I often wonder if anyone that reads the Holy Word of God does so with an extremely discerning mind? In other words, do you read the Word of God, understanding that there are many things most everyone misses? Do you think this is odd?

I have never been to any Seminary or the like; therefore, it was very odd when I discovered that so many things were missing when I would read the Bible. One night I was praying and talking with the Lord, and I suddenly realized what was missing. We read, God said this or that, yet what was NOT there? Let me explain this better. I am sure many will remember the story that Jesus told about the “Rich man and Lazarus.” That was where I made the discovery for myself.

Luke 16:22-24 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

How does this account strike you? Do you notice what is being said, or maybe it would be better if I said, do you see what is NOT said? Everything in this story is in the singular! The Rich man is singular; he is in torment in a singular way; He notices Abraham and Lazarus in a singular manner as well. He cries to Father Abraham and speaks of himself being in torment in a singular manner. He wants Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. Again, it is singular…right? Now do you understand?

In Heaven, we will know each other and see each other at the Feast of the Bride and Groom… we will be together and know each other. Yet, In this story that Jesus Tells, it is in the singular! One is only able to conclude Hell will be experienced in a singular manner! You will be alone; and no matter what you do, however far you crawl, you will continually be alone! How scary is that?!

My Friends, do you understand? How many people are lonely every day; how many end up with Problems because of that loneliness? Now consider again what the Bible says about Hell, that it will last for Eternity. Again…that is way too scary! I would rather not dwell on that. Let’s also consider as well, that was a story that Jesus Christ told; it was NOT a parable! How was the Lord able to tell that story? Would any of us be able to tell such a story? Typically, we must witness a certain event in order to tell another. Jesus told that in the “First-Hand.” The Lord knows everything, and we must remember, too, HE created these areas.

I believe it goes without saying, the statement by some, “I would rather Reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” is the Ultimate Oxymoron. Those that go to Hell will never see another, nor would it matter; their torment will be incomprehensible! There will be nothing for them to see, nothing for them to do, and there will be absolutely NO HOPE! No change ever, no end in sight…ever; nothing but torment and loneliness, knowing you could have had Heaven! Can you imagine that?! I know I keep saying it, but it is still truth…That is scary!! It’s like trying to explain, how long is Eternity.

Read the Word of God, but at the same time, understand, there are things said or told; and then again, things that are not told or said, and they are important to know as well. If the Word of God says there is Hope, Salvation through Jesus Christ…there is also Hell and no hope; and once you’re there, Salvation will cease. You’re there for Eternity!

Where in the Bible does it say “Purgatory” anything? It doesn’t, because that does NOT exist and it never will! While you are alive, you must seek Jesus Christ and have HIS Blood to cover your Sin; otherwise, NO Heaven… it is that simple! I must ask you to NOT listen to me or anyone else… READ your Bible and KNOW what it says… that is the absolute TRUTH!

2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Immediately after Death on earth, you will be either in Heaven with the Lord or in Hell…The Truth according to the Bible. That is a very big and thick Black Line, and everyone will be one way or the other. When the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ takes place…and it will take place one day…you will be in Heaven or left here! Once again, that Black line. Every single Prophecy in the Bible has taken place or it will take place in the future. The Lord God has promised that! So then, the question is, when you die or when the Rapture Takes place…where will YOU be?! That is significant!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

All Passages of Scripture come from the King James Version of the Bible.

All Emphasis is mine.

twobears44@gmail.com

Oh, my Friends! This evening, my Wife and I and Friends visited a “Mexican” restaurant. Well, let’s say this: it was good food, but it missed something…Flavor! I ordered the Fajitas (Carne…Beef) and they tasted alright, but again, no real flavor.

Please understand, we used to live and work in San Antonio, Texas, for 50 years. Thus, we know what real Mexican Food tastes like, and this was NOT real Mexican Food. We have been to Cancun, Cozumel, Progresso Yucatan, Monterey, El Paso and many others; their food was to die for! Those people were very Proud of their work in the food Industry, and it showed and it tasted that way. Evidently, they make food for the people where we live now, and many of these people here have no idea of what Real Mexican food tastes like. I kept thinking, what would these people feel like if they ate some real Mexican Food?

Then, I began to think of this experience, like the Word of God says. “We are the salt of the earth.” And then, “What would happen if the salt lost its flavor?”

Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

In other words, what would happen if WE lost our flavor? To be thrown out, to be trodden under the foot of man? Think on this for a moment. I believe, as a born-Again Believer, we are unique to the Lord. In other words, we have flavor because of HIM. Therefore, if we have no flavor, NO HIM, evidently. Am I correct?! Mexican Food…with no flavor…get my drift? All one would be able to think is, “How sad is that?!”

I remember my Mom teaching me how to make Southern Fried Chicken. She told me to “make sure the batter has plenty of salt in it, otherwise the Chicken will taste flat.” Later, I would not only have plenty of salt in the batter, I would sprinkle salt on the chicken as it cooked, as well. I have never had a single complaint on my Chicken, Fried or Bar-B-Que’d. What does that have to say about you and me being the salt of the earth? Does this make any sense to you? And then, if we lose our “Savor,” as in salt, of what good are we?

In these days and times, it would seem that the world is looking and searching for “Flavor.” Not only in their food, but in their everyday lives as well. Their lives lack good flavor; they have become plain and humdrum, if you will. Nothing seems to change; it’s the same old, same old, every day! So, what if we threw them some salt, as in the Holy Word of God?

It’s sort of like coffee. The majority do not like the bitterness of coffee, but if you throw a small amount of salt in it, the bitterness disappears. Could it be that we should be that small amount of salt in their coffee? Lose the bitterness and it just tastes better…am I right? It’s wintertime right now; what if we went out to witness to others and took along some chocolate chip cookies or crackers with cheese? A nice hot cup of coffee to boot; do you think it would be a memorable time? I Do. When a time is memorable, would it not become a time they would remember…especially what you told them?

Do you think that this is what is meant in that passage of Scripture? We, as Believers, feeding the masses in such a way, that it is memorable? My Friends, we are Believers; we are the salt of the Earth! We are the flavor to the world!

Okay, am I little strange? Does what I state sound unusual and different? Then maybe it should, and not only for me. I believe that we should be different. Our Lord and Savior was different too…am I correct? Our choice of music is different; our lives are lived in a different manner. The question should then be, how can we…show more flavor to this world?!

Ya know, Mexican food is not real…unless there are Jalapenos or Habaneros in it, or even some cilantro. Yuppers…it’s going to make you sweat some. Oddly enough, milk or a flour tortilla will take the burn away. But you won’t forget what that food tastes like! I think we should be the same way because we are different. Let’s make the experience different and flavorful at the same time. What do ya think? Let’s salt the earth…with the Word of God!

Please keep something in mind here. The Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ is very close at hand! And the Word of God says, “Only a FEW will find the path to the narrow Gate.” Could it be that the world has never tasted the flavor of the Lord Jesus Christ?! Do they have any idea of what the Food of the Word would taste like…if there were no salt? Flat and Unappealing for sure. So maybe we could jazz it up a bit. Right? Throw in a few jalapenos, if you will. Just maybe, if we can make them sweat a little, they won’t have to burn…for Eternity.

Hey y’all…it’s just the way my mind works sometimes. I take what this world has to offer and then mix it with The Word of God; and hopefully…it will taste like Heaven! I am always willing to sit down to some really good Mexican food and Praise the Lord for it! HE feeds us, then we should feed the world.

My Friends, tell me what you think. I am on pins and needles to know your point of view.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

All Passages of Scripture come from the King James Version of the Bible.

All Emphasis is mine.

twobears44@gmail.com