Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- May 13, 2013
I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ Luke 16:27-28
There is a place of torment designated for those who die without trusting in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is a lonely place void of the Lord’s presence and His loving comfort. No courier can be sent from the other side to warn those on this side. A decision to follow Jesus must be made on earth to gain a future place in heaven. Those who reject the Lord before they die will be rejected after they die. But, salvation from a tormented soul is sure through faith in Christ.
Life on earth is only a brief prelude to our eternal existence. The proud strut across life’s stage concerned only for themselves. The humble bow in dependence on Christ, prepared to meet their Maker after death’s final curtain comes down. Only fools jog down the path of the devil and his demons. Yes, evil on earth in compounded in eternity where the influence of Holy God is nonexistent. The place of torment is no place for those who have placed their total trust in Jesus.
It has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10
Have riches kept you from a real relationship with Jesus Christ? Are you warning friends and family members today of the judgment to come outside of Christ? Yes, we are to engage lost loved ones with eternal truths wrapped in our care and concern. We love others at their point of emotional, physical and financial need, so we can share with them the significant spiritual truths of heaven, hell, sin and forgiveness. Love is relational lubricant that allows us to speak boldly.
Lastly, be intentional to love those with riches. Who are the rich? One definition is: those who have extra beyond life’s necessities, or it could be someone who has more stuff than you. Serve the wealthy without expecting anything in return and you will earn the right to influence them for the Lord. Warn them not to let riches keep them from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Challenge them to simple living so they can serve and give generously. Help another avoid the place of torment by abandoning themselves to Jesus Christ. He alone can save to the uttermost!
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I place my trust in Jesus Christ to save me from the place of torment.
Related Readings: Psalm 62:10; Jeremiah 49:4; Luke 12:20-21; John 5:24; 1 John 3:14
Post/Tweet today: Those who reject the Lord before they die will be rejected by God after they die. #besavednow
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Tremendous! There are “No Coincidences.” This whole subject of Salvation as well as the fate of “The Lost” has been on my mind “A Lot” lately over the past few months. God has been letting me know in the Spirit just how serious things will be for those who reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve been witnessing “Up Close” just how quickly the enemy and his gang go into action attacking those who i am moved to share the Gospel with. One person in particular that i know, who i’m not sure has accepted Jesus into her life really concerns me because i “Truly” feel in my Spirit that her path and mine have aligned at this point in time for a “Higher Purpose.” As soon as i tried talking to her to find out where she was spiritually, all sorts of chaos started breaking out around this person and her family members. I started praying for this individual once i started seeing “Clearly” that she is under attack by foul spirits; some of whom are “Malevolent” in nature and want to do her physical harm. My attempts to alert her to what i see going on with her as well as the unfortunate events that have unfolded around her have been met with stiff opposition in the spirit realm. There’s “No Doubt” in my mind that it’s the work of satan and his demons doing everything possible to keep this person from arriving at the “Truth” about some very important things that she needs to be made aware of. Because of the nature of the rules that exist in my work environment, i am now forbidden to talk to this person directly because of allegations of harassment that she came forward with which of course were completely false. I have now committed the situation with her into God’s hands. I continue to pray for her, but i can do nothing more because it would just add volatility to the situation which i don’t want. I saw this person about an hour ago right before i logged on to check today’s devotion here and got the confirmation that i’m already aware of. This person is in trouble! This person does not take care of her body and is facing health issues as a result of her abuse of it. She smokes heavily enough and has for quite a while and has told me she has no desire to stop. I’ve been praying to God to perform a “Miracle” in this persons life and convict her about how offensive what she’s doing to her body actually is to him. God’s word is “Clear” about what he’s going to do, and “Believer’s” as well as “Unbeliever’s” alike need to realize that “Many” people are going to be “Greatly Disappointed” on that day that’s talked about in Matthew 25:31-46. God says in (1 Cor 3:16 & 17) that any man that destroys his temple, Him he will destroy! God is “Obligated” to fulfill his word otherwise he wouldn’t be God because he cannot lie. (Numbers 23:19 & Isaiah 55:11) Thank You for today’s devotion; This one definitely hit home, and i’m releasing my Faith that God is going to continue to Enlighten me and Empower me as well, to be effective for him and do my part to help usher in his kingdom!
Please share your scriptural basis for this devotional. Several Christian friends maintain there “could be” an opportunity to accept Christ when they meet Him AFTER they die. Hebrews 9:27 is the only reference I can find and even it doesn’t say definitively, but your devotion does.