbs 24: 10-12.

       If we are truly the children of God who have been born again through our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God did not leave us here on earth just to brag, as it were, of our salvation, and sit in church Sunday afer Sunday, and sing hymns and pat each other on the back and tell each other how wonderful we are, this is good and has its' place and something we ought to do, but God has a larger and better job for us to do, even as he told the children of Israel in Ezekiel's day. He has commissioned us to be watchman to warn the wicked and the lost of our day so that they might be spared the judgment of God.

      “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore, hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me, when I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked ways, to save his life: the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet, if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because thou has not given him warning, he shall die in his sins, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3: 17-21

      We do not want to stand before God almighty and give an account for not sharing our testimony of personal salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We would like to see all men and women, boys and girls, turn from their wickedness and seek God. This is why we write these things, and preach these things, and plead for those who read these lines to accept Christ as their Savior. God said: “So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.” Isaiah 55: 11.

all

May Thy Kingdom Come

May Thy Kingdom Come

      There comes a time when babies must stop eating soft food and drinking only milk, and they must begin to digest solid food. Likewise, there comes a time when Christians must put aside the milk and soft food of the word of God, and start to digest and absorb the meat of the word, and to think about and watch, and prepare for the future kingdom of Christ on earth.

      We will not always have to put up with corrupt and sinful governments on earth. We have the promise of God that one day, the righteous God, the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, will rule from the throne of David with a rod of iron. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the migfhty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end, and upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment, with justice from henceforth and even forever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform this” Isaiah 9: 6-7. “And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Rev 11: 15.

      Let us have our wicks trimmed, and our lamps filled with oil and burning, as it were, and let us be listening for the sound of the trumpet, and watching for our Lord's return for his own, then seven years later for him to return with his own to establish his kingdom on earth as he has promised.

That which God has promised, he has and will still fulfill. While we wait for him, let us be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

God's Enemy And Our Adversary

God's Enemy And Our Adversary

      God's enemy and our adversary, the devil, goes about seeking whom he may devour. As he did in the garden with Adam and Eve, so will he do with us, by lying to us and causing us to doubt and disbelieve God's word. Have faith in God, believe and not doubt. God's word is sure and steadfast and unmovable.

      “The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.” Psalm, 59: 10. God promises to go before us and clear the way for us, though there be lions in our pathway. God has promised to break out their great teeth and render them harmless so that all they can do is to roar at us. fear, pain, sickness, poverty, worry death, low self esteem, all these, our enemies will God scatter and break their teeth and power over us as we put our faith and confidence in him.

      “Break their teeth, O God in their mouth, break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord, let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. Psalm 58: 6-7

      As we learn to walk and talk and fellowship with our God our father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our adversary, Satan and all his demons will flee away. “God will scatter them and bring them down, O Lord our shield” Psalm59:11

      “But I will sing of thy power, yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee oh my strength will I sing, for God is my defense and the God of my mercy,” Psalm 59: 16-17.

Hunger And Thirst After Rigfhteousness

Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness

      We as Christians ought to hunger and thirst after righteousness. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5: 6.

      Christ has imputed his righteousness to us if we are saved. He made the first step toward us by offering his righteousness to all who will receive it. Righteousness is simply being right in our actions, and thoughts, and attitudes toward God. Our Lord and Savior was and still is the only person who could measure up to this requirement.

      Righteousness has its' rewards: “Righteousness delivers from death”-Proverbs 11: 4.

By right thoughts and actions toward God, we are not only delivered from spiritual death, but often we will prolong our life on earth because we will have avoided those things that can destroy us.

      “The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way.” - Proverbs 11:5.

When our mind and our thoughts are in harmony and agreement with the mind of God, the Holy Spirit will direct our paths so that we follow a lifestyle that is good for us.

      “The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them.” Proverbs 11: 6 Being right with God assures our escape from the penalty of sin, and guarantees a sure place in heaven because - “Righteousness tendeth to life.” Proverbs 11: 19.

      "The seed of the righeous shall be delivered.” Proverbs 11: 21.

Even our childfren and grandchildren, and future generations will reap the rewards of our righteousness; but on the other hand, they will also reap the penalties of our wickedness if we are wicked.

      “The desire of the righteous is only good.” Proverbs 11: 23

When we are right with God, when our thoughts and actions toward God are right; when we seek God with all our heart; then we can trust that the desires of our hearts are from God. When we delight in the Lord, he gives us the desires of our heart.

      “The righteous shall flourish as a branch” Ptoberbs 11: 28 and - “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30. A good tree grows tall and spreads its' leaves and branches and provides shade. It provides a nesting place for birds and other creatures. It provides food and offers protection. May we each live and have our being as a tree of life in thee, oh Lord and win others to thee.

Did You Go To The Garden this Morning?

Did You Go To The Garden This Morning?

Did you go to the garden this morning where Jesus was waiting for you?

Did he greet you there, with your burdens and cares, did he bid you to give them to him?

When you met with the Lord in the garden, did he tell you that all would be well,

if you only believe, and his love receive, and that no one could take you from him?

When you walked in the garden with Jesus this morn in the cool of the day,

did he tell you of heaven, his home up above?

Did he tell you that he was the way?

If you did not go to the garden, this morn at the breaking of day;

to meet with the Lord who was waiting for you, to take all your burdens away -

then you have missed a great blessing that could have been yours

had you worshiped at his throne of grace.

He wanted to comfort and give you sweet rest,

and wipe all the tears from your face.

Had you met in the garden with Jesus,

this morn at the breaking of day,

great peace would be yours, after hearing his voice,

saying child you have nothing to fear:

For all will be well if with me you will dwell, and walk in the garden with me.

I went to the garden this morning, where Jesus was waiting for me.

We walked and we talked and we had fellowship there.

He showed me his plan for today.

One day at a time, each moment I'll find

his guidance sufficient for me.

If I will but trust in his holy word,

And be led by his spirit, you see.

Oh friend won't you come to the garden,

each morn at the breaking of day,

where the roses are fresh with the dew of the morn,

and the birds sing so sweetly of love,

to walk with him there, and so to prepare

to live in his presence above?

Oh! who then will come to the garden to pray,

where Jesus is waiting for you?

He waits for you there to show you the way,

and show you the depths of his love.

For you see, he's not willing for you to be lost

and be cast into eternal hell.

All your sin debt was paid when he died on the cross.

He carried your guilt all away.

And when he arose on that first Easter morn,

how fresh was the breaking of day !

The dew on the rose, and the song of the birds,

in the garden they met Jesus there.

Sin debts were paid, death was destroyed

when Jesus came out of the tomb.

Forever there will be, for you and for me,

a place by his sanctified throne.

So, why don't you come this morning with me

to the beautiful garden of prayer?

To tell him how thankful we are for his love,

And that we have a home over there.

With these morning thoughts still fresh in our hearts,

let us walk with him all through the day.

As he guides us along and shows us the way,

let us but trust and obey.

Then when the shadows of night come along,

and we come to the end of our day,

we can rejoice and lay down to sleep

with assurance of eternal day.

R. A. Searles – all rights reserved