We are fireplace people. We didn’t know we were fireplace people until we moved into our current home a little over a year ago. It didn’t take us long to fall in love with the roar of the fire and the warmth it provided.
When lighting, since it is a gas fireplace, the gas must first be turned on (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). Once the gas is on, we carefully add the flame to start. Being cautions and alert while lighting is a must. Once lit, we sit back and enjoy.
A couple of mornings ago, when we woke, our house was cooler than usual. The nightly temperature had dropped lower than expected, therefore the temperature in our home dropped lower than expected. With lighter and gas key in hand, my husband set out to start a fire.
After turning the key slightly, he lit the lighter, easing the flame toward the “logs”. Immediately a burst of fire broke forth out of the fireplace, catching him completely off guard. He jumped back, shocked. I bolted to his side to see if he was OK. When I arrived, I smelled an unpleasant smell. I mean a really unpleasant smell. We began looking around to see what had been singed by the burst of flame. To our surprise, it was the hair Dan’s right arm and hand.
As I looked at his hand and arm, I couldn’t believe it. The hair had simply re-coiled after coming in contact with the flame. It looked like we had taken a sharpie and dotted his hand and arm as if preparing to play a Dot-To-Dot game. It was one of the oddest things I had ever seen. Thankfully, his skin wasn’t burned at all. How strange…
Upon leaving the room to get ready for his day, the odor lingered ~ the unpleasant, raunchy order remained. As a nurse, I have a strong stomach. Few things cause me to wince. This odor did.
Between the experience, the singeing and the order, I couldn’t help but think…
I couldn’t help but think of the inevitable destiny of those who die without Christ.
Fire, flames…
Burning without being consumed…
Pain, indescribable pain…
Torment…
Forever…
It is a pleasant thought ~ period. It is, however, a realistic thought.
Remember the account of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 19? Let’s refresh our memories…
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ ~ verses 19-28 (NLT)
Yes, Heaven is for real, but so is hell. It’s a literal place. One originally established for Satan, himself, after he got too big for his britches in heaven. It was NEVER meant for us. Unfortunately, the disobedient act of Adam and Eve, caused hell to come into play. Thankfully, due to God’s amazing grace and unfathomable mercy, a plan was made. A plan which included a sinless Savior entering a sin-filled world to redeem it, bring it back into a relationship with God the Father.
Isaiah spoke of His arrival…
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
For unto us ~ you and me ~ a child was born…
For unto us ~ you and me ~ a son was given…
For unto us ~ you and me ~ salvation was offered…
For unto us ~ those who receive and accept him ~ heaven is our home and hell is a non-option…
For unto us…
Question ~ Are you included in the “us”? Have you met the Savior? Have you welcomed him into your heart, your life?
If yes, I rejoice along with you and look forward to meeting you when we meet him, if not before.
If your answer is “no”, please allow me to share a simply plan, a road, if you please, which will lead you to him…
First of all, there must be an admission of guilt. We’ve all sinned, missed the mark of God’s standard as recorded in Romans 3:10 and 3:23 (NIV)…
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;” (3:10)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (3:23)
Secondly, we must believe what Jesus did for us as written in Romans 10: 9,10 (NLT)…
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”
Thirdly, we must call upon him, ask him to save us as told to us in Romans 10:13 (NLT)…
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (emphasis mine)
Lastly, do it now! Bow your head, ask him and receive him. Today is the day of salvation according to 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)…
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
All that’s left is for you to bow your head and speak to him from your heart. He’s waiting. He’s been waiting, wanting to have this conversation with you.
Father,
I pray for each one reading this post today. Thank you for them, their attentiveness and encouragement. I especially pray for the one(s) who does not know you. They are a large reason I blog. I blog to share YOU and YOUR message of life and living it more abundantly. Holy Spirit, please speak to the person(s) who do not know, who have not accepted you as their Lord and Savior. May they not click off this page until they do just that. Please, woo them, call them, save them.
In the precious name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
Linking with Thought Provoking Thursday, 12 Days of Eternal Gifts, Imperfect Prose and Thankful Thursday
