Hell

Hell
Luke 16:19-31

by Estelle Nazary

Lost, here and hereafter

What is the world's greatest need?
1. Prosperity
2. More buying power
These are the answers of 66 educators!

Spiritual Need
Reasons rich man was like all lost people.
1. He was externally like above educators - into social status
2. Like them internally
3. He was lost in wealth - wore purple color of royalty - linen = rich people
4. He feasted sumptuously on most exotic food
People starved even at his gate - material prosperity is not a barometer of spiritual prosperity.
Divorce, drug use, and abuse, crime are all prevalent in America.
5. He was lost in the midst of eternal woe - torment - fire, awful pain, anguish, suffering..
People separated from God from all eternity in Hell.
6. There is "NO" mercy in Hell.
Publican is a sinner - asking for God's mercy. Pharisee telling God how good he was.
7. Rich man was in Hell forever. Rich man died and went to Hell - great gulf fixed by God so people cannot pass from Hell to Heaven.
8. Hell is an eternal truth.
9. He was lost in spite of a witness.
5 brothers - send Lazarus to warn my brothers about his place. Let him bear witness to them. They have Moses and prophets- the old testament scripture. We have the New Testament - the word today. He failed to heed the word, to listen to the word and witness.

Prayer

Prayer
by J.B. Jones

I have to share the amazing power of prayer in my life. For those of you that do not know, my school system was taken over by the state last February. Needless to say, the fallout has continued on and on. It has been very stressful because of all the impending layoffs and morale as at an all time low. I have had one of the worst years as a counselor through all of this mess. I guess it has not been easy dealing with students with impossible situations that I can not even begin to understand or help in any way, but to simply listen. It has simply brought me down and I have absolutely experienced such burn-out I was ready to quit. I want to share several journal entries that I wrote during this time to show how amazing God is....

Journal Entry - "I don't want to go to work anymore. What do you want me to do Lord? I can't keep doing this when I am so miserable. I can't handle anything. I feel like such a failure."

A bit of self-pity for sure, but I proceeded to write down my likes and dislikes of my job. And yet more grumbling..."I don't know what to do. I want you to tell me. I don't want to base my decision on me and my "feelings" but truly know I am in your will. Why has my career choice always been such a source of stress for me? I want to find peace and rest."

I went on to finish my thoughts by making a list of my perceived choices... -
1. quit - stay home/write
2. quit - go back to school/write
3. stay at my job/write 4. stay and go back to school/write

I concluded by writing the following - "My goodness - change - maybe all I need is change- if I make a move and it is a mistake I know you will help me, but I am not going to do anything until I know that I know that I am in your precious will. Thank you for giving me hope. Be anxious for nothing"

The amazing thing is the next morning I received a call to see if I would be interested in a job. And now here I am over two months later as I have consistently prayed for God's will and I have been offered that job! Scary, but so exciting. I have been so anxious on and off over the last month about this job. Mainly that I don't think I can do it! I even convinced myself I just needed to stay where I am because I didn't want my summer ruined because I would be worried about starting a new job. Then I got the call! I was excited and not scared at all. Weird actually...I keep thinking something is wrong with me for not freaking out, but just the other night I had prayed that I would be able to feel peace if this was the right job for me and they offered to me. Thank you so much Lord for your unfailing love for healing my faithlessness.

I am still a little scared, but I know that I will not be able to do a good job without completely relying on the Lord. Maybe that is why he has opened this door for me! It will be an adventure!

I can do all things through Christ who gives strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Worship Experience

Worship Experience
Psalm 95:6-7

by Estelle Nazary

The worshiper fails when he does not worship. Worship means an encounter with God.

How to learn to worship better!

I. Recognize the importance of worship
1. What is worship? bow down, show reverence, appreciation of God, quicken the consciences by presence of God, expression of reverence in body, soul, and spirit.
2. We need to worship. We are to worship our maker, our Lord, our God, not anything He has made. It is a privilege and responsibility. We need to rid ourselves of our guild - emotional or spiritual need. God is the only one who can take away our guilt.
3. It gives direction and understanding. How to live our life and He gives us guidance.
4. We need to be renewed. We are a spiritual being.

II. Imperatives of Worship
1. Attention - requires our attention. We don't worship because we don't settle down. "Be still and know that I am God." calm and quiet voice...God must have our attention.
2. Acknowledge God is God. He is above man.
3. Activity. God speaks - person confesses sin to God - lets God heal a hurt - forgives someone who has hurt - rededicates life to God.

III. Impartings of Worship
1. Discernment - Psalm 73
Bitterness toward God - In worship, experience you recognize what is SO very important.
2. Direction
We are confused and need direction. Need someone to guide and this is what we find in worship. Example - A little girl is lost and says "If you take me to my church, I can find my way home."

14 years ago today, my dear grandmother went home to be with the Lord. There is not a day I don't think of her wishing I could just see the light in her eyes. I miss her so much and wish so much I could talk to her or simply see her interact with Olivia. I know she would have loved that girl to death. My grandmother was a very special person, a gifted writer, and teacher. I have enjoyed reading and posting her devotionals on this blog. There are many more to come! I am so thankful to have had such a Godly Grandmother! Thank you JESUS!!!