Lake Of Fire

What a hot spell we had. I think we were all looking to the big storms for some relief and some much needed rain, but all we got was hotter and drier weather. Well, it looks as if Autumn is finally going to slide in with some cooler temperatures. It’s sure good to walk out of the house at 7:15 in the morning and not have it be 85 degrees. A week of one hundred plus temperatures sure took a toll on the grass and trees. I’m not one to do much yard watering, but when the trees start shedding dry green leaves I break down and give them some water. Maybe the next cold front will be strong enough to push through our part of the country, triggering some much wanted rain showers.
“Bless this house, oh Lord, we cry; Please keep it cool in mid-July. Bless the walls where termites dine, where ants and roaches march in time. Bless our yard where spiders pass the fire ant castles in the grass. Bless the garage, a home to please carpenter beetles, ticks and fleas. Bless the love bugs, two by two; the gnats and mosquitoes that feed on you. Millions of creatures that fly or crawl, in Texas, Lord, you put them all! But this is home, and here we’ll stay; So thank you Lord for insect spray.”
You know you’re in Texas in summer when: The birds are using potholders to pull worms out of the ground; The trees are whistling for dogs; Hot water comes out of both taps; You can make sun tea in minutes; Seatbelt buckles become branding irons; You learn to drive with two fingertips on the steering wheel; The temperature drops below 95 degrees and you feel a little chilly; You break into a sweat when you step outside at 7:30 a.m.; You learn that asphalt has a liquid state; Potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is dig them up and add butter, salt and pepper; You see farmers feeding their chickens crushed ice so they won’t lay boiled eggs & Cows start giving evaporated milk.
[Revelation 20: 11-15] Lately I’ve been studying the concept of the negative side of eternal life, not that I’m afraid of ending up there, but how to teach someone they don’t want to go there. I’ve looked into the meaning of “Hell” & “Hades” and feel both refer to the grave, a physical dirt burial after death. It seems to make sense when you read this passage. “The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them…” So there are those dead in the sea and those who are dead, buried and unburied (cremated and scattered). “Then death (physical death, the last foe to be conquered) and Hades (the grave) where thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.” Standing before God the “books” will be opened, and the book of life will be opened. What you have done in life is recorded in the books and the dead will be judged by what is written. Too many people have the mind that their deeds will save them, but read on. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” A study of “the book of life” finds that your name is in it before you’re born, but sin blots it out. As a child, sinless and guilt free, we are safe in the arms of God if death should come. But as a sinner, guilty of disobedience to God and his will for mankind, the only way we can be assured our name is in the book of life is to be baptized for the remission of our sins and live according to His will. The spirit never dies, so I understand, but if it’s thrown into the lake of fire I’ll but you’ll wish you could die again. Texas ain’t near as hot and there’s comfort in the arms of God.