Protect Your Spirit and GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

there are times when I can't help but wonder what heaven will be like the beauty of Heaven is beyond our imagination how can you and I begin to even imagine a world where the Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes a place where this thing called death will no longer exist a place where there will be no sorrow no anguish a place where there will no longer be such a thing as crying or pain it's hard to get your mind Around Heaven because it's very much the opposite of the reality that we Face here on Earth we're familiar with pain here on Earth we're accustomed to tears here on Earth people cry when they're in pain people cry when they receive bad news but Heaven it's a place that has none of that it's a new reality a Divine reality that's centered in and around the presence of God and as glorious as Heaven is as wonderful a place as it is it does also lead me to think about hell to me what makes hell such an awful place is the fact that you're separated from God you're separated from the presence of Jesus Christ you're away from his Mercy away from his love and his grace you see what makes Hill such an awful place is not the fire it's not the devil but it's the fact that you're separated from God for all eternity a lot of Christians they have a hard time digesting the concept of hell oh we can listen to messages about heaven all day long but we don't want to hear about the reality of hell well let me tell you what the Bible says in second Peter 3 verse 9. it says the Lord does not delay as though he were unable to act and is not slow about his promise as some count slowness but it's extraordinarily patient toward you not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance God does not wish for us to go to hell he doesn't wish for us to be apart from him for all eternity no he wishes for us to repent repent and turn away from sin and turn to Jesus Christ the only way to heaven is Jesus Christ now Mark 9 verse 43 says and if your hand causes you to sin cut it off it is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell to the unquenchable fire the Bible is telling us that it would be better to remove that which causes you to sin than to go to hell there are only two choices it's either we choose Jesus Christ or we choose the devil it's either we pick eternal life or Eternal separation from God and these decisions they're made on a day-to-day basis whether you pray or not you're making a decision whether you read and meditate on God's word or not you're making a decision whether you help the poor whether you witness whether you tell an unbeliever about Christ or not you are making a decision at the end of his life the Apostle Paul said in second Timothy Chapter 4 verses 6 to 8 for I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come I have fought the good fight I have finished the race I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing now I want you to notice how Paul looked forward with positive anticipation to the day when he would go and be with the Lord as Believers we all need to have this same enthusiasm this same fire that Paul had it is a fire that knows there is a crown in heaven waiting for us when we run the good race there is a reward for us in heaven once we've kept the faith and knowing this should light a fire in US have you ever thought about where your life is heading I'm not talking about fulfilling your dreams or desires my question is do you know where you will spend your eternity it is easy to forget that this Earth isn't our real home and that all of this will eventually fade away and come to an end yes God created this Earth and has placed us here to live a fulfilling and fruitful life in service to him and to each other but this is just the beginning of our service to him this world is simply a place where we can prepare ourselves before we go to live with him in his kingdom for all eternity that is his plan for all mankind however not all accept him or even want to take part in his perfect plan some have chosen the road to destruction the way we live our lives here on Earth will determine where we spend our eternity and God tells us through his word how we can guarantee eternal life with him this life that we are now living demands so much from us different people and different circumstances demand our time energy effort work and attention these demands keep us busy and as a result we are constantly responding to each one by dividing our attention between them some of these are essential and necessary for our survival comfort and well-being while some are not necessary at all in fact they may be negatively affecting us and others around us causing us stress worry and trouble so much of what we do and how we think is because of the standards that humankind has set and they are not in God's best interests nor pleasing to him although we are in this world we are not of this world and therefore should be living for God according to his standards and will the Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Romans 12 verse 2 when he says and do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God and again he reminds us in Romans 14 verse 8 for if we live we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord so then whether we live or whether we die we are the Lords [Music]