Many get into trouble because of the choices they make (Galatians 6:7-8). Since the hours of the day brings “uncertainty;” men should seek God’s help in order to navigate the minutes of each hour. By getting out of bed each morning and requesting the Lord’s help, so that situations which are evil can be avoided or conquered. This is a great way to enter each day and allow God the glory (Matthew 6:13).
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Everyone must go out into the world with dignity. Set a great example, present themselves with class, obey the laws of the land and help those who deserve help. Do only those things which build people up and make them better, never do a single thing which will cause another harm. Avoid the traps of evil which may appear to be a “beautiful slam dunk” but in reality is a trojan horse there for your downfall (Proverbs 21:15; 1 Timothy 6:9; Prov. 11:1-6, 9:10-18, 6:20-35).

No one can claim a paycheck without doing something to earn it. So in other words, one must do some kind of work for the pay. This fact, everyone knows and agrees with. Well, I would like to use this same point to teach a lesson about going to heaven. You see, entrance into Heaven is a reward which Jesus Christ will issue to those who have been faithful (Revelation 2:10). Many think they will go to heaven simply because they believe that they will, but that will not be the case (Luke 13:22-28). The word of God teaches that most people will be going to Hell, and the reason is their failure to obey the instructions that the word of God teaches (Matthew 7:21-23, 25:41-46).

So yes, entrance into Heaven requires obedience to the scriptures (Hebrews 5:9). Man must learn the word of the Lord so that he can understand what is required of him (Acts 10:22). The New Testament is the part of the Bible for which Christ died on the cross, and it is that part of the Bible which serves as rule for us (Matt. 26:28; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Heb. 7:22, 9:15, 10:9-10). Start with the book of Matthew, read the gospels which teach the life of Christ, and His purpose on Earth. Read the book of Acts which identifies the church which Jesus established and how men became members. Next the epistles (Romans-Jude) which give information about the church and how we should live. The last book is Revelation which teaches the persecution of the church at the hands of the Roman Empire and how the Christians gain the reward (Rev. 2:7). So if no faithfulness, no wonderful paycheck; just the bad one, “hell” (Psalm 9:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
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Hope to hear from you or see you at the services.

At times people take Hell lightly by making jokes in reference to the place. A person will say, “I will see you in Hell.” In other words they say both of us will be in Hell.

But anyone who knows what Hell is, would never compare themselves with someone who is there. That is just like comparing yourself to someone who has cancer.

Terrible places should cause one to take a detour from its path and refrain from jokes or comparisons to such horrible fates.

The Bible teaches that Hell is no joke. It is a place of darkness and everlasting torment and the people who end up there, are there to suffer (not to party or fight with an enemy). And yes, no one will want to be there regardless of who is with them. Hell is a picture like a bunch of crabs struggling to get out of a pot of scalding water (Mark 9:43-48; Matthew 13:38-42).

Don’t make jokes about Hell. It is real, and it is a hopeless situation for those who find themselves there (2 Peter 2:3-9).
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Hope to hear from you or see you at the services.

​Last week’s newspaper had an article about animal cruelty in it where a woman got jail time and a huge fine for starving her dog to death.

And of course there has been many other reports of bad things being done to animals at the hands of men. Yes, man has proven himself to be an equal-opportunity bully when it concerns dishing out violence. Not only will he beat a homeless guy with a pipe, throw a crying infant against a wall in order to silence crying. He locked the cockpit door while the captain took a bathroom break and flew the plane into the French Alps! So there is no limit nor action man won’t employ when it concerns violence (Genesis 6:11-13; Proverbs 4:17, 10:6-11).

However, the Lord takes no delight in those who use such evil to make their way on the earth (Psalm 11:5). God demands that men cease their violent ways and humble themselves (Psalm 72:14).

The slogan, “leave them crying for more” is the way everyone ought to conduct their lives. At the end of the day, people should be happy they met us and wishing the time with us could have be longer. No person should be trembling and traumatized because our paths crossed.
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Hope to hear from you or see you at the services.